How to bathe a cat? It is a well-known fact that cats loathe water. However, not all cats detest taking a dip. The beautiful semi long haired domestic breed, the Turkish Van Cats, have a natural liking for water. In fact, they have earned the nickname of “swimming cats” due to their captivation with water. The fur of Turkish Van cats has the cashmere-like feel, that’s naturally water resistant. So after a swim, they will be comparatively dry. These cats are said to have descended from the race of all white van cats, found in the Lake Van area of Turkey.
Assemble all the bathing necessities
Any other breed of cat will not have anything to do with water. Most breeds of cats have coats that trap water. So if they get wet, it becomes difficult for them to stay warm in cold weather. Now the time has arrived to bathe your cat. Though cats are clean animals generally, still they need a good bath, now and again because some of them may have greasy coats. Obese cats cannot groom themselves properly. Bathing your cat does not have to be a nightmarish experience. The following tips will help you, and your cat has a successful bathing experience. Before you ponder further on the question on how to bathe a cat, you should get all the bathing materials.
Snip your cat’s paws before the bath
A mild mannered cat may end up scratching you if he feels threatened by a tub of water. So clip your cat’s paws beforehand. Brush your cat before you bathe him. This will remove all the loose hair from his body.
Get your cat into the desired bathing area
How to bathe a cat successfully depends a lot on your patience. Get your cat into the bathroom. Place a mat in the bottom of the tub to prevent him from slipping. Cats that had prior experience in bathing will go at their will. A first timer cat may be stressed out. Once you have your cat into the bathing area, close the door. They are going to take an opportunity to escape if they find one. It is important that you do not lose your cool throughout the whole bathing process. As it is bathing a cat is a stressful task, so the more stressed out you are, the more stressed out your cat will become.
Applying shampoo and conditioner
Fill the bathing tub with warm water. Make sure to check the temperature of the water before you place your cat into the water. If the water is too hot or too cold, the cat will become very uncomfortable. Grip your cat gently and use both your hands to place him into the tub. While selecting shampoo for your cat, make sure that the shampoo is mild, with no scent and no additives. Choose a shampoo that is gentle and meant for use on cats only. Wet his fur thoroughly. Now pour some cat-friendly shampoo on his body. If the shampoo is thick, you can dilute it with water. If your cat allows you, put two cotton balls on his ears. Rub the shampoo gently on his fur and lather him up. Apply conditioner after this.
Proper washing and rinsing
Wash your cat’s body. Now rinse away all of the soap with warm water. Make sure that there is no soap left on his fur. Any leftover soap will cause skin itching, and he might end up licking the soap which may cause stomach upset. Soak a washcloth in warm water and wipe the face of your cat. Do not spray water directly into your cat’s face.
Drying and combing
Take him out of the tub and wrap him immediately with a clean, soft towel. Keep him away from drifty areas while he is wet. You can use a blow dryer on your cat, but some cats may be petrified of the sounds that blow dryers make. Do not get him to stress him out if he is already in a panicked condition; skip using blow dryers on your cat. Comb your cat. Some long-haired cats may end up having knots on the coats after the bath. After the bath gives a delicious treat to your cat. This will make him associate that bath time is not so bad and healthy treats are available after the bath. So he will be in better position next time, and maybe he will cooperate.
Remaining calm is the key
You need to be calm throughout the whole bathing process, seeing you calm, the cat will remain calm too. Use a gentle, soothing tone and talk to him throughout the entire process. So how to bathe a cat should not be a harrowing experience at all. Do not rush through the process. It is easier to bathe kittens than older cats that are new to bathing. So you should introduce him to bathing as early as possible to make future baths easier.
