Have you ever tried to bathe your cat? If you answered yes in a voice just above a whisper and then sobbed quietly, it is assumed that bathing your cat was not the best experience. You are not alone. Many cats do not like water, so while washing them in your bathroom sink, you might have sustained some cat-caused injuries to your hands. Or arms. Or your face. Instead, you feel that you’d rather live with a smelly feline than ever go through that again.
However, in the future, your cat may need a bath again. Perhaps they rolled in something smelly or greasy and they cannot clean themselves without assistance. They need help. Having a sturdy grooming tub will make the experience more pleasant. Here are our top recommendations of cat grooming tubs available right now.
Our top recommendation for a cat grooming tub is the Furesh Elevated Folding Bathtub and Wash Station. This tub comes on elevated legs, making it easier to wash your cat without having to stoop down and strain your back. Inside the tub is a harness that you can use to help gently secure your cat if they are skittish and might try to escape. Another benefit of this tub is that it is made of a durable and claw-resistant PVC material that can be folded up quickly and stored. There are even pockets to keep shampoo within reach! While there is drainage in this tub, some of the water does not entirely drain out due to the material. You might need to use a towel to dry it down completely.
Pros
Can be folded and stored easily
Made of lightweight material
Cons
Might need to manually soak up extra water in tub after draining
If you are not sure how often you plan on bathing your cat, you probably do not want to spend too much on a grooming tub. However, it is always a good idea to have a tub just in case your cat gets into a sticky situation. This is why we recommend the Pet Gear Pup Tub. It is durable and budget-friendly. If your cat is a bit skittish or nervous, you might want to be closer to it when it is bath time. Smaller tubs like this one can be set on a table or on the floor and might make your cat more comfortable during the experience. This tub also has a drain with a plug, but the quality of the plug could be improved.
Pros
Built-in drain
Budget-friendly
Cons
Plug quality can cause leaking
3. Wayime 33″ Luxury Acrylic Clawfoot Bathtub – Best Premium Cat Grooming Tub
Do you want to bathe your cat in style? Absolutely! Our recommendation for premium cat grooming tubs is the Wayime Luxury Acrylic Clawfoot Bathtub. Its curved vintage design adds a bit of sophistication to wherever you want to give your feline a shampoo. Although this tub is an ideal size to wash your cat in, it does have a weight capacity of up to 800 pounds. This means if your cat is a bit resistant to getting into the tub, it can withstand struggle and not topple. The legs are not installed on the tub on arrival, so it will require some assembly. Be sure that you have a place to put this tub when not in use, as it is not as easy to store as other cat grooming tubs.
Pros
Stylish design
Sturdy and durable
Cons
Could cause back strain when grooming cat
Hard to store
4. Flying Pig Grooming Bathtub – Best Elevated Cat Grooming Tub
Our top recommendation for an elevated bathing tub for your cat is the Flying Pig Grooming Bathtub. This simple yet sturdy and practical design makes giving your cat a bath easier. Since this tub stands on legs, it prevents back strain on your part. You are also able to bathe your cat from all angles of the tub. Some assembly is required for this tub. While the legs are not adjustable in terms of height, the legs have levelers, so the tub can stand on uneven ground, making this easy to use outside and inside. This tub does have drainage; however, the quality of the drain plug could be better as some users have reported leaking.
Pros
Sturdy and durable
Prevents back pain
Legs have levelers
Cons
Leaking can occur from the drainage area
5. Booster Bath Elevated Bathing and Grooming Center – Best Functional Cat Grooming Tub
The Booster Bath Elevated Bathing and Grooming Center is our recommendation for the best functional cat grooming tub. This grooming tub has a U-design, which allows you to get your cat into the tub easier. The inside of the tub has a textured rubber mat to help prevent your cat from slipping. There is also a harness that you can put on your cat if you want to make sure it does not make a run for it during the washing process. The legs can also be removed easily to make storing the tub more convenient. Since this tub has a U-shaped design, the tub cannot be filled and is better served as a place to gently shower your cat.
Pros
Removable legs
Included a textured mat and harness
Cons
Cannot fill the tub
6. Acrowell Portable Pet Bathtub – Best Wheeled Cat Grooming Tub
Wheels can make moving things around easier, and that includes pet bathing tubs. This is why we recommend the Acrowell Portable Pet Bathtub. While bathing your cat, you might need to maneuver the tub quickly, and the best way to do that is if your tub is on wheels. In addition to the convenience of having wheels, this tub can be folded up and stored easily in your closet or other storage areas. This tub does have built-in drainage, but it does not drain entirely due to being made with flexible PVC material. You might need to use a towel to soak up water in the crevices.
