Keep Your Cat Nice and Clean: Easier Than You Think

First, lay a towel on the bottom of bathtub. It gives kitty something to dig his claws into beside your tender forearms. You can also use it to wrap parts of cat and hold him firmly yet gently. Fill tub with 2 to 3 inches of nice, warm water. It shouldn't be hot, but a temperature you'd like to sit in yourself. Once the tub is ready, find kitty and talk to him throughout his bath. Don't be surprised when your cat starts talking--or singing--back to you!

Gently place kitty feet-first into the tub. He will probably balk and squirm. Talk and talk and talk to him. Keep your hesitation to a minimum. Hold the cat down by his shoulders as you use the plastic cup to scoop and pour warm water over his back. Use a well-wrung corner of the wet towel to wipe your kitty's face and ears. Continue to scoop warm water over kitty's back and talk reassuringly to him. Remind him that he'll be a better cat for the experience. Keep one hand on him at all times, too, so that he doesn't bolt.

Once the cat's back is saturated, squirt a dime-sized dollop of shampoo on him. Quickly work it into a rich, foamy lather. Be sure to gently scrub the cat's rear end. Follow everything with a good rinse.

Hug him as you buff him dry with a thick fluffy towel. Even though your cat is already a fairly clean fellow, after a real bath, he'll be more huggable than you ever imagined he could be.