Avoiding Bath-time Blues.

Most people would say that a healthy, well-groomed cat should not need to be bathed. This may or may not be true, but what's certain is that cats shouldn't be bathed on a regular basis, as this removes essential oils from their coats. Cat lovers usually turn a blind eye to the odours that escape from our feline friends; however, a wash is sometimes necessary, so take a deep breath and head for the bathroom.

How on earth do you bath a cat?

Cats really do not like water, so bath time is never going to be a calm and easy time. In fact once you've done it, you probably won't attempt to bath her again unless it becomes absolutely necessary. This may be because your cat has a skin complaint, is plagued with fleas, has a terribly matted coat, or is just plain filthy.

To make sure your cat's bath goes without a hitch, it's best to get everything ready well in advance. First of all, you'll have to find a good place to bath your cat. Cats are extremely good at getting out of difficult situations, so the smaller the place, the better. Your kitchen sink is ideal, but anything that can hold water and a cat will do. You might want to put a rubber mat in the bottom of the sink to stop your cat slipping. Another thing you can do is to get someone to help you (it's best if they are a cat lover too)

Make sure you have plenty of towels to hand and that you're using a cat-friendly shampoo. Most vets and good pet shops will have shampoo suitable for cats; human shampoos can dry out her skin and cause all sorts of problems.

Make sure that the shampoo is open and the towels are laid flat ready to grab. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get a cap off a bottle, or a towel open when your cat's spitting fur balls. It's also a good idea to have a plastic beaker handy, to wet and rinse your cat off gently. Now you can run water into the sink. You'll need about 2-3 inches of water and you should check to make sure it's not too warm.

In you go

Now it's time to get your cat into the bath. The first thing to do is to make her feel at ease by picking her up and giving her a cuddle until she's relaxed and purring. Your helper should be ready and you should have agreed on who's doing what. Your cat will make a bolt for freedom as soon as you lower her into the water, so grasp the loose skin on the back of her neck to keep her there. By doing this gently but firmly, you're not giving your cat the chance to struggle and make things difficult. Whatever you do, don't pull the skin round your cat's neck tight, as this could choke her.

Once your cat's in the sink, start wetting her with your hand or a beaker. Be slow and gentle. Speak to her quietly and watch her to make sure she doesn't catch you off guard and leap out. It's best to keep your actions smooth and calm, so that you don't scare her. When she's wet all over, apply the shampoo and work it in gently, avoiding sensitive places like ears and eyes. Be careful not to put too much shampoo on your cat, as you'll be there for ages trying to get the suds out. When you're sure your cat is clean, you can start to rinse her off. If you need to add more water, do it very gently, always making sure that the water is at the correct temperature.

Towel please.

Once she's rinsed off, take a towel and place it lengthways over her back. Wrap your cat firmly in the towel, holding it under her back legs, and gently rub her dry. If your cat's taken it quite well and is still quite calm, this is the best time to groom her and remove any matted fur she may have. Once you're sure you've got rid of all the excess water on your cat, let her go. Some cats will run around for a little while, others will find the nearest hiding place and sulk. Don't let your cat outside for several hours after bathing and make sure her coat is fully dry.

It's vital to fuss over your cat and praise her so that next time, she won't find her bath-time such a traumatic experience.