How often should I bathe my cat?
Healthy cats do not need to be specially bathed unless necessary. A cat periodically licks itself, and its hair is coated with a protective ointment produced by the subcutaneous sebaceous glands, so shampooing every time a cat is bathed temporarily takes away the natural protection of its coat. For this reason, a cat that does not show should be bathed no more than 2-3 times a year. (Bathing does not include the necessary localised washing of dirty paws.)
When should a cat be bathed?
Signs of a cat’s need for bathing may include:
parasites in the fur;
excessive shedding (both natural and synthetic);
preventive purposes.
How to choose a shampoo for your cat?
For a shampoo to wash away all dirt and grease, it must be more alkaline than the skin. Human shampoos are not suitable for cats because the acid-base balance (pH) of cat and human skin is very different: cats have a slightly alkaline pH and humans have a slightly acidic pHnis. human shampoo will simply not wash the coat and will also affect the cat’s skin with excessive acidity, leaving it in an irritated state characterised by dryness, dandruff and the resulting hair breakage. shampoos that are specially formulated for cats and dogs have the right pH level and will wash the coat to the very base.
Bathing a cat
The temperature of the air and water is a prerequisite for washing a cat with liquid shampoo. The air temperature indoors should be at least + 22C, as domestic cats are very sensitive and get cold easily.
It is not the water itself that frightens the cat, but the noise it makes when it comes out of the tap. Therefore, shortly before the procedure starts (so that the cat cannot hear or see), the required amount of moderately warm water should be added to the bath, sink or bowl.
Cats are usually bathed in baths or sinks with a mat to prevent their paws from slipping. They are bathed using a hand shower. It is preferable to bathe the cat in the sink, not the bowl, because the latter will be frantically trying to grab the edges.
The water does not have to be hot, but no colder than the human body temperature (38-40C). To determine the right temperature for bathing a cat, place your elbow in the water; if the water does not feel hot, it is the right temperature for the cat. The water level should be slightly above the cat’s tummy.
This water can be used to soap the cat and the water previously added to the bowl can be used to rinse the fur from the foam. The bathing process itself must be carried out in a way that protects the cat’s nerves: no loud and emotional talking or sudden movements. Slowly place the cat in the water and, with one hand firmly over the shoulders, wet the fur and pour the shampoo on the crest, back, chest, belly and tail.
Care should be taken to avoid getting water into the cat’s ears and nose. Firstly, it is extremely unpleasant for the cat, and secondly, water can cause inflammation in the cat’s sensitive earsmine reactions. You can put cotton swabs in the animal’s ears before bathing. If the cat’s head also needs to be washed, you should ask someone to cover its ears. When soaping, it is recommended to pay attention to the front paws, chin and, in adult cats, the tail.
Remember that shampoos have the property of foaming strongly. Do not pour too much shampoo on the coat as it will be difficult to wash off the lather later. One bowl is sufficient to rinse a short-haired cat’s coat, but a long-haired cat may need several bowls. To speed up the process, a shower with a weak stream of water can be used.
Afterwards, the cat should be taken into the room and wiped with a dry towel. One towel will be sufficient for a short-haired cat; a long-haired cat (especially one with a dense undercoat) may require several towels and several hours to dry. The process can be accelerated with the help of a hairdryer, but only if the cat is not too frightened of it.