At what age can you bathe an adult cat and a puppy?

Kittens learn to lick themselves when they are two to four weeks old, and adult cats spend up to 50 percent of their waking time grooming themselves . So why should you bathe your cat? A bath stimulates the skin and removes excess oil, dandruff and loose hair.

It also offers the opportunity to teach your cat that being handled, even in unexpected ways, will not harm him. Cats will need to be veterinary managed, handled by veterinary technicians, or cared for by keepers and hosts. Making bathing a pleasant experience helps cats "generalize" the event to similar situations in the future.

Previous positive bathing experiences are especially helpful if you ever need to give your cat medicated baths as part of a treatment plan for skin conditions like ringworm, or if your cat gets into something particularly unpleasant.

Before bathing your cat for the first time

Some fussy short-haired cats rarely or never need a bath, while long-haired cats often need a little more help with hygiene. Bathing too often can dry out your skin, so try to avoid anything more frequent than about every four to six weeks.

Kittens are more accepting of baths, so start as soon as you adopt one, as long as it is at least 4 weeks old. Elderly or extremely ill cats may become stressed by bathing, so follow your vet's advice in these cases.

What do you need to bathe a cat?

For routine cleaning, you only need a few supplies, including:

A simple grooming shampoo labeled specifically for cats Several towels A rubber mat A towel Ping pong ball or other floating distraction

Human shampoo (including those designed for babies) or dog products can be too harsh and dry out your cat's skin, and in some cases, they can be toxic.

How to bathe your adult cat

Before bathing your cat, brush its fur thoroughly. As for you, wear old clothes and expect to get wet.

The bathing area should be warm and free of drafts. A bathtub will work fine, but you may feel more comfortable if you can bathe your cat in a waist-high sink. Move all breakable items out of reach and push curtains or shower curtains out of the way. Avoid anything (strong smells, scary objects, mirrors) that might frighten cats, to make bathing as pleasant as possible.

Gather shampoo, several towels, and a washcloth near the sink or bathtub and run warm water before bringing your cat inside. The cat's bath temperature should be around body temperature, in other words, warm enough but not so hot as to cause discomfort.

Place a towel or rubber mat on the bottom of the tub or sink. Cats hate unsteady feet on slippery surfaces and this will make it less stressful. Or try placing the cat in a plastic milk crate so it can grab it with its paws. This also makes it easier to wash the cat from above and below.

Close the bathroom door or risk letting a soapy cat escape.

How to bathe a kitten

For small cats or kittens, use the double sink in the kitchen, two or more large roasting pans, or a couple of buckets or baskets in the bathtub. Fill each with warm water, then gently lower your cat (one hand supporting her butt, the other under her chest) into the first bowl to drench her. Most cats accept this method more easily than spraying.

Let your cat stand on its hind legs and grasp the edge of the container while you thoroughly wet the fur. Then pick the cat up on one of your towels and shampoo, using a damp but not soapy cloth to clean the cat's face.

After soaping, dip the cat in the first bowl again to rinse it. Remove as much soap as possible before removing and shake off excess water before rinsing thoroughly in subsequent containers of clean water.

Preventing problems with your cat during bathing

Some cats will really enjoy the bath and some will not. Be patient and don't scold your cat during bathing. If your cat really hates bathing, try giving lots of praise, asking for help, or rinsing off the soap and trying again next time. If bathing your cat at home seems like too much trouble, a professional cat groomer is your best bet for effective grooming by a professional.

Trim your cat's claws a day in advance to avoid scratches. Don't do it right beforehand, otherwise the cat will associate cutting with bathing. Try floating a ping pong ball or other exciting cat toy in the water to entice the cat to try to catch it. A cat that plays with water will be less likely to fear it.