Water, this one word becomes a nightmare when you own a cat, especially if it’s still a little kitty.That is because cats, in general, aren’t particularly fond of water, even more when they realize that their owner is going to rinse them. They might be afraid or might just simply hate it, making it difficult to bathe your cat or kitten.Kittens are able to make a mess out of anything they do. These tiny creatures are clumsy when they eat, when they play, and even when they poop! It takes quite some time to potty-train a kitten, so accidents such as stomping on poop are common and definitely lead to dirty paws, if not a mucky body. Hence, it isn’t a rare sight to suddenly spot a little kitty coated with dirt.Pet owners of kittens have to be very cautious and very patient when bathing them. It is not recommended to directly wash or bathe a newborn kitten with water. Moreover, suddenly giving your kitten a bath can scare it. It is a good idea to introduce them to water slowly before owners actually bathe their beloved little pets with it.After you have read all about bathing your cats in a tub, do check out how to bathe a guinea pig and how to bathe a dog.What To Use To Bathe A KittenA fear of water is what results in your cat or kittens resisting a bath. It could be a good idea to float your pet’s favorite toy in the bathtub or sink filled with water so that it will try to dip its paws in and grab it. When it does so successfully, you can give it one of its favorite foods. This process can reduce your cat’s or your kitten’s fear of water.If you suddenly try giving your kitten a nice warm bath, it could get afraid of water. Gentle stroking behind its ears, chin, or under its neck can help alleviate its fear for the most part and calm it down very quickly. Here are some helpful tips for bathing a kitten.Temperature is the key. A kitten who is under eight weeks old is unable to regulate its own body temperature. Hence it is of the utmost importance to make sure that you use warm water and that the room is hot enough while bathing your little kitten.Keep a firm hold of the kitten and put it gently in the sink under running water. If possible, get somebody to help you as the first bath time for a kitten could be met with intense objection from your little feline.Try shifting the baby cat’s attention by talking to it. Make sure the cat’s head isn’t directly under the water.Using kitten shampoo and soap is a must as it is gentle on the skin and fur of your pet. It would also be a good idea to use a fragrance-free soap or shampoo.Gently rub shampoo on your kitten. Be calm, don’t try to rush it. The skin of a kitten is very soft and sensitive.Rinse the kitten thoroughly. Immediately use a towel to cover it to prevent the kitten from catching a cold. Dry your pet using a hairdryer if the fur is too thick. Make sure the air isn’t too hot while drying.How Often To Bathe A KittenToo many or even daily baths are more harmful to your kitten’s health. A bath every four to six weeks is advised by the National Cat Groomers of America since any more could dry out the skin of your pets, be it cats or kittens.However, if your cat is afraid of running water, the easiest way to bathe a kitten is to distract it when you bathe it. You can fill the sink and let it play in the water while you keep a hold on it. Cats are sensitive animals; if they feel safe, their resistance could lessen significantly.How To Bathe A Kitten Without WaterTo bathe a kitten who hates water, start by wiping your kitten clean with a warm but wet towel or washcloth or simply some wipes can be advantageous.After the little one becomes comfortable with being wiped by the washcloth, you can try introducing it to water and finally bathe the kitten. This process will take time, but be patient! Do not use baby wipes on your kitten or even your cat as they contain some chemicals which are not good for the skin of a cat or kitten.Sometimes, a wet bath time might just not be to the liking of your little friend. Using a moist towel or a washcloth to wipe it before wrapping it in a dry one might be just as effective.How To Bathe A Kitten With FleasContacting a veterinarian is the best thing. If not found, you can try bathing your kitten with an effective flea shampoo, preferably as recommended by veterinarians.Brush the fur of your little friend before you bathe it. Once wet, it could get tough to detangle its fur and ultimately hurt when you are applying shampoo during bath time.Get flea shampoo and place it near the tub so that you can reach it effortlessly. Most cats dislike sudden movements, so be careful and gently work up a lather. Do as directed by the instructions. A slow massage should be nice for your kitten. After scrubbing it, rinse it with lukewarm or warm water and towel dry. Wrap it in another dry towel and take it out.It is OK to give a bath to a kitten. Baths are necessary even if your cat is a good groomer. But if your cat is old, your help is all the more necessary. Their health is as important as ours since they also get sick from being dirty. To get to a point where you can safely give a bath to a kitten or clean a kitten, pet owners need to keep calm and be patient.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘How to bathe a kitten?’ then why not take a look at ‘How to bathe a bearded dragon’, or ‘Persian cat facts’.
Water, this one word becomes a nightmare when you own a cat, especially if it’s still a little kitty.
