How to bathe a Cat.doc

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How to bathe a CAT

[Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary ofthe contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract istypically a short summary of the contents of the document.]

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How to bathe a CAT

Four Parts:Getting Ready to Bathe Your CatBathing

Your CatDrying Your CatAlternative Methods for

Bathing Your Cat

Although cats are equipped to clean themselves ontheir own, there are times when they really need a bath

whether they get into something very sticky or dirty,

or if their coat feels oily and in need of care. Bathing your kitty without stressing

it out can be difficult, but not impossible, if you follow a few key rules. Read on to

find out how to have a clean kitty in no time at all.

Part 1 of 4: Getting Ready to Bathe Your Cat

Bathe a Cat Step 1 Version 2.jpg

1.Trim your cat's nails. Even the calmest of cats may get a littlewild once he's covered in water, and he will fight back. To minimize the

damage he'll cause, you should trim his nails before you give him a bath.

Trimming his nails will probably excite him, so try to do this a few hours, or

even a day or two, before the bath so he has time to calm down before he

takes the plunge.[1]

Giving your kitty treats as a reward for getting

his nails trimmed will always make him feel

better and will calm them down


2.Brush your cat.You shouldbrush your kitty before you put it into the

bath. Do not skip this step. Brushing the

kitty will help remove any knots and

tangles in the fur, which will be much

more difficult to remove once your cat is

wet not to mention much more painful for him. If your kitty likes getting

brushed, then you can use the brush to

lure the kitty into the bathtub to make

him feel more at home.[2]

Sometimes you can even brush your cat as a

way to get him distracted enough to allow his

nails to be trimmed. This is a great way of

killing two birds with one stone.

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How to bathe a CAT


3.Wear protectiveclothing. Not only isit important to wash your cat but it is

important to be safe from any possible

scratches, minor or major. A jumper or along-sleeved shirt must be worn so that your

cat has no bare skin to scratch. If you don't have one, you could wear long-

sleeved gloves. It is also a good idea to wear clothing that isn't new. Be

careful and gentle when you rub his head and belly.


4.Get the right cat shampoo. Youcan get kitty shampoo from your vet or local pet

store. Check the instructions to see if it's rightfor your cat, and dilute it with water if it's

necessary. Using regular shampoo can not only

dry out your cat's skin but can be toxic for your

cat. Don't use dog shampoo in a pinch, either.

You're better off just using water than using a

product that can harm your cat.[3]

You'll also need a washcloth for massaging the shampoo onto kitty's body.


5.Prepare the bathroom.Before you can begin to bathe kitty,

you'll need to shut the bathroom door to

prevent him from escaping. You should

also lay down a rubber mat or towel in the

tub so your kitty doesn't slip and has

more comfortable footing. Additionally,

you'll need to place some towels on the floor because it'll get wet, as the

kitty will put up a fight.[4]

Additionally, have at least two towels on hand for drying kitty when the time

comes.

You won't have time to run out for anything while your cat's in the bath, so you'll

need to have everything ready in the bath in advance.


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How to bathe a CAT

6.Prepare the bath. Fill the tub with 4-5 inches of

warm water.Try to fill the tub before bringing your cat into thebathroom, since some cats can be unnerved by running water. Fill two

buckets or, ideally, two plant watering pots, which allow you to direct the

flow of water as you rinse the cat. This is so you don't need to run morewater during the bath, which might frighten your cat. If you have a

removable shower nozzle, then even better in that case, you won't need

to fill buckets with water and can use the nozzle throughout the bath.[5]

Do not use the shower head or faucet to bathe your kitty. This will make the

water pour down too hard and

fast and will scare your kitty in no

time at all. The bath should be as

gentle and soothing as

possible and shouldn't feel like awater attack.

Bathe a Cat Step 7.jpg

7.Make your cat

want to bathe. Thefirst thing you should do is tire your kitty out, so he is at his most mellow

before he enters the water. This will make him less likely to bite or scratch

you or to try to get away. Pick a time when your kitty is at his most calm

often after he is fed and feels satisfied. If he still acts hyper, play with him

as much as you can until he's worn out, not hyped up. Here are some other

ways to get your kitty adjusted to the bath before you start bathing him:[6]

Play with your cat inside his or her bath with a string, or with some other toy that

your cat likes. If you play with your cat in the bath, then your cat will enjoy

bathing and want to get in there again to play with you.

