Unfortunately, cats don’t have nine lives. On the contrary, they’re mortal, sensitive, and adorable creatures. So, as a responsible pet owner, you should know how to take care of your kitty, especially if they’re young.
For starters, you should know that bathing your beloved cat isn’t harmless and easy. In fact, washing your young kitty can be fatal for two different reasons.
First, your kitten might get hypothermia. Second, you can burn your kitten with hot water or cause overheating if you’re not careful.
Generally, bathing kittens isn’t a good idea, as they can die because their fur is made to keep a stable body temperature when they’re dry.
Also, adult cats clean and dry themselves. That’s not the case with younger kittens; they’re too small to lick themselves dry. Below, I will discuss this topic and share a guide for safe bathing, so let’s dive right in.
Can a Cat Die After a Bath?
First, cats don’t need bathing, as they clean themselves by grooming. As the owner, you should only brush your feline occasionally and provide cuddles.
However, some cats have poor hygiene, especially heavier and arthritic cats. If your cat carries extra weight, they might experience difficulty cleaning inaccessible body parts.
The same goes for arthritic kittens. They also have difficulty grooming all places, which can become flaky and filthy.
Felines with poor hygiene habits might need a bath now and then; however, cat owners must learn how to bathe their cats properly.
Otherwise, their cats can die. When your kitten is dry, their fur maintains a steady body temperature, but when they’re wet, they can’t control their temperature and experience hypothermia, especially if they’re young.
Younger kittens can’t regulate their body temperature because they’re weaker and lose heat quickly, resulting in serious illness or death.
Can You Kill a Kitten by Giving it a Bath: 2 Reasons for Sudden Death in Cats
Young and small cats with flea infestation aren’t suitable for spot-on treatments, so they need a bath. If young cats don’t have fleas, they don’t need a bath.
Kitties can actually die after a bath, especially when young, as they have more skin than mass; hence, they’re fragile and sensitive to environmental and living changes.
Furthermore, if your kitty’s systems for controlling body temperature and immunity aren’t fully developed yet, they can die after a bath.
Let’s look at the two main risks when bathing kittens.
1. Hypothermia
Kittens can’t control their body temperature yet; hence they can get hypothermia after a bath. In fact, a cold kitten can die within minutes of not being treated properly.
If your kitten feels cold to the touch after a bath, visit your local vet clinic immediately.
2. Burns and Overheating
You should always bathe kittens with warm water. Just make sure it’s not too hot for the animal. Cats have sensitive skin prone to burns, so water that’s too hot can cause burns and overheat your feline.
How to Give a Cat a Bath Without Dying: 10 Steps for Safe Bathing
Most cats have excellent hygiene habits. Therefore, they don’t need baths, but like any living being on earth, they can still benefit from a bath now and then.
If you plan to bathe your cat, remember that most cats dislike water. If yours happens to like water, you’re in luck. Otherwise, get prepared because your cat will likely put up a fight.
Here’s a guide for bathing cats properly and preventing your cat’s death. These steps will help you turn the annoying bath into a semi-enjoyable experience for both you and your kitten.
Step 1: Trim Your Cat’s Nails
If your small kitten isn’t against nail trimming, clip their claws before going near the water.
Cat claws grow rapidly, and in case of danger, your kitten might use claws as a defense mechanism and hurt you, so make sure they’re trimmed before bathing your feline.
Step 2: Make Your Feline Feel Safe
Most cat owners use their kitchen sink for bathing their kittens, but the kitchen area isn’t a closed space, so your feline might escape.
I highly suggest bathing your kitty in the bathtub in your bathroom, where you can close the door and leave your feline confined in a small space.
That way, if your kitten manages to escape the bathtub, they can’t go far, and you have a better chance of recapturing your feline and finishing the bath.
Step 3: Thoroughly Brush Your Kitten
You can prepare your feline companion for a bath by brushing their fur.
Brushing has two purposes. First, brushing removes the excess hair. Second, brushing will calm down your feline.
Most cats shed when stressed, and nothing annoys felines more than water. So, before washing your cat, make sure they’re brushed thoroughly.
However, don’t expect brushing to have a calming effect after the bath. Typically, kittens turn into screaming lunatics after a bath.
Step 4: Achieve the Right Water Temperature
Most people find hot water quite relaxing. However, unlike humans, cats don’t enjoy hot water. Instead, they prefer lukewarm water that’s neither hot nor cold, so reach a happy medium that will clean your cat without causing pain or discomfort.
Step 5: Use Pet-Friendly Cleaning Products
Most people mistake using human shampoo for bathing their pets. Your favorite products can harm your cat’s skin and coat and cause discomfort or pain.
These products will also make your cat’s coat lose essential oils. So, use cat-friendly shampoo for washing your feline.
Step 6: Keep Your Cat Steady
Your cat can slip and fall into your bathtub, as it’s a slippery surface. So, make sure you provide a steady surface for your feline.
Bathing already stresses your cat enough, so they don’t need additional anxiety caused by slipping and falling into the bathtub.
You can prevent this from happening by laying a towel, slip-free mat, or washcloth that will keep your feline’s footing stable.
