Today was a big day for little Michael, our newest foster kitten. He’s only about six weeks old and came to us weak, congested, and covered in grime. His fur was matted, his eyes were crusted shut, and he was having trouble breathing due to an upper respiratory infection. But despite all that, Michael has a strong little heart and a gentle spirit.
He needed a bath—not just for cleanliness, but to help him feel more comfortable as he starts his recovery journey. Giving a sick kitten a bath is always a delicate process. You have to keep them warm, handle them gently, and make sure they don’t get chilled or stressed.
We prepared everything ahead of time: a warm towel, kitten-safe shampoo, and a shallow basin of lukewarm water. Michael was nervous at first, but he didn’t struggle. As soon as the warm water touched his fur, he relaxed just a little.
Gently, we lathered his tiny body, being extra careful around his face and ears. The dirt and buildup melted away, revealing soft white and gray fur underneath. We rinsed him slowly, whispering to him the whole time. Even though he was sick, he stayed calm—almost as if he knew we were trying to help.
After his bath, we wrapped him in a warm towel and held him close until he stopped shivering. A little bit of low-heat blow drying helped fluff up his fur and get him totally dry. Once he was bundled up in a blanket, he let out the tiniest purr.
Michael still has a long road to recovery, but his first bath was a turning point. He’s clean, more comfortable, and starting to trust again.
We added subtitles to share every step of the process—so you can follow along, learn, and maybe help a kitten of your own someday.
Thanks for being part of Michael’s journey. Fostering saves lives. 💛
