Cats spend a significant amount of time grooming themselves: after eating, after sleeping, after a walk, after resting… in short, after doing anything. They'll even groom themselves if they feel unfamiliar. They are naturally extremely clean animals , since in the wild, an animal that smells too strong can be easy prey for predators. We know this. A furry friend at home doesn't need to protect themselves from anyone, but there's little you can do against instinct.
Even so, sometimes we will have no choice but to take care of their personal hygiene ourselves, so I'm going to tell you from what age you can bathe a cat and how to do it without causing stress or any other kind of discomfort.
When to bathe a cat
Cats can start being bathed at two months old, although it's best to wait until they are three months old, once they have at least received their first vaccination. Doing it earlier can be very harmful to the animal, and could even endanger its life. So, when they are at least eight weeks old, you can gradually accustom them to bathing. Never force them to do anything , as this will cause them to associate bathing (and not just grooming itself, but also the toilet) with something negative ( stress ).
Puppies are very curious, so it won't be hard to get them interested in the water. However, before putting them in the bathtub, I recommend that the first few times you bathe them in a baby bathtub or a basin filled with no more than 2 cm of lukewarm water. Speak to them in a soft, calm tone, making sure no soap gets on their face or in their ears. Then you'll just need to rinse it off with water and dry them with a towel.
Bathing a kitten isn't difficult, but getting an adult cat used to the bath is. So, if you plan to bathe your cat occasionally, the sooner you start (remember, never before eight weeks old), the easier it will be for them.
How to bathe a cat?
Although our beloved cat is a naturally clean animal, sometimes we'll have no choice but to lend a hand, especially if it's sick, very dirty, or if, due to age, it no longer remembers to take care of its hygiene. But how do we do it?
Before bathing your cat
Before bathing your cat (when you have never done it before), you must first have everything at hand so that you do not forget anything. When you have everything at hand, then:
- Do this in a large plastic tub or sink with a non-slip mat.
- Use special shampoo for cats without chemicals or perfumes.
- Use cat conditioner only if necessary, never use human.
- Use a towel or two to dry him off.
- Also have a brush handy to remove knots.
Bathing your cat
If you have to bathe your cat even if it does not like it, first, you must arm yourself with patience. For the bathroom, keep the following in mind:
- Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water that is not hot
- Put your cat slowly into the water and do not fill it too much so that your cat does not feel anxious
- Give your cat lots of praise and reassurance all the time. Treats can be very helpful.
- Do this with another trusted person to hold the cat's head and reassure it if necessary.
Steps to follow
The best thing to do is start getting him used to it when he's a kitten ; that way, it won't seem so strange to him when he's older, and he might even end up liking it. But I won't lie to you: the first few times can be very stressful experiences for both you and your cat, so my first recommendation is to stay calm. Being nervous won't help at all.
Once you're calm, fill a clean basin —the kind you put clothes in after washing— with lukewarm water , around 37°C. It's important not to fill it completely: enough to cover its paws is more than enough.
The next thing you need to do is call the cat in a very cheerful tone of voice so it won't hesitate to come to you. Since it's a very clever animal, it will probably turn around as soon as it sees the basin of water, but to prevent this, you need to offer it a treat as soon as you see it enter the bathroom. Then, take a small towel and dampen it, then gently wipe the animal's body with it (I know, the floor is going to get soaked. But we have to go step by step so it doesn't get scared).
Scratch his neck and the area of ​​his back where his tail grows . He'll surely love it and it will make him feel much better, which will also help you see that nothing bad really is wrong.
If you see that he's comfortable, you can gently pick him up and place him in the tub to finish cleaning his head —being careful not to get shampoo in his eyes, nose, or ears—his paws, and his tail. Afterward, dry him with a towel, brush him with a slicker brush or the Furminator, which is a brush that removes almost 100% of loose fur. Don't forget to give him another cat treat as soon as he's calmed down . If he's very uncomfortable and tense, dry him off and try again in a few days.
After bath
Once you've bathed your cat, there's no need to do it regularly, especially if your cat doesn't like it. It's best to clean them with special products if they get dirty, avoiding bathing them to prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Do cats need a bath?
At this point, you might be wondering if your cat really needs a bath or if you can skip it. Actually, cats don't need baths unless they're extremely dirty. But if you haven't gotten them used to baths from a young age, then it's best not to. If they do get dirty, there are special cat wipes that will help keep them clean.
In case your cat has so much dirt that it cannot wash itself or that it is not possible to clean it well with special wipes for washing cats, it will be only then that a bath can be a good idea.
How to bathe a cat that is not used to being bathed?
Most cats don't like baths, and it can be really stressful for them , especially if they've never had one before. As we just mentioned, if possible, clean only the dirtiest areas instead of wetting their entire body.
But if you need to bathe him, it's important to know how to do it so it's a comfortable experience for both of you. However, if your cat has been in contact with toxic substances, the first thing you should do is take him to the vet.
If you have to bathe your cat even if it doesn't like it, first, you'll need to be patient. Keep the following in mind for bathing :
- Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water that is not hot
- Put your cat slowly into the water and do not fill it too much so that your cat does not feel anxious
- Give your cat lots of praise and reassurance all the time. Treats can be very helpful.
- Do this with another trusted person to hold the cat's head and reassure it if necessary.
If your cat is scared, it will try to scratch or bite you. If this happens, stop bathing it and talk to your veterinarian about other washing methods. They may recommend a groomer experienced with nervous cats who can bathe your cat for you.
It's important to prioritize your cat's well-being at all times, even before cleaning up. Don't let your cat have a bad experience with the bathroom , or you'll never be able to clean them up when they really need it.