Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Preparing to swim
• Part 2 of 2: Bathing the cat

Cats don't really like getting wet, so trying to bathe them can get an angry animal and an extensive collection of scratches. In fact, cats are regularly licked throughout the day, so they don't need a weekly bath. However, if your pet's fur has become greasy, dirty or smells bad, it would be wise to give him a full bath in the bathroom. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to avoid scratching from cat claws and help your pet learn to be calm about bathing.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Preparing to swim

1. 1 Start teaching your cat to bathe as a child. Introduce your pet to water while it is still a kitten so that it can get used to bathing.
   • First, the cat should be trained to sit directly in the sink or bath for a few weeks before the actual bath. Place your pet in the sink or bathtub along with its favorite toys. Additionally, use some treats and catnip and let the cat sit there for 5-10 minutes. This way the cat will have positive associations with the bathroom, and the very idea of ​​bathing will not scare her.
   • When your cat gets used to just sitting in the sink or bathtub, try filling this container 1 inch (2.5 cm) with water and placing toys in the water. Play with your pet near the sink or tub and try to encourage him to sit on the edge of the tub or sink to play with the toys in the water.
2. 2 Remember to comb your pet's coat thoroughly before bathing. Comb the cat's coat well to detangle it and remove dust and debris, especially if your pet is long-haired.Dry mats are noticeably easier to comb out than wet ones, and getting rid of them will prevent unnecessary irritation of the cat during bathing. Brushing can also detangle matted hair, which can be difficult to wash with soap, which can irritate the cat's skin and cause itching and scaling.
   • Also, before bathing, you need to trim the cat's nails so that she does not scratch you, and her nails do not cling to your clothes or towel and do not get stuck in them.
   • You will also need to plug the cat's ears with cotton to protect them from water ingress, and drip eye drops into the eyes so that the soap does not irritate them. If the cat does not allow you to insert cotton wool into its ears, do not insist, skip this operation, and after bathing, simply wipe the cat's ears dry with a cotton pad.
3. 3 Prepare the bathing area in advance so that it goes quickly and painlessly. The best way to train your cat to be tolerant of bathing is to make bathing quick and effective. Gather all the necessary materials for bathing your pet in advance by the bath or sink. You will need the following:
   • a pair of rubber gloves;
   • shampoo for cats. Do not use human shampoo, as the pH of human skin is different from that of feline skin, so this shampoo will dry out the skin and hair of the animal. If you are in doubt about which cat shampoo to choose, then oat shampoo, which has a mild moisturizing effect, is a good choice;
   • a large watering can with a scattering nozzle (for gentle rinsing) or a jug;
   • large towel;
   • cotton pads;
   • a small napkin or rag.
   • Avoid using a strong shower as the noise will distract and annoy your pet. If there are multiple operating modes for the shower head in the bathroom, set it to a gentle diffusing mode. If, after bathing, you are going to dry your cat with a hairdryer and not with a towel, make sure that the appliance has a low temperature mode, otherwise you can burn the cat's skin. However, most cats prefer towel drying over the loud hum of the hair dryer.
4. 4 Place a towel on the bottom of the tub or sink. To prevent the cat from scratching your hands, place a towel on which it can grab its claws. Make sure the towel is set securely and won't slip when your cat puts its claws into it while bathing.
   • You can also install a small window screen (if available) in the tub or sink at a 45-degree angle to give the cat something to hold on to.
5. 5 Get someone to help you hold your pet while bathing. If possible, involve a family member or friend in the bath. Ask the person to gently hold the scruff of the cat's neck (with minimal effort to avoid causing discomfort or pain) while you bathe it.

Part 2 of 2: Bathing the cat

1. 1 Lock the bathroom door and prepare bathing water. To prevent the cat from escaping from the bathroom, lock the door. Fill a sink or tub with lukewarm water about 5–7.5 cm. Never use hot water for bathing, as hot water can easily overheat cats.
   • Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and maintain hygiene.
2. 2 When placing an animal in a sink or bathtub, hold it by the scruff of the neck. Talk affectionately to your cat in an encouraging tone as you place it in the tub or sink. Hold the animal by the scruff of the neck so that it stays in place, or involve a helper in this. If your cat does not have claws on its front legs, it is better to hold it behind its back so that it cannot scratch you.
   • Stroke the animal with one hand while pouring water on its head and neck with the other hand. Make sure that the water does not get into the cat's eyes or cause irritation. Next, thoroughly wet the back, paws and butt of the animal.
3. 3 Lather your pet with shampoo. Be sure to lather your cat's back, neck, chest, belly, tail, and paws. Thoroughly lather the shampoo to remove any impurities.
   • Most cats do not like it when water is poured over their face. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe the area and avoid getting scratches or "complaints" from a disgruntled pet.
   • If your pet permits, at this stage, you can wipe the inside of the ears with cotton pads.
4. 4 Rinse all soap off the wool thoroughly. You may need to rinse your pet's fur several times to completely rinse off all the soap. Residual soap will irritate the skin, so continue rinsing the coat until there are no bubbles or other soap residue on it.
5. 5 Dry the cat with a towel or blow dry. Most cats love to towel dry after bathing. Use a towel to dry your pet from head to tail. Try to collect as much excess moisture as possible with a towel, as the cat is likely to shake itself off and the excess water will form puddles on the bathroom or kitchen floor.
   • If you prefer to use a hairdryer to dry your pet, never set the appliance to hot air that can burn sensitive cat skin. Set the hairdryer to a low flow of warm air that is less noisy.
   • Reward your cat with a treat for a successful bath, so that he remembers that bathing can be positive.
6. 6 If your cat is still not used to swimming in peace, consider contacting a professional groomer for these procedures. If your cat is extremely negative about bathing despite your best efforts to keep him comfortable, it may be wise to take him to a professional groomer to bathe. The groomer will perform the procedure for you, saving you from scratches and angry looks.