How can I get my 8 week old kitten to relax when im giving her a bath?

Question

Well I tried to give my kitty a bath...she ran into a pot and got covered up in dirt....I put some soap in my sink with warm water...I tried to calm her down but she was petrified...I gave her a break so she woulden't freak out! I know it was her first time but I tried to be as comforting and careful as possible..how can I get her to relax?

Answer 1

You have to giver them a bath once in a while. ITs just plain nasty if you don't. IT is tough, i will agree. but try just running the spout in the tub without filling the tub. Put soap on them first then get them wet. Scrub and rinse keeping it short. Follow by drying with a towel and a good brushing. THe brushing will definitely relax her.

Answer 2

I have 4 cats and I've never had to bathe any of them.  They do that themselves.  I'd stop trying to give that cat a bath or it will always run and hide from you and not like you at all.  You don't want that to happen.  She will relax when you stop putting her in the water.  Besides, you can't use people soap on kitties!!!  It could do some harm to her.

Answer 3

HAHA don't giver her an actual bath..that will get her to relax. :) I get the animal wipes. You can give her a bath without the trauma. :) Even Wal-mart has them.

Answer 4

I agree with mizandee. the majority of cats hate water. My sister bought baby wipes ( they don't neccesarily need to be animal wipes, just make sure they are non toxic). But she bought them because her kitten  didn't exaclty get the concept of washing himself. Try that. If your cat is having trouble getting that concept of washing, look up on google how to teach a cat. I'm not sure that you can, but it's worth a try.

Answer 5

do u not know that CATS HATE WATER?

Answer 6

try grooming the dirt out instead. Cats  have quite unique tongues so that they l**k themselves clean.

Answer 7

Um, cats cat die from having baths. They dont need baths because they l**k themselves clean and they hate water. Do not try to bath the poor thing again.

Answer 8

This could be tricky but not impossible. Cats and Kittens are not quite obedient as dogs and they learn differently. The only fastest way you can teach your cat that water is not so bad, is through a good experience. Cats learn through experience, it's a fact :).

1) Grab something she loves to eat.

2) When it's her time to eat, get her dirty. (not really required)

3) Take her to the bathroom or where ever possible and just rinse a piece of cloth and wipe her. If she's not struggling, give her a small amount of treat.

4) Then next day you can do it again and use a glass of water.

5) Few days later, give her a bathe.

It's true most cats don't like water but they don't hate it ;)

Answer 9

The vets on Animal Planet bathe cats when they are brought in all flea infested, and ear mite infested or, in the case of my friends cat Scooter, when they are covered in paint. After that the cat can pretty much take care of itself. Dirt is not going to kill the kitty.in FACT, a lot of cats like to roll around in the dirt.

quote your post

"I know it was her first time"

why don't you make it the first and LAST...unless there is some medical problem and vet prescribes a bath.

It's a kitten not an infant.

Answer 10

grab her by the back of the neck.  it'll either calm her down or it'll keep her in a position that you can at least get her clean.  you may need another hand to really get her clean, but this is the position/holding style i used when my stepmoms cat got glue in his fur.  

Answer 11

NOOOOOOO THATS NOT GOOD AT ALL SHES JUST A KITTEN,,,,,SHES JUST A BABY COME ON BEACAUSE SHES TOO YOUNG TO TAKE BATH SHE WILL NOT RELAX SHE WILL HAVE A FEVER  AND GET SICK AND MAYBE THERES A CHANCE THAT SHE WILL DIE!!!!SORRY ITS THE RIGHT THING FOR YOUR KITEN SHES JUSTA BABY HER BODY IS STILL SENSITIVE!!

Answer 12

when i give me kitty a bath at first i sat in the tub with her and when i was washing her i would tell her she was good and that i wasn't going to hurt now she likes taking baths and when i let her go she don't even try to get out of the tub  good luck

Answer 13

if you did the respomsible thing and didnt take her until she was old enough her mother would have taught her how to bath herself

you are stupid if you have taken this kitten when it isnt ready to leave its mum yet

Answer 14

Oh my God - stop trying to bath her! You will be causing your kitten so much stress.

If it's just dirt she's covered in she'll wash it off herself. If not, once it's really dry just brush it out. The only time I'd intervene with a cats washing routine is if they got something harmful on them. And then, I'd just use a cloth to wash the specific area, not the whole cat.