Though it may seem like your precious feline is constantly cleaning itself, this is not enough to keep the cat clean. Learning how to bathe a cat is an important part of cat ownership. Learn an ineffective technique and you may literally be scarred for life. Learn the right way and the cat will not shoot you a look to kill each time you turn on a faucet.
Why Learn How to Bathe a Cat?
Cats use their tongue and teeth to clean their coat. However, these tools are usually not enough for the most difficult cleaning needs. Cats that spend time outdoors tend to get dirty and even an indoor cat can get into something smelly or sticky due to its curiosity. A good bath will be needed to get the fur looking and smelling great.
Some preparation is required before bathing takes place. For the protection of the cat owner, the claws of the feline should be trimmed. This reduces the severity of any bathing-related injury. After this mani-pedi, the cat should be brushed to remove matted and loose hair. Difficult knots can be snipped off with a small pair of scissors but be careful not to cut too close to the skin. Put some cotton in the cat’s ears to keep out bath water.
How to Bathe A Cat the Right Way
If you are brave, you can initiate the cat to water by bathing it in the sink. Products like a cat sack make bathing easier. Simply put the cat into the sack and place it in a sink containing a few inches of warm water. Apply water and shampoo to the fur and create a lather from head to tail. Use a hand-held sprayer to wet the animal and rinse off the shampoo, avoiding the eyes, face, and ears.
Alternatively, begin by putting the cat in a restraint like a harness and leash, turning on the water, and seeing how the cat reacts. If the animal gets scared, let it remain near the water while you wet its paws. Gradually wet the cat in this manner, eventually putting the animal in some warm water in the sink and following the bathing steps above.
Once you learn how to bathe a cat, you can move on to wiping its face with a washcloth dipped in warm water or very diluted shampoo. When the bath is over, towel dry the animal in a warm location, using a blow dryer if the cat will tolerate it. After a successful bath, reward the cat with a treat for its good behavior.
