How do you bath a cat?

@bonbon664 (3466)
Canada
December 5, 2006 3:50pm CST
I have two new cats, and can only keep them if I keep my part of the bargain. I have agreed to bath them with special soap that will inhibit their dander. My husband is allergic, and I really can't put it off any longer. I was wondering if anyone had any tips how to achieve this.
2 people like this
10 responses
• United States
5 Dec 06
Very carefully. It is a two person job! I fill the tub up with warm water - not too hot or too cold. Then one person has to put the cat in the tub and hold them while the other person soaps and rinses the cat. The cat is going to freak out! So wear long sleeves or long rubber gloves. Last time my cat tried to use my face as a ladder to get out of the tub. I had deep scratches down my face and neck. So just be careful!
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
5 Dec 06
With great difficulty. lol. Whatever you do, keep the water lukewarm only... don't make it too hot or too cold. Your cats will not like this. Then, I would say, introduce it gently to the water by holding it over the vessel in which you're going to bath it, and putting some water on with your cupped hand, rubbing it into the fur. From there, gradually lower your cat in, so as not to scare it, and proceed to bathe it. Watch out for the claws! :-)
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
5 Dec 06
If they are kittens, it will not be too hard, just hold them with the palm of your hand under their chest, with your fingers and thumb around their arms. If they get used to being bathed as kittens, it won't be so hard as adult cats. Use water on the cool side; warm water will make them think they are bleeding and will alarm them. If they are bigger cats, I can only wish you good luck!
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
6 Dec 06
Thanks for the suggestion about the temp of the water. I didn't know that.
• United States
1 Feb 07
Put them into the shower, if you have doors. They cannot jump out. Be very careful not to get soap in their eyes. Do one cat at a time. Be sure to wrap them up in a towel in a warm room, so they do not catch a cold.
• India
5 Dec 06
if ur husband is allergic than leave it on him to find the best way of bathing cats.
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
6 Dec 06
That wouldn't go over very well.
• United States
25 Jan 07
The only way to truly bathe your cats is to make sure they're declawed first. I have 2 cats as well and once they get older they get so strong and fiesty! You honestly need 2 people to bathe them, one to hold them down and they other to wash them. Otherwise, unless it's a kitten, they're going to get away and if they have back claws scratch you like crazy! We have to wash ours in the bathtub and to be honest we do it like once every 6 to 8 months because it is so very hard! They hate the water like that and they still have there back claws so it makes it tricky! Good luck!
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
25 Jan 07
well, I tried to bathe them, and wow,what an ordeal. My one arm got a huge scratch on it, and needless to sy they were'nt happy.
@beckyomg1 (6756)
• United States
6 Dec 06
i think that there are wipes too that you can do inbetween the bathing.
• Pakistan
5 Dec 06
I have no cat so I dont know how to bath a cat.
@Undefeated (4788)
• Singapore
6 Dec 06
I will bring it to pet shop .
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
5 Dec 06
put the cat in the shower, turn it on quickly shut the door leave it closed for 10 minits open the door stand back, in about a week your cat will have calmed enough to interact with again