You’ve likely heard before that cats hate water, and this is typically true. But do they need baths anyway? And just how do you bathe a cat?
Most cats will never need a bath, especially if they’re kept indoors. However, sometimes special circumstances arise, such as an illness, that make bathing your cat necessary.
In this article, we’ll discuss when cats need baths, how to bathe your cat, and alternatives to cat bathing.
Do Cats Need Baths?
Most cats will go their entire lives without needing a bath. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and typically only need help grooming if they’ve gotten into something very messy, cannot groom themselves, or have a health problem.
Bathing your cat regularly isn’t necessary and tends to be very stressful for them–and possibly for you! Brushing your cat to remove dead fur and other debris is typically all the help they need to keep their fur clean and healthy.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule! Some cats do need regular baths, such as if they have a skin condition. And many cats need just one or two baths throughout their lives when they get especially dirty, or when they’re sick and cannot groom themselves properly.
When is it Okay to Bathe Your Cat?
Kittens with Fleas
Even most cats with fleas won’t necessarily need a flea bath. Flea preventative will kill any fleas on your cat, and then you’ll need to treat your home to get the rest. But kittens under 8-12 weeks cannot yet take parasite prevention medications.
Therefore, you’ll need to wash the fleas off using cat shampoo, or dish soap if you’re in a pinch. Start by rubbing a ring of soap around the kitten’s neck, like a collar, to prevent fleas from rushing to their face. Then, wet their fur, soap them up, and rinse well.
They Have Feces or Urine in their Fur
One of the most common reasons to bathe a kitten or cat is that their rear end is dirty. You can then give them what many call a “butt bath” to rinse off the debris without submerging their entire body in water. This is quicker and less stressful on you and the cat!
For longhaired cats with clumps stuck in their fur, you can often skip the bath entirely and carefully cut or shave away the matts. This is often best done by a groomer who specializes in cats, as it’s easy to tear the skin in this area, leading to severe injuries.
Cats like this also benefit from a sanitary shave, which means keeping the fur around their butt short so that it stays cleaner.
Keep in mind that a cat pooping or peeing on themselves is abnormal and typically indicates a medical issue. Your vet may consider the following:
- Arthritis
- Another illness or pain in the body discouraging grooming
- Diarrhea, which can indicate a number of health issues
- Internal parasites such as tapeworms
- Your cat is overweight and cannot reach their rear end to clean themselves
They’ve Gotten Into Something Messy or Toxic
Indoor cats typically can’t get into much, especially if your home is properly cat-proofed. But outdoor cats can come home filthy, or even sprayed by a skunk!
This is definitely a time that you want to bathe them. After the bath, I’d also highly recommend transitioning your cat to indoor-only. Not just to prevent future bathtimes, but because cats free-roaming outdoors are at high risk of injuries, illness, and early death.
They Aren’t Cleaning Themselves
If your cat isn’t cleaning themselves, you’ll want to see your veterinarian to find out why. This is very abnormal behavior and can indicate a range of health problems.
You also might need to give them baths, or at least wipe them down with pet wipes to keep them clean.
They Have a Skin Condition
Some cats with skin conditions need baths with medicated shampoos to help them. Your veterinarian will recommend this if it’s necessary.
Your Cat is a Sphynx
Sphynx cats are different from cats with fur, and they require regular baths to remove excess oils and to keep their skin healthy.
Get your sphynx kitten used to water early on, making the process as fun and stress-free as possible. Introduce the tub at their pace and reward their participation with treats to set them up for success as they grow.
How to Bathe Your Cat
Start by gathering your supplies:
- Cat shampoo–ideally, not dish soap or human shampoo
- A towel or non-slip matt to place on the bottom of your tub or sink
- Treats, if your cat will eat
- A cup or washcloth to transfer water
- A towel and blow dryer with a low-heat setting for after the bath
Step One: Preparation
Next, you’ll want to get your cat ready for the bath. It’s a good idea to trim their nails to limit injuries if they scratch you. Long-haired cats may benefit from a haircut before they get into the water.
Get the bath ready before you bring your cat into the room. Just a couple of inches of warm water will do. You don’t need them completely submerged, and a running faucet scares most cats more than still water.
Bring everything you’ll need into the room and put it in reach, because you’ll likely need to hold your cat in the tub. You don’t want to have to walk away and have a soaked feline running loose around the house!
If your cat will eat during a bath, you can feed them treats or have a second person do so. They also make lick mats for dogs that attach to the side of the tub–which, paired with a lickable cat treat, might be enough to keep them distracted.
Depending on your cat’s personality and tolerance for water, you might also want to prepare yourself by wearing thick, long sleeves or gloves.
Step Two: The Bath
Close the bathroom door and set your cat gently into the prepared bathtub. Use a cup or washcloth to wet their fur.
You often won’t need to wash the whole cat, just wherever they’re dirty. Follow up the water by squirting cat shampoo into your hands and lathering it before rubbing it into your cat’s fur.
Keep the soap away from their eyes, and remember not to pour water over their head! If their face needs to be cleaned, use a damp washcloth.
Rinse the soap thoroughly, as soap left in the fur can cause dryness and skin irritation. Rubbing your hand back and forth across the fur after rinsing will show any remaining soapsuds you might’ve missed.
Step Three: After the Bath
Dry your cat’s fur with a towel the best that you can. Follow this up with a blow dryer on low heat, keeping your hand nearby to ensure it doesn’t get too hot for your cat to handle.
The blow dryer step can be skipped so long as your cat stays warm and indoors until they dry.
Some cats will want some extra love and comfort after their bath, while others may hide away for a while until they get over the stress. Follow their lead and don’t take it too personally if they avoid you for a couple of days. The bath might’ve been for their own good, but they don’t know that!
Alternatives to Bathing Your Cat
- Dry Shampoo or pet wipes can help for small messes, such as quickly wiping your cat’s rear or if they smell bad but don’t seem overly dirty.
- Brushing your cat’s fur helps to remove debris and distribute their natural oils. This can be enough if your cat is just a bit dirty or appears greasy from undergrooming. It also helps to remove dead undercoat and will reduce shedding.
- Cat groomers sometimes have better luck with baths since they’re professionals. However, their success often relies on your cat being so afraid of the new environment that they freeze–and that’s not a position you want to put them in unless you have to.
Instead, it might be best to see your veterinarian and ask if they can prescribe sedatives for your cat. While this also isn’t ideal, it’ll be much less stressful on your kitty. Of course, this route is only recommended if your cat truly needs a bath and you need to handle them in the most stress-free way possible.