Make the bath a place where you play with your cat with a certain item (like a

mouse on a string or some kind of "cat bathing" toy). This will inspire your cat to

look forward to bathing, instead of fearing it.Part 2 of 4: Bathing Your Cat


1.Maintain control of your cat.Talk to your cat in a calm, quiet voice while

washing. And make sure to keep a good grip on

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the neck or shoulders. Sometimes cats,

obviously, will try to get out of the tub. If they

prefer to have only two of their feet in the water,

face them toward the back of the tub and let

them stand on two feet. If you're really having

difficulty doing this, you can consider getting acat harness, as long as it doesn't hurt the kitty.

If you're nervous or excited about the process, your

kitty will know.

It's easier to bathe your cat if there are two people involved, especially if your cat

is rather strong and can kick and wriggle its way out of your hands. One person

should hold all four legs and hold the cat's jaw so it can't bite you.

Hold your cat firmly so it cannot wriggle out from your grip, but be sure you don't

hold it so tight that it can't breathe.Bathe a Cat Step 9 Version 2.jpg

2.Massage the shampoo onto your cat's face.Soakyour kitty from the neck down. Use a washcloth to wet your kitty's fur. Use

a little bit of shampoo and use the water to wash your cat's neck, body,

legs, belly and tail. Start from his head and work toward his tail, in the

direction of the growth of his fur. Wash the cat in a massaging motion, so

he feels soothed, not scared. Act like you're just petting and grooming your

cat and that this trip to the bathtub is nothing special.

Be sure to not get shampoo in his eyes, nose,

mouth, or ears.

You may need to hold him gently by his scruff to

maintain control over him.


3. Rinse

theshampoo from your kitty.Rinseyour kitty thoroughly using the washcloth and

the water in the tub. Then, drain the tub

and rinse two more times with water from the

bucket or warm water from the tap. It is

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How to bathe a CAT

essential that you remove all the soap

from the coat. You may have to keep

going for even more cycles until you

remove all of the shampoo from your

kitty's fur.

If your cat has a long, thick coat, this

process will take even longer.

Bathe a Cat Step 11 Version

2.jpg

4. Wash your kitty's face with water.Washing your cat'sface with water should do the trick. There's no need to take the risk of upsetting

and hurting your cat by getting shampoo or soap in his eyes. Take a wet

washcloth and gently run it along your kitty's face, brushing the fur away fromhis eyes and nose, until his face, head, and ears are nice and clean.[7]

Don't ever force your cat's face under water. This

is guaranteed to make him panic.

Part 3 of 4: Drying Your Cat


1.Blot the water from your

cat.Let the water drip from the cat whilegently pressing as much water as you can

from the fur before you wrap your cat in

the towel. Rub gently with one towel.

When the first towel gets too wet to be

effective, switch to another dry towel. Don't stop until the cat is damp. Try

warming the towels in the dryer first, as many cats find this comforting.[8]

When you blot the water from your kitty, do it in a gentle motion, as if you're

massaging him. He'll feel more comforted this way.


2. Finish drying your cat.Short-haired cats can finish dryingthemselves in the bathroom as long as they're away from drafts. They will

appreciate a heat source (space heater or warm air vent) and a dry towel to sit on.

With long-haired cats, you will have to use a comb and more towels. Long hairs

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mat more easily when wet, so you may wish to comb the coat until it is completely

dry.

If your cat is not scared of a hair dryer, you can use a dryer

set on warm, not hot to finish drying your cat from a

distance. The hot setting on a hair dryer is way too hot for

kitty so don't ever use it.

You can also gently brush your kitty's fur to get rid of any

knots or tangles. This can be especially helpful for a long-

haired cat.

Make sure your kitty is dry before he runs into trouble. If

your cat runs off before he's fully dried and trots outside, he

can get even more dirty when all of the elements stick easily

to his damp fur.


