We all know that most cats hate water. It means that for many, a water bowl is the closest they ever want to get to any water source.
However, there are those times that despite their cat nature, they need to be given a bath. These 5 DIY Cat Bath Hacks will help keep the process as painless as possible for both you and your kitty cat!
5 DIY Cat Bath Hacks You Need to Know!
1. Bath Preparations – While most of us want to save time and head straight to the bath, it is important to consider your cat’s anxiety/safety. Clip your cat’s nails as well as give them a good brush. This can last about 10 minutes and it helps to set a more relaxing and safer stage for you both.
2. Prepare the Bath – Fill the bath with about 3 inches of lukewarm water. Keep in mind that while we may want a hot bath for ourselves, your cat does not feel the same way. Think lukewarm water like you would prepare for a newborn baby! Add a couple squirts of tearless baby shampoo in the water to get it a little sudsy.
3. Placing Kitty in the Bath – Using both hands, carefully lower kitty into the bath while talking to him with a loving tone. If you find your cat struggles, then gently place a firm hold on their scruff. For those with back issues, you could use a large tub or baby bath tub instead of the full bathtub!
4. Clean time – A good idea is to have a cup ready for pouring water on your cat. Remember that you do not need to pour water on their face. If you need to wash the face, gently wipe with a moist towel.
You will want to use a cat-safe shampoo/baby shampoo. Try to massage in the soap in the same way you would do when you give them a good pet. This is reassuring for the cat and helps dealing with the anxiety from the bath experience.
Washing and Drying Your Cat Needs to be Gentle!
5. Gently Wash – Once your kitty is shampooed up, use the cup to gently pour water over your cat. Make sure to have a towel ready for picking up your cat, again with both hands.
Sit down on the side of the tub or on the floor next to your cat and give them a good towel rub. This will help remind them that a bath is not a horrible experience as well as saving them time from licking themselves dry for hours!
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Debbie says
That picture of the cat in the towel made my heart melt. How often do you bathe your cat? I honestly have only bathed mine maybe once or twice as a kitten when we first got her and she had fleas. I had cats my whole life growing up and we never gave them baths, but now I’m questioning this??
Kristen says
Normally, you won’t need to bathe a cat. The need arises when they get into something unpleasant, after an illness and so forth. I have to bathe my Anson because he has constipation issues and uses laxatives.
Kelly says
I know of people that have bathed their cats and have always been in awe of this. I could never see my cats allowing me to bath them, at least not without some injury to me 😉 But thank you for the tips should the need ever arise.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I have a friend with a cat, and that thing actually LOVES to be bathed. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. He asks for it!
Jennifer says
These are great tips. Most cats hate baths to begin with, so you really need to know what you’re doing.
Jeanette says
I have a friend that struggles to bathe their cats! This will defiantly help them out! I will have to tell them about this post I think they would love it!
sherri says
I’ve never had to bath a cat (but there was one skunk incident decades ago while I was babysitting). I’m wondering about shampoo though. I was told by a dog groomer never to use people shampoo on dogs because the pH level is different. I wonder if that’s the same for cats.
kathy downey says
Thanks for the great tips sometimes a bath just has to happen.This is the cutest kitty photo i have ever seem….priceless
Jo-Anne Pfoh says
You missed a step sweety. Use the towel that you dried them with to wrap around your bleeding arms to prevent blood from dripping on the floor and call 911 lol .. Cuz that is what I would be doing lol Now Sassy would and has jumped in. She is nuts though . Thanks for the tips
Kristen says
AHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kamira Gayle says
Oh this reminds me of fun times with my girls Precious and Dusty. As soon as that tub water was running, they knew what time it was! They didn’t like it but begrudgingly got through it. Clipping the nails beforehand definitely helps. Your photo is adorable too!
Happy-Go-Doodle says
Your picture of that sweet kitty in the pink towel is absolutely adorable! That’s a smile bringer all day long! While we don’t have any cats in our home right now, several of these tips apply to dogs as well. Thanks for sharing!
Joely Smith says
OMG that photo is SO CUTE!!! We have three cats and one is totally in love with water! Go figure right? Her name is Tibet and every time we get out of the shower she gets right in! We have not tried bathing her though, I would hate to spoil her love of water. The other two cats do not seem to mind water but are not in love with it either. We simply have never bathed our cats. They take good care of their coats. I have used pet wipes for them from time to time.
If we do ever have a cat that is too sick to clean itself I could see bathing it.
I will use your tips if we ever need to – they are smart tips and great advice to go with!
