With What Should I Bathe My Cats In? Can I Wash Them In Bleach?

Hello guys, new here, and need advice

I have two cats who were outdoor cats and who are recovering from panleukopenia, On monday it will be exactly 4 weeks since they got out of the hospital, i have kept them in isolation since then, but I plan to bring them in home in my room on that day already, I don't want to let them out loose on the streets again after all my hardship taking care of them.

But I don't want to contaminate my room with the virus if they still have them and if they can still be infectious, I have other cats indoors, who I already had vaccinated as a precaution 2 weeks ago.

I read a useful paper/article here: Successful Treatment of Feline Panleukopenia: A Guideline For Rescuers and Veterinarians, Part I | SciTechnol

It says I should the bathe the infected cats, because there is still potentially virus in their coats, and it says that bleach solution is the only foolproof way to kill the panleukopenia virus.

But the paper didn't say how I should bathe the cats, I know that bleach can be poisonous if ingested, but as it says, it is the only thing that can kill for sure the virus, so I don't know with what should i wash and bathe the cats?

Will be grateful for your advice, thanks.

Hi!
Maybe this will help, to a degree;
How To Safely Bathe A Cat: The Complete Guide

I would NOT wash them in bleach water, to be strong enough to kill the virus, it would be much too strong for the cat. Just make sure EVERYTHING in the room they are in is bleached. even bedding, spray bleachwater on non washable items like beds, etc. the virus can live a year. I know how strong and how deadly this virus is, it swept through our feral cats a few years ago. The best defense is to make sure ALL the cats are vaccinated, those are the only ones that didn't die here. Call your vet and find out how long it takes to be covered from the vaccinations. I researched and it said within a week. It is VERY important for your other cats. They continue to shed the virus for just days after symptom quit, but some cats can become 'carriers' and shed it for years. Your vet may help you tell if they are there. I would wear a cover on my clothes and make sure you wash your hands every time too to prevent the spread, this is one virus that just doesn't die. You are so blessed to have had your cats pull through this, they will never get the disease now. None of mine did, it was absolutely devastating!

The article references bleach in cleaning surfaces specifically, "The recommended way to kill the panleukopenia virus is to apply a dilute bleach solution (1-part bleach to 32 parts water) to food bowls, litter pans, cages, and other surfaces during cleaning." Bleach on your cats will damage their skin and most likely start a whole other host of problems. Bleach is not supposed to come in direct contact with human skin and cats are significantly more sensitive.

Clean surfaces with bleach. Clean cats with a gentle cat shampoo or a few drops of the blue dawn dish soap.

And, just make sure food/water bowls, etc. are washed with something like the Dawn dish soap and rinsed thoroughly after cleaning with the bleach.

Okay, thanks for all the replies, I guess I'll use cat shampoo with a mix of little dish soap, I've been using dish soap anyways to wash my hands after interacting with them.

Use plain dish soap, not one that has fragrances or essential oils or lotion or antibacterial stuff. Dawn Original dish soap is safe to use, if you don't have that.