The only cat breeds that enjoy the water, and therefore baths, are the Sokoke, the Turkish Van, and the Turkish Angora. All other breeds should be introduced to bathing around three months of age so that they become accustomed to the ritual of being bathed. All is not lost if you did not start bathing your cat at an early age. Older cats may be gradually introduced to bathing by using a wet cloth or sponge for the first few baths. Make a game out of it so that the cat does not view a bath as an unpleasant experience. After the cat becomes accustomed to sponge baths, it is time to move on to a full bath with shampoo.
Fill your tub with a few centimeters of warm water (36/37º C), then gently lower your cat into the water. Be sure to reassure him by talking to him and petting him.
Use a small pitcher or other container to gently wet the fur, being careful not to get any water in the cat's eyes or ears. Don't forget to keep offering reassuring caresses. Once the cat is wet, apply a cat shampoo and rub it in well. Do not use products formulated for humans, since a cat's pH is different than that of humans, and a cat could be poisoned licking his fur after a bath.
Scrub the cat's coat thoroughly, paying special attention to the feet and tail. The fur at the base of a male cat's tail sometimes gets coated with sebum, which can only be removed with shampoo.
Rinse the coat (a removable shower head works well for this), then shampoo and rinse again.
Depending on the breed, you may wish to apply a special gel formulated to bring out the colors and shine in your cat's coat. Do not use human hair coloring products, which could poison your cat.
Once the cat has been thoroughly rinsed, wrap him in a warm, clean towel. Dry the cat as much as possible using the towel. Some breeders feel the noise of hairdryers stress cats, but others use them. If you do use an electric hairdryer, put it on its lowest setting and do not blow the air in the cat's eyes. Dry the entire coat, including the stomach, legs, and tail.
For longhaired breeds, brush the coat with a soft brush. Use a cotton ball (not a cotton swab) to dry the inside of the ears.
Remember to reward your cat with a treat or extra attention at the end of a bath. A bath should become part of the normal routine and an opportunity for quality one-on-one time with your cat, not a punishment or show of force.
There are also dry shampoo products available on the market. Be sure to select an unscented product formulated for your cat's coat type. This type of shampoo is worked into the coat and lifts dirt and oils from the hair. After applying dry shampoo, thoroughly brush the coat to remove the product and dirt.
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