Other than the very rare exception, cats hate water, and as every cat owner will tell you trying to get a cat to do something they don't want to is not only practically impossible but quite often a painful experience.  I only have to try to lift my cat into the bathroom for him to suddenly extend razor sharp claws and start using them with Ninja-like efficiency.

Unfortunately, a cat bath can sometimes be a necessary evil, so how can you give your feisty feline a bath without getting the scars?  The main priority is to take steps to ensure that your cat’s bathing experience is calm one that won't leave a bad impression.

Seven Simple Steps To a Successful Cat Bathing

1. For starters, choose a safe place where you will bathe him or her. Be sure you choose a room that has a door to it. That way they won’t be able to run and hide while they are wet.
   
2. Be sure you have all your bathing supplies close at hand, so there is no need to run back and forth.  Be sure you have shampoo, conditioner, several towels, washcloths and a large jug or pitcher for water to rinse off your cat.
   
3. Get your cat’s fur completely wet before applying the shampoo. Use lukewarm water and start around your cat's neck, then slowly and gently wetting the rest of the body, legs and tails. Apply the shampoo and rub down it into the fur.

4. Avoid getting shampoo directly on the cat's face. Instead, use the washcloth to wash their face with just water. Always be careful around their eyes, and rinse the washcloth repeatedly.
   
5. Rinse the cat’s fur completely. Any shampoo residue left behind can irritate their skin, defeating the purpose of the bath. Repeat the rinsing until you no longer see shampoo bubbles on the cat.
   
6. Use one towel to soak up most of the water from your cat's fur. Use the other towels to dry them off as much as possible. Making sure they are completely dry may be more than bath time patience allows,  but try to absorb as much water as possible.
   
7. Comb out your cat’s hair- especially if your feline is long-haired.  This will remove any loose hair that your cat could ingest when he grooms himself.
   

A word of caution: Cats are skittish about running water so be sure you stop running your faucet as you clean/bathe them. Be prepared for them to jump when you do turn on the faucet.

The Necessity Behind Baths and Shampoos

Why is it important that a cat get a bath every now and then? As well as removing dirt and old hair, baths can actually help cats with their grooming. A good cat shampoo can cut down on the amount of itching your cat may be doing due to irritation as well as reducing the number of hairballs caused by excessive grooming. Cat conditioners help to keep their hair manageable and prevent matting. If you want to keep your cat’s coat healthy, be sure to shampoo and condition their hair every six weeks or so.