Some cats will never really need a bath, but for those pet owners, who have allergies, bathing your cat can reduce your allergy symptoms. There are times that a cat may actually need a bath like for instance if your cat falls into the toilet, has a flea problem or if your cat gets into a fight with a skunk and loses.
Bathing a cat can be a real challenge to someone with little or no patience. If you are the kind that does not have the time or patience to handle a yowling wet feline, then your best bet is to take your cat to a professional pet grooming service and have them do it. The younger your cat is when you start bathing, the better it is. The cat will eventually grow accustomed to being bathed on a regular basis and will be less likely to freak out in the tub.
Before giving your cat a bath, you”ll need to gather the required supplies:
Clean towel
Cat shampoo
Cat conditioner
Nail clippers
Cotton balls
Cat brush/comb
The cat (sometimes the hardest to acquire)
When getting ready try to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Cats know when something”s up and will hide. After everything is set up, clean the cat”s ears to remove any debris and check for signs of parasite infections. Trim nails with the special cat nail clippers. Before putting the cat into the tub, you will want to brush the fur to remove excess fur that”s been shed, and to remove all mats and other things that may be caught in the fur. Make sure to be very gentle because cats have very sensitive skin. Use this time with your cat to check for any skin problems your cat may have. Look for open sores, abscesses, rashes, ticks, signs of flea infestation, or any other skin abnormality. After this has been done, and your cat seems calmed down from being groomed, you can then prepare the bath water.
Cats prefer tepid (lukewarm) bath water as opposed to hot. Hot water will cause your cat to be uncomfortable and can dry out the skin. Fill the bathtub enough to cover the cat”s feet up to 4 inches. Try not to use a shower or sprayer because this could frighten the cat. Because of a cat”s independent nature, restraining isn”t the best idea. If you talk gently and just block all the ways out of the tub, the cat will eventually calm down. If the cat still insists on getting out of the tub, then you will need to hold the cat.
Place the cotton balls in the cat”s ears to prevent water from getting into the ear canals. Getting water in a cat”s ear can disturb the pH balance in the ear canal, which can make the ear more susceptible to an infection. Lather the cat up with shampoo gently massaging the cat”s body. When the cat is completely lathered up, take a cup and gently pour water over the cat to rinse all the shampoo off. Even though the cat may seem thoroughly rinsed, rinse the fur again. Cat fur can still contain soap that is not visible, but will still cause some skin irritation.
If your cat has had problems with dry skin after being bathed, then you may want to add conditioner to your cat. Each type is different depending on the brand. Make sure to follow the directions that come with the product, and that you rinse it off thoroughly to prevent irritation to the skin.
After the cat has been thoroughly rinsed, you will need a towel to dry your cat. Before using the towel try to gently remove excess water from your cat by running your hand down their back and sides. After this gently blot the cat dry. Rubbing them can cause the fur to mat and can also hurt a cat because their skin is so sensitive. Your cat will try to shake off. You can prevent getting the whole room drenched by laying a towel over the cat until he is finished shaking off. Make sure the cat stays warm. You can use a blow dryer set on cool to dry your cat if the noise doesn”t frighten him. Never use a heated setting because a cats skin is very thin and sensitive and the direct hot air can not only dry out their skin, but also it can seriously burn your cat.
After the whole bathing process is over, never forget to give your cat a reward. Treats and cuddling are a great reward for a job well done. This will let your cat know that you still love him and that he was a good cat in the tub. Making sure that a rough experience has a pleasant reward in the end is the best way to keep your cat from becoming resentful toward you. Over time the cat will become used to having his bath and will take it all in stride with minimal resistance.
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