Cats are meticulous about their hygiene, spending between 30â50 percent of their waking hours grooming. And while they are very capable of staying clean from head to tail on their own, there are a few situations where giving your cat a bath is necessaryâthough it typically isnât a fun experience for either kitty or owner.Â
âIâve only seen a couple of cats who like the bath, and thatâs probably because they were introduced to it as kittens and it was a positive experience,â Tori Schlosser, certified cat trainer and owner of Purrsuasion Cat Training in Regina, Saskatchewan, tells Mental Floss. âMost cats donât love it. If I tried to put my own cat in the bath, I would come out shredded.âÂ
You may need to give your cat a bath if your veterinarian has recommended it for a skin condition like ringworm or a flea treatment, or if their fur is covered in a substance thatâs impossible or dangerous for them to lick off. Hairless cat breeds like the Sphynx actually require regular baths to keep dirt and grime off of their skin.Â
Sometimes, only one part of your cat will need some extra cleaning. There are bath alternatives for these circumstancesâSchlosser suggests using a cat-safe wipe or waterless shampoos to clean the specific areas you need to target.
Schlosser recommends taking your cat to the vet if you notice sudden cat coat changes, as it may be related to an allergy or other health problem. âIf your catâs butt is always dirty , that may be because they are overweight, or your senior cat may be arthritic, and they are not able to reach the area anymore,â she says. Changes to the overall texture and shine of your catâs fur may be related to feline health conditions including hyperthyroidism, digestive problems, parasites, and allergic skin diseases.Â
If you have no other option but to give your cat a full bath, itâs important to be prepared before you start scrubbing. Make sure you have the right supplies:Â
Cats, by nature, donât typically like water. Youâll have the best chances for success if you get the job done by taking it one step at a time. Hereâs what to do:
If your cat is aggressively fighting the bath, itâs best to try something less invasive. âYou could fill a basin with warm water and dip a cloth in and wipe the cat down, without putting your cat directly into the water. Just have a really wet cloth and soak them,â Schlosser says.Â
Donât be afraid to seek outside help if trying to bathe your cat turns into a stressful or dangerous situation. If everything you try is making both you and your kitty miserable, Schlosser recommends contacting a professional pet groomer.
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