Washing Kitty
One of my least favourite jobs when it comes to cats is bathing them. Unfortunately, neither party seems to gain pleasure from this activity. Luckily, cats are fastidiously clean animals and tend to take good care of themselves… but there are many instances when bath time just cannot be avoided – e.g. medical conditions such as allergies, ringworm or fleas can mean a bath will be required.
Amazingly, not all cats hate a bath - some even seem to enjoy it. These are usually cats that have had pleasant bathing experiences since they were kittens. Here’s the method that I prefer for bathing a cat. Hopefully my tips will come in handy for you.
- Before you start, be sure to trim your cat’s nails – (you may be thankful of this later)… and make sure you block off any escape routes like open windows.
- Cats hate being immersed in water, so I find it best to pour the water over them with a jug or cup that you can fill from a bucket. That way the water runs over them and drains off. Baths or tubs, preferably with a rubber bath mat on the bottom, are best for the job.
- Pre-mix your shampoo with warm water to avoid the shock of cold shampoo on warm skin. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo formulated especially for cats.
- Have the water temperature luke-warm… cats hate hot or cold water.
- Where possible, have a helper - if you think your cat may protest, it’s best to have a someone to hold puss for you by the scruff, so that it can’t bite or scratch you.
- Be as gentle as possible. Cats tend to freak out at sudden movements and noises. Use a calm reassuring voice.
- It is best to groom first to remove loose hair and any tangles.
- Start by scooping water with a cup or hand over your cat’s body to wet it right through to the skin. Leave the face until last.
- Once the cat is soaked, start applying pre-mixed shampoo and massage from the back of the neck, down the body until you’ve made a nice lather.
- Follow the instructions for the shampoo - if it is medicated, it may require you to leave on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing.
- Rinse thoroughly using a cup or jug and again working from the neck down.
- Squeeze excess water from your cat’s coat using your hand like a squeegee.
- To clean the face, it’s best to just use a damp sponge or face cloth. Wipe gently around the eyes and ears.
- After the bath, wrap your cat in a towel and take it to a nice warm area to dry off. Use the towel to soak up as much water as possible. If you have a long haired cat, you can use a hair dryer on low heat provided the cat is co-operative. I have met some show cats who absolutely love the dryer, but again, this is because they are used to it from an early age.
- Be patient! Some cats are a lot more tolerant than others… and if all else fails, there are plenty of grooming salons that will do the task for you!
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