Bathing a cat is difficult enough, but when you have a particularly unruly kitten it can become a real challenge. Although cats and kittens are able to wash themselves, it is sometimes necessary to bathe them if they have become soiled with something smelly or if their coat looks greasy and in need of grooming. Kittens need a lot of love and affection to learn to trust you and water, especially if it's their first bath. So how can you wash your kitty without the puppy panicking or scratching you? Read on to find out.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Getting Ready to Bathe the Kitten
Step 1. Know when your cat needs a bath
To be sure, many cats don't need to be bathed at all, since they are masters at self-care and grooming. However, if your pet has fleas, if they usually live outdoors and have come into contact with some dirty substance or just look grubby, then it might be time to give them a bath. If your cat is very young, you should only clean it with a damp or soaked cloth instead of soaking it right in water.
- Talk to your vet to determine when is the right time to give your puppy a full bath. Animal advocacy associations generally recommend waiting until your cat is 8 weeks old before washing it completely.
- An advantage of starting to bathe him when he is still young is that this way he gets used to cleaning easily, in case he gets dirty regularly. However, you have to remember that cats spend about 30% of their time grooming themselves and that they really shouldn't be bathed more than once or twice a year, unless they're really dirty.
Step 2. Trim the kitten's nails
Even the mildest and most polite puppies complain a little when they are bathed, especially if it is the first time. To protect yourself from scratches from your favorite furry creature, you need to make sure you trim her nails a little so that she is less likely to hurt you. Even though a kitten's scratches aren't as ferocious as an adult cat's, they could still hurt you. Therefore it is best to cut the nails to stay safe, even if it means some protest from the cat.
- However, you shouldn't trim his nails just before giving him a bath. It is best to do this the day before or at least a few hours before, as many cats get a little feisty and agitated after the pedicure, while you need to make sure your little fur ball is mentally calm and peaceful before starting the bath..
- If you have never cut your kitten's nails before, you should allow a good amount of time between this operation and the bath, even a full day. Nail trimming can be a new and traumatic experience for a young cat, and you don't have to make it worse by adding a bathroom as well.
Step 3. Brush the puppy's coat
Before submerging it in water, you need to brush its fur, being careful not to neglect any part of its body, legs, belly and even the top of its head. This is an important step, because in this way you free the hair from tangles and knots. If you bathe him with all his fur disheveled, the knots and tangles get worse, creating a problem you could have avoided. Therefore do not underestimate this important procedure.
In fact, some kittens like it when their fur is brushed and find this process very relaxing. Others, on the other hand, get agitated and panicked. If you find that your cat is not relaxing, then wait at least an hour or two so that it calms down before starting to wash it. You can decide to give him some treats at the end of the grooming, so that he associates the process with a more positive moment
Step 4. Put on protective clothing
Don't bathe your kitten by simply wearing a skimpy undershirt that exposes the arms and chest. Instead, wear a shirt with long sleeves and a thick fabric, so that your cat has less chance of scratching you. Some exaggerated people say that you also need to protect your hands, but this is only true if you already know that your cat loves to bite and scratch. It's always better to be safe than sorry, and wearing a long-sleeved shirt can prevent you from scratching all of your arms.
Also try to choose a thick cotton fabric, so that the cat does not get its nails on your clothes. Choose something that the claws are unlikely to cross
Step 5. Prepare the shampoo and keep it ready for use
Kittens need a special puppy shampoo, while if your cat has fleas, you need to get one specifically formulated to kill adult parasites and their eggs. For flea-free cats you can use a generic cat shampoo. Go to the pet shop, vet's office, or search for an online retailer. If in doubt, ask a salesperson for information on the best shampoos. Do not bathe your puppy with generic soap or shampoo, as this could damage or irritate his skin.
Don't use a dog shampoo, even if you have it on hand. You need to get a cat specific product to meet the needs of your fluff
Step 6. Prepare all necessary accessories
When you are ready to wash your cat, get a cup to pour the water and a towel with which to dry the cat when finished; have shampoo ready too. If you can find someone who can help you, that's even better! Having all the tools prepared in advance will be of great help to you when taking a bath. You don't have to find yourself with the kitten finally ready in the bathroom and realize that you have left your shampoo or towel in the other room.
It is also a good idea to close the door to the room to prevent the cat from escaping
Step 7. Make bath time an enjoyable time for the kitten
If your puppy is not used to baths and they are new to him, you can try to make the experience less traumatic. For example, you can take some of his favorite toys and put them in the sink or tub you are using, or associate the area where you are washing him with feelings of fun and joy, so that the cat does not connect it to a traumatic experience. You can also play with him in the sink or basin without bathing him at first, so he learns to be comfortable in this environment.
