Are you having trouble bathing your cat? Or have you got yourself a new cat and wondering how to give him/her a proper bathe? – This article will help you in either case and beyond.
Cats are naturally prone to keep themselves clean. They always busy keeping their fur, feet, and body clean. You’d often notice your cat licking herself, and if she has babies, she spends a noticeable amount of time trying to keep away the dirt from the kittens. That being said, you do need to give your furry friend a good bath every once in a while. No matter how clean they are, they can always get their bodies into something really sticky or dirty, not to mention unhealthy. Regularly bathing your cat can save his/her health along with your own. Also, if you regularly bathe your cat with soaps and shampoos, s/he will always look and smell nice, and who doesn’t want that?
Although bathing is necessary for cats, especially the ones living with humans, they don’t normally like to get wet. Most cats get very negative when their owners attempt to give them a bath, which is stressing for both parties. However, you can do some things that will make it easier for you to wash your cat, making it less stressful for both of you.
Here are five useful tips which will help you to bathe your cat effectively with ease and comfort:
Five Useful Tips While Bathing Your Cat or Kitten
- Trim your cat’s nails and brush the furs before the bath:
This is for your own safety and comfort, as well as your cat’s. It’s common for cats to get afraid or over-excited when they come close to water, and this can lead to some damage, which includes you getting injured. To minimize the risk, you should trim your cat’s claws before giving him/her a bath. It’s best to cut the nails a day or at least a few hours before the washing. This will help the cat to get used to the change and calm down.
When cutting the nails, make sure you are sitting in a calm and quiet place, and try to make your cat as comfortable as possible. If s/he is sleepy, that’s even better. Take one of the paws mildly within your fingers and rub gently no more than 3 seconds. Don’t make your grip harder if s/he pulls the paw away. Keep yourself calm, and your cat and s/he will let you do your job soon. Remember not to cut the nails too far. The pink-colored part of the cat’s nail has the blood vessels and nerves. Keep some space between the cutting point and that part.
You can always give some special treats to your cat after cutting his/her nails to make him/her accept the activity from time to time.
Apart from trimming the nails, it’s good to brush your cat’s furs. The brushing will help to remove the tangles and knots in his/her fur. Once your cat is wet, it will become much harder and painful to get rid of those. Cats usually like getting brushed. It also comforts their nerves and makes them calmer before bath.
- Don’t pour or spray water (especially on the head), use some kind of receptacle
It’s a bad idea to bathe your cat through spraying or pouring water, especially if your cat is unwilling to cooperate. Use a large plastic bowl or a shallow basin or sink or bucket. A human-sized bathtub can be too much for both you and the cat. If your bathroom or kitchen sink is big enough, you can turn those into improvised bathtubs for your cat. You can also fill a large enough plastic bowl or bucket with lukewarm water and bathe your cat. Remember not to fill the container too high with water. Around 5-6 inches of water should be sufficient.
You can pour water over your cat’s tail and back with a pitcher or cup, but never pour water over his/her head. It will frighten or upset the cat, and s/he can run away and ruin the bath. The best way to wash the cat’s head is to use a washcloth. Use it gently and your cat will be much less repulsive.
- Be careful with the ears
Like humans, cat’s ears are sensitive parts of the body. So, be extra careful when cleaning your cat’s ears. Don’t let any to go into his/her ears. To clean the inside of the cat’s ears, use soaked cotton balls. Avoid sticking things like cotton swabs into his/her ears. It’s best to use a vet-recommended amount of liquid ear cleaner with the cotton balls while doing it. Softly fold your feline’s ears back and wipe off any earwax or debris you can see. Don’t try to go too deep and clean the ear canals as it can cause unwanted pain and complications. Also, don’t let any shampoo or soap to get into your cat’s eyes, nose, and mouth. It’s best to apply the shampoo or soap up to the neck, avoiding the head area.
- Wear thick and protective cloths
To give your cat a proper bath, you need to make sure that you are safe and comfortable. In order to ensure that, you should consider wearing clothes that will save you from any possible scratches. It’s best to make sure your cat doesn’t have any bare skin to scratch. How do you do that? – You wear clothes that are thick and cover your hands and upper body. A long-sleeved shirt, sweater, or jumper (depending on the weather) could do the trick along with long-sleeved rubber gloves. The gloves are optional if they give you discomfort rather thank convenience, get rid of them, and just be a little more careful.
- Control your cat smartly while bating
As mentioned before, cats generally don’t like to get wet, and it’s your job to make sure that s/he takes a bath properly. While bathing, you can talk to your kitty in a quiet and calm voice. It soothes their nerves. There is a special kind of music that the vets use to keep the cats calm at the office when their owners are not around. You can use this kind of music to keep pet feline calm while giving him/her a much-needed bath. Sometimes they try to jump out of the bathing sink; if your cat tries it, you should never fight him/her. It simply won’t work. A shocked cat can do a lot of harm to a human. Take your time, be gentle and patient, rub your hands slowly over the cat’s body (you can use a brush), make him/her comfortable, and then start applying water. It should make things easier for both of you.
Keeping your cat clean is as important as ensuring proper food if you want to keep your cat healthy. Giving a bath once in a while, keeps away dirt, unwanted parasites, and some diseases. It also helps to keep your house clean. Follow these tips and I hope you and your beloved pet will have better bathing sessions.
Author Bio:
Lily Keating is a freelance writer with a vast interest in cats. She loves learning and writing about cats and how to take better care of them. She specializes in cat breeds, cat care, health & nutrition, training, and cat behavior.
