A home guide for bathing and handling your cat! To begin, bring your cat to the bathing area (like your bathroom sink). Always start by calming your cat – don't let it get nervous. Gently scratch its chin and pet its head to ease tension. Once settled, trim its nails first to avoid scratches during the bath.
After trimming, soothe it again with pets to help it relax. Now, start running the water. Don't push the cat towards the water yet. Let it hear the water sound first, allowing it to adjust gradually.
Use lukewarm water around 40°C (104°F) – test it with your wrist. While the water runs, you can apply a degreasing cream if needed. Skip this step if your cat isn't oily or you don't have the product.
Once the tub/basin is filled, don't immediately place your cat in the water. Begin the desensitization process: slowly pour water over its body. Expect significant struggling at this stage. Crucially, maintain control – don't let it escape. Gradually guide it towards the water, helping it adapt.
When guiding your cat into the water, avoid scruffing its neck.
Instead, secure it by gently holding its chest with both hands, just enough to prevent escape. As the cat realizes the water is harmless, it will start to accept it. Slowly ease it into the tub/sink. It will likely struggle intensely, feeling uncomfortable and scared. Use the same calming techniques: scratch its chin and pet its head to soothe it.
Once your cat is relatively calm and adjusted to being in the water, you can start washing its face and head. Add cat shampoo to the water, work it into a lather, and gently wash its body!
The golden rule of cat bathing is desensitization. Often, cats fear not the water itself, but the sounds and sudden sensations. Once they adapt, they usually resist much less during the actual washing.
After shampooing, rinse thoroughly with clean water several times until all suds are gone. Then, lift your cat out, dry it completely (using a towel and optionally a low-heat blow dryer), and you're all done!
Once your cat is relatively calm and adjusted to being in the water, you can start washing its face and head. Add cat shampoo to the water, work it into a lather, and gently wash its body!
The golden rule of cat bathing is desensitization. Often, cats fear not the water itself, but the sounds and sudden sensations. Once they adapt, they usually resist much less during the actual washing.
After shampooing, rinse thoroughly with clean water several times until all suds are gone. Then, lift your cat out, dry it completely (using a towel and optionally a low-heat blow dryer), and you're all done!