Mary Allen
Should you bathe the cat? And if so, how and why? The fact is, cats are very good at taking care of their fur on their own. In some cases, however, a bath makes sense.
Editor’s note: We usually have a lot more pictures of cats in our articles than we do here. Since we don’t want to unnecessarily support photographers who take pictures of unhappy cats having a bath, there is only one image in this article.
How often should you bathe the cat?
The fairly simple answer to this question is: actually never.
Your fluffy velvet paw takes care of its coat care and cleanliness very well. She spends up to four hours cleaning her own fur every day to keep herself clean. Her rough tongue is a perfect comb, which is always slightly damp and gently licks the many hairs back into the right places and also keeps them clean.
Most cats are not at all fond of water and will resent a shower or bath (typical for cats) even for long periods of time. You might make the Maine Coon happy with it. This very special (and especially pretty) cat loves the water. So don’t be surprised if she jumps into the bathtub voluntarily.
What to do if the migrant comes home dirty?
If your outdoor cat comes home so dirty every now and then that you seriously consider whether the four-legged friend really is one of the supposedly cleanest animals of all, you don’t have to wash it for a long time.
Coarse dirt can usually be wiped off the fur with a damp to wet cloth. Your cat won’t be too enthusiastic about it either. In contrast to washing with shampoo in the bathtub, this is still the most animal-friendly and above all the most proportionate solution.
With long-haired cats such as the Persian cat or the Norwegian Forest Cat, you can often remove dirt with a suitable cat brush. Be sure to do this gently to avoid tugging. If you do it right, the cleaning procedure turns into a real cuddling session, with which you can even strengthen the bond with the cat.
When should you bathe the cat?
Reasons for bathing cats are mostly medical in nature:
- The cat cannot care for itself due to illness.
- The cat is infested with parasites (e.g. fleas) that can be removed with a hair wash.
- The cat’s skin is diseased and needs a medicated bath for healing and care.
The examples given are just three points that may make it necessary to bathe the cat. There may be other reasons. Your veterinarian will inform you about this. You can also get the necessary medication or shampoo or the prescription for it from him, with which you can bathe your cat and support grooming.
Bathe the cat properly: Here’s how
Bathing is likely to be very stressful for your cat. Therefore, try to prepare everything in such a way that you feel safe and calm while washing. Because – that’s for sure – your cat won’t like all of this (and temporarily you too!) at all!
These things are important when bathing the cat:
- teamwork
Bathing the cat is easier with two people. If four hands are available, two can gently hold the animal while the other two shampoo, rinse and pat dry. - Everything at hand
Everything you need for bathing the cat and grooming it is within easy reach. (The person helping can stop.) Once the cat is in the water, you can disappear to fetch something. However, the cat will do the same and will definitely not be standing in the tub when you return. - The right water temperature
First, only let a little water into the tub and make sure it is at the right temperature. It should not exceed 35 °C. Otherwise, it will be uncomfortable for the fur paw. - the correct water level
The water should not reach your darling higher than his stomach. Never let so much water in that the cat loses its footing under its paws. - Please don’t slip
With a non-slip mat in the tub, you give your cat a better grip. Many cats are less afraid during the unloved procedure. - bulkheads tight
Close the windows and also the door to the bathroom. This prevents drafts and the cat cannot escape while being groomed. - Gently and with love
Then lift your cat into the tub. While one holds you, the other carefully wet the fur. Leave out the head with ears, eyes, and nose. Then shampoo the cat as recommended by the veterinarian or product manufacturer, then rinse thoroughly with water. No more shampoo should remain in the coat. Otherwise, the kitty would take it up with his tongue the next time he groomed himself. - Animal-friendly products
The cat’s fur and skin have a natural protective film. With human shampoo, you could destroy both. In addition, it smells much too intense for small cat noses. Instead, only use special cat shampoo to care for your fur ball. - Keep bathing short
If you have everything ready in advance, you can keep the bath as short as possible. Work quickly but not frantically. Otherwise, your restlessness will be passed on to your cat. - drain
After bathing, gently but thoroughly rub your cat dry with a towel or towels. The cat must not freeze after the bath. Never use a hair dryer! The airflow is way too strong and the device makes a lot of noise that could frighten the already stressed kitten.
If your four-legged friend is still “talking” to you after the bath, the place on your lap is ideal for drying off completely. Alternatively, you can also sit near the heater or take a nap on the heated cat blanket.
Do you have to bathe naked cats?
Naked cats don’t need to be bathed any more than their furry counterparts. The cats without fur also have a natural protective layer on their skin. When bathing you would attack or even destroy them. Due to the lack of fur, the animal nudists would then be quite unprotected.
Therefore, you should also never bathe hairless cats unless there are medical reasons for doing so that have been determined by the veterinarian.
Hint: This is where the spirits are arguing. Some groups believe that hairless cats should be bathed. And even about every two weeks. It is best to ask your vet how to behave properly.
Get the cat used to bathing
As I said, cats don’t usually have to bathe. Healthy animals in particular can and should happily do without it. A healthy cat can eventually become a sick animal. So it doesn’t hurt to gently get your beloved furball used to water.
It’s very playful: Splash water here and there in the direction of the little paw. Do this very gently and then initiate a game. In this way, the cat associates the water with something positive. Once the cat has gotten used to it, you can dip a little paw in the water here and there. If the cat reacts very shyly to the injection, you can initially use cat milk for the injection. Your cat will like this much better.
Important: Never use force! If the cat fights back, you are moving too quickly or too insensitively. Then take a step back in the training and try it again much more gently.