How to Care for Your Cat's Coat - Bathing Your Cat

1. Don’t over-bathe. Cats self-clean and are usually more than able to take care of themselves. Your cat may need some extra cleaning if she’s gotten into something dirty or smelly, but you should usually limit her baths.[11]
- Bathing can dry out your cat’s skin. Frequent baths can also change the oil gland levels, which may worsen her coat condition.
- When you do give a bath, go easy on your pet by using mild, cat-safe shampoo.

2. Use good sense and timing. Cats famously do not like water. That said, pick a time as with brushing when your cat is in an easy, relaxed mood. Often the best time is after some play or after a brush-down.
- Some groomers recommend trimming a cat’s claws before you bathe her, which can save you some pain if she does not take to the water.[12] You may also want to wear rubber gloves.
- Lay down a rubber mat in the sink or rub. This will help the cat keep her footing and prevent slipping.

3. Draw the bath. You can use a plastic tub for the bath or a sink, depending on your cat’s size. Fill the basin with 2 to 3 inches of water. Then, carefully lift your cat and set her in the tub.[13]
- Make sure that the water is not too hot. It should be lukewarm and not uncomfortable to the touch.
- Don’t over-fill the basin with water. The cat should be standing (not swimming!) in the water.

4. Wet and lather. Begin to wet the animal all over its body. You can use a spray hose if your sink has one. Otherwise, you might also try a spray bottle or even scoop water over the cat with a plastic pitcher.[14]
- Apply some shampoo to the cat’s coat and start to work up a lather. Massage the shampoo into her fur from head to her tail, avoiding the eyes and face.
- To ensure a mild solution, mix one part cat shampoo with five parts water.[15]
- Many cats do not like being splashed with water in the face. To avoid a tense situation, use a wet washcloth to clear your pet’s head.

5. Rinse and dry. Once you’ve got a good lather, it’s time to rinse. Flush out the shampoo with plain water, again lukewarm, from a spray nozzle or pitcher. Be sure to get all of the solution as leftover shampoo can irritate the skin and attract dirt.[16]
- Wrap the cat in a large towel to dry and put her in a draft-free place.
- Long-haired cats will probably need a combing or brushing after a bath, to prevent tangles.
- Be sure to give your cat a treat after a bath to reinforce the experience. Reduce her anxiety and fear as much as possible.