How to safely bathe your kitten

Although adult cats are relatively clean animals who groom themselves, kittens are a different story. These little ones have a tendency to pick up dirt and grime as they go about the business of growing into cats. Bathing a kitten serves several purposes: It removes residue and bacteria that could otherwise fester on the skin; it accustoms the animal to water and bathing; and it also helps you keep your home clean.

First determine if your kitten is ready for a bath. Before the age of 8 weeks, kittens have little body fat and are unable to regulate their body temperature. If the kitten’s mother also lives with you, she should bathe her kitten until it reaches 8 weeks. If that’s not possible, you will need to pay extra-special attention to the water temperature and the kitten’s comfort during the bath.

Another reason to wait until your kitten is a little older: The experience will be jarring if the cat is not yet accustomed to being handled by humans.

To protect yourself from scratches during the bath, trim your kitten’s claws first. Snip just a little at a time to protect the cat from accidental injury. Next, brush your kitten before putting them in the tub to remove excess fur that could clog your drain.

Since cats are not always cooperative in water, it is important to have all your materials ready ahead of time. Choose a gentle formula shampoo designed for cats. Have several towels at the ready: a smaller one to grip your kitten while they’re still in the tub; a larger one for drying off the kitten; a towel for the floor; and a towel for yourself.

The bath water should only be a few inches deep and consider confining them to a smaller space, such as a plastic basin or baby bathtub.

Your kitten’s bath water should stay between 100 and 103 degrees, according to PetMD. The best way to keep tabs on water temperature is to use a baby bath thermometer.

Keep a plastic cup on hand for rinsing your kitten and fill the cup directly from the tub to be sure the water you use is at a comfortable temperature.

To calm the kitty, gently scruff them by pinching the loose skin on the back of the neck. This simulates something their mother cat would do that can help calm your kitten.

Begin slowly, using your baby washcloth to gently moisten the paws, legs and trunk. Once the kitten has become accustomed to the water, you can introduce the kitten to partial submersion in the bath water. Remember, it shouldn’t be any deeper than a few inches.

Apply no more than a dollop of shampoo to the kitten’s body, avoiding the face, ears and rectal area. Using your cup, gently rinse the kitten three times to remove all soap. Once the kitten has been rinsed, remove them from the bath and towel them dry. Never use a hair dryer to dry a kitten as this could burn their skin.

Reward the kitten after the bath is over with treats, toys and love.