Do You Need to Bathe Your Cat?

Your cat probably spends what seems like an eternity each day grooming herself. Between the licking and the stretching (and more licking), she’s got to be clean, right? Do you need to bathe her? Cats aren’t exactly known for their love of water. Here’s what the vets want you to know about whether or not you need to bathe your cat.

First: Do I Need to Bathe My Cat?

In a very big nutshell: No. Your cat is already equipped with one of the most effective grooming tools on the planet, and she’s already putting that rough tongue to good work by spending nearly a third of all her waking hours grooming herself. As a general rule, your cat has it covered. There are, of course, a few notable exceptions.

Some Cats Need a Little Help

Short-haired cats are particularly good at grooming themselves. It’s easy for them to reach their skin using little more than their tongues and teeth. Some cats, though, need a helping hand. Long-Haired Cats: Some long-haired breeds can get matted, oily, or a little dirty without human intervention. Sometimes all they need is a thorough brushing once a week (a good idea for all cats!) but sometimes they might need a full-on bath. Ageing or Sick Cats: Grooming is a natural cat activity but sick or senior cats may become physically unable to groom themselves over time. If your cat can’t effectively groom herself or can’t reach everywhere she used to, you might need to step in. Dirty Cats: Sometimes cats get dirty! If your cat somehow splashed through a mud puddle or got sprayed by a skunk, you might have to bathe her to get rid of the worst of the gunk. This is also a good idea for a cat you’ve brought home from the shelter for the first time.

How to Bathe a Cat (and Live to Tell the Tale)

We’re not going to lie to you. Your cat is probably going to hate getting a bath. That’s okay! Just gather what you need ahead of time to make the experience as quick and painless as possible. You’ll want thick rubber gloves to prevent again rogue claws, cat shampoo, a large pitcher for rinsing, a small cloth for her face, and a large towel for drying. You don’t want to drop a cat into a tub full of water; just 2-3 inches of warm water in the bottom of the tub will do. Place your cat in – hold on tight! – and quickly rinse her with clean water. Shampoo wherever necessary, then rinse once more with clean water. Be sure to spend some time gently rubbing her face clean, too. After the bath, do your best to dry your cat off in a towel – she may be ready to retreat by this point. Never use a hairdryer on your cat, even if she doesn’t seem to mind, as this can dry her skin.