How To Bathe a Cat
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It has long been said that cats loathe water, and they’re often spotted licking their own coats, both of which indicate that cats might not take well to the idea of being bathed. That begs the question: Should you bathe your furry feline friend? And if so, what’s the correct protocol for giving a cat a bath?
We talked to both vets and groomers about how to bathe a cat—and whether it’s ever a good idea.
Can You Bathe a Cat?
Cats are often good at self-grooming and therefore need to be bathed only in certain circumstances, veterinarians say. For example, cats might need a bath when they’re dirty from getting into something or if they have any sort of medical issue that merits being bathed, such as skin problems.
“Generally, other than for cleaning off substances, cats would only need to be bathed at the direction of a veterinarian,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, a Maine-based veterinarian.
What You Need To Bathe a Cat
Should you need to bathe your cat, you won’t need much in the way of supplies. Jennifer Coates, DVM, a veterinarian in Colorado, recommends just the essentials:
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No-slip mat (to place either in a wash basin or at the bottom of a deep sink)
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A moisturizing cat-safe shampoo, like Douxo S3 Soothing Shampoo
How To Give a Cat a Bath
If self-grooming isn’t getting the job done, your cat might need your help. Here’s how to bathe a cat effectively.
1. Wet Your Cat
If you’re bathing your cat in a sink, Dr. Coates recommends gently lowering your cat into the water to get their fur wet.
You can remove your cat from the sink to shampoo them if it’s easier, and then put them back in the sink to be rinsed. Dr. Mitchell recommends using at least two basins: one for shampooing and one for rinsing.
2. Add Shampoo
Melissa Stevens, owner of The Cat’s Pajamas Feline Exclusive Grooming in Fairfax Station, Virginia, recommends shampooing cats during a bath at least two and as many as three times to take care of greasy fur or if your cat is really dirty.
After the preliminary shampooing and rinsing, really get down to the cat’s skin with a second shampoo process. You’ll be able to tell when the cat is clean once there’s a creamy, “sudsy lather,” she says.
If a cat is particularly dirty, Stevens recommends a third shampoo lather or, in the case of dandruff, a medicated shampoo, like DermaBenSs, for the bathing process.
If needed, wash your cat’s face with a damp towel, Dr. Coates says.
3. Dry Your Cat
It’s important to make sure your cat is completely dry at the end of the bathing process. Otherwise, their fur can easily become matted, Stevens says. Dry your cat thoroughly with a towel after their bath.
Tips for Bathing a Cat
Here are some tips to make bathing your cat easier:
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Clip your cat’s nails with cat nail clippers ahead of bathing them, in case they scratch during the process.
- Familiarize your cat with the sounds of grooming, says Katie Alescia, owner of Summer Meadows Pet Spa in Hampstead, Maryland. When grooming cats, she turns the blow-dryer on and lets her cat clients listen to it before blow-drying them.
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Similarly, Dr. Mitchell recommends filling your water tubs ahead of time to avoid scaring your cat with running water.
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Help your cat get used to baths when they’re younger.
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Don’t be afraid to outsource the job to a professional cat groomer. “It’s best to leave baths to your veterinarian or professional groomer if they are so upsetting that you or your cat could be injured,” Dr. Coates says.
How Often Should You Bathe a Cat?
Vets don’t recommend bathing cats too often in part because it can dry out their skin. Dr. Coates says to avoid bathing cats more frequently than every four to six weeks.
A bath can also be a stressful experience for your cat, Dr. Mitchell says, and that can ultimately lead to illnesses.
“A bath along with a lion clip is one thing,” she says. “Bathing just to bathe is just not needed.”