Pros
Lightweight and easy to move around
Can be stored easily
Cons
Does not drain entirely
7. Qyuruisi Collapsible Bathtub – Best Multifunction Cat Grooming Tub
For cat owners who are not sure how often they will need to bathe their cat, we recommend the Qyuruisi Collapsible Bathtub. This multifunction tub can easily be used to bathe your cat. It has built-in drainage, making it convenient to dispose of the bathwater. It is also made with PVC fabric, making it a breeze to store in narrow spaces. But it is not limited to just that purpose. Need another laundry basket? What about a tub to hold beverages on ice for a party? This is the tub for you! Sometimes, it is better to have a cat grooming tub that can be used for other purposes. However, because this tub is not elevated, you might experience back pain if you bathe your cat on the floor.
Pros
Multifunctional
Budget-friendly
Easy to store
Cons
Can lead to back pain
8. LILYS PET Portable Folding Bathtub – Best Portable Cat Grooming Tub
If you take your pet on extended outdoor adventures, you might want to have a place to bathe it if it rolls in something quite pungent. However, you do not want to have to travel with a plastic tub that cannot be folded. The answer to this problem can be solved by getting a LILYS PET Portable Folding Bathtub. It is made with PVC material and shaped so that it can be folded up when not in use. It is very lightweight, so it will not weigh you down if you pack it with your other belongings on a hiking trip. This tub does not have built-in drainage, so you will need to tip it over to get the used water out and towel dry the crevices.
Pros
Lightweight and compact
Pockets for shampoo and brushes
Cons
No built-in drainage
9. Scout + Boone Pet Bathing Station Table Stand and Shower w/Removable Shelf – Best Adjustable Cat Grooming Tub
If you are looking for a cat grooming tub, you might find that many of the elevated ones are not very adjustable. You want to find an elevated tub that suits you and your cat’s needs. We recommend the Scout + Boone Pet Bathing Station. This grooming tub has several adjustable features. The feet on the legs are adjustable, so this grooming tub can be raised a bit for your convenience. In addition, this tub has a removable top shelf so you can put shampoo and brushes on it for a quick grab, as well as a larger shelf on the bottom for holding towels. Since this station comes with a drainpipe and high faucet, some additional assembly is required. The station is also a bit bulky, so storing might be an issue in a small home.
Pros
Has a top and bottom shelf
Leg height can be slightly adjusted
Cons
Large and harder to store
10. WEHAVEFUN Pet Grooming Tub 34” – Best Professional Cat Grooming Tub
For people who have many cats, a cat rescue organization, or run a pet beauty salon, the WEHAVEFUN Pet Grooming Tub is good to have around. This is our recommendation for a professional cat grooming tub. It is made of stainless steel and has anti-skid steps that a brave cat can climb. The gate can remain open or be closed during the bathing process. The tub also has watertight seals to help prevent leaking. What makes this tub professional is that it has a 3-spray showerhead, a showerhead switch for adjusting the flow of hot and cold water, and a leash rod for gently securing escape artist felines.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Grooming Tubs
Are you still not sure which choice is right for you and your water-adverse feline? Read our buyer’s guide to narrow in on the best choice for your home and your pet.
Why Are There Limited Options for Cat-Specific Grooming Tubs?
If you have been looking for cat-specific grooming tubs, you might begin to realize that those tubs are not easy to find. But why? Generally, cats are independent when it comes to cleaning themselves. In fact, they spend a total of 5 hours or more grooming themselves every day. There is also the issue that most cats dislike being in water. These are the main reasons why there is not a niche market for cat-specific grooming tubs. Many of the tubs listed can be used for dogs but can also easily be used for cats, too. When you want to bathe your cat, the most important consideration is that it is a sturdy and clean bathing tub in a safe environment.
Things to Consider When Buying a Grooming Tub
Your physical comfort. Some cat grooming tubs are raised, and this makes it much easier for people susceptible to back pain to give their cats a bath. If you are more flexible and can wash your cat on the floor in a tub, you will have some cheaper options.
Check the dimensions. Since a lot of grooming tubs are geared towards dogs, check the dimensions of the tubs.
Space. Some cat tubs are quite large and finding a place to store them could be a pain if you live in a small home. Some sturdy cat grooming tubs are not foldable, so think about cat tubs that can be folded and stored more conveniently.
Budget. Elevated cat grooming tubs can be a bit costly because of the extra materials for the legs and drainpipes. If your cat is mainly an indoor cat, the chances are that you will not need to bathe it too often. Think about your budget and see which grooming tub fits your cat’s lifestyle and your wallet.
Final Thoughts on Cat Grooming Tubs
It can be a bit of a challenge looking for the right grooming tub for your cat. Some might be too large for your cat, so look for tubs geared towards smaller dogs. These will be more suitable for your feline. We recommend the Furesh Elevated Folding Bathtub and Wash Station or the Pet Gear Pup Tub as top choices for your cat grooming tub.
