Bathing and Drying a Long-Haired Cat: When, How and What to Use

Does a long-haired cat need baths? When a bath helps, why you comb out mats first, which shampoo to use, and how to dry a thick coat without scaring the cat.

By Long-Haired Cats editorial teamUpdated October 4, 20264 min readHow we research

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Most long-haired cats rarely need a bath. International Cat Care says a healthy cat has no reason to be bathed, and daily combing keeps a long coat clean. When a bath is needed, comb out every tangle and trim the claws first, use a shampoo made for cats, and dry the coat with towels and gentle, low heat.

Long coats can still end up needing a wash. A cat with diarrhea can soil the hair under its tail, an older cat may stop reaching its back end, or your vet may prescribe a medicated bath. In those cases, preparation matters more than the bath itself.

When a bath helps a long coat

Situation	Bath?	What to do
Healthy cat, clean coat	No	Keep combing; International Cat Care sees no reason to bathe
A small soiled patch	Usually not	Spot-clean with a damp cloth, then comb
A badly soiled coat	Yes	Comb out tangles first, then bathe as below
A vet-prescribed medicated bath	Yes	Follow the vet’s directions on how often and how long
A heavy Persian coat	Occasionally	The CFA says occasional baths keep the coat clean and healthy; many owners use a groomer

If none of these apply, skip the bath. International Cat Care points out that most cats do not tolerate bathing well, and VCA says most healthy adult cats rarely require one.

Before the bath: comb, then trim

The coat should be free of knots before it gets wet. The CFA says Persians should be bathed only after a thorough combing and nail clipping. The ASPCA gives the same order: trim the claws and brush thoroughly first.

Comb the whole coat with a wide-toothed comb, then a fine one.
Work out small tangles. If a mat will not come out, have it removed before the bath. See mats.
Trim the claws, as the nail trims guide explains.
Gather everything: towels, a cup or sprayer, a rubber mat and the shampoo.

The bath, step by step

The ASPCA’s method, in short:

Choose a calm moment. Bathe when your cat is at its most mellow.
Protect the ears. Place a little cotton in the ears to keep water out.
Give the cat a grip. Put a rubber bath mat in the sink or tub and fill it with three to four inches of lukewarm water, never hot.
Wash the body, not the face. Massage in a solution of one part cat shampoo to five parts water, working from the neck back.
Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Work the water down through the undercoat until it runs clear.
Wipe the face with a damp washcloth rather than pouring water over it.

Note

Use only shampoo made for cats. VCA explains that cat skin has a different thickness and pH from human skin, and the ASPCA warns that human shampoo can dry it out. Buy it from a pet store or your vet, and follow the label.

Drying a thick coat

A long coat holds a lot of water. The ASPCA suggests wrapping the cat in a towel and keeping it in a warm place. Swap in a dry towel as each one soaks through, and blot rather than rub.

If the cat does not mind the noise, a dryer on the lowest heat setting speeds things up, says the ASPCA. Keep the airflow moving and at a distance, and comb gently as each section dries so the hair does not set in clumps.

Bathing bags and quiet pet hair dryers

Shop bathing bags and pet hair dryers

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If you buy a pet hair dryer, check the maker’s stated heat settings and noise level before you buy. A mesh bathing or grooming bag holds the cat while leaving a section free to wash, which some owners find helps with a cat that struggles.

Waterless and dry shampoos

Waterless foams and dry shampoos for cats are sold as an alternative to a full bath for small areas. Treat the claims on the bottle as the maker’s, check that it is labeled for cats, and ask your vet before using one on a cat with sensitive skin. For a single soiled patch, a damp cloth and a comb often do the job.

When to let a groomer do it

If your cat panics in water, a professional cat groomer can bathe and dry it, and the CFA notes many Persian owners rely on one. A cat with matted fur all over needs the mats dealt with first, often by the vet, before anyone bathes it. See lion cuts for one option a groomer may suggest.

For the daily care that makes baths rare, see the grooming routine and brushes and combs.

Frequently asked questions

Do long-haired cats need baths?

Usually not. International Cat Care says a healthy cat has no reason to be bathed and most do not tolerate it well, and VCA says most healthy adult cats rarely need a bath. Daily combing keeps a long coat clean; a bath is for a soiled coat or a vet's instructions.

Can I use human shampoo on my cat?

No. VCA says cats should only be bathed with shampoo made for cats, because their skin has a different thickness and pH from human skin. The ASPCA adds that human shampoo can dry out a cat's skin.

How do you dry a long-haired cat after a bath?

Wrap the cat in a towel and keep it somewhere warm, as the ASPCA advises, and change towels as they get wet. If the cat does not mind the noise, a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting can help. Comb gently as the coat dries.

Should I brush my cat before a bath?

Yes. Comb the whole coat first, so no tangle goes into the water. The Cat Fanciers' Association says Persians should be bathed only after a thorough combing and nail clipping, and the ASPCA also says to trim claws and brush before bathing.

Sources

Grooming your catInternational Cat Care
Grooming and Coat Care for Your CatVCA Animal Hospitals
Cat Grooming TipsASPCA
Persian (breed profile)The Cat Fanciers' Association

Filed under GroomingStart with Grooming a Long-Haired Cat at Home: Tools, Routine and How Often

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