How to give a scared cat a bath?

Question

I tried to give my 1 year old cat a bath. Once he figured out that I was going to put him in the water, he dug his claws in me and it was impossible to pull him off. So I had to give up on the bath. Is there an easier way to give him a bath?

Answer 1

my cat did the exact same thing, he scratched me up good, lol! just hold his arms in one hand while u shampoo his body, or go and get him groomed! ^_^

Answer 2

Take him to a groomer.   I tried to give my big tomcat a bath once and he sunk his teeth deep into my wrist and scared me half to death.   Last time he got a bath.  Cats don't really need baths, anyway.   They clean themselves.   Just brush him out real good-outside the house.

Answer 3

Make sure you only give your cat a bath if it is an emergency. Cats bathe themselves and do not need baths like dogs. When I do need to bathe my cat, I make sure that I lock the bathroom door first so that she can't run around wet throughout the whole house. Then I put her in the tub and then turn the water on. I try to hold her back so that she can't scratch me as much. Put the shampoo in and scrub as fast as I can. Then I rinse her and try her off with a towel. The best way to avoid being scratched is to do this as fast as you can. It doesn't need to be perfect.

Answer 4

cats are pretty good about keeping themselves clean.  Unless they've been sprayed by a skunk I wouldn't bathe a cat.  

Answer 5

First of all, put on a long sleeved shirt so you won't get clawed.  Give the bath alone.  More than one person in the room will make kitty even more nervous.

1.  Run the water in the tub and turn it off.

2.  Lay out everything you need within arms reach - soap, cup, towels, etc.

3.  Be nice to your cat, talk and pet him.  Bring him into the bathroom and shut the door.

4.  Lower him into the tub and keep one hand on his back holding him in the water (keep this hand on him the whole time).  Get a cup and start pouring water on him.  Most cats will freak out a first, but once you start getting them wet, they will calm down and sort of freeze.

5.  Put the soap on him and lather it up.  You may have to keep in on a few mins if it's flea soap.  Talk to your cat in a reassuring voice the whole time.

6.  Rinse him off and place him on the towel and start drying.

Sometimes I get in the tub with the cat.  It's easier to keep them under control.  It's very important to keep that one hand on them and hold them down so they can't jump up or out.  I have given outdoor cats baths and several housecats and I have never had a cat that I could not bathe using this method.  Good luck!

Answer 6

get a cat harness and hook it up to the leash and then hook the leash to somthin with no slak or he will get yoou then wash him

Answer 7

Unless your cat is really dirty, don't bother with a bath. Cats don't like them, will fight them and you suffer. Most cats keep themselves very clean. Bathing is only needed if they get something on their fur that may cause injury if they l**k it or are extremely dirty. Save your hands, let the cat bathe itself.

Answer 8

Why are you even trying to bathe your cat..cats do not NEED baths, they clean themselves.  Unless your cat has gotten into something sticky or oily that it cannot handle itself, there is no need to stress yourself and your cat out by bathing.  

Answer 9

only way we could ever get our cat clean was by closing the bathroom door, and we had a sliding class door on our bath. Then either me or my sister would have to sacrifice ourselves and get in with her.

Answer 10

Cats don't need to be bathed by people unless they have gotten something bad spilled on them. Cats clean themselves several times a day, but if you have your heart set on it having a bath you should take it to the groomer. Sometimes vet clinics have a groomer that works there. Leave it to the professionals and that way you won't get clawed up

Answer 11

you dont give cats baths. Cats naturally clean themselves daily with their own tounges which have anti bacterial liquids in it. If you must, leave the cat outside for a few mins when its raining or spray it with a spray bottle, although you must understand that this may traumatize your cat and it might be afraid of you after you do that.  

Answer 12

You do not cats are terrified of the water, unless you want to get scratched again. I would try it with a sponge or a spray bottle but never the tub

Answer 13

Why do you need to give the cat a bath? Let him groom himself, give him a good brushing (they love it), and if fleas are an issue, get a good flea treatment from your vet. Cats hate water and a bath is simply torture!  

Answer 14

ru the water before you even put the cat in the room. grab him by the back of the neck, and bathe him slowly!! do not yell, or laugh, be very nice and sooth him.

Answer 15

Just hold them from the neck so they don't scratch you but maybe you will need 2 people so one can hold the neck and the other can put the water on.

Answer 16

The first time I tried to bathe my cat, putting her INTO the water did not work. But I did get a piece of advice that did work- Wear an old jacket. The cat will dig his claws in.

Try to set the cat into an empty tub and POUR the water on him.

This worked for mine and after the bath your kitty-kitty will thank you.

Good Luck!

Answer 17

What I normally do with my 1 year old (who left scars all over my arms when I first tried to giver her a bath) I filled the bath tub before I even put her in the bathroom. The water level is to her arm pits. I do this so she doesn't anticapate it and get scared. Then and hold her and groom her with her favorite brush so she will be more relaxed. Use what ever makes your cat relaxed. Then I slowly put her in. When shes in, I hold her chest so she doesn't jump, but light enough so I calm her with my touch. I also wait a while before doing anything, to get her used to it, so it's not so shocking. I take a cup with me to poor the water on her, it doesn't creat a lot of noise. I lift her up by her up by the arm pits with one hand to get every where else.

Another tip would be to have some one help you. I will hold her and talk to her while some one else scrubs her. I am very careful  with her because shes big and gets scared easily.

Answer 18

Wrap your cat in a towel first.

Answer 19

Unless the cat smells or is extremely dirty - you don't need to give a cat a bath.  The barbs on their tongue do a great job of keeping them clean.  If you must give a bath - unless you want to get clawed again, I would spend the money on a groomer.  PetSmart is a great place - plus they will trim the nails and clean the ears.

Answer 20

Either take the cat to the groomer or use a cat grooming bag if your cat just can't be calm around the bath.

Answer 21

cats don't like water at any cost,unless he has something on his coat that requires a bath,let him clean and groom his self,like most cats do.and i think trying to bath him as proved to you that they don't like water,and if you value your fingers and eyes then don't try it again.

Answer 22

My daughter used to fill the bathtub with warm water to about 2 inches.  Then she would get into the tub and walk around, then lift the cat into the tub with her.  The cat didn't seem to be afraid since my daughter was in the water, too.  By the way, she just washed the cat with water, didn't use soap or shampoo.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.