How To Give Your Cat a Bath: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pet Owners

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Believe it or not, there are times when even your independent, self-grooming cat might need a bath. While cats can certainly keep themselves cleaner than dogs, they still need a little help sometimes. Maybe your cat has a skin condition and needs to stay extra clean. Or perhaps your kitty is mischievous and got into something messy. If you're faced with this challenge, don't worry. With the right approach, bath time can be calm and manageable for both you and your feline friend.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

First thing first: Gather the essentials for bathing your cat. You'll need:

• Cat-safe shampoo: Only use shampoo made for cats—never any human shampoos, even baby shampoo.¹ Human shampoo can damage your cat's skin or fur because of the pH levels.² When choosing a cat-safe shampoo, look for unscented, hypoallergenic varieties.³
• Towels and a washcloth: Have at least two absorbent towels for soaking up water and drying your cat. And keep a washcloth on hand for the face and ears.²
• Nonslip mat for the tub or sink: Your kitty will feel more comfortable with something firm under her feet rather than a sleek surface that she slips on.²
• Cup or handheld sprayer: You'll need a cup or handheld sprayer with a low setting so you can gently rinse your cat, keeping him calm.²
• Brush: Get a brush for prebath grooming. This will help the bath go more smoothly.³
• Treats and water-safe toys: You can build positive associations by giving your cat treats or toys to play with.³
• Calming products: Some cats respond well to calming treats or pheromones.³

Make sure all these items are within reach before you start your cat's bath. You don't want to search for something while your cat is soaking wet and a little unhappy.

Step 2: Prepare a Quiet, Safe Location

When bathing your kitty, you need a location that's calm, quiet, warm and free from distractions that might make you and your cat anxious.² Often, this will be a bathroom with a tub or a large sink.³ A laundry room might also work.²

Here are some tips to help prepare your cat's bathing spot:

• Use warm (not hot) water to make the bath more inviting and comfortable.³
• Keep the water level at about six to eight inches. Your cat should be able to stand firmly on all four feet (no floating or treading water!).⁴
• Keep the bathroom door closed to prevent escapes. You don't want a scared cat covered in pet-safe shampoo running around your house.
• Put nonslip mats or towels in the tub and on the floor so your cat will feel more comfortable both in and out of the bath.⁴
• Secure any other escape routes. Is there a cabinet your cat could hide under? Block that space.

Step 3: Get Your Cat Ready

Getting your kitty ready for a bath is a multistep process. While some cats gravitate to water, most prefer to avoid it. Some even hate water. So be patient—this all feels very foreign to your kitty.³

Calm your kitty

First, choose a time after your kitty has played so she has less excess energy.² Then put some of her favorite toys and treats in the bathroom with you both. Spending time together before putting her in the water can help reduce anxiety and create positive associations. (If possible, trimming your cat's nails before the bath can also make it go more smoothly.)³

Brush your cat

Second, brush your cat to get rid of tangles and loose fur. This makes the whole bathing process easier.³

Gently introduce your kitty to the water

Third, gently introduce your cat to the water. Wet your cat's paws or use a damp cloth on her fur to gradually get her used to the sensation.² If you can lure her into the water with a toy, that's better than picking her up and putting her in yourself.³ But not all cats can be enticed.

In fact, some people with extra-skittish felines have to slowly work up to putting their cat into the water. And it can take days, not minutes. In these cases, you might start by just wetting his fur with a washcloth and that's it. A few days later, put a cat toy in the water and let him play. Slowly work up to putting him in the bath and shampooing him.³

Step 4: Bathe Your Cat

It's finally time to bathe your cat. Don't be nervous! You've done everything you can to make the process as smooth as possible. Here are the steps you'll want to follow:

1. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. The warm sensation can be soothing because cats love being warm.³
2. Gently place your cat in the water (unless you can lure him into entering the bath on his own with some toys).³
3. Use a cup or handheld sprayer to gently and gradually wet your cat's body.³ Start with her back or neck, avoiding the face and ears.² (Use a washcloth for those.)
4. Use a small amount of cat-friendly shampoo, lathering it gently into the fur. Focus on the areas that need bathing the most, like where the fur is soiled or areas prone to skin issues.²
5. Rinse your cat thoroughly using a cup or handheld sprayer. Make sure all the shampoo is rinsed out to prevent skin irritation.³ Plus, you don't want any left behind that your kitty might lick. Rinse slowly and gently to avoid overwhelming your cat.⁴

Here are some bonus tips to keep the process stress-free:

• Speak softly and reassuringly to your cat throughout the bath. Some cats feed off their owner's energy and emotions. If you're calm, your cat is more likely to be calm too.²
• Offer treats or toys during the bath to help create positive reinforcement and reward good behavior.³
• If your cat is freaking out and overly scared, don't push it. You don't want injuries or trauma. You may need to ask your veterinarian for advice or use pet-safe wipes instead of baths.⁴

Step 5: Dry Your Cat

Now that the bath is over, it's time to dry your kitty. Cats don't like being wet and cold, so this step is very important!³

Start out by towel-drying your cat, wrapping him in a fluffy towel to absorb as much excess water as you can. Be gentle and patient.³

Next, use a hair dryer on a very low setting, but only if your cat is fine with the noise and feel. Take gradual steps to get your cat used to the hair dryer—now is not the time for an experiment.³

If your cat is used to the hair dryer, you can keep it on low and frequently check the temperature on your own skin. Don't hold it too close to your cat—you don't want him to get burned. Or, you can use an air dryer that's made just for small pets.³

If you had to skip the hair dryer step and only towel-dried your cat, he might still be a little damp. Keep him in an enclosed, warm room so he doesn't get chilled while he finishes drying naturally.⁴

Other Grooming Tips

Of course, bathing is only a small part of grooming your cat. Here's a quick look at other types of grooming your cat will need.

