How to Give a Cat a Bath (and Live to Tell About It)

Instead of asking how to give a cat a bath, it’s wise to first ask if a bath is really necessary. Bathing your cat should be a rare occurrence. Felines are grooming professionals and do not need baths as often as dogs do. According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, cats spend between 30 and 50 percent of their day grooming themselves. They’ve got it covered. However, if you’re here, you’ve got your reasons and we won’t leave you hanging. Here’s how to give a cat a bath‚—and maintain a loving relationship with her afterward.

There are several reasons you may need to step in to help your cat stay clean. If your sweet kitty has ringworm or a major flea problem, your vet might recommend a bath with medicated shampoo. Any cat who has rolled in something sticky or been sprayed by a skunk should be bathed for sure. Hairless cats actually require weekly baths because the oils and sweat from their skin have no fur to cling to, therefore they’re unable to groom themselves effectively. Finally, overweight cats and those with arthritis may need help keeping themselves well-groomed, especially in hard-to-reach places.

If you’ve determined that a bath is really necessary, you may move on to our official first step.

When you give your cat a bath is almost as important as how. Avoid peak activity times or when your cat is very hungry. Ideally, she’ll be relaxed and even keeled. Also, your mantra for cat bath time should be: Slow and steady wins the race. Don’t attempt this if you yourself are in a rush or have limited time. Cats pick up on that tension, and it’ll be more difficult to make this a positive—or painless—experience.

Unless you want scratches up and down your arms post bath, it’s wise to trim your cat’s nails before bath time. Nail trimming should be a regular activity, so this shouldn’t unnerve her too much.

Give your kitty a nice brushing pre bath. Be sure to detangle any knots and work through any matted fur, especially for long-haired cats. Matted fur can trap soap and result in skin infections later on. Like nail trimming, brushing should be part of your routine.

Sinks (or large plastic tubs) work better than human bathtubs for cats. (Less space for her to move around means easier maneuvering for you.) It’s crucial to have a non-slip mat on whatever surface you use. Cats like traction and if the floor beneath them is too slippery, it’ll lead to greater chaos and distress.

The sound of running or rushing water can stress a feline out! Michelson Found Animals recommends filling your sink or a large plastic tub with a few inches of warm water before placing your cat in there. If you’ve got a sink with a spray nozzle that can operate on a very low setting (aka, not too loud or harsh), you may not need the standing water.

Using a slightly damp washcloth, gently clean your cat’s ears and face. Avoid using soap on or directly rinsing these areas with water for the rest of the bath.

Slowly wet your cat’s body with a small cup or the sink nozzle. Start near the base of her tail and work your way up to her neck. The water temperature should be slightly warm, not hot; about the temperature, you’d use to bathe a baby.

Jackson Galaxy, an expert cat behaviorist, cannot stress enough how important it is to use unscented shampoo. Felines are very particular about their scent. You do not want to mess with their carefully calibrated essence! Gently massage an unscented shampoo into her fur, again working towards her neck from her hind legs.

Rinse and rinse again, offering soothing praise the whole time. Lingering soap can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to make sure she’s totally suds-free.

Using as many dry, clean towels as necessary, gently and calmly blot your cat’s fur dry. By this point, she may be extra feisty and trying her hardest to sneak away from you. Hang in there and hold her tight as you get her as dry as possible. After you do your best, it’s okay to let her air dry the rest of the way in a warm room.

You’ve got to deliver some extra tasty treats after a bath. It might be a good idea to reserve special treats for grooming events like baths, nail trimming, and brushing, so your cat associates those activities with positive and distinct rewards.

There you have it! Honestly, the slower and steadier you can move, the better the bath experience will be. Plus, the items below will help make feline bath time even less stressful.