Orphaned (motherless) kittens are very helpless, fragile, and unable to meet their basic needs. As a new cat master, you must meet the hygienic needs of the kitten in place of its mother. By keeping the stray kitten clean, the risk of it contracting disease can be reduced. Bathing a kitten also teaches him how to care for his own fur and is an important part of the process of building a close relationship between you two. Mother cats usually bathe their kittens using their tongue to clean and stimulate them to urinate. Since the mother cat is no longer there, you will need to take over the task of caring for the kitten.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Imitate Kitten Cleaning
Step 1. Spot-clean the kitten if it's just a little dirty
The spot cleaning technique (cleaning focused on a specific point) will clean the kitten well, unless it is already dirty with mud. Orphaned kittens are very dirty. Under normal circumstances, this cleaning is done by the mother cat, but in her absence, the responsibility falls on you. A kitten's body and bottom need to be cleaned daily to help keep it clean and happy.
Wiping the kitten with a damp cloth will also stimulate the tongue bath, which is usually given by the mother cat
Step 2. Wet a dry, soft cloth with lukewarm water
Towels should be soft and won't irritate the kitten. Then, wet a towel with lukewarm water. Wring out the towel by hand before starting to clean the kitten. Thus, this wet cloth is at approximately the same temperature as the mother cat's tongue.
You can buy kitten shampoo at most pet stores, but plain water should suffice unless the kitten is very dirty. If you're not sure that your kitten should be cleaned regularly with a special shampoo, talk to your vet
Step 3. Gently stroke the kitten in the direction of hair growth
It's best to start with the front legs and face, then work your way up to the back, stomach, then finish at the waist and back legs. Use short, repetitive strokes, covering approximately 8 cm of the kitten's body with each stroke, and stroke each body part 2-3 times. This technique mimics the way a mother cat bathes her kitten.
Pay extra attention to cleaning the kitten's hind paw area as he can't clean this area on his own and is the dirtiest part
Step 4. Do a spot-clean on other dirty parts
After you've cleaned most of the kitten's body, look for areas of its fur that are soiled (such as mud or feces). Use a damp cloth to rub back and forth 1.5 cm of the soiled spot. Once the kitten is clean, absorb excess water with a dry towel to prevent it from getting sick from the cold.
- Since the cloth used to clean the kitten is only slightly damp, the fur should be dry by the time you're done.
- If the kitten's fur is still damp, dry it by placing a towel on the area that is still wet.
Step 5. Wipe the kitten's bottom after each meal
Kittens less than 3 weeks old need anal and genital stimulation to urinate and defecate. This should be done after the kitten has eaten. When the time comes, massage the kitten's entire body, focusing on the belly and genital area using a clean, damp cloth.
This task used to be the mother cat's responsibility, but now it's up to you. If a kitten's bottom is not rubbed, it will not be able to urinate
Step 6. Massage under the cat's tail until the kitten defecates and urinates
Give the kitten short strokes repeatedly to massage its anus and urinary opening. This stroke mimics the behavior of a mother cat when bathing her kittens.
- Since kittens will defecate and urinate on the scouring cloth, it's best to use disposable wipes.
- Kittens will be able to defecate once they are more than 3 weeks old. At this time, the kitten can be trained to defecate.
Method 2 of 3: Dry Brushing the Kitten
Step 1. Brush the cat's fur if it doesn't need to be cleaned thoroughly
The brush or comb method is common for cleaning stray kittens. Brushing will stimulate the kitten's subcutaneous blood flow and improve the condition of its skin. This technique also mimics the movement of a mother cat's tongue when cleaning her kittens.
This method is not suitable for stray kittens who are too dirty. However, if the kitten isn't too dirty and the coat doesn't seem contaminated, you can brush it clean
Step 2. Visit a pet store to buy a kitten brush
Look carefully at the kitten's skin and coat for fleas before choosing the right brush for your kitten. If your cat has fleas, buy a flea comb with fine teeth. If the kitten doesn't have fleas, a regular pet brush will suffice to clean it.
- The presence of new fleas can cause serious illness, but most chemical flea products are too harsh for kittens. Consult your veterinarian.
