Should I Have My Long
Most cats, even those with long hair, cope very well with hot summer temperatures without the need for a haircut. However, long-haired cats that are prone to getting large mats in their fur or cats that do not groom themselves well and object to regular brushing, may benefit from having their hair shaved down periodically. In some cases, the cat will require sedation during this procedure, since few cats will tolerate the noise of the clippers or the discomfort of extensive mat removal while awake and alert. If your cat requires a haircut in the summer months, it is important to leave at least 1 of haircoat to avoid sunburn or sun damage to the skin.
How To Choose A Right Cat Shampoo
Its important to know what kind of shampoo is best for your cat as;using the wrong product can cause more problems than bathing solves.
Keep in mind that pet shampoo is not the same as human shampoo. Pet shampoos tend to be gentler. Human skin has a pH of around 5.5 to 5.6, while pet skin is much more neutral, has a pH of 6.2 to 7.4. According to PetMD, pet shampoo should be in the neutral range, around 7.
Here are some aspects to consider when choosing cat shampoo.
Skin types
Consider hypoallergenic or medicated shampoo with ingredients like oat protein and aloe if your cat has sensitive skin or suffers from skin problems. These shampoos are mild and soothing, and wont irritate the skin. If your cat has dry skin, you can choose an anti-itch shampoo that will moisturize the skin and soothe discomfort.
Go for the general purpose shampoo if your cat has normal skin. Deodorizing pet shampoos is a great option for cats that have a strong odour as they will neutralize the scent.
As we mentioned earlier, outdoor cats require more maintenance than indoor cats so its important to consider a deep-cleansing shampoo that will help your outdoor feline friend maintain a neat appearance and stay healthy.
Does your cats coat tend to tangle easily? If so, you might need to buy both shampoo and conditioner or 2-in-1 shampoo.
Try whitening shampoo if your cat has a white coat. Avoid whitening shampoos that contain bleach or blue dyes.
Cleaning Your Cat With Wipes
Recommended Reading: Are Croton Plants Toxic To Cats
How To Give A Cat A Bath Step By Step
Its much easier to wash your cat in a kitchen or bathroom sink than bending over a bathtub. The following is a step-by-step procedure for how to give a cat a bath.
How Often Should I Give My Cat A Bath
Keeping your cats skin and coat healthy is important to your cats overall well-being. But, since cats can become aggressive or irritated when you try to bathe them, it is easy to get in the habit of skipping it altogether. However, getting your cat into a regular grooming routine can help ease the stress and tension for you both! Plus, if you start them at a very young age, they can almost enjoy getting a bath. The good news is your cat takes care of a majority of their hair care needs by themselves with all that licking, but that doesnt remove mats, eliminate dandruff or make them smell better.
How often you need to bathe your cat depends on the following:
- Indoor vs. outdoor environment: Outdoor kitties will need a bath more frequently than their indoor counterpart.
- Coat length and type: Longer coats will require more maintenance than short coat cats.
- Self-grooming behavior: Cats that cannot or do not groom themselves efficiently need regular baths to keep their coat from becoming greasy or sticky. Also, overweight cats have difficulty reaching all areas of the body, so they will need bathed more regularly the back side of these kitties often become matted and the skin can become itchy, flaky or even infected
- Activity level: Cats that are highly active will require more frequent bathing
- Health issues:;Issues like skin irritation, tick or flea infestation and loose stool can require more attention.
Also Check: Why Cat Was Crazy In Victorious
When They’re Really Dirty
If your cat has come home looking particularly dirty, you can think about washing it yourself. Sometimes it’s better to act proactively before your pet swallows dirt which can lead to infection. In these instances, there are various tools that can help you keep a clean cat:
- Firstly, there is dry shampoo which you can find in any shop that sells pet products. These are especially suitable when the animal is particularly resistant to water. It’s foamy in texture, but all you need is a comb to remove the product. They’re a very sensible choice for fidgety cats as they might not even be able to tell they are being cleaned.
- If you don’t have the time to go and buy a specific product, you can clean it a little bit with baby wipes. Do it slowly and gently to mimic the cat’s own licking method. By doing so, it becomes a social interaction which will make your cat trust you and make further cleaning easier.
Remember that by regularly brushing your cat you can stop it swallowing hairballs or dirt and prevent the appearance of parasites. Find a brush that it likes, so that you can spend time with it and make it feel comfortable when it’s by your side.
Getting Your Cat Ready For A Bath
Read Also: Cat Losing Fur On Back End
How To Give A Cat A Bath Have These Supplies On Hand
The best answer for how to give a cat a bath is to make it quick and efficient. Ensure you have all the necessary supplies handy before you start:
*Its best if you have the time to purchase a shampoo specifically formulated for cats. Virbac is a good brand that many;veterinarians;recommend, and it comes in medicated, hypoallergenic and antibacterial varieties. If you dont have any cat shampoo, a mild baby shampoo may be used. You dont want to use any other kinds of human cleaning products, as it may sting your cats eyes or irritate her skin.