When it comes time to really wash him, you can put some of his favorite toys or a couple of bath toys on him to make him feel comfortable. You can get him used to playing with bath toys for a while without introducing water before starting the procedure
Step 8. Begin bathing him when he feels comfortable
This is a very important moment. You do not have to wash him immediately after playing with him for half an hour and bothering him or after he is agitated by seeing an insect in the room. Also avoid getting your cat wet just before his usual meal or if he seems agitated, anxious, and has a desire to eat instead of bathing. Rather, choose a time when he is usually calm, when he is resting or simply relaxed and doesn't need anything.
- While this creature tends to naturally get excited quite quickly, it's best to start the process when it's calm to make the bathing procedure easier for both of you.
- You can also schedule a play session that will make him very tired and then wait half an hour for him to feel exhausted and want to rest before washing him.
Part 2 of 3: Bathing the Kitty
Step 1. Prepare the place for the bathroom
The most common containers for bathing cats are the sink or tub. If the spaces are rather small, it is easier to wash the kitten and be able to manage it. In the large tub it becomes much more difficult to bathe him. Although some people prefer to fill the basin and then "dip" the cat in water, this method can cause panic, so you should only do it as a last resort. The most common and most suitable technique is to put the cat in the tray and then slowly pour the lukewarm water.
- You can also consider placing a rubber mat at the bottom of the sink or bowl to prevent the kitten from slipping.
- Some people choose to fill the tub with a few inches of warm water to accustom the puppy's paws to the water before getting it completely wet. You can follow this procedure as a preparatory step to bathe him later if you wish. If your pet is really afraid of water, this method can make washing easier.
Step 2. Help him stay calm
The puppy will most likely cling to anything in an attempt to avoid the bathroom. In this case, simply take it gently first for one leg and then the other and put it back in the sink. Try to support him gently by his chest, so that his head and shoulders are out of the water and his butt in the basin and use your other hand to lather his back. Don't have an alarmed and worried tone of voice, so the kitten will most likely feel calmer and more reassured as well. If you start to panic, the cat senses your mood and will start mimicking your reactions.
Caress him, keeping a firm grip on his back and shoulders. If you find that he is calmer with his forelegs partially out of the basin, leave him in this position rather than putting his whole body inside
Step 3. Add the water
While the cat is in the kitchen sink or tub, start using the cup to pour lukewarm water over the cat's body until it is completely wet. Gently pour it over the cat, stroking and smoothing its fur at the same time, so that it feels calm. If there is a person who can help you, one of the two can maintain control of the cat by grabbing it from the shoulders while the other pours the water. Do not pour more than half a cup at a time and avoid getting its face wet.
Alternatively, you can partially fill the sink and immerse the kitten in the water. If you choose this approach, start by placing the puppy in a little warm water just to get his paws wet, compliment him and praise him, then soak him a little more. In this case, however, try to fill the basin or sink when the cat is in the other room, because some kittens can be frightened when they hear running water
Step 4. Apply the shampoo to the pet's body
Use a small amount of shampoo and start rubbing it on the cat's back. Make sure you wash the tail, hind legs, front legs and neck, not forgetting the belly. If the kitten doesn't really like this process, you can rub some shampoo on only some parts of the body, rinse and then repeat in other areas. You have to avoid covering it entirely in soap and then not being able to rinse it off because it runs off sooner. You can try to clean the cat using your hands or even a cloth.
- Gently massage the shampoo into your friend's fur and body. Treat them as if they were a baby's hair and avoid rubbing their hair too hard. If you are gentle and caring with your cat, they are more likely to be able to relax.
- The kitten may really not like shampoo; in this case, reassure him and try to reassure him by staying calm yourself.
- Prevents soap from getting into the animal's eyes; you don't have to hurt him during the bath.
Step 5. Rinse it off with warm water
After washing and scrubbing it with shampoo, you need to start rinsing it. You can gently pour water directly onto your cat from a pitcher or use your hands to wash their fur until the water that runs down is clean and foam-free. If your cat is in the sink, you can simply drain the water down the drain so that the soapy water disappears. Continue pouring water a little at a time on the puppy's body until there is no trace of shampoo left. To make rinsing easier, you can also use a damp cloth and wipe it all over the kitten's body.
Some cats love taps and are fascinated by them. If yours is also not scared of tap water and you are bathing it in a sink, you can run the water (without too much pressure) to rinse it off more easily
Step 6. Wash his face with water
There is no need to wash this part of his body with shampoo; a little water is enough to keep it clean and fresh. If you want to have less difficulty washing its face, you can use a damp cloth and pat it gently. Be careful to prevent water from getting into your eyes or nose, and be gentle on this area. Some kittens don't like being touched on the face, especially if there is water too, so be as cautious and considerate as possible.
