Get that Dirty Cat Clean

Felines are naturally clean animals. Mother cats teach their offspring from a very early age the art of bathing and grooming themselves. It comes naturally and for the most part, they do not need assistance. Most cats carefully groom themselves several times a day, making sure every part of their fur is spotless and clean. There are times though, when you may need to step in and help your cat be clean and tidy. Aging or older cats and cats that are ill may take less interest in bathing themselves. You might also need to bath your cat if he or she gets into a mess or you find that your cat is suffering from a skin ailment or has fleas. While most cats do not enjoy taking baths or getting their fur wet, there are a few tips you can use to help bath time be a little less stressful for you and your cat.

Most of the time, you will not have a need to clean your cat. Most cats do well with a regular brushing of the fur and a nail trim. They can handle the rest. A regularly scheduled bath is not necessary because this can often strip away essential oils on a cat's fur. The best thing you can do when you bathe your cat is to have everything ready before placing the cat in the water. You will also want to take a very deep breath and wear old clothes.

Supplies and Equipment:
Before you begin cleaning your cat, you will need to find a suitable place to bath your cat. Usually, a small room with a shut door works best, just in case your cat slips away from you. A bathroom sink works well for smaller cats and for larger cats, try the kitchen sink. If you have an infant tub, you might even try placing the infant tub down inside a larger tub and bathing your cat that way. Find a quiet spot, away from noise and children that want to help. Have plenty of towels handy when your get ready to wash your cat. Cats will become very slippery when they are wet and soapy, so try to line the bottom of the sink with a thick towel before adding water. You will also need a gentle cat shampoo that will not irritate the skin. You can easily find cat-grooming products that will be both safe and gentle to your cat. Never use shampoo for humans because this can dry out the skin and become irritating to your cat. Also, find a small cup or even a turkey baster syringe or bulb to fill with water for easy rinsing and for wetting those hard to reach areas.

Preparing the bath: After you have gathered your supplies, now your need to get the water ready for your cat. Remember that your cat will not like very cold water and hot water can scald your cat's skin. Lukewarm water works best for your cat. Have the shampoo ready to go, with the cap open. To keep your cat from sliding around in the sink, place a towel in the sink before you fill it up with water. This will help your cat feel a little safer.

Putting your cat in the water: Now it is time to put your cat in the water. Sometimes, if your cat struggles, holding your cat in a towel very gently can help you keep a grip on your cat. You can also firmly, but gently hold your cat by the skin on the back of the neck to lower him or her into the water. Place your other hand under your cat's bottom and lower the cat in the water. Be very gentle and easy. If you are feeling stressed, your cat will pick up on this and will struggle. You might even consider holding your cat close to your body while it is being washed. Of course you will get wet, but your cat may feel comforted being closer to you during this process.

Washing the cat: After your cat is eased into the water, you can begin washing. Get your cat completely wet first and then use a very small amount of shampoo. Start at the head and work your way down. Be very careful not to get water or shampoo in your cat's ears or eyes. Also, do not use too much shampoo because it will make it more difficult to rinse your cat. If your cat has a sticky substance on its fur, you can use a bit of vegetable oil to loosen the debris. You will then need to wash the oil off by using a good dishwashing soap such as Dawn.

Drying: When you are done cleaning your cat, wrap your cat up very gently in a clean, dry towel. Remove excess water from your cat's fur by rubbing with the towel. Your cat will probably want to go off and hide after the bath, just make sure your cat does not go outside until it is completely dry. It is better to find a small, enclosed area where your cat can rest after the bath. Also, do not use a hair dryer. This can scare your cat even more and usually it will not be needed.

When your cat is dried, brush your cat to get any loose fur off. After you have washed your cat, reward yourself! This is not always an easy job, but your cat will thank you for it!