DESPITE the fact that cats manage to keep themselves relatively clean by their fastidious grooming habits, there will come a time when it will become necessary to give your cat a bath.

The reason can range from a need to rid the cat of fleas, the need to get the cat clean after an accident, after it has spent time boarding in an animal facility, or after it has spent time in the company of other less hygienic animals.

Many cat owners fear bath time with their cats, because cats and water go together like, well, oil and water!

And so, bath time for the inexperienced can come with knicks, scratches and bites, as the cat will use the time to try to make its escape.

Needless to say, there are ways to get your cat clean and fresh again, without getting yourself and the cat injured. The trick lies in having a bit of patience and some know-how about the right way to get the bathing process done stress free.

Here are some tips for bathing your cat.

1. Get all the things you need for the bath ready and in one spot before you start. You will need shampoo, a towel and a tub with running water.

2. Using an outside washtub is ideal, as it has more room for the cat to stand and for you to manoeuvre. Hold the cat’s front legs together, and have the cat stand in the bath on its hind legs. Talk to the cat so it gets comfortable — a few kisses and rubs with your spare hand will help — and only when it relaxes do you turn the water on.

3. Try not to startle the cat with any loud gush of water. Turn on the pipe gently, and with your free hand, apply the water to the cat. If you don’t have hot water, giving the bath on a sunny day will help.

4. Once you have applied some water, if the cat is tense, turn off the water for a while, and go back to your comforting. When the cat is relaxed again, apply the shampoo and gently rub it in. The cat will like the rubbing motion, especially when you massage behind its ears, or its back.

5. Rinse the suds off, using the same method of applying water with your hands, or with a container. Don’t dunk the cat in water, or put the cat directly under the pipe, as this will scare it.

6. If needed, repeat the shampoo. When finished, rinse again, and immediately wrap the cat in the towel.

7. After a quick first dry, let the cat go, as it will want to shake itself dry and groom itself for a while. Again, if it’s a sunny day, you may want to encourage the cat to sit in a sunny spot, to get dry faster. Don’t use a blowdryer, as this will scare — and possibly burn — your cat.

8. After the cat is fully dry, use a brush to get its hair back in place. Then enjoy your fresh-smelling pet!

Meet Bugsie

This is Bugsie, the most loveable little dog. She is beautiful, funny and always glad to see me.

— Anshella Hall

Hanging out

Jai and Diesle hanging out in the backyard