How To Bathe A Maine Coon

How To Bathe A Maine Coon

Today I will be going through the steps of bathing a Maine Coon.

There’s a whole process behind it due to the type of fur they have, and the type of behaviours they exhibit, before we begin there are a few things you will need.

Step 1: Things You’ll Need Before You Begin

o The Maine Coon (obviously, otherwise you’re just washing your hands)
o Hair Dryer
o Grooming Tools
o A Bath
o Dawn Dish Soap
o Multiple Cat Shampoos
o Thick Drying Towel
o Washcloth or Hand Rag
o A bath mat so your Maine Coon is comfy through the process

Make sure everything is to hand while you are leaning over a bath, not at randomly selected points throughout the house.

To give you some idea of how much easier it can be to bathe a Maine Coon than other breeds of cats, check out this adorable little video;

or this:

Now compare this interest in water by your typical Maine Coon to this;

I think it’s probably safe so say, if your Maine Coon is typical for the breed this procedure will end up being a lot less fuss and with less scratching.

Step 2: Getting Set Up

Step 2a: First, you’ll want to place the mat down in the tub and fill it with just a few inches of water.

Maine Coons love water, and this is just another way of comforting your Maine Coon while bathing them.

Make sure all of your materials are within arm’s reach. In time you’ll find a system that works quickly and efficiently.

Step 2b: Find Your Maine Coon
Find your Maine Coon; it’s one of the most important steps to this process.

They like to explore the house, so finding them is half the battle won.

Step 2c: Prepare the Bathtub
Start your shower head on low and keep the water at luke warm temperatures.

You can crack your drain plug just a little bit to prevent flooding your bathtub, but this process is relatively quick, and you’ll be removing it during the second rinsing.

Step 2d: Initial Rinsing
Wet their fur slowly, as the initial rinsing of the fur is crucial to get rid of any lose or shedding hair.

Make sure you do not get water in your Maine Coon’s eyes or ears, as they are sensitive in those areas. It’s easier just to avoid the face all together.

Spend some time on this step as their fur is thick, and you really want to get as much of it wet as possible.

Now is also a good time to brush your cats’ fur as well. You can get a lot of lose fur just form rinsing them well, but a brush helps you go the extra mile.

Trying to keep your cat calm if it’s not used to it is also an experience not to be missed.

Step 2e: Rinse the Face
Now you do not use the shower head for this! Use a wet wash cloth, or hand rag. You want to rinse the face using the rag to prevent getting liquid into the cats’ ears and eyes.

Make sure you do this step gently and take your time, you do not want to spook, or potentially harm your Maine Coon in the process.

You can miss this step out altogether if you have a nervous Maine Coon.

Step 2f: Comfort Your Maine Coon
Comfort them throughout the process.

You can achieve this in a number of ways. The two best things you can do is talk to them, and/or give them treats for being calm and well behaved.

Turn it into a game and keep track of just how many treats you give your Maine Coon, reward them every time the number drops drastically.

Step 2g: Get Rid of Greasy Fur
Start by applying dawn dish soap, it cuts the grease in their fur.

Make sure you cover them well, and continue comforting them throughout the process.

Repeat this step however many times you need to.

Step 2h: Brush Again
Brush and rub the soap into your Maine Coon again while the dawn dish soap is still in their fur.

Step 2i: Drain the Tub
Drain the water from the tub and set your shower head to the lowest setting. You don’t want to harm your Maine Coon in any way.

Step 2j: Wash the Face
Now do not use your hands for this. Instead, use a wet wash cloth, or hand rag.

You want to wash the face using the rag to prevent getting soap into the cat’s ears and eyes.

Make sure you do this step gently and take your time as you do not want to spook, or potentially harm your Maine Coon in the process.

Step 2k: Rinse Again
Rinse your Maine Coon off. You want to make sure you do this thoroughly and on the lowest setting your shower head can go.

Make sure you rinse all of the Dawn dish soap out of the felines fur. Any residue can make them sick when they decide to self-groom.

Step 2l: Rinse the Face Again
Use a wet clean cloth for this.

Make sure you’ve washed all of the soap out of the rag and gently clean the cats face with it.

Remember the ears and eyes are extremely sensitive.

Step 2m: Shampoo
Apply shampoo to your Maine Coon.

The Shampoo brand is your choice, just make sure its pet friendly and is the right stuff for your felines hair type.

Make sure you really get everywhere you can when applying it, and that you comfort you Maine Coon in any way that works best for you.

Step 2n: Repeat
Thoroughly rub the shampoo into your Maine Coon’s fur.

It’s dense and thick, you may have to repeat this process a few times in order to get an extremely thorough shampooing completed.

Step 2o: The Final Rinse
Rinse your Maine Coon thoroughly.

Make sure your shower head is on the lowest setting once again, and that you are continuing to comfort the cat as best as you can.

Maine Coons generally love water, and with cats that love to play in water, it makes bathing them that much more enjoyable and easier.

Step 2p: Hand Dry
After rinsing your Maine Coon, you’ll want to now use your hands to get as much of the excess water out of its fur. This step isn’t necessary, but it makes the drying and grooming process afterwards run a lot smoother.

Make sure you’re gentle on its fur, you don’t want to hurt your Maine Coon.

Step 2q: Towel Dry
Towel dry your Maine Coon as best as you can.

Best practice is to wrap a warm towel around the cat while it’s in the bathtub and lift it out with the towel wrapped around it.

Then comes the tricky part of rubbing the towel around the Maine Coon’s body to soak up the excessive water.

At the appropriate time, switch to another towel, or dry part of the original towel to get the fur as dry as possible before release.

Final Step: Release
Set your Maine Coon free, and watch as they strut their stuff around the house with their freshly bathed fur.

This Step by step guide may seem overwhelming at first, but once you do it a few times, it becomes easy, quite quickly.

Remember to comfort your cat throughout the process, and be careful of the eyes and ears. Soon, you’ll be an expert at keeping your Maine Coon clean and happy.

For the more visual learners amongst you, here’s a good little training video;