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If you're a cat lover or have a feline at home, you've certainly ever wondered if bathing cats is bad or not, and whether it is really necessary to do so. In this article by PeritoAnimal we will clarify this issue and even give you some advice to know exactly what you have to do in case you have to bathe your pet.
The belief that cats do not like water and that they spend the day sanitizing themselves and therefore do not need bathing is not really true and if you keep reading this article you will see why. The truth is that everything depends on several factors, as if you have lived in it since childhood, if you had a negative experience with water or if you really need to clean it for some specific reason, among others. So, read this article and find out if bathing a cat is good or not.
Do you need to bathe a cat?
The answer to this question depends on each animal. Veterinarians say it's not really necessary to bathe a cat if it's healthy and looking good, at least not often just when it's really necessary, because if we bathe our cat often, it's possible that he loses the essential oils that his fur contains and that we provide him with a traumatic experience. That is why, bathing a cat is good if he needs it. In addition, felines are one of the most hygienic animals that exist, as they spend most of their time sanitizing themselves by running their tongue all over their body, so if your cat has short fur and is indoor, with a good regular brushing will almost always suffice.
I'm sure you've heard more than once that cats hate water, but this statement isn't quite true, it's all a matter of getting them used to it. As with other animals, you can educate a cat from an early age and get it used to bathing and having contact with water. it is when they already have the vaccines and are in the middle of the socialization phase, so as not to get sick and learn that water is not "bad". If you have to get an adult cat used to bathing, it will be much more complicated.
In addition, there are also some cat breeds that love water like the Bengal cat that has no problem playing with water and is an excellent swimmer. But of course, of these races there are only a few exceptions. However, it is possible to get a cat used to bathing at home without running away and without having a negative experience.
When to bathe a cat?
Whether or not the cat is used to bathing, there are some exceptional situations where it may be necessary to bathe a cat:
- If you have taken in a kitten or adult stray cat and it is dirty.
- If your cat suffers from an allergy or has a skin infection.
- If your cat has suffered from a heat stroke or if it is simply too hot in the environment.
- If your feline has long or semi-long fur and you can't untangle it with a brush or it has oily skin.
- If your cat has fleas and you need to eliminate them with a special shampoo.
- If your cat has ringworm that affects the fur, skin and nails.
- If your feline is dirty with any product, especially if it is chemical or toxic, which cannot be removed and/or with the help of wet washcloths.
- If your feline has failed to sanitize itself for some reason.
Only in these cases will it really be necessary to bathe a cat, otherwise it will be necessary daily hygiene, more or less regular brushing depending on the type of hair you have, use of wet washcloths soaked in dry shampoos specific to respect the ph of the cat's skin to remove certain residues of dirt without giving it a bath.
Tips for bathing a cat
Before bathing a cat, it is important to consider a number of things that are best followed to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
The cats' first bath is always the worst because it's all unknown to them and they don't know what awaits them right now, so it's very important that we are calm, let's be patients and let's not make sudden noises or raise the tone of voice when speaking, so as not to alter or make the cat more nervous. You must caress him and treat him with great care at that time.
It will also be better ask someone familiar for help for your feline to help bathe and hold him if necessary. Also, try filling the tub or container you are going to use with warm water before putting your cat in it, as the noise of water coming out of the tap can make your feline more nervous and even aggressive. In addition, you can also place a towel at the bottom of the bathtub, in case you want to scratch it with your nails.
use a specific shampoo for cats so as not to harm your pet's fur or fur and give it a gentle bath, trying do not touch the entire head area not even getting too close to him so as not to scratch his face. Once you have soaped and rinsed it well, dry it well with a towel, in order to get as much moisture as possible. If you think your cat will tolerate the noise of the dryer well, then set it to a low temperature and medium power and start dry his hair at a prudent distance.
The sooner you do it and the more times you give your cat a bath, the more likely it is that he will end up enjoying the experience and it will be easier for everyone, so don't be afraid and let yourself wonder if bathing a cat is bad or not, because it depends on many factors.
