Bathing the Cat: Wet Baths
Sometimes everyone has to
get wet
MetPet.com Staff Writer
and Really Angry Cats
 Most indoor, short haired
cats keep themselves clean by regularly grooming
themselves with their tongue and teeth. Long
haired cats, outdoor cats, stray cats and cats who get
themselves into grease, paint or some other noxious
substance can use human help from time to time.
Cats who are regularly bathed also have significantly fewer allergens
on their fur, about 40% less, which is a great help to those humans who are allergic to cat dander.
Although one or two breeds of small cats, the Turkish
Van for instance, and tigers enjoy swimming in water, most cats will not
appreciate being bathed. If your cat goes
ballistic when you try to bathe it, try one of the dry
shampoo methods or a professional groomer. A cat
groomer is one professional who really earns their keep!
It isn't easy to bathe and groom a stranger who doesn't
like to be wet and who has sharp claws and teeth.
For your protection, we
suggest the following:
- start bathing a cat as a kitten to
get him used to both bathing and blow dryers
- clip off just the sharp, triangular tips of your cat's claws prior to bathing.
Dull claws are preferable to really sharp ones. If
your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, note that clipping
nails means he cannot defend himself as well.
- if possible, get a second pair of hands to help gently but firmly
hold the cat
- make sure the cat has used the litterbox prior to
bathing
- make sure your water heater has plenty of hot water in
it
- thoroughly brush your cat's coat to remove loose hairs
- clip out any hair mats with a pair of rounded-point
scissors. Rounded-point pet grooming scissors are
a worthwhile investment. They will last for years
and will prevent accidental nicks and cuts.
Basic Bathing Requirements:
- A warm, dry room with a closed door
- A sink, a bath or a shower with a hand-held shower
head attachment. If you don't have a shower
attachment for your sink or bathtub, you will need a
lightweight plastic container, measuring cup, bowl or
cup to fill with warm water. If you don't wish to
fill up the entire tub, you can place a plastic bin
inside the bath and fill that up instead.
- A nonskid rubber mat inside the sink, bath or shower
- A lightweight plastic cup or bowl for a more
concentrated source of water
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