My cat: a practical guide

Cats, and especially curious kittens, are capable of getting dirty from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail while exploring the world around them. But as you know, they do not like water. And although these animals carefully monitor their own appearance, laundering cannot be avoided in especially dirty cases. In addition, bathing can be beneficial for the health of their skin and coat.

Whether you just want to take care of your cat or wash it off the traces of the last adventure, first of all prepare all the necessary supplies for this and check out our practical guide so that both she and you can enjoy bathing at home.

1. Helper.

To successfully bathe a cat, you will need an assistant. It may not be on your list, but don’t underestimate its importance! VCA veterinary clinics note that “sometimes two hands are not enough to handle four paws”, so we recommend that you enlist the support of a trusted friend or family member. For obvious reasons, the best option is a cat lover who knows how to handle them.

2. Gloves and protective clothing.

Bathing a cat can come with elements of a fight, so you need the right equipment. To protect your hands, thick vinyl gloves (like you use for housework) will do. Choose clothes with long sleeves. In general, the main rule is to protect the skin as much as possible in case the cat breaks out and starts scratching. You can even wear goggles to protect your eyes from splashes.

3. Towels.

You will need one towel for the face and head, another for the torso, and another large towel to wrap your pet in. Also keep a few extra towels on hand, just in case.

4. Shampoo.

You can find a wide range of cat shampoos both in your local store and on the Internet. Read the ingredients carefully and don’t buy dog ​​or human shampoos because they may contain substances that irritate a kitten’s skin, according to VetStreet. Some cat shampoos do not require rinsing. But, before using them, check with your veterinarian if this remedy is suitable for your pet and whether it will cause allergies.

5. Treats.

Animals, with rare exceptions, are not enthusiastic about bathing. Therefore, it is advisable to offer the cat her favorite treat after she endures this test.

Begin!

After you have prepared everything you need, you can start bathing your pet. A bathtub or large sink with a gentle jet of water is best suited for this purpose. If you don’t have a shower head, you can put the kitten in water about 5-13 cm high. Prepare lukewarm water and carefully follow the instructions on the shampoo label. Gently dampen the coat and apply shampoo, starting at the muzzle, avoiding the eyes, ears and nose. You can lather the shampoo on the body with your hands or with a clean terry cloth.

Then gently but thoroughly rinse the shampoo with lukewarm water (if you don’t have a shower head, use another clean washcloth). Rinse the shampoo completely (again avoiding the eyes, ears and nose) to prevent irritation. After completing the bath procedure, the cat will lick for a long time, so the shampoo must be thoroughly washed off.

After bathing, wrap her in a soft towel and dry her thoroughly, especially her paws (so you don’t clean up wet footprints all over the house), as much as she allows you to. Now both the cat and you are worthy of all praise, so offer her a few pieces of your favorite treat as a token of gratitude for the cooperation and let her go – it is quite possible that she does not want to sit on your lap right now. She will come to you whenever she wants.

The authors of the PetMD portal are confident that patience, trust and perseverance will help make bathing a part of regular pet care without unnecessary worries. Bathing can actually be enjoyable, it’s not a myth, and now that you’re fully equipped, you’ll have your pet gleaming! Just remember that cats, unlike dogs, do not need regular bathing. The cat is able to independently maintain its own cleanliness and bathing is required only in exceptional cases.