Need Advice on Bathing a Cat

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

This is addressed to all cat custodians who either regularly bathe their cats or had to bathe a cat once or twice. I've done it once in the very distant past, and know the first rule of cat baths is to make sure their claws are clipped.

I am planning on washing Big Boy (and he is big, around 18 lb.). He is 9, a ginger, and has no current health issues except obesity, which we're working on. He is an indoor cat. I'm washing him because his lower back coat's gotten very greasy and I believe he had fleas this summer (now treated) and has what looks like stud tail. I believe the fleas came from mice, which have been routed.

I plan to wash him in the double laundry sink, where he'll be elevated and I can have a tub for washing and a tub for rinsing. (I can't kneel for more than a few seconds, so the bathtub is out.) I'll do it on an upcoming day when the temps are in the 80s and have plenty of toweling I've run in the dryer to warm it up ready to wrap him in when I've finished rinsing him off. I've read advice about keeping shampoo off his head so it doesn't get in his eyes or ears. I called the vet's office for shampoo recommendations, and they just kept repeating "oatmeal" and "nothing medicated."

A search on Amazon yielded some possible shampoos, and the one I liked most was Davis Oatmeal and Aloe Dog and Cat Shampoo. It's supposed to be hypoallergenic.

Your shampoo recommendations and any tips on the bathing process, prep to aftermath, would be much appreciated.

skamom · ‎10-06-2012

I recommend wipes rather than a bath. Petco or Petsmart carries them and they may be way less stressful for you both. Good luck.

shopperqvc · ‎03-10-2010

@noodleannThe only advice I can give is hold on firmly. If he gets away, he's gone until he forgives you and that usually isn't soon. Of course stay alert of his nails. I usually have my girls standing on their back feet while I hold up the front portion with my non dominate hand. That gives me the use of my right hand to do the washing. It has to be fairly quick they get upset easily with any change in routine. An unbreakable cup to rinse him off my work for you, I've done that because dunking them is really upsetting. None of mine have ever tried to bite, but be aware of that possibility, too. He may be a lovey kitty, but when upset, who knows what his reaction will be. Just watch his reactions. He will be so soft when he has dried off. One of mine likes to be told how pretty she is while I'm doing anything she isn't fond of from bathing her to clipping her nails. Fawn over him while you are giving him his bath.

MoonieBaby · ‎07-19-2013

Either use a shampoo specifically formulated for cats/kittens OR dilute 2 part water to one part BABY bath.

I would NOT put the cat in water, but rather put him on the "double laundry sink" and use your diluted solution from a basin (not the sink he is in) and a washcloth to gently wash him, make the water warm, and the experience a slow and methodical washcloth massage of sorts.

Use a different washcloth to apply the "rinse water" to him...as gentle and pleasant as the bath itself.

That's the way I've washed my cat - one time he was dirty from a bout of super loose stools and the other time I spilled maple syrup on the kitchen floor JUST as he was walking over to me - and he strolled right thru it!

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

@noodleann I take it this is the first bath with this specific cat? I want to be honest here, it could go either way.

I had a cat named Midnight who took to water like a glossy eel. She was a joy to bathe. I have also been on the receiving end of some toenails that sliced through me like a ginsu knife when that particular cat did not dig the bath experience.

I've used baby shampoo on cats and dogs. My dog spottie had sensitive skin that would sometimes get irritated in the heat so I would give him an aveeno oatmeal bath.

There are many elements: wind, fire, water
But none quite like the element of surprise

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

Thanks very much for that battlefield advice, @shopperqvc. You're right about the not knowing how he'll react. He's gotten near to nippy when I was combing him around his tail, so I'll be careful. I'll lavish him with endearments as I go along, but he takes that as his due, so I think I'll have to promise him treats. It'll be an adventure.

alicedee · ‎07-25-2010

This is purely a guess, as I’ve never bathed a cat! Can you get a pair of those gloves janitors wear to pick up glass.....I would imagine Amazon sells them. Might keep you from being bitten or clawed.

Good luck!

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@MoonieBaby wrote:
Either use a shampoo specifically formulated for cats/kittens OR dilute 2 part water to one part BABY bath.

I would NOT put the cat in water, but rather put him on the "double laundry sink" and use your diluted solution from a basin (not the sink he is in) and a washcloth to gently wash him, make the water warm, and the experience a slow and methodical washcloth massage of sorts.

Use a different washcloth to apply the "rinse water" to him...as gentle and pleasant as the bath itself.

That's the way I've washed my cat - one time he was dirty from a bout of super loose stools and the other time I spilled maple syrup on the kitchen floor JUST as he was walking over to me - and he strolled right thru it!

I hear what you're saying about not putting him into the water, but what I've read is to have the tub filled to just at the level of the cat's belly with warm water and to put the cat into it so the cat isn't immersed, but you can definitely wash him better than if you apply water/shampoo from a basin. I really need to get at the top of the lower back and would love it if the little devil sat down in the tub. He might be okay if the water is warm. He actually seems to like it when I give him undercarriage baths with a warm washcloth (just water) between his sanitary shaves.

Thanks for the recommendations on shampoos. I'll go back and look at kitten shampoos. They should be very safe.

noodleann · ‎06-10-2015

@Bird mama wrote:
@noodleann I take it this is the first bath with this specific cat? I want to be honest here, it could go either way.

I had a cat named Midnight who took to water like a glossy eel. She was a joy to bathe. I have also been on the receiving end of some toenails that sliced through me like a ginsu knife when that particular cat did not dig the bath experience.

I've used baby shampoo on cats and dogs. My dog spottie had sensitive skin that would sometimes get irritated in the heat so I would give him an aveeno oatmeal bath.

Yours is the second recommendation for baby shampoo. I'll check out Aveeno before I buy a pet shampoo. Thanks!

x Hedge · ‎08-18-2016

I couldn't care for my cat properly while i was seriously Ill, and she developed balding patches on her hips, belly, underside of tail.

When I was well, her first bath was 'the wrong way', wetting her in the sink, trying to wash, then rinse a cat that was desperate to bolt the whole time.

Here's what you do.

First, escort your cat to the litter box and make sure he's 'empty'. Cuz after the bath you don't want him going to the litter when any part of him is still damp. He'll come out coated in litter.

I got a plastic tub big and deep enough for my cat to stand inside, but not giving her much extra room to move. I filled it with room temp (not warm) water and "swished" several pumps of WEN Sweet Almond Mint into the filling tub.

-yes, i washed my cat in WENwater.

It cleaned her and cured whatever was making her hair fall out.

Anyway, i placed her into a tub of WENwater and held her there, washing her just using the WEN in the water. She was submerged up to her neck. I just ran my hands over her body, under the water.

Used a cup to pour WENwater over her neck.

Then i lifted her out and tried to rinse, but as soon as she wasn't submerged to the neck she was looking to bolt again. (Make sure doors are closed.)

I dried her in front of the Duraflame, which she liked.

She smelled good and was clean. Most importantly she stopped her frenzied scratching after her first 'submerge' bath.

After that I gave her a WEN bath up to her neck every weekend for several (8?) weeks. All her hair grew back in.

I hear fleas can survive a bath because of the tiny air bubbles that cling to hairs, especially if there's an undercoat.

That's why I kept running my hands over and over every inch of her legs, belly, back, groin, tail. I wanted to break any minute air bubbles, and the moving touch was calming to her.