3. Reward your cat.This is a must. If you want your cat to ever wantto take a bath again, you must give him a

positive association with the process. Give

him his favorite wet food, catnip, or other

treats. You can even give him an even more

indulgent treat that you save for

exceptionally rare occasions. If you associate

bathing with receiving delicious treats, your

cat will be clamoring for another go in the

bathtub in no time at all.[9]

You should also praise your kitty by petting

him, telling him what a good kitty he is, and giving him lots of attention when the

bath is over. He's likely to feel vulnerable and scared and your affection will make

a difference.

art 4 of 4: Alternatie !etho"s for Bathing Your Cat


1. Bathe your cat by

dipping him in buckets of

water.Use a couple buckets for separatebathing stations, even with cats that have

never been bathed before. Have the buckets

filled with warm water. Dip the cat in above

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How to bathe a CAT

his neck and using a wash cloth make

sure the cat is entirely wet, then soap

the cat down. Next, put the cat in

another bucket to rinse until soap is

gone.

Make sure to use warm enough water and to

dry your cat thoroughly.

This technique can be done outside if the weather is warm and sunny, and if care

is taken to prevent the cat from escaping in mid-bath.


2. Bathe your cat in the shower.Recognize that it maybe helpful to wash your cat in a shower stall (if you have one with a door,

not a curtain). The cat is essentially trapped in the shower without youhaving to hold on. Make sure the cat has good traction, such as a small

towel or rubber mat in the tub, or you will have a panic-stricken cat that is

likely to seek safety in height by trying to climb you like a tree. Here's how

you do it:

Buy a hose adapter for your bathroom sink and a hose long enough to reach over

the shower door and back down to the shower floor. Or get a hand-held spray

shower and a Y-adapter to connect to your regular shower head.

Hose your cat down, lather up, hose down to rinse, then proceed with drying. Use

a gentle stream, to saturate the fur thoroughly without terrifying the cat. Keepthe water pressure fairly low, so the cat is comfortable. Some cats actually seem

to enjoy the massage settings on hand held showers, especially on the back of the

neck and down the ridge of the back.

3. Bathe a Cat Step 17 Version 2.jpg

Bathe your small kitty in a sink or small tub.Somekitties feel more secure in an enclosed space and can also be easier to control

in one. If you have a small or scared cat, you can try bathing him in the sink or

in a smaller tub within your bathtub in a large plastic container that can

double as a tub, for example. You can still fell the small tub or sink with a few

inches of water, shampoo the kitty, and proceed as usual.

This can work with a larger kitty who likes small spaces, too.

Tips

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How to bathe a CAT

A.By putting a terrycloth towel in the bottom of your kitchen sink, your cat

can feel very secure by sinking his/her claws into something that remains

steady. By applying light to medium pressure to the cat's back and using a

calming tone, much of the anxiety is eliminated.

B.Clean your cat like it was your prized possession.

C.If you have a litter box in the same room as you are bathing the cat, removeit! If a cat escapes from the bath it may make a beeline to the litter box and

make a huge mess.

D.Let the cat know you are there to help. Keep the cat as calm and not

stressed out if possible making a bath easier.

E.Brave souls may find it easier to put on old clothing and sit in the tub

holding the cat (however the cat typically likes to be held) and letting

someone else actually bathe the cat.

F.If all else fails, take your cat to a reputable, professional pet groomer or a

vet for washing. They have experience and proven techniques to keep the

cat calm.

G.If you are giving your cat a flea bath, wet the area around its neck first.

Fleas will try to escape to the dry areas of the cat, which can mean a mass

exodus of fleas to the head and face while you are bathing. A wet neck will

keep them off the head, and in contact with the water and flea shampoo.

H.Cats' natural body temperatures are several degrees above a human's, so

what feels lukewarm to you will feel uncomfortably cold to a cat. It can be

less uncomfortable for a cat if you bathe it in fairly hot water and steam up

the bathroom so warm air is circulating. (Imagine if someone suddenly

tossed you into a tepid swimming pool. Or how it feels when you finish withyour shower and open the door, letting the regular air in. Feels freezing

against your wet skin, right?)

I.The earlier you start bathing your cat, the easier it will be. Over time, the

cat will grow familiar with the routine and fight back less.

J.Try not to bathe your cat too much in the winter, it may catch a cold.

