You just adopted a cat, the first cat in your life. Should I wash it? If so, how? Because cats are rarely attracted to water, you might as well ask and learn about the precautions so that your cat’s bath will not turn into a nightmare.
Should you bathe your cat?
While some veterinarians recommend not bathing cats to preserve the natural sheath of the hair, others recommend doing so to promote the shedding of dead hair for a more beautifying coat. It is also essential if the animal is wallowing in the dirt. So if you must bathe your cat, first make sure you have the necessary equipment, namely the proper shampoo, cat brush, large washcloth, and gloves. Also make sure the bathroom is well heated.
Bathe a cat step by step
Start by detangling feline hair with a cat-specific brush. During this time, place a few centimeters of 37 °C hot water in a very stable basin. Then pick up your cat and gently place him in the water while soothing him with caresses. Then wet his back with a small container. Most importantly, be careful not to get his eyes or ears wet, let alone his mouth and nose. Then using shampoo, dab his coat, sticking to the attachment points of his paws and tail, then rinse thoroughly using the same container, always carefully but as quickly as possible. Repeat if necessary before towel drying, and if possible, in front of a heater. You can also use a hair dryer, but only if you get used to it first.
tips and tricks
- To bathe your cat in the best conditions, and especially so that he doesn’t feel threatened, lock yourself and him alone in the bathroom.
- To wash it, you can also use a sink. On the other hand, avoiding the tub is a bit too low for such an operation.
- Line the bottom of the bathtub, shower tray, or sink with a towel to keep the cat from slipping. You can also use non-slip mats.
- To clean your cat’s ears, you’ll need a special solution that you can find at a drug store or veterinarian. Otherwise, a facial cleanser will do the trick. To clean his earlobes, use cotton soaked in this product. Cleaning the ear canal entrance requires baby swabs.
- To clean his eyes, use a cotton ball soaked in saline. Gently cleanse the eye area starting from the inner corner of the eye.
- To clean his teeth, apply cat toothpaste to his gums without brushing. Also give him anti-tartar kibble (mixed with his usual food) now and then.