A guide to bathing your cat
As cats are notoriously clean animals – constantly grooming themselves – you could be forgiven for thinking that you don’t need to bathe them very often. But this is not always the case. How frequently, or infrequently, you rub-a-dub-dub your cat is dependent upon their lifestyle, breed and health status. For instance, an indoor cat will need to be bathed less frequently than an outdoor cat, who may occasionally get dirty and require a good scrubbing.
Another thing to consider is the breed and age of your furry friend. Some breeds – those which are heavy shedders, for instance – can benefit from a bath every once in a while in order to loosen and wash away dander. This can be beneficial if a member of the family is allergic to cats. As cats age, they tend to be not so efficient at cleaning themselves, so giving them a bath every now and then can help.
Finally, the health of your cat may dictate their bathing ritual. Cats with allergies or skin conditions may require a therapeutic bath, just as cats with fleas might need a flea bath. This guide should help you bathe your cat as easy as is possible.
Water wise
It is quite common for cats to be a little scared of water at first. Get around this by running the water gently whilst holding your cat nearby. This familiarises them with the water, but make sure you are far enough away that they don’t become too frightened.
Positive reinforcement
While you have your cat around running water, positive rewarding is a good idea. The reward is entirely dependent upon what motivates them, whether that be treats, or a good cuddle. Either way, the aim is to associate the water with something positive.
One step at a time
To ease your cat into gradually starting the process of getting wet, dampen them with a wet cloth or towel, whilst holding them and providing affection and/or treats.
Bath time
Finally, put them in the lukewarm bath. Be sure to hold them relatively firmly. Whatever you do, don’t ever dunk their head under water.
Lather up
Remember, whatever you put on your cat’s fur, they will attempt to lick off. So make sure everything you use is non-toxic. There are plenty of lovely natural and eco-friendly products on the market.