Warnings

A.Make sure to use specially formulated shampoo for cats. Your hair is

different from that of your cat, and your shampoo will only irritate your

cat's skin.

B.Never force your cat's head under the water. To wash their head and face,

use a wash cloth.

C.Do not use flea shampoos for dogs on your cat. They may contain

ingredients that are harmful to your cat. Be sure to read the label on all

products, and be aware that some flea products formulated for cats may

still cause a reaction.

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D.If you find your cat objects too much to a bath by hissing and trying to

escape, then forget the bath. Use a wet washcloth instead. It removes the

outer dirt, and cleans well. You can find treated cloths at pet stores that

need no water to be used to groom the cat. They even have a pleasant

scent.

E.Make sure the outside air temperature is over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 C)and at low humidity. Bathed cats can, and will, contract pneumonia, as

they are easily chilled. Keep a cat indoors in a warm family room for 12

hours after a bath if the weather won't cooperate.

F.Do not bathe your pet any more than once every two weeks. Excessive

bathing may remove protective oils from its fur, making it appear dull, and

reducing the fur's natural efficiency against the elements.

G.If you have more than one cat, it might be a good idea to lock the other cats

out of the bathroom/bathing area, especially if they are males. A yowling

cat can occasionally draw an offensive reaction from others, resulting in

injuries to you and the cat being washed, as well as making an

uncomfortable situation even more traumatic.

H.Watch out for cat claws if you decide to bathe your cat. Wearing a thick,

long-sleeved sweater is one way to avoid getting scratched badly while

bathing your cat. Be patient and gentle; it is natural for cats to fight the

water because it simply doesn't feel right.

I.Similarly, do not get soapy water into your cat's ears. To minimize the risk

of creating an ear infection (otitis external), put a cotton balla small wad

of soft material used to stop up a wound or an openingin each ear. Don't

forget to take them out at the end of the bath. The cotton may also reducethe noise and make your job easier. At the very least your cat may be

preoccupied with the cotton in its ears and remain distracted. If your cat's

ears are particularly filthy, gently wipe the insides with a warm, damp

washcloth with no soap. Cat's ears contain protective waxes and oils that

should not be removed.

J.Only bathe your cat when necessary. This technique is just in case your pet

is really dirty.

K.Although some cats may accept the bath without great complaints, they

may get nervous or angry or too scared when you try to dry them. Be

careful during this last phase. Shut the door of the bathroom or the cat will

run away and tear up your house.

L.Listen for sounds of unhappiness. These sounds include hissing, growling,

breathing hard, sneezing, crying, and meowing.

M.Cats absorb chemicals through their skin, so they must be very well rinsed.

Rinse until you see only clear water running off the cat.

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N.Never get soap in your cat's eyes. As a safeguard, put 1 to 2 drops of eye

lubricant into each eye before bathing. You can use any eye drops that are

indicated as a non-medicated ocular lubricant, often used for dry eye

syndrome. They are available as over-the-counter (OTC) products at most

drug stores.

O.Avoid using a blow dryer on a short-haired cat as it may burn them and/orcause more trauma. Short-haired cats can bathe themselves dry.

P.If you are unsure if your cat will fight back, it is always a good idea to wear

gloves when washing it.

Q.Never use a sink that is freestanding. Your cat might jump and slip and

hurt itself.

R.If you don't know how to properly hold a cat by the scruff, don't do it. Your

cat may choke.

S.While you may be tempted to use a solvent to dissolve industrial stains like

engine grease or flypaper, don't do it. Harsh solvents are bad for your cat,

are difficult to apply effectively to a struggling cat, and evaporate too

quickly to do a thorough job on the stain. The vegetable oil technique above

works very well for sticky and grease-based stains, and it has the

advantage of being totally safe.

T.Excessive bathing of your cat will lead to increased susceptibility to

illnesses such as colds.

U.Don't put shampoo on their head. It could get into their eyes.

Things You'll Need

Shampoo Conditioner (optional)

2 towels

Brush/comb

Your cat

A bath

Warm water (not

lukewarm, but almost

hot!)

A jumper, a long sleevedshirt or long sleeved

gloves

2 or more people

Treats (optional)

A toy (optional)

A calm bathroom with

the door closed

Soap

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How to bathe a Cat.doc