The truth is that cats are one of the animals capable of keeping themselves clean. Not surprisingly, it will not be difficult for us to see how they spend hours grooming themselves, licking their entire body and removing any dirt they find, however small it may be. This scrupulous hygiene is what explains why they do not usually need to go through the bathtub.
But, sometimes, due to our personal taste, a he alth problem or a stubborn stain, we have to bathe the cat. For those cases, in this article on our site we are going to explain when, how and How often to bathe a cat.
Is it necessary to bathe cats?
As we go on, cats are animals that spend a significant part of their waking time maintaining the hygiene of their fur. They lick, they lick and, with their teeth and their scratchy tongue, they remove any dirt that may have stuck to them. They only abandon this scrupulous hygiene when they are sick. For this reason, a he althy cat that lives indoors is unlikely to need a bath Especially if we contribute to its cleanliness by brushing it regularly. If we see any dirty area or with the coat in poor condition, it is a good idea to go to the vet to find out why it is not washed. You may be sick.
Also, many cats are not big fans of water. Although some people like to play with the jet that comes out of an open faucet, it is very different if they allow their entire body to be soaked in the shower water. The noise, the lack of control of the situation and the unpleasant surface offered by the bathtub make it understandable that getting many cats to bathe is an impossible mission.
In conclusion, it is better to reserve bathing in a bathtub for exceptional cases or for those cats that do accept it without great signs of stress. For the rest, self-grooming, occasional brushings, and spot cleanings with dry shampoo or cat wipes will have to suffice.
When can a cat be bathed?
Given the animosity that cats usually show towards baths and how susceptible they are to any change in their routine, if we plan to bathe ours, it is advisable to get him used to both the bathtub and the toilet from an early age. dryer. But when to bathe a baby cat? The truth is that there is no single answer. Firstly, kittens and their mother should ideally spend the first 8-10 weeks of life together. Then they could move to their new homes, complete their deworming and vaccination schedule and adapt to their new life, which would include bath time, as long as the animal is inside the home at a good temperature, we use warm water and let's make sure to dry it completely. Therefore, we are talking about cats from 3-4 months onwards.
The problem is that sometimes, unfortunately, we find much smaller abandoned kittens that can be really dirty. You have to know that during the first weeks of life they are not able to regulate their temperature on their own, so it is not recommended to bathe them. But, since it's not a good idea to leave them dirty either, we can opt for the intermediate solution of cleaning them with specific wipes for cats or only washing a particularly stained area.
But when to bathe a cat for the first time if it is already an adult? If we adopt a specimen that has already passed the kitten stage, we can bathe it when it is calm at home and with us and the veterinarian gives us the go-ahead. Any cat that enters the house must first be checked by this professional to start the deworming and vaccination schedule and make sure it is he althy.
Can a cat be bathed without vaccinations?
The first vaccine is usually given to kittens about eight weeks old, so, before the vaccines, we have already seen that bathing is not recommended. If the cat is older but not vaccinated or we don't know, yes we can bathe it, if necessary, we always insist, with lukewarm water and dry it completely. Of course, if we have just vaccinated him, it is better to wait a few days before bathing him so as not to add a stress factor to him.
How often does a cat take a bath?
The frequency of the baths will depend on the characteristics of each cat, both their fur and their way of life. A long-haired cat does not stain the same as a short-haired one, a cat with access to the outside than another that does not leave an apartment or a sick cat that is not able to groom itself completely. That is why there is no fixed frequency that is the same for all cats. We must adapt to the needs of ours.
The general recommendation is one bath every four weeks, three at most. A higher frequency could end up affecting the he alth of the skin and hair, by removing their protective layer. On the other hand, always choose specific hygiene products for cats and appropriate to the characteristics of your cat. If you have doubts, consult the feline hairdresser.
How to get a cat used to bathing?
In this section we are going to explain, step by step, how to get our cat used to the bathroom. First of all, we can make small approximations to the shower and the dryerFor example, letting him into the bathroom while we take a shower or dry our hair. If he doesn't even come close because of the noise, we can lure him with a toy or prize and open the shower with little pressure or turn on the dryer at a minimum. It is about becoming familiar with these elements. Even with prizes we can lure him into the bathtub or some basin. It is better if there is a folded towel or a non-slip mat on the floor so that it does not slip. We can wet it by hand without turning on the shower, with gentle movements and always starting from the back, along the spine.
Once these small advances have been achieved, we can dare to start a bath. To do this, choose a time when you have time and are calm. If you are stressed you will transmit it to the cat and the experience will be negative. You can hold it by the skin of the neck and withers area, just as cats carry their kittens. Speak gently to him and pour water on him with the shower at a minimum, with a container to avoid noise or with your hand. It has to be warm. If he reacts aggressively or becomes overly stressed, he ends the bath. It is better to start over from scratch another time. It's about working your way up to being able to shampoo, rinse, and dry. We explain adaptation to the dryer in the article What to do if my cat is afraid of the dryer?
If we have no choice but to bathe a cat that is not allowed, for example because it is part of a treatment or because it has been stained with a substance that must be eliminated immediately, it will have to be restrained and wet from the withers to the base of the tail, chest and legs as quickly as possible and with minimal noise. Don't throw water on his face and, better, avoid his belly, unless your cat allows you to touch it. Just as quickly apply the shampoo, rinse and dry well with a couple of towels and the dryer. Handle it calmly even if you're in a hurry, continually congratulate it and give it prizes.
Finally, if neither the adaptation nor the prizes nor absolutely anything works with your cat when putting it in the bathtub, when there is no other choice but to wash it, you will have to resort to a feline hairdresser who have the vet sedate the cat if necessary and bathe and dry it without stressing it.