Use A Suitable Shampoo
As every cat has different needs, you have to take the time to find the right one for your fur baby. The shampoo should be based on your cats age, fur type, or if they have any medical conditions.;
Some owners assume that when their cats shampoo runs out, they can simply use their own as a replacement. However, human shampoo is too acidic and will dry out their skin.;
Note!
Recommended Reading: What Was Gargamel’s Cat’s Name
Do Cats Know Their Names
Cats Recognize Their Own NamesEven If They Choose to Ignore Them. Cats are notorious for their indifference to humans: almost any owner will testify to how readily these animals ignore us when we call them. But a new study indicates domestic cats do recognize their own nameseven if they walk away when they hear them.
Why Do Cats Hate Water
Cats arent very fond of baths because they find the experience stressful. They arent the most tolerant of new experiences or changes, so the feeling of being drenched may be foreign to them.
Thus, a cat thats been regularly exposed to water or baths will be more accepting of it than a cat thats not. This is why its advised to start bathing your cat when theyre kittens so theyll be more used to it.;
Also Check: How To Apply Terramycin To Dogs Eyes
What Type Of Brush Or Comb Should I Use
Different styles of brushes work better on certain types of hair coats. Stiff bristle brushes will help remove loose hairs from cats with short coats or sparse undercoats, while long-toothed metal combs or brushes, especially ones with rows of offset tines, are useful to remove loose hair and smooth minor tangles in medium and long-haired cats. Some combs are designed to remove clumps of loose undercoat if your cat is undergoing a heavy seasonal shedding or for gently teasing out smaller mats behind the ears or along the back legs of long-haired cats.
Whatever the choice of brush you use, it is important to be gentle when using it, and to avoid excessive pulling on tangles. Your veterinary health care team can to give you specific recommendations for grooming tools that will work particularly well for your cat’s type of coat.
The Best Brush For Cats
Brushing before bathing is helpful to prevent mats and tangles in your cat’s fur. We’ve found that the Furbliss silicone brushes are among the best options for just about any cat. They come in a variety sizes and styles, so there’s one for every cat, regardless of their size and amount of fur they have. Each brush has two sides for different purposes: a brush side for combing and grooming, plus a finer side that’s great for de-shedding.
Since they’re made of silicone, they’re soft, easy to use, and cats actually enjoy the massaging feeling of being brushed. Plus, they can be washed under running water or sterilized in the dishwasher. This also means you can use them in the bath to shampoo your cat and de-tangle their fur as they’re being bathed.
For more brush choices, check out “Tips for Brushing Your Cat” article.
Read Also: When Do Cats Get Cold
What To Do If You Cant Bathe Your Cat
Still baffled on how to give a cat a bath however believe your cat could truly take advantage of a bath? If you definitely cant bear the idea of cleaning your very own cat and wish to ensure they hold someone else to blame for the experience, you can decide to bring cat to a groomer or an animal care clinic or store where they supply grooming services. Expenses will vary from $20-$50 and will include services such as shampoo and blow dry, trimming, ear cleaning and nail clipping. There are even mobile animal grooming vans in big urban areas now that have a complete grooming center right inside the van. These services cost a bit more, but they come right to your door.
Choose Between The Adult Cat Dip Or Spray Method
Jumbo-size adult cats can be hard to dunk, and running water can be scary for them. Instead, you can use a ladle to dip water. If you have a spray nozzle on the sink, use a low force, with the nozzle close to the fur so kitty doesn’t see the spray.
Never spray in the face; use a damp wash rag to wipe down that area. Keep one hand on the cat at all times to prevent escapes. Rinse beginning at the neck and down the cat’s back; don’t neglect beneath the tail or on the tummy.
Wrap the clean cat in a dry towel. Shorthaired cats dry quickly, but longhaired felines may need two or more towels to blot away most of the water. If your cat tolerates or enjoys the blow dryer, use only the lowest heat setting to avoid burns.
Read Also: How To Remove Old Cat Urine From Hardwood Floors
How Often Do You Need To Bathe Your Cat
Bathing a cat too often is a huge no-no. Derrick states that cats already spend 40% of their day thoroughly grooming themselves and overbathing can result in skin conditions such as dry skin.;
For most cats, bathing is not required at all! You should reserve that for special circumstances.
If they have any specific medical conditions that inhibit their self-grooming, then bathing may become a necessity.;
By Step Process How To Give A Cat A Bat Step By Step
Once you have all the necessities on hand, its time to move on to the actual task of bathing your cat.
Now, this is much easier said than done for most people and it helps if you try and acclimatize your pet to their new surroundings first.
Of course, knowing the proper ways to bath a cat and how to make them comfortable will make the whole process far more comfortable and here are our favorite steps to follow
Recommended Reading: The Black Cat Curse Hocus Pocus
How To Clean Your Cat Without Bathing
See files for Cats
If you’ve got a cat you’ll probably know that most felines are pretty much allergic to water, as in they hate baths and everything to do with them. A cat’s curiosity will take it many places and if your pet gets excessively dirty you might wonder if whether or not you should help it to get clean and how to go about it?
In this AnimalWised.com article we’re going to help by resolving your doubts so that you know how to clean a cat without bathing.