How to Bathe a Cat

How to Bathe a Cat

Cats hate water, and that is the reason why cat owners have a tough time giving baths to their cats. How to bathe a cat can be tricky as cats get nervous and sometimes hostile at the idea of having a bath. Owners have to really careful while giving baths to their cats.

Why cats are scared of water is a reason still unknown. In fact, there are certain types of cats like Turkish Van that enjoy water to their fullest. So much so, that they are known as Swimming Cats. However, most of the common species of cats and most of the pet categories are scared of water and particularly bathing. One interpretation is that since cats are so fond of their fur that they get scared of losing them while bathing. Fur provides a kind of protective layer to the cat’s body. But it is the owner’s duty to maintain the hygiene of his cat and bathing is an important step to maintain the cleanliness of the cat.

However, it is important for the owner to know how frequently the cat should be given a bath. Obviously giving your cat a bath every day or even an alternate day is the worst thing you can do to the delicate being. Frequently bathing the cats can turn their skin dry by reducing moisture. For pet cats that have short hair and mostly stay indoors, bathing once or twice a year is perfectly fine. Cats with long hair however might require a little more bathing, say 4-5 times a year.

God has given barbed tongues to the cats which they use to lick their skin and clean the dirt and debris. But still, there can be occasions when the cat’s fur becomes too oily, or it acquires dirt that it cannot remove by licking. In such cases giving a bath to the cat becomes important.

Cats might become aggressive and also cause physical harm to the owners in the process of bathing so one should be careful and follow some necessary steps.

Tips to bath your cat

• Select a warm day to bathe your cat. If it’s a bright sunny day prefer giving bathe in the open air so that the cat feels less cold and enjoys the bath.
• It’s better if you have a companion while bathing the cat. The other person can hold the cat and also keep it playful so that the cat is distracted and the process of bathing takes place smoothly.
• Check the temperature of the water. If using running water first check the temperature and then get the cat under it.
• You won’t have much time after you finally bring the cat to the spot for bathing. So it’s better to arrange everything beforehand and keep things in your vicinity. Some important things are pet shampoo, towels, jugs to rinse, and so on.
• It is also important to protect yourself while bathing your cat. Wear gloves so that the furs do not settle on your skin. Also, if chances are that the cat can get aggressive and scratch you, wear a mask, boots, and leather gloves to prevent wounds.

With these important tips in mind, bathing your dear cat will not be much of a challenge. Of course, it is important to assess the mood and temperament of your cat before you finally take it near water. It’s better to avoid bathing when the cat is sick or grumpy due to some other reason.

See more: The Cat in History