Tip 87 Cat Bath Bathing Cats Should I Bathe My Cat
There are some dissenting views on this issue but in general there is usually no reason to bathe your cat especially a shorthaired indoor cat. Cats spend a large percentage of their days grooming themselves and they are experts at it. Using their barbed tongues they lick dirt and debris off their fur in order to keep it clean and odor free. Cats with long hair may require the occasional bath if their fur gets too oily. Their fur can get too oily based on climate conditions and the individual skin of the cat. Hairless cats like;sphynxes;DO ;need a weekly bath because their skin gets greasy and dirty. There are also occasional times when your cats fur may get excessively dirty due to some mishap that the cat has gotten itself into. In some of these cases it may be necessary to give your cat a bath.
You should know right off the bat that almost all cats hate baths, so be prepared. Here are some tips to make the experience easier:
Note: It is 100% normal for the cat to start licking its fur immediately after youve finished all your hard work.
When Should You Bathe Your Cat
Whether accustomed or not to taking baths, there are some extraordinary situations where it may be necessary to bathe your cat:
- If your cat has greasy fur.
- If your cat has fleas and you have to eliminate them with a special shampoo.
- If your cat has ringworm, which affects the fur, skin and claws.
- If your cat is soiled with any product, especially if chemical or toxic, which it cannot remove by itself or with help of wet wipes.
- If your cat has stopped grooming itself for some reason.
Only in these cases will you really need to bathe a cat. Otherwise, its own daily hygiene and regular brushing depending on the type of coat will suffice. You can also use wet wipes soaked with dry shampoo specifically made to respect the pH of cats’ skin to remove certain debris and dirt without actually giving it a bath.
Wash Your Cat Carefully With A Spray Nozzle
When using a handheld spray nozzle to wash your cat, use your hand as a barrier first to reduce the force of the water. When your cat gets more comfortable, you can slowly take your hand away.;;
The loud sound of running water together with the water pressure could scare them if you immediately spray at them.;
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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!
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S To Ensure Bathing A Cat Is A Success Every Time
Heres how to go about bathing a cat, so its not a nightmare for either of you. Do it right, and it doesnt have to be an unpleasant experience at all. Just take care of your movements and make sure to get a read on how your cat is feeling so you know what he or she is comfortable with . Additionally, the younger you start bathing them, the more theyll get used to it. We highly recommend implementing bathing into a kittens routine so theyll grow to learn it isnt abnormal.
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How To Bath Your Cat And Survive Scratch
Get Organized
- A shower or bath with a handheld shower head.
- Several towels to clean her off and help her dry.
- Special cat shampoo and conditioner. These are available from most pet stores and your veterinarian will be able to advise if there is a particular brand that would be good for your feline friend. You should never use human shampoo or conditioner as is has a different PH level to the sort suitable for cats and could damage your pets hair or skin.
Pre-bathing PrepThe Bathing ProcessGetting Dry
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.
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Alternatives To Cat Baths
In some cases, you can just clean your cat using unscented, hypoallergenic wipes or dry shampoos rather than giving full-scale cat baths. But keep in mind that some cats wont like being sprinkled with waterless shampoos any more than theyd like the more traditional cat baths. Make sure the dry shampoos are good for dry or sensitive skin if your cat has either.
When my cat, Siouxsie, was severely arthritic, she appreciated being wiped down in places she was having a hard time reaching.
When Theyre Really Dirty
If your cat has come home looking particularly dirty, you can think about washing it yourself. Sometimes itâs 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. Itâs foamy in texture, but all you need is a comb to remove the product. Theyâre a very sensible choice for fidgety cats as they might not even be able to tell they are being cleaned.
- If you donât 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 catâs 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 itâs by your side.
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How Often Should I Bathe My Ragdoll Cat During The Summer Months
It is a great idea to bathe the ragdoll cat more often during the summer months. The summers can become difficult for the ragdolls as it has semi-long fur.
They undergo vigorous shedding during these months. Bathing the cat will remove the chances of entangled, loose hair sticking to the coat.
You can stick to a short bathing schedule for the cats as long as it gets the job done. A little bit of extra care will work magnificently to make a loving bond between you and your cat.
It also provides you with an opportunity to look for any parasitic infestation on the fur. Although Ragdolls are not susceptible to these kinds of problems, it is better to be safe.
Ragdolls are beautiful, friendly, playful, affectionate, and have elegant long, furry coats. However, you should be aware of the fact that it comes with a long list of responsibilities.
Grooming the cat now and then is one of those responsibilities, and knowing the details of this part comes in handy while taking care of it.
You should be well aware of the details of the bathing aspect of grooming now. A 30 days interval between consecutive baths may be a reasonable number for any cat owner if the cat is comfortable with water.
However, you can achieve a more frequent bathing regime as well. Taking care of the Ragdoll is your responsibility, and you can make a loving bond in this way as well.
