Bathing Cats
Do You Need to Bathe Your Cat?
Cats don’t usually need baths, but there are some
exceptional circumstances. If they’re rolled in something that they
can’t wash off themselves, or they have long hair which has become
matted, a bath might be a good idea.
Do Cats Need Baths?
The next question that comes up when wondering how to give a cat a bath . do cats actually even need baths in the first place? In most cases, a cat would not need to be washed with water. Cats groom themselves naturally, so regular brushing is usually enough to keep your pet looking clean and comfortable.However, there are occasions when giving a cat a bath is necessary. They may have soiled themselves in the litter box. Cats have been known to try to climb up the inside of a chimney. Perhaps you’ve just adopted a new cat and she’s home from the animal shelter for the first time. Sometimes cats will also need bathing with flea or fungicidal medications.
SO How to Survive Giving Your Cat a Bath
Preparing Your Cat’s Bath
The best solution is to make sure that you have all the necessary supplies handy, so you can make your cat’s bath very quick:
- Rubber gloves
- Cat shampoo
- A large pitcher for rinsing or (even better) a gentle spray nozzle
- A large towel
- Cotton balls to clean the ears
- A small cloth to clean the face
It’s much easier to wash your cat in a kitchen or bathroom sink than bending over a tub. Following is a step-by-step procedure for the quick and painless cat bath:
- Fill the sink with about 2 or 3 inches of warm (but not hot!) water
- Wet the cat from the shoulders to the tail and apply shampoo.
- Just like your own hair, lather and rinse thoroughly
- Since most cats hate having water splashed on their faces, use a damp washcloth to gently clean your cat’s head.
- Use a cotton ball to clean inside the cat’s ears. Never put any kind of object (not even a Q-Tip) in your cat’s ear.
- After a thorough rinsing, lift your cat onto a large towel and fold it around him.
- Rub as much water from their fur as possible
- Long-haired cats may require the use of a blow dryer, but only if the noise does not terrify them. Set it on low and see if the cat will tolerate it.
