Bathing a Cat

Giving a cat a bath is really one task that requires a pet owner to wear an armor. You need to protect yourself from the scratches and bites. Cats do not love water and getting them inside a tub is really difficult. Cats have their own bathing equipment, like their tongue and their teeth. They love grooming and keeping themselves clean.

I sometimes need to bathe my little pet Peppers when he is home from his endeavors to the far lands (the lane next to my house) all dusty and sticky and even smelly. Neither of us enjoy the bathing process, he hates water and I hate his claws. But, I have learned a few tricks to finish off the business without any major injury to my body! I would love to share some tips that I have learned the hard way

How to Give a Cat a Bath

A cat can survive without a bath. It is required when the cat is covered with something sticky, disgusting and things you don't want him to ingest. Many times after application of flea powder, giving him a bath becomes necessary. You need to follow some basic tips.

Brush, Brush, Brush
It is always better to brush the coat of the feline before bathing. This helps remove the tangles and knots in long haired cats. You can even try clipping off the claws to reduce painful scratches.

Organize Yourself
The best way to avoid getting yourself hurt is getting organized. Before you get your cat to the bath area, get the shampoo, soap, water, towels, etc. Make sure everything is in place. I find it better to bathe Peppers in the bathroom. I can at least close the door and avoid running behind a cat covered with shampoo all over the house. If I am giving him a bath in the sink, I make sure I put a rubber mat in the sink. He finds it better to calm his nervous by digging his claws in the mat instead of my FLESH!

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold
The water should not be too hot or cold for the kitty. It should be warm enough to give him a relaxing bath. Make sure the water is running when you bring your cat to the bathroom. Before you put the cat into the water, make sure you are wearing a well protected clothes.

Tip: Never wear new clothes or clothes made from flimsy fabrics when giving your cat a bath. You can wear thick materials like jeans and long sleeved t-shirts to avoid the scratches.

1 Cat = 2 People
It is always better to call in extra help. I usually call my mom for help. You may be wondering why call for extra help for cat bathing? Kitty is so small and cuddly, you can manage her all by yourself. That's what I thought the first time. But, the small little kitty, turns into a ferocious feline, the minute you drop a drop of water on her. One person helps restraining the cat and the other bathes the cat. You can try the process single handedly. You need to grasp the cat at the base of the neck or the scruff firmly. Then try cleaning the various body parts of the cat. If your cat manages to make a break for it, then you may need to reach for the first aid box for yourself.

How to Bathe a Cat at Home
Finally, you have brought your cat near the sink, the water is ready, the shampoo and conditioner nearby and the towel hanging at the towel rack. You even have managed to rope in someone to help restrain the cat. Now, comes the biggest challenge of them all, how to bathe a cat at home? These tips should be read carefully.

You need to wet your cat from the head and gradually move down to the tail. I prefer to use a water pipe or hand shower to wet my cat. This is because I do not want to lose precious moments and minimize the chances of getting scratched or bitten. Then apply the shampoo beginning from the head to the tail. Lather enough rinse with water thoroughly. Make sure you rinse you cat properly, as even a slight residue of soap can be ingested by the cat by licking or irritate sensitive kitty skin. Also, fleas and ticks can be gotten rid of.

Wet Cat, Dry Cat
The next step is to dry a wet cat. You need to use a soft towel to gently squeeze excess water out of kitty fur. Then wrap him up in a towel and dry him off. Wait till the cat is fully dried off. If you are one of the lucky few, whose cat does not run off or scratch you to pieces while you dry him off, you can even try to brush his coat.

Mission Accomplished
You need to praise the feline. Give the cat some treats to eat and his favorite toy to play. This will help make it a lot easier the next time, as it will feel it is not so bad after all. My Peppers tends to lick himself a hundred times, before dozing off in a cozy corner. You too may allow your cat its nap, but do not let it out of the house, or you will end up with a smelly, sticky cat again.

Well, this was some information on how to give a cat a bath. I know it a very painful procedure for you and traumatizing for your cat. You can begin bathing them as kittens, to get them used to the process. It is important for keeping your cat healthy. Do not do it very often, but at least once in 15 days or when your cat is smelly. I do it when Peppers really smells bad and has a sticky fur. I hope these tips prove useful to all feline owners.