This guide is not for those getting ready to do their first show, if that's what you want to do you should contact the show breeder that you bought your kitten from and they will mentor you on what you need to do, because you're going to need some professional equipment and very detailed grooming advice which your show breeder mentor knows best for their breed, especially when that show breeder has grands, Regional Winners, Best in Shows and the biggie "Cat of the Year"  When you win your mentor wins.....so check it out.

Rather, this is for the average joe pet owner who wants to be better informed about taking better care of their cat or kitten and also realizes if it's going to be in my house and in my bed.......well, they better be clean!

First, I'm going to give you items you should have around the house in order to give your kitty his first bath.  Also at this time, I must congratulate you, you have completed the first step, controlling your nerves (my cat's going to rip me up) and deciding that, yes, I can do this.

Items needed:

1. A kitchen sink or bath tub with sprayer attachment, if you don't have this get a clean bucket and find a plastic tumbler to dip with, and yes that works, I've done it.  Also, sometimes if you have a cat with some feral tendencies (I've done tons of rescue kitties for first time), the bucket and dipper method doesn't seem as threating to a cat. 

2. Old towels but make sure they're clean of course, cat brush or stainless steel comb with two sizes of teeth, use brush or comb depending on short or long  coat.

3. Dryer, yours of course.

4. Kennel carrier with clean towel inside.

5. Soft music, using your softest, lowest but firm voice, no screaming at the kitty, both of you could get hurt.

6.  Clip your kitties claws with cat claw nipper, always have steptic powder near by in case of accident.  Always cut your kitties claws after the curve in the claw.  Reason for this is there is a vein in the claw which ends at that point that if cut will start bleeding.  Don't use people clippers.

7.  Cotton balls, use a piece of cotton ball inside the ear to protect the ear canal from water.  If you don't remember to do this you could end up with ear problems.

8. Last but most important, I hope you've got your House of An-Ju ready to use.  (Please read instruction label)

Ok, it's time get your kitty and take to bath area.  Put your hand firmly on the loose skin between the shoulders, this way if kitty tries to escape you can control his or her actions.  Start from the back first, then underbelly and chest, front quarters then quickly when wetting head place hand over kitties face and ears, directly spraying into kitties unprotected face will get you hurt.  Always make sure you're talking to kittie is soft assuring tones.  Saturate the water using your fingers to get into the undercoat(this water should be tested to warm on your inside wrist), next grab your House of An-Ju shampoo (please read the dilution instructions first), and do areas, put a little shampoo on back area first,  add a little shampoo as you go on each area and work in then the hind corners, tail, underbelly, chest and front quarters then a little shampoo on top of head.  Use your fingers to work the shampoo well into your kitties coat.  Just remember a little shampoo work into area, keep repeating this process until kittie is completely shampooed. When you're done shampooing it's time to rinse,  make sure all shampoo is thoroughly rinsed out, no suds in sink, squeaky clean hair.  Now, towel dry your cat as best you can, then put into kennel cab on dry towel, shut door.  Position your hair dryer on a wadded up towel ten inches or so away from kennel door, set on low until kitty relaxes then try high later on if kittie accepts dryer, set dryer so that it hits bottom third of kennel cab, you don't want it blowing into kitties face.  When kittie is mostly dry, brush or comb kitties coat, a good grooming spray comes in handy here and of course House of An-Ju has the best!  Now comes what I always consider the funny part.  The cat prances around waiting to be admired, "Don't I look gorgeous?", and after all "it was my idea, and I do this all the time.  House of An-Ju shampoos that are used for kitties bath, last longer than other pet shampoos, show breeders have told me over the years House of An-Ju lasts between 8 to 10 weeks between baths, where the cheaper brands range from 4 to 6 weeks.   This is House of An-Ju  Swedish "Cat of the Year"