If you want to stir up controversy, ask a large group of lifetime cat owners the question, “Should you bathe a cat?” and step back to watch the brawl. Some believe that you should never, under any circumstances, bathe a cat, while others feel that kittens should be bathed at a young age and continue to be bathed throughout their lives to keep them accustomed to the process. Both sides have valid points, which suggests that the answer lies somewhere in the middle.
When Cats Do and Don’t Need a Bath
Cats usually don’t need to be bathed on a routine basis. They take care of their grooming largely on their own and require little assistance to stay clean. A healthy cat spends about 10% or more of its time grooming itself, effectively keeping its fur free of dirt and other substances it may encounter during the day.
However, as your cat ages, there may be things it used to do but can no longer manage or has lost interest in. Self-grooming, for example, can become difficult for some cats. You can often help by brushing your cat’s coat to remove excess debris that it may have missed. A damp paper towel, wet washcloth, or pre-moistened towelette (like a baby wipe) can be used to wipe off your cat and clean up its fur if it has a “dirty bum” or if there are other conditions requiring your assistance. However, a simple wipe-up isn’t always enough.
Occasionally, there may be something on your cat’s fur that is unsafe for it to lick off or something that is too smelly for you to wait for your cat to clean. In such cases, you’ll need to give your cat a helping hand—through a bath. If your cat is a biter, you might want to seek help from a professional groomer instead of risking the loss of appendages you’ve grown fond of. However, if you’re brave enough to attempt this on your own, you need to be prepared.
Preparing for the Bath
Before you begin, gather all the necessary supplies. Choose a small, enclosed area—usually the bathroom—if it’s small enough, and get the space ready before bringing your cat there. You will need:
- Mild soap, preferably cat shampoo (Dawn original formula dish soap works well too)
- A stack of warm, dry towels
- A bathtub or large sink with warm water already running
- A rubber bath mat or a small towel/cloth for your cat to stand on during the bath
- A cup or bowl to pour water onto your cat
- A washcloth to clean your cat’s face
- A cat brush or comb (flea comb if fleas are an issue)
- A blow dryer, if you plan to use it to dry your cat
- A helper, if available
- Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment (optional, in case of scratches)
Having everything ready before you bring your cat into the area will make the process much smoother. The sounds of water running and the preparation can cause anxiety for your cat, so having everything set up in advance will help avoid additional stress for both of you.
Giving Your Cat a Bath
If your cat is a fighter, you’re not in for an easy time. Most cats won’t enjoy getting a bath (though some rare exceptions exist). Start by talking to your cat in a calm, firm, and reassuring tone. Don’t act nervous or scared—your cat will pick up on this and likely react by trying to escape.
Gently place your cat in the water, either on a rubber bath mat or a small cloth that it can grip, so it doesn’t slip. If you have a helper, have them hold onto your cat’s body and shoulders. If you’re alone, you’ll need to secure the cat with one hand and use the other to scrub.
Ignore the meowing, yowling, and protesting your cat might do. Get the bath done quickly and as gently as possible. Avoid getting water in your cat’s ears and face, and instead use a wet cloth to clean these areas. After wetting the rest of the cat, apply shampoo, starting at the neck and working towards the tail. Always work from clean to dirty to avoid transferring messes.
To rinse, scoop water up with a cup or bowl and gently pour it over your cat. Keep the water away from the face to prevent panic. If your cat’s head does get wet, it may try to escape, so be sure to keep the room closed off to prevent an escape.
Once thoroughly rinsed, drain the water and wrap your cat in a fluffy towel to calm it down. If you have a helper, one of you can hold the cat while the other helps dry it off. You can use a blow dryer on a low, quiet setting if your cat tolerates it, but this is often more stressful than helpful. If the weather allows, it’s better to let your cat dry itself after a quick toweling.
If you regularly brush and comb your cat, the grooming process after a bath can help calm them down. If you start bathing kittens when they are 7-9 weeks old and continue with regular monthly baths, it can make the process less traumatic. That said, it’s not necessary, as most cats are quite capable of handling their own grooming and don’t require frequent baths.
Conclusion
So, should you bathe a cat? In most cases, your cat will be able to take care of bathing on its own. However, there are occasions when your cat will need a little help—especially when there’s something dangerous on its fur, like motor oil or antifreeze. In these instances, it’s important to wash it off in the least distressing way possible.
For more information on grooming your cat, you can check out this article: What’s Involved in Grooming a Cat.
