You can bathe kittens as young as a few days old. I try not to bathe really young babies but sometimes it's unavoidable if they are covered in dirt or poop. Here's how I bathe:
Put a clean, dry towel in the dryer and turn the dryer on. If you don't have a dryer, fold the towel, put it in the microwave, set 1/2 cup water on top of the towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Get a stream of warm water going at the sink. (I know it wastes a bit of water but it's not like you bathe kittens every day and it's only for a couple of minutes.) While you're waiting for the hot water to come through, drop a few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap or baby shampoo within reach but not in the water. Wet the kitten all over including his underside, except his head. Use the hand that isn't holding the kitten to 'wipe up' the couple of drops of soap that you prepared earlier. Use this hand to rub the kitten's underside - this is where most of the muck will be. Don't forget to rub all four legs including the paws, the tail and the throat. Rub the rest of the kitten.
Rinse that hand, so there's no soap on it. Alternately wet the hand and rub each part of the kitten's face. What you're doing is, instead of completely soaking the face and ears, you're making them damp as well as rubbing off any 'muck' that may be there. Gently wipe over the forehead, eyes, whisker pads, nose and chin. You can use a make-up pad or cotton ball if you like.
Rinse the rest of the kitten's body well by holding each part under the running water. When you need to turn the kitten over to rinse the underside, do a mummy hold (gently scruff the neck) and the kitten won't struggle. Remember to rinse the throat, neck and tail.
Turn off the tap. Wipe your hand firmly but gently down the kitten's back and underside to get as much water off as possible. Gently squeeze each leg and the tail. Wrap the kitten in the now warm towel, including draping it over his head. Sit down with the towel/kitten bundle on your lap. Start with the head and 'scritch' the towel on the face, top of the head, ears etc. and working down the body. You want to get the kitten as dry as you can at this stage. Don't forget the 'underarms', legs, throat and tail.
Take a hairdryer set on low (previously plugged in and set up right where you're sitting) and gently blow the kitten dry. 'Foof' the fur as you go - this makes drying easier. I use a soft kitten brush to foof. You could even use a baby brush or soft child's brush. Don't forget to dry the underarms, throat, bottom and tail.
Tada! You now have a clean, dry ball of fluff. Put this fluffball on a heatpad or hot water bottle to get warm.
Put a clean, dry towel in the dryer and turn the dryer on. If you don't have a dryer, fold the towel, put it in the microwave, set 1/2 cup water on top of the towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
Get a stream of warm water going at the sink. (I know it wastes a bit of water but it's not like you bathe kittens every day and it's only for a couple of minutes.) While you're waiting for the hot water to come through, drop a few drops of Dawn dishwashing soap or baby shampoo within reach but not in the water. Wet the kitten all over including his underside, except his head. Use the hand that isn't holding the kitten to 'wipe up' the couple of drops of soap that you prepared earlier. Use this hand to rub the kitten's underside - this is where most of the muck will be. Don't forget to rub all four legs including the paws, the tail and the throat. Rub the rest of the kitten.
Rinse that hand, so there's no soap on it. Alternately wet the hand and rub each part of the kitten's face. What you're doing is, instead of completely soaking the face and ears, you're making them damp as well as rubbing off any 'muck' that may be there. Gently wipe over the forehead, eyes, whisker pads, nose and chin. You can use a make-up pad or cotton ball if you like.
Rinse the rest of the kitten's body well by holding each part under the running water. When you need to turn the kitten over to rinse the underside, do a mummy hold (gently scruff the neck) and the kitten won't struggle. Remember to rinse the throat, neck and tail.
Turn off the tap. Wipe your hand firmly but gently down the kitten's back and underside to get as much water off as possible. Gently squeeze each leg and the tail. Wrap the kitten in the now warm towel, including draping it over his head. Sit down with the towel/kitten bundle on your lap. Start with the head and 'scritch' the towel on the face, top of the head, ears etc. and working down the body. You want to get the kitten as dry as you can at this stage. Don't forget the 'underarms', legs, throat and tail.
Take a hairdryer set on low (previously plugged in and set up right where you're sitting) and gently blow the kitten dry. 'Foof' the fur as you go - this makes drying easier. I use a soft kitten brush to foof. You could even use a baby brush or soft child's brush. Don't forget to dry the underarms, throat, bottom and tail.
Tada! You now have a clean, dry ball of fluff. Put this fluffball on a heatpad or hot water bottle to get warm.