Tonya Wilhelm says
Such a cute kittie. Luckily, most cats do not need baths unless they get into something or have a medical issue. Great tips for those needing a scrub.
Shelby says
I cannot handle the cuteness that is your blog. Congratulations!!
Sadie says
Thankfully, we have not been in a position to have to test the Rooster’s tolerance for water. Thank you for sharing these tips. I will save them just in case the need arises.
AD says
Good tips… But I am having traumatic flashbacks to a time when I had to bathe my ex’s cat; it was like a satanic, demon possession experience. I came out of it looking like I’d walked a mile through rose bushes. That cat hated me!
Heather Wallace says
I was lucky enough that my Maine Coon mix loved the water. I mean LOVED. I would constantly find him in the sink or tub playing with dripping water, and asking me to turn it on. So baths were never a problem. But this is so important for the non-water loving kitties. Great advice!
Sarah says
The easy way to get your cat to take a bath is to just take the approach we used to take with our cats, leave the bathroom door open and they get in the shower with you. I used to hate when I’d be taking a shower and our cat would walk in like hey I own this shower get out.
Jennifer G says
I have never thought about giving cats baths, but I do not have a cat. I love these ideas. My neighbour has a cat and I am going to share them with her.
Teresa Moody says
Having a cat that hates water I can relate. lol. Love these ideas and going to try them out!
Beth says
My cat who is normally incredibly laid back and mellow, freaked out when he saw a sink full of water and realized I was going to try and put him in there. In 15 years, he’s never hissed like that. Frankly, it scared me and I let him down for fear he would start biting me.
Randa says
My favourite cat bathing hack is usually to put them in the cat carrier, take them to the groomer, and let them deal with it. But, with your hacks I might just be able to deal with this myself.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
I’ve never had to bathe a cat but this is good to know. Bathing Mr. N is a much easier process!
Hali @daytodayMOMents says
First of all that is one adorable shot with the pink towel! This is all so interesting and useful for cat owners, I don’t have any but found it interesting. 🙂
Claudia Krusch says
I have not had to give a cat a bath for years. I used to put a towel on the bottom of the tub so she would not slide around.
Lisa Bristol says
I have two cats and I hate to give them a bath. I will have to try these tips this weekend. I need to give them a good bath and nail trim.
Dear Mishu says
I didn’t realize cats got baths — I thought only dogs had to suffer that indignity! These look like great ideas though….
Cathi Crismon says
Brilliant ideas! I have to say… I put our cat in the shower with my husband once. I thought… hey, he’s already in there and the cat can’t jump out and run off. Let me just say… it wasn’t pretty. Ha!!
The Daily Pip says
I have only had to wash one of my cats. He was older and had some issues with dementia at the end of his life – and often forgot to clean his back end. He didn’t seem to mind all that much. Had we tried to give him a bath in his younger days, I don’t think he would have been so cooperative.
Sweet Purrfections says
I used to bathe my previous Persian all the time, but she began her kittenhood with a certified cat groomer and loved to be groomed. Truffle and Brulee are a different story. They rarely get full baths, but do need an occasional butt bath. Brulee hates getting wet! She becomes a wild cat!
Amy Desrosiers says
I had no idea you could actually bathe a cat! What great tips for getting a cat squeaky clean!
Laurie Beth says
You seriously know what you are talking about. I still have horrible flash backs to when I had to wash my old cat! ahhh!
Shayla says
This was super helpful! My cat growing up HATED bath time! The first time I set her in warm shallow water, she peed all over 😩
Dawn Lopez says
Bathing a cat is definitely NOT for the faint of heart! I’m sure your tips will make everything go much more smoothly next time.
Sarah says
So brave! I’d be scared of getting all scratched up. Great tips for sure!
Alicia Gonzalez says
I didn’t even know people gave cats bathes! But, it makes totally sense that there might be a need to, under certain circumstances. Great tips!
Cathy Armato says
My cat hated baths & nail trimming! I should have taken it much slower and followed these steps. I love that first photo, it is super cute!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Gone to the Snow Dogs says
I can’t even imagine giving a cat a bath! I have never had to try this. . but I can’t imagine it would be fun!
Tara says
These are such great tips. Soothing the cat before and after the bath is really important. I’ll remember these if I ever need to bathe our cat.
Monica says
I have never tried to bathe my kitties but if I ever need to, these are very important tips to keep in mind.
Calvin F. says
Either way my cat hats getting wet. thanks for the tips.
Linda H says
The one time we had to bath our cat hubby ended up with scratches and his shirt soaked. They both survived though!