The bath itself will probably frustrate your kitty, but losing their footing will increase their frustration; however, if you provide a steady surface, your cat will have a semi-enjoyable bathing experience.
Lastly, stay calm throughout the whole process, no matter how hard your kitty struggles and cries. Make sure you soothe your feline with a calm and assuring voice.
Remember that if you’re calm while bathing your feline, your kitten will likely sense your calmness and follow your lead.
Although cats don’t understand language, they can still sense your energy, so if you tell your kitten that everything will be fine and offer a treat after the bath, your cat will feel better and more open to baths in the future.
Step 7: Introduce Water Slowly
Instead of just dumping water over your feline, slowly introduce water. Stay considerate of your cat’s sensitive areas, so you don’t traumatize your kitty.
Remember that kittens have sensitive faces, mouths, noses, and ears. So, use a damp washcloth instead of directly washing your cat’s face with water.
That way, your cat’s face will be cleaned but not completely soaked. Also, when rinsing, make sure you wash away all shampoo residue. Otherwise, any dried product will cause skin irritation and attract dust, dirt, and grime.
Step 8: Dry Your Cat Thoroughly
Once you’re certain you’ve washed the shampoo residue off your cat’s body completely, you should dry your feline thoroughly.
Never let your feline walk away and hide in their resting area. Instead, remove your kitty from the bathtub or sink and wrap them in a clean towel. Remove as much excess water as possible while soothing your kitty using a low-pitched voice.
Talk to your feline throughout the drying process so they feel safe in your hands again.
Extra tip: Keep your cat in a warm room where they can dry completely and relax after bathing. Also, never let your kitten outside after a bath, especially if you’re not sure your feline’s fully dry.
Step 9: Let Your Cat Relax
As I already established, most cats hate baths. So, don’t expect your feline to be loving and kind after the bath. On the contrary, your cat might act aggressively and avoid your cuddles after taking a bath.
So, instead of chasing your cat around the home, let your furry friend come to you once they feel better and safe in your presence again.
Step 10: Call a Truce!
If your cat doesn’t approach you for most of the day, don’t get mad at your cat. Instead, call a truce by leaving a treat in their bowl.
Also, whenever you see your kitty walking around the house, talk to them in a soothing voice. When your beloved cat eventually approaches you for cuddles and attention, spend some time together so your cat knows they did a good job.
Remember that your cat will feel much better if you provide special treats and schedule daily play sessions after taking a bath.
These things will help your cat forget their traumatizing experience and strengthen your relationship.
Why Do Kittens Lick Themselves After a Bath?
When I didn’t know better, I thought cats lick themselves after a bath because they don’t trust their owners have done a good job. However, they’re actually licking themselves to dry their coats more quickly.
Now, young kittens can’t lick themselves after a bath. That’s why the mother cat licks her babies; she keeps her kittens clean until they learn how to care for themselves.
Also, their temperature regulation systems aren’t fully developed yet, so they can’t maintain their body temperatures, which can cause fatal consequences. That’s why some cats die after a bath.
Overall, cats lick themselves for the same reasons you dry yourself with a towel after a bath; they’re just trying to remove any moisture left on their body.
How Long Does it Take For a Cat to Dry After a Bath?
How long the drying process will take depends on your cat’s fur. If your feline has a long coat, it will take longer to towel dry completely. The drying process should take less time if you have a short-haired kitty.
Just make sure you dry your cat’s coat completely. Use a large, comfortable towel and keep your kitten in a warm room after the bath.
Additionally, if your kitten isn’t scared of hairdryers, you can use your hairdryer to speed up the drying process.
Extra tip: Ensure your hair dryer is on the lowest warmth setting, so you don’t harm your kitten.
Can I Let My Cat Air Dry After a Bath?
You can let your cat air dry if it’s warm outside. However, make sure your feline isn’t still soaking wet. Cats don’t like being damp, so they will lick their wet fur excessively, which can cause the ingestion of a large amount of hair and intestinal blockages.
Do Cats Get Traumatized After Bath?
Some cats hate water while others love their baths. Additionally, cats that don’t enjoy baths can get traumatized by the washing process. So, avoid forcefully bathing your furry friend if your feline doesn’t like baths or water.
Otherwise, your cat can become traumatized after a bath and develop negative feelings towards you. Most cats don’t need baths anyways, as they take care of their hygiene by licking.
Final Tips for Your Cat’s Bath
Cats and water aren’t always compatible, so before bathing your feline, make sure they enjoy the water.
Remember that trying to submerge your kitty in a bathtub without consulting your vet or doing research can put your cat’s health at risk.
Moreover, your feline might scratch and bite your hands, ruin your bathtub, and escape the bathroom. In the worst-case scenario, if you have a young cat, they might die after a bath due to hypothermia, burns, or overheating.
So, unless absolutely necessary, avoid bathing your cat.
Cats have sandpaper tongues that help them clean their body and stay clean. They also lick their bodies after a bath to dry out their fur. However, since young cats can’t perform this action, they can perform this action and might pass away.
Lastly, if you save a starving stray kitty, avoid bathing your new friend, as starving kitties lack natural defenses against infections, so they’re more susceptible to hypothermia.
*image by mathes/depositphotos