Regular brushing

Even though cats have coarse tongues for self-grooming, brushing is still needed to help remove dead skin flakes, dirt and debris. It also distributes natural oils over your cat's fur for a shiny look, and can even reduce hairballs.¹

Brushing can be a nice bonding opportunity since your cat will love the luxurious massage. Just do your research when choosing a brush, and look for one that's best for your cat's fur length and texture.¹ For example, some pet parents love the FURminator® brush because it can be a great de-shedding tool.⁵ Other pet owners have cats that simply adore shampoo brushes (aka scalp massagers.) Ask your veterinarian what's best for your kitty.

Nail trimming

Just like bathing, trimming your cat's nails requires patience. You'll need to find a comfortable, quiet spot and slowly let your cat get used to the clippers and having his paws handled. Be careful not to trim the quick when cutting.⁶ Your veterinarian can demonstrate the best method.

Make sure you use clippers designed for cat paws, not human nail clippers. Human clippers are shaped differently and can damage your cat's nails.⁶

Dental care

Your cat needs her teeth cleaned regularly by your veterinarian. But you may also need to brush your cat's teeth at home between visits. You'll need a cat-safe toothpaste they can lick, a soft-bristle brush and a lot of patience getting your cat used to brushing. If your cat doesn't adjust, your veterinarian may recommend dental diets, treats or water additives.⁷

Ear cleaning

Some cats with ear issues may need regular ear cleaning at home. But overcleaning can also cause problems, so ask your veterinarian how often (or if) you need to clean your cat's ears.⁸

If you do need to clean them, use a dry cotton ball to wipe any wax or debris from the outer part of the ear. Next, dip another cotton bowl in ear cleaner recommended by your veterinarian. Gently squeeze the dripping solution into your kitty's ear. Massage the base of his ear to loosen wax or debris. Let your kitty shake his head after, and blot with a dry cotton ball. Some kitties need to be wrapped in a towel like a burrito for this.⁸

Signs Your Cat Needs a Bath

Since cats clean themselves, not all cats need baths. In fact, some may never need to be bathed. But sometimes you have to step in. Bathing should only be done when necessary, such as in these circumstances:³

• They got into something they shouldn't, like pollen from an unsafe plant, a poisonous chemical or a big muddy spot in your backyard. (If they were exposed to something toxic, call your veterinarian ASAP.)
• They have long fur that needs extra cleaning to stay sanitary and avoid matting.
• They stepped into some poop in the litter box or got it all over their bum.
• Your veterinarian said your cat needs regular baths to treat a wound.
• Your veterinarian wants your cat to have medicated baths for a skin condition, like fleas, allergies or ringworm.
• They're older or have health issues, like arthritis, and can't groom themselves well.
• They're a hairless cat, like a Sphynx, and need baths to help reduce excess oil and the chance of infections.²

Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Cat Healthy

Remember: You can make grooming and bathing your cat a positive experience with gentle handling, lots of patience, a calm demeanor and a few treats as tiny bribes. Some cats may resist baths quite a bit at first, but with this approach, most will become accustomed to the process over time.

Purchasing pet insurance may help you protect your cat from diseases and illnesses. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline. This can be a big help when you have questions about bathing your cat.

Sources/ Citations

1."Grooming and coat care for your cat," Ryan Llera et al. (n.d.), VCA Animal Hospitals, https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/grooming-and-coat-care-for-your-cat

2. "How to bathe a cat & how often you should do it," (3/2024), Falls Road Animal Hospital, https://www.fallsroad.com/site/tips-resources-blog-baltimore-vet/2024/03/15/how-bathe-cat

3. "Bath time! Why and how you should bathe your cat," LeeAnna Buis (11/2024), Preventive Vet, https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/giving-a-cat-a-bath-why-and-how

4. "Bathing your cat," (n.d.), Kitty Devore Rescue, https://www.kittydevorerescue.org/bathing-your-cat/

5. "Furminator for cats: The best way to use it," (4/2021), Airvet, https://www.airvet.com/blog/furminator-for-cats

6. "Can I cut my cat's nails with human nail clippers? Vet-reviewed facts & risks," Christian Adams (8/2024), Catster, https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/trim-cat-nails-human-nail-clippers/

7. "6 tips for cleaning a cat's teeth," Mallory Kanwal (1/2024), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/clean-cat-teeth

8. "How to clean cat ears," (n.d.), Banfield Pet Hospital, https://www.banfield.com/Wellness-at-banfield/Ear-care/How-to-clean-cat-ears