Does your cat like bathing? Do cats need bathing? We have heard many times that cats hate water, but is that true? In this article, we will show you why they don’t like bathes and how to bath your cat step by step.
You may have noticed that cats usually don't like water. Bathing a cat may be just one of the most difficult things. Chances are, if you don’t think about it, just bathe the cat, and you will be covered in scratches and there will be water everywhere. Sometimes the cat needs a bath, which can be a problem.
Why Cats Don’t Like Baths?
Most cats really don't like bathing, they will find it stressful. You may be wondering why cats generally don't like bathing or drinking water. After all, wild cats, especially large carnivores like leopards and tigers actually like water. The coats of these animals repel water and dry quickly, while domestic cats do not.
Although it is not 100% certain, domestic cats do not particularly like drinking water because their skin absorbs water instead of repelling it. This means that damp cats will stay moist for a long time and take a long time to dry, which is uncomfortable.
Do Cats Actually Need Baths?
Cats usually do not need to bathe. Cats are strict groomers and they always clean themselves. Also, bathing cats, especially if bathing too frequently, will remove essential oils from the fur and skin, thereby drying them.
But in some cases, it is inevitable to bathe the cat. If they are rolled into something that cannot be washed, or if long hair has become dull, then a bath may be a good idea. If you can, just clean an isolated area instead of wetting their entire body. However, if your cat needs a bath due to exposure to toxic substances, please take them to the veterinarian first.
How often should you give your cat a bath? The National Cat Groomers of America recommends cats “get a bath and blown dry every 4-6 weeks to keep their coats from getting matted or pelted.” Cats with longer coats will require more bathes than short coat ones. Outdoor cats will need to be bathed more frequently than the indoor ones.
How to Bathe Your Cat Step by Step?
Here’s the list of essential items and products you’ll need when bathing a cat:
- Cat shampoo
- Pet bath towel
- A bathing brush
- Cotton cloth
If your cat is very aggressive, you may need to buy some kind of thick gloves. When your cat releases its paws to you, you will be grateful for these good gloves.
Step 1 Tire your cat out beforehand with a play session, thus bathing will be much easier.
Step 2 Fill up a bathtub with warm water.
Step 3 Put on your gloves or trim your cat’s nail. This can protect you from scratches.
Step 4 Give your cat a grooming to remove floating hair, and place cotton cloth on your cat’s ears to keep water out.
Step 5 Use a cup or a hand-help sprayer to wet your cat from shoulder to tail. Avoid spraying directly on the cat’s face.
Step 6 Use a small amount of cat shampoo and lather the cat up from head to tail and avoid the face, ears and eyes.
Step 7 Rinse the soap off the cat thoroughly with lukewarm water. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the soap off.
Step 8 Use the cotton cloth to clean your cat’s face. You can use water and a teeny bit of shampoo if necessary, but try to avoid this as your cat really doesn’t want to get its face wet.
Step 9 Wrap your cat in a large towel in a warm place. You can use the hair dryer at the lowest position and use a wide-toothed comb to untie the fur.
Step 10 After the whole process, praise and reward your cat with a treat.
These are all the steps you need for a successful bath. Try several times, your cat my get used to it. Hope this can help you protect you and your pet. If you enjoyed it and would like to see more news, do not hesitate to visit Happy & Polly website on https://happyandpolly.com.
