Have you ever tried bathing a cat? It can be a trying process.

Cats don't normally need a bath as they are really good at keeping themselves clean. But sometimes they require one for medical reasons and you need to take the plunge or have it done by a groomer. Of course, it's always best to start bathing your cat when she's a kitten. The sooner in life your cat is shown the sink for a bath, the easier it will be to bathe her as she gets bigger. If that time has passed and you decide to take on the challenge later in life, here are some tips.

First, make sure you have everything you need. If you're bathing as a result of a skin condition, be sure you use a shampoo that's recommended by your veterinarian.

As we all know, cats love warmth so it helps to make the room warm. Also, use of a pheromone emitter that plugs in helps to reduce your cat's stress. Whether you're bathing in a sink or a tub, it's wise to use a rubber mat so your cat doesn't move about from slipping. It's already stressful on your cat without you having to keep her upright while bathing. If you bathe your cat in the sink, use of a hand sprayer is best. If you bathe your cat in the tub, a removable shower head works best. If you don't have either of these, then a large plastic cup will do.

If you have two people for the job then one can hold onto the cat at the neck while the other one bathes. If there's only you, then use of a harness helps. Just attach a leash to the harness and wrap it around the faucet leaving a foot or so lead so your cat doesn't escape. Be sure not to leave the room while your cat is harnessed. If you're bathing your cat alone and don't have a harness, be sure to close off the room. Otherwise, you might have a wet cat running through your home. It's also a good idea to dress appropriately. Plan on getting wet and possibly scratched or bitten. Use of rubber gloves helps protect you.

Now for the actual bathing. Get the water to a comfortable temperature and then put your cat in. Put on the shampoo starting with the head and going all the way to the tail. Then start sudsing in the same direction. Some shampoos say to leave them on 5 to 15 minutes before rinsing, so make sure to read the label. When rinsing, make sure all the shampoo is removed. Shampoo left on the skin can cause skin irritations or be ingested when your cat licks her fur.

To dry your cat, first squeeze all the water you can from her hair and then use a big fluffy towel to wrap her in. Most cats don't stand for a blow dryer. It scares them unless you've already gotten your cat use to its' sound and feel. Even then, not all cats will acclimate to it. Try to comb your cats hair out while still wet if you can. Otherwise, use a comb once she's settled down.