Are cats clean?
Perhaps you have come across a fridge magnet that says: “The only self-cleaning thing in this house is the cat.” Cats have a well-earned reputation as a flawless creature. This is why you don’t have to worry to much about bathing your cat; they are notorious for bathing and grooming themselves, staying relatively dirt-free.
Should You Bathe A Cat?
It is not necessary to bath your cat often, only when it gets very dirty. Below are a few reasons why you might want to bathe your cat.
- If your cat winds up with a greasy or sticky coat
- When obese cats can’t reach certain areas of the body comfortably
- When the back half of overweight cats regularly becomes matted
- When long-haired cats can’t keep up with all the needed grooming for a healthy coat/skin
Cat Bathing Tips
Now that you know when bathing your cat is necessary, make sure you know what the plan of attack is once the cat is in the bathtub. The best way to hold the cat is gently, yet firmly at the base of the neck or scruff. But be sure you know how you will hold them if you need to change the angles. If you do not know what you are going to do, the cat will win, so follow the steps below to successfully bath your cat.
- Place a rubber bath mat at the bottom of a tub/sink
- Prepare the water temperature to be pleasingly warm
- Then fill the tub/sink up to 3 to 4 inches with water
- Slowly and gently place your kitty in the water
- Without pouring or spraying water onto your kitty’s head, gently wet your cat down with a hose or some sort of spray device. You can also use a plastic pitcher
- Use a shampoo designed for use on cats. Be sure to read the labels on the bottle for specific advice, as some shampoos need certain methods
- Once your kitty is reasonably wet, lovingly rub/foam in the shampoo—all over— especially in the areas that require more attention
- Rinse all the shampoo out. There should be no shampoo coming from their coat. Remember to not pour water on your cat’s head*
- Finally, use a big towel to pat your kitty dry. If the cat is not up for a towel dry, it is possible to blow dry your cat, which some kitties even enjoy
*Important: Not only can dry shampoo clump hair together, but it can irritate the skin and is prone to be consumed when the cat licks itself.
Below I have selected a few products from Amazon that you might find helpful.
How often should you bathe a cat?
The National Cat Groomers of America suggest that cats get a bath and blow dry every 4-6 weeks to prevent their hairs from getting pelted and matted.
In conclusion
In conclusion, if your cat has never gotten a bath before, you may want to get help throughout the process. Have another person hold the cat while talking to it. They can even give your cat a couple of treats to keep it’s cooperation as you do what needs to be done. As long as you encourage and praise your cat through the whole process, bathing your cat can go quite smoothly.
After you bathe your cat, you might want to think about other ways to groom. Below are a few links that can point you in the right direction.