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Supplies You Need When Bathing A Cat
It can become quite the remarkable feat to bathe your cat lets say it probably wont be the easiest thing you do all day. However, being prepared with all the key supplies will help to give you a leg up and make the process easier:
Now you have your supplies but you may still be wondering: how in the world does one go about facilitating the bath? Follow these steps and it should prove to be much less scary than the cliches claim you and your cat may even find the process to be somewhat enjoyable. Who would have thought?
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How Often Should You Bathe A Kitten
The same rules apply to a kitten! Your kitten will start to learn how to self-groom in the first few months of his or her life and prior to this, their mother will take care of it. However, if you get your kitten before they have learned how to self-groom, it is advisable to bathe them once a week.
Should I Bathe My Cat
Firstly, lets tackle the main question: are you supposed to give cats baths? The answer would mainly depend on whether you have an indoor or an outdoor cat. Felines that live indoors usually dont need baths, as they clean themselves regularly anyway. However, kitties that spend most of their time outdoors might benefit from occasional bathing because getting dirty when out and about is practically unavoidable.
The keyword here is occasionally. Many cat owners bathe their felines every month, which is completely unnecessary and sometimes may do more harm than good. Heres why:
- Cats are masters at maintaining great hygiene levels. They make it their hobby and occupation. In fact, their tongues are adapted with little hooks, called filiform papillae, that help them clean their coat.
- Soaps and shampoos strip the natural oils and can cause irritation if used too frequently.;
- Putting your cat through all the stress associated with getting wet on a regular basis can break the trust between you.;
Having everything mentioned in mind, the answer to the question, Are you supposed to give cats baths? is clear no, unless its absolutely needed.
Now, lets say you do need to get your furball in the shower. There are certain things you can do to make the process less stressfulfor both of you. Here are some tips on that:
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One Main Reason Bathing A Cat Can Be Essential: Situational
Cats can sure be adventurous at times. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it is instinctual! However, it may not be long before they get themselves into a sticky situation. Some of the most common are:
- If the cat gets into something and smells, for example if they were sprayed by a skunk. In this case youll want to skip the tomato juice everyone talks about and try this instead:
- Stir together 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap , 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 liter of white vinegar. Vinegar is the best base stronger than water but not harmful like peroxide, which can cause bleaching.
- Gently rub the mixture into your cats fur, being careful not to get it in the eyes or ears, and rinse thoroughly with water.
A bath can wash away a more superficial visit from these pests, but if they are starting to really dig in , a visit to the vet is best, as special shampoo, removal, or medicine may be necessary.
Getting Your Cat Ready For A Bath
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What We Learned In Debunking The Myth
While there will always be people that believe the stories about how cats will stay away from water at all costs, we now know that putting a cat in water isnt cruel and can actually be very beneficial. And, sometimes, absolutely necessary.
When it comes to their overall health, cat owners will do just about anything for their pets. Bathing may not be your cats favorite thing to do and they may hesitate as first, or even give you a little bit of trouble during the process. If you can manage to keep them calm though, make slow, calculated movements, and pay attention to their needs and feelings, it can go surprisingly smoothly.As always, feel free to contact us with any questions about caring for pets, as there are so many different things that can go into it! You can also see further information in a handy guide here about cat care in particular.
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.
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Overhauling Your Bengal Cat Care Routine
Unfortunately, regardless of how careful you are about piecing together your Bengal cat care routine, grooming can still be stressful for your cat.
At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do to make your cat comfortable, and that comfort starts with settling your pet into a routine.
That said, even if your cat never quite settles into a routine, always reward your kitty for letting you poke and prod at him or her for extended amounts of time.
Who knows? In time, your cat just might warm up to the idea of being groomed.
What Soap Is Safe For Cats
Dawn dish soap Dawn is okay to use on your cat, but its best to mix ¼ cup of Dawn with ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water to make a blend that can be lathered over your cats coat before rinsing well. We dont recommend using other brands of dish soap, as their safety hasnt been established.
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Though Cats Dont Need Baths Should I Bathe My Cat Anyway
Should you be giving a cat a bath regularly, even though its unnecessary to do so?
Im going to level with you here and now: in my opinion, the answer is an outright no.
Unless you have a specific reason you need to give a cat a bath , I really dont think you should be giving your cat a bath.
Why? Because they take proper care of their own hygiene on their own, bath time is stressful for most cats, and you could be doing more harm than good since the soap and/or shampoo you use could end up giving your cat an allergic reaction and/or some other form of discomfort.
Dont fix what aint broke and a typical domesticated cat, whether he or she goes outside or not, aint unclean. So its my honest opinion that you shouldnt go givin your cat baths willy-nilly.
Have a different take on this issue? Let me know why you think differently in the comments below. Always happy to change my opinion if theres reason to!