Cats tend to be very clean animals. However, they can still start to smell. My cat loves playing outdoors, especially during the summer, so he smells like grass and can even have bugs all over him. His version of cleaning doesn’t do justice- he can only get physical dirt off of him, not the stench. So, I decided to start giving him baths. The first time was pure misery- for both me and Prince, my cat. At the time he was a very small kitten, so I started off by washing him off in a sink. He automatically began to squirm and accidentally scratched me. As time progressed, he was still uncomfortable and terrified. At times, he’d still accidentally scratch me when he tried to run away. Soon enough, I decided that I wanted to find a way that’s more easier and calming for both Prince and me. Thus, I did a lot of research, and began observing as my cat was bathed. Not only did I find out a few simple tips that make bath time SO much easier, but I was also able to find few simple hacks to make baths more affordable and purpose-driven!
Tip 1:
Put a piece of cloth on the bottom of the bathtub. Doing this prevents your feline from slipping while you try to clean him or her, which makes your cat feel much more confident and secure.
Tip 2:
This is almost an alternative to tip 1. For my cat, I found that filling the bathtub up with an inch or two of water not only helps keep him comfortable, but also helps clean the bottoms of his paws. Do this prior to bringing your cat to the bathroom. In fact, you can even combine this tip with the first one- just test out what works best for your kitty.
Tip 3:
Cat shampoos can cost more than human shampoo- about double the price. Thus, for a simple cleanse, I use Johnson’s baby shampoo to give my cat a gentle cleanse. The rule of thumb is do research before you go out and buy whatever shampoo. DO NOT use your shampoo on a cat! Adults tend to use harsher chemicals in their shampoos, which cats can be allergic to and can cause harm to a cat’s coat of fur.
To get rid of fleas, a common hack is to use Dawn blue dish soap. Put a ring of soap around the neck of your cat and work your way down. Applying the ring helps prevent fleas from moving further to the head area, which you must be very careful while washing.
Tip 4:
To wash your cat’s head and face, put away the soap and use fresh, clean water and your hands. This ensures no soap goes into your cat’s eyes and prevents water from going down your cat’s ears. Simply wet your hand and lightly wipe it over your cat’s face.
Tip 5:
Do not use running water. One thing that frightened my cat was the flowing water. When your tap opens up, it can be loud, and when it splashed on the surface, it causes your cat to panic. I find using a clean jug or can filled with lukewarm water the easiest way to cleanse my cat. In fact, I just use a thoroughly cleaned gallon orange juice jug, which is very cost-efficient as well. It makes it easier to pour the water on a specific area, and overall, makes the bathing experience tremendously easier.
Tip 6:
Start young. As I mentioned before, I got my cat as a kitten, when he was 8 weeks old. After a month or so of letting him making himself at home, I began to introduce him to water. Yes, he was terrified, but taking it slowly and helping your feline gain trust is the best way to go.
Tip 7:
It’s more difficult to make an older cat suddenly comfortable with water. In fact, some claim it is impossible, especially at a really old age. You don’t want your cat to become terrified at such an old age. Thus, if your cat really needs to be clean, use a clean, wet cloth. If soap is needed, put a very little bit on, and wash it off. In fact, since it may be difficult to wipe of soap thoroughly, you can use a leave-in shampoo, then wipe it off. Personally, I do wash off leave-in shampoos since they can contain chemicals, which your cat can consume when grooming themself.
Tip 8:
Choose a shampoo suited to your feline’s needs. As I said before, you do not need to get a cat shampoo for a simple cleanse, or even fleas. However, some cats might have more personal needs, which you may need to purchase a specific shampoo for. Some cats may need medicated shampoos, while some, that shed a lot, might need a shampoo that will help reduce fur fall out. For a basic cleanse, use the tip above. However, to thoroughly know what your cat needs, especially if you notice something is wrong, seek a vet’s help.
Tip 9:
Talk to your cat. This may sound weird, but for my cat, this is what works best. Talk to your kitty in a way that comforts them. My cat prefers a soft baby voice.
Tip 10:
Thoroughly dry your cat. My cat does not stop grooming himself until most of the water is off. Dry your cat off with a towel gently. Then, I take my cat to another room with a quiet portable heater and just use a soft brush to groom and dry him. My cat despises loud hairdryers, so the best alternative for me has been heaters.
Tip 11:
Reward your cat. At the end of the bath, give your feline a few treats, a warm bed, and a blanket. I use a thin piece of fabric as a blanket, which allows air to go through and dry my cat while also keeping him warm.
Summary:
Follow these steps and tailor them to your cat’s preferences and needs to have a much better bathing experience. Good luck!
Comment below other tricks you use and let us know if these worked for you!