- Consult a veterinarian if you are confused about choosing the right brush for your kitten.
Step 3. Brush the kitten in the direction of its fur from head to tail
If the direction is reversed, the kitten may become irritated and the coat may fall out. Use short brushing motions, about 5 cm apart. This technique mimics the movement of the mother cat's tongue when cleaning the kitten. Brush the cat's entire body, including the belly, back, and hind legs.
Make sure to clean the brush regularly during the process as dirt and bristles can stick to the brush, making it less effective
Step 4. Keep the kitten calm while brushing
If the kitten's fur is cared for by its mother, it will feel safe and warm. You need to take the place of the parent by gently holding the kitten (don't squeeze it). Try not to make sudden, sharp movements, especially when you're holding the kitten. Brush calmly and slowly while talking to the kitten in a soothing voice.
Kittens can be nervous during the first few brushings, but will begin to calm down once they trust you
Method 3 of 3: Bathing a Dirty and Flea-infested Kitten
Step 1. Prepare the kitten's toiletries
Immediately clean the kitten if it is very dirty and covered in mud, dirt, or other detritus. If the litter is left too long, the kitten will feel uncomfortable and develop a rash. If the kitten is very dirty, it means that it should be bathed instead of just wiped. Prepare equipment before starting to bathe the kitten. Here's what you need:
- Clean towels and flannels.
- Gentle hand soap (no harsh chemicals or cleaners).
- Sink.
- Talk to your veterinarian about the product to use if your kitten has fleas.
Step 2. Turn on the tap water to adjust the water temperature
The water temperature should be around 35 degrees Celsius. This temperature will help keep the kitten warm and comfortable. Touch the water to the skin of your wrist to measure the temperature.
It is important to keep the water temperature at a reasonable temperature. Kitten skin is very sensitive. If it's too hot, the water can burn the skin, while water that's too cold can reduce the kitten's body temperature
Step 3. Fill the sink halfway up with warm water
Fill the sink to a depth of 10 cm before introducing water to the kitten. Try not to get the water too high because the child is still too weak to prevent himself from drowning. Wet the kitten's hind legs and lower belly with your hands, instead of submerging it in the water.
- Wet the kitten gently, and use slow, smooth movements while handling the kitten. This will help the kitten feel secure.
- After you've supported the kitten in the sink for a few days, try letting it stand for a few seconds at a time.
Step 4. Clean the fleas-free kitten with a mild pet shampoo
Start by applying a small amount of shampoo to the cloth. Gently rub the shampoo all over the kitten's body, without forgetting the face, belly, legs and back. Start at the head and work your way up to the back, belly, and tail. Try rubbing the feces and urine from the cat's fur with a cloth to clean it.
Try not to get water and soap into the eyes, ears and face so they don't irritate and scare the kitten
Step 5. Rinse the kitten completely
After spreading the shampoo over the kitten's body, rinse it thoroughly with a cup of water and gently pour it over the kitten's neck and back. Use a damp cloth to remove the soap from the kitten's face. Wipe carefully so that he feels safe, and try not to get water in his eyes.
- Do not place the kitten's head directly under the faucet. He will startle and become difficult to control when bathing later in life.
- If your kitten seems nervous or scared, speak in a soothing voice.
Step 6. Wrap the kitten in a towel when you're done
Bathing a kitten should only take 5-10 minutes. When finished, dry the cat's body with a dry towel. Then, wrap another soft, dry towel around the cat and place it in a warm place to dry. If the kitten seems to be shaking or cold, hold it close to you to keep it cool and warm.
You can rub a soft towel in the direction of the cat's fur to speed up the drying process. This helps reduce friction and warms the kitten
Tips
- It's a good idea to have a friend help you clean the kitten. This way, you can focus on cleaning the kitten while your friend keeps it cool.
- If your kitten has fleas, talk to your vet to find out how to get rid of the parasites. Your vet may recommend an anti-flea shampoo to apply to your kitten. You can use a flea comb to remove fleas on stray kittens. Never use anti-flea shampoo without consulting your vet beforehand as it can contain chemicals that are harmful to kittens.
