Bath Time
Are you having a hard time giving your cat a bath? We are here to help. In this blog, we will be going over why baths are important to your kitten’s health and how to give your cat a bath.
When is a good time to start giving my cat baths?
The best time to first begin giving your cat baths is as early as possible and at a regular schedule. This will allow your kitten to learn that bathing will be part of their lifestyle and is a normal process to undergo, making them feel more comfortable. Starting to give your kitten baths in the later stages of their life will make it harder for your cat to adjust to and thus make them feel more uncomfortable about the situation and the idea of taking baths in general.
How often should I give my cat a bath?
While giving your cat baths is necessary for keeping his or her’s skin and coat healthy and is beneficial to their overall health, it is important to not over bathe your cat. Cats should not be receiving a bath more frequently than every 4-6 weeks as doing so can lead to dry skin and coat issues. Cats that spend more time outdoors, have longer fur, overweight, very active, and have skin irritation or tick or flea infestation will need baths more often than cats who tend to stay indoors more, have a short coat, have a healthy weight, not as active, and have no health issues.
Why do cats need baths?
You may be wondering, why do cats only need a bath no more than every 4-6 weeks? This is because cats are great at grooming and cleaning themselves just by licking alone. However, licking does not remove dandruff, mats, or make the cat smell better which is why baths are an important factor to have throughout your cat’s life. Bathing your cat will improve your kitten’s quality of life and help prevent potential skin diseases and infection.
How do I give my kitten a bath?
To give your kitten a bath, you will need a simple grooming shampoo made specifically for cats, towels, a rubber mat, a washcloth, and a floating distraction. Once you gathered these materials, brush your kitten’s fur thoroughly and place the rubber mat where you will put your kitten after the bathing session (doing so will allow your cat to maintain a reliable grip on the floor and help keep them calm). The bath area can be either in a bathtub or in a waist-high sink. For optimal comfort, use lukewarm water, place the floating discrator on the water, and put away any strong scents and items that can potentially or will frighten your kitten.
Gently soak your cat in the water and gently massage in the shampoo thoroughly. If your cat squirms around, do not get angry at him or her as doing so can cause your kitten to panic more. Once the bathing session is complete, make sure to dry your kitten’s coat as having a drench coat can make your cat feel uncomfortable and grow to dislike baths.
Thank you for reading this blog and I hope you found this helpful. Stay safe and i’ll see you next time.
Citations:
[1] Amy Shojai, CABC. “How to Give Your Cat a Proper Bath.” The Spruce Pets, www.thesprucepets.com/cat-bath-advice-553938.
[2] PetFirst Pet Insurance 4 years ago, and PetFirst Pet Insurance. “How Often Should I Give My Cat a Bath?” PetFirst, 24 July 2018, www.petfirst.com/pet-care/how-often-should-i-give-my-cat-a-bath/.