Whatever you do, never snout it under water; this way it is guaranteed that he would panic
Part 3 of 3: Dry the Kitten
Step 1. Pat your cat dry
At first, it may be helpful to pat the kitten with a towel before wrapping him in a towel. This will help reduce some of the moisture from his body and prevent him from feeling wrapped in wet fabric. Just dab gently on its face, body and fur to make the cat feel a little more relaxed.
Some people also sometimes use a hair dryer, setting it to the lowest temperature. The important thing is to choose the method that best suits your cat. Some animals are fascinated by the appliance, while others are terrified of it. If your cat is comfortable with the hair dryer, you can set it to the lowest temperature and gently dry its fur just like you would your own hair; just make sure you pay some attention so as not to scare the kitten or harm him
Step 2. Wrap the puppy in a large soft cloth to dry it
As you go about this, try to dry your cat quickly to remove as much moisture from the body as possible. Keep in mind that in small animals the body temperature can drop rapidly due to damp fur, so try to dry your kitten as much as possible before placing him in front of a heat source. With the towel the puppy can feel a little claustrophobic and panic a little, but it is important to try to dry him as much as possible. However, even cats often tend to shake water off their fur, just like dogs do.
If you have a long-haired kitten, then you need to brush their fur after bathing to get rid of any knots that may have formed during washing
Step 3. Reward your little fur ball for a job well done
When finished, offer him treats, cuddles, hugs and kisses. Your kitty has just had one of his worst experiences, as most cats hate water (except for the Turkish Van and Bengal breeds)! Even though your cat will get used to the baths over time, the initial experience is certainly quite traumatic for them and you have to acknowledge that.
Also, if you reward him with treats at the end of the bath, he will associate this experience with a positive thing rather than a bad event and will be more willing to do more in the future
Advice
- Give him some treats after the bath.
- Be sure to confine the cat or confine it to a certain area to dry it, or remove any important paper or documents. If these are within his reach, the cat can use them to dry himself instead of using the towel!
- Remember never to take too many baths. Water dries both skin and fur! Twice a week is the absolute maximum!
- Keeping their forelegs out of the water will allow them to have more control over their bathroom. Just let them hang over the edge of the sink or tub. This also makes it harder for the face or ears to get wet.
- A note: if you start bathing him when he is still very young, make sure he associates with pleasant things (like cat food or treats), so that he gets the idea that this is a good thing. In this way, as he grows up, he will be less recalcitrant to the bathroom.
- If puppy shampoo is a little out of your price range, Johnson's Baby Head to Toe Shampoo works great!
- You can grab the kitten by the "scruff" (the meat on the back of the neck from where the mother usually grabs it when she has to move it), to allow it to relax enough to be able to immerse it in the water.
- Once in the water, the cat tends to run wild and fidget. Always make sure you stay calm and scrub it with shampoo. Afterward, make him feel comfortable and comfortable so he can relax.
- Some sources describe a method that involves the use of a latex glove (which is not mentioned in this article), know that it is also a good alternative for cutting the nails on the cat.
- If the animal tends to sink its teeth into your hands while you bathe it, use 2 old oven mitts or buy 2 new ones. At the end of the bath, put the gloves in the washing machine and dryer and keep them available for the next wash (make sure to keep these 2 gloves away from the ones you usually use in the kitchen when preparing meals; those for the cat you can keep under the sink).
- You can also try using tights or tights to keep the kitten still.
- Once the bath is finished, let your cat understand how grateful you are that he was available by playing with him, giving him treats and / or cuddling him.
Warnings
- Always avoid soap getting on his face; if not, wash the area quickly and, if irritation persists, take him to the vet.
- If you have more than one cat, it is quite likely that others will no longer recognize the washed cat and may hiss at it, as with water the cat loses the smell that allows it to be recognized by other cats. If you can, wash all your cats. In any case, it will take days for them to return to their original smell.
- Bathing can pose a serious health risk to kittens. They can get cold easily, both from the cold water, but also from the loss of insulation and evaporation when the fur gets wet. If your puppy is particularly dirty, you should see a veterinarian. The same is true if you have no reason to suspect that the substance that dirties the kitten can be harmful to its health, either by contact or by ingestion.
- Make sure there are no traces of soap left on either of you after the bath!
- Avoid spraying shampoo on your face, but if it accidentally happens, see your doctor.
