How to Bathe a Cat with No Mess or Fuss

Sometimes it’ll be necessary for you to have to bathe your cat, and if you’re wondering how to bathe a cat – this is the place for you. Find out how to make this process as painless as possible for both yourself and your cat with Bravecto^®’s handy guide to bathing cats.

CAT TIPS AND TRICKS CATS

Posted by bravectosouthafrica – 08 October 2019

Can You Bathe a Cat Without It Turning into a Catastrophe?

The answer may shock you, but yes, you can. Because most of our domesticated feline friends dislike water, the prospect of bathing your cat may leave you feeling less than thrilled. Bravecto^® is here to assure you that, as with most things, it gets easier the more frequently you do it.

You’ll be happy to learn, however, that most cats very rarely must be cleaned with water. Cats’ unique barbed tongues do a splendid job of cleaning their fur. Their tongues’ teeny barbs act like a tiny comb, brushing through their fur, dislodging any excess dirt and grime. Regular brushing on your part should normally be enough to keep your kitty feeling fresh and clean.

It’ll be an extremely rare occasion for you to have to full-on bathe your cat. Only when they are unable to completely clean their own fur, will you have to step in. Instances when you might have to get involved, include when they get dirty from playing outside or they accidentally sully themselves when using their litterbox.

Cat Grooming Made Easy with Bravecto^®

Follow Bravecto^®’s step-by-step guide to getting your kitty clean, fuss-free:

1. Get your cat’s bath ready before starting. Have the following on hand: cat shampoo, a cloth for cleaning your cat’s face, cotton balls for their ears, a big jug or spray bottle filled with clean water for washing off shampoo, and a towel.

2. Give your cat a bath in the sink, if possible. Cleaning your cat in the sink is far less intimidating than immersing them in a tub filled with water. Be sure to only fill up the sink with around 5-8 cm of water. The water temperature should be the same as when bathing a baby, in order to prevent scalding.

3. Clean your cat’s ears with a cotton ball. Despite cats doing a superb job of thoroughly cleaning their own ears, periodically checking their ears for early signs of potential problems is a good idea. Have a look at your cat’s ears after bathing and if they’re clean – leave it at that. If not, clean them gently by using a cotton ball. Never, however, insert any object into your cat’s ear, as this could lead to serious injury.

4. Wash your cat’s face with a damp cloth. Splashing water in your cat’s face will spook them and cause distress. Avoid stressing out your feline friend by cleaning their face, around their mouth, nose, whiskers and ears with a damp cloth. Take special care in preventing shampoo from entering your cat’s eyes, ears and mouth in order to avoid irritation.

5. Soothe your cat by talking to them in a calm and gentle voice during the entire grooming process. Chances are, your cat isn’t crazy about bath time. Help make the situation more bearable by not getting frustrated and avoid raising your voice, as loud noises can further freak-out your feline. Don’t use excessive force in restraining them – when feeling less trapped, they are more likely to give their cooperation. Be gentle and reassuring when bathing them.

6. Finally, reward your cat for their cooperation once it’s all over. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building good habits. Help your cat associate bath time with a positive outcome – i.e. treats!

Giving a Cat a Bath Doesn’t Need to Be a Struggle

Bravecto^®’s step-by-step guide on how to bathe your cat should help lessen the amount of bath time struggles you have to deal with. Lucky for you and your cat, this won’t be a regular occurrence. Washing your cat correctly since kittenhood, however, will help make all future grooming sessions that much easier. Don’t hesitate to contact your vet or a professional groomer, should you continue to struggle – they should have some more fantastic advice, tips or tricks to share.

Why not end off your cat’s grooming session by applying a dose of Bravecto^® Spot-On for Cats 72 hours after their bath? Long-lasting protection against ticks, fleas and ear mites – all in a single dose. It’s easy to use as well! Simply part the fur at the back of your cat’s neck and dab the product onto their exposed skin with the convenient Twist’n’Use™ applicator. That’s 3 months’ worth of tried and tested protection against ticks, fleas and ear mites contained in a single treatment.

Learn more about Bravecto^® products or find a stockist near you and protect your pets today!