Mary Allen
Bathe the cat, yes or no? Cats are very clean animals and like to clean themselves extensively. Read here whether and in which situations you can bathe your cat.
Cats are considered water-shy animals. While this isn’t true for everyone, most cats are happily forgoing a bath. Apart from that, the question also arises as to whether it is even necessary to bathe your cat.
Do cats need help with grooming?
Cats are usually very good at caring for their fur themselves. They groom themselves extensively with their rough tongues and thus keep their fur clean.
Short-haired cats in particular usually do not need any help with grooming outside of the change of coat. However, regular brushing is advisable during the change of coat. Long-haired cats should be brushed regularly. The hair around the anus, in particular, should be checked regularly and checked to see whether any remains of feces have gotten caught in the hair. If this is the case, you should trim the hair in this region and clean it with a cloth and lukewarm water.
Normally, healthy cats do not need any further support with grooming. Bathing as a regular care measure for cats is therefore generally not necessary, on the contrary: frequent bathing can upset the cat’s skin and fur from their natural balance.
Bathing a cat in special situations?
In the everyday life of a healthy cat, bathing actually has no place. But what about special situations?
If the cat has parasites
If the cat has parasites like fleas, a bath will not help get rid of them. Instead, you must present your cat to a veterinarian. He will prescribe you the appropriate means to combat the parasites.
When the cat is very dirty
Especially in autumn and winter, outdoor cats can come home very dirty or muddy. Smaller stains are not a problem for the cat, they can remove them themselves. But if it is heavily soiled, you should help it clean it.
However, a bath is not immediately necessary for this. Wiping away the dirt with a wet, lukewarm cloth is usually very effective.
When the cat is sick or injured
If a cat is so ill or injured that it cannot groom itself properly, you should support it. In principle, the first step is always cleaning with a damp, lukewarm cloth, as this is the least stressful for the cat. If that is not enough, it may also be necessary to bathe the cat in this case.
Bathing a cat: This is how it works
If you want to bathe or wash your cat, you should consider the following points:
- It is best to bathe your cat in a small container or in the shower tray. The water should go no further than just under the cat’s stomach.
- Run the water first, then bring the cat in.
- The water should be lukewarm, but not too warm.
- Have some treats ready.
- Only use additives that are suitable for cats (cat shampoo from specialist shops). You can also ask your vet for advice on this.
- A non-slip pad protects the cat from slipping.
- Make the process as stress-free as possible for the cat: the room should be nice and warm, take it easy when washing, and don’t force your cat when it doesn’t want to.
- Never submerge the cat. Use a washcloth to wash the cat with it.
- You can also use the washcloth to apply the shampoo to the dirty areas.
- Wash the shampoo out thoroughly with clean, warm water.
- You should not wash the cat’s face as it is very sensitive.
- Immediately after the bath, you should dry the cat with a towel.
Tip: It can be helpful to have two people wash the cat.
If your cat absolutely refuses to be bathed or is highly stressed by it, wait until she’s just relaxed and works with just the washcloth, without a filled bath.
Bathing a cat: conclusion
As a rule, cats do not need to be bathed and should not be bathed. Even stubborn dirt can usually be easily removed with a lukewarm, damp cloth. Otherwise, the cat can take care of its fur itself. If you wash your injured or sick cat, it’s important that you do it gently, only use special shampoos, and dry the cat thoroughly after the bath to avoid freezing.