How To Bathe Your Cat

Instead of feeling like you’re going to war each time your feline needs a wash, follow these tips for a less stressful experience.
Claudia Chia 17 September 2020

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Photo: Agi Sz|Pexels

Felines are top performers in the hygiene department — they're known to self-groom regularly, removing dirt, loose fur, and more — but that doesn’t mean they don’t need our help for showers every once in a while. This is especially since they often accidentally soil themselves in the litter box or while getting up to mischief.

When it is time to clean up your dirty kitty, always be prepared. Ensure that you have all the necessary supplies on hand, so you can shorten your feline’s overall bath time (and thus, not stress him out unnecessarily).

Here’s a list of things you need:

  • Rubber gloves (in case kitty decides to try and claw his way out)

  • Cat shampoo

  • A large pitcher for rinsing, or a gentle spray nozzle (If you can adjust the water pressure on your shower head, that can work too.)

  • A large towel

  • Cotton balls to clean their ears (Do not use Q-tips as those can damage the inside of kitty’s ears, and may push ear wax further into the wax canal.)

  • A small washcloth to clean their face

And you‘re set! Next, it’s time to begin the shower. We recommend washing your feline in a place that would not require you to bend over, like a bathroom sink.

Step-by-step guide for a quick and painless kitty bath:

  • Fill the sink with about 8cm of lukewarm water.

  • Wet your kitty from the shoulders to the tail, and apply shampoo.

  • Lather and rinse thoroughly.

  • Since most felines do not enjoy having water splashed on their faces, instead of spraying water, use a damp washcloth to wipe your cat’s face clean.

  • Using an appropriate ear cleaning solution and a cotton ball, clean the inside of your cat’s ears.

  • Rinse any leftover shampoo off, and carry your kitty out of the basin, and onto a table or counter to dry him up.

  • Fold a large towel around him, and dry off as much water from his fur as possible.

  • Most cats will air dry in minutes, but if you have a longhaired breed, it may take longer. If your furkid is able to tolerate the loud noises, you can choose to use a hairdryer (on low heat setting) to speed up the process.

Practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid of bath time with Puss! In due course, Puss will realise that showering is nothing to be afraid of, and soon learn to love the extra “massage”!

*This article was updated on 17 Sept 2020. It first appeared in PetsMagazine.com.sg on 28 Jul 2016.