How to Clean Cat Fur

Cats are good self-groomers, so their fur generally stays clean. Circumstances that may require you to clean your cat's fur include an allergy to cat fur or a cat that takes dirt baths. Cats typically dislike water, so dry cleaning methods are preferable for these pets.

Things You'll Need

• Baking powder


• Rake comb


• Pet shampoo


• Scissors

1. Lay a towel on the counter of your bathroom or kitchen for an easy clean-up. Place your cat on top of the towel.


2. Sprinkle baking powder onto your cat's fur. You will typically use 1/4 to 1/3 of a can, resulting in a liberal coating of baking powder.


3. Rub the baking powder into your cat's fur, as if it were wet shampoo. The baking powder will loosen the dirt and other debris in the fur. Comb the cat's fur with a rake comb to remove debris and loose fur. The rake comb will also remove much of the baking powder.


4. Clean your cat's fur as much as possible by combing with the growth of the fur. It may be necessary to comb against the lie of the fur to completely clean the fur. Use care when combing against the lie of the fur, as cats dislike this type of combing.


5. Moisten a washcloth with warm soapy water and carefully apply it to areas of your cat's fur with tangled hair. Allow it to soak before combing out the tangle. You may need to cut out very difficult debris such as chewing gum with a pair of scissors.