Grooming V

Dry Shampoo for Short-haired cats

Cats rarely need a bath. They are hygienic animals that keep their coats reasonably sanitary through the daily grooming regime. This is of course supplemented by owners. There may be certain circumstances where a rinse is in order to remedy a mess that leads to greasy dirt or certain colours of cats that show dirt very easily without washes.

A pet cat will love to roam everywhere, there may be times when the household cat wonders around the garage, garbage and any other dirty areas. This of course is left on the coat of the feline. Oily dirt is harder to get rid of for cats and will require some personal attention to get things looking perfectly clean again. Even if no dirt is visible, many lighter colour cats and those getting ready for a show will benefit from an occasional dry shampoo session to cleanse the body of dirt and even dry skin.

An interesting way to cleanse a cat’s fur is through bran bathing. Cats really dislike water, there is no doubt. The compromise here is to employ the use of bran flakes. This basically serves as a dry shampoo cleanse for cats and makes use of heated bran flakes. Care should be taken to ensure that this isn’t in excess to cause discomfort. The warm flakes are then rubbed over the cat, making sure to avoid any sensitive areas. This includes the eye and ears.

Being prepared for a dry shampoo session should also be on one’s mind. Flakes will cause a mess when being used to rub down a cat’s body. When the flakes are lodged in the coat, this is perfectly fine and can be removed using a brush. The flakes cling on to any dirt and grease hanging around and subtly extracts it from the cat’s coat. An ingenious method indeed. A soft brush should be used for this process for ease of removal and the cat’s comfort.

Owners will notice this dry shampoo will be relaxing for the cat and by the end of the session, a coat that might have appeared as dull and lacklustre will shine. Attention to studs should also be taken as oil is expected to be produced on the toms, ignoring this may lead to infections and other nasty illnesses. As with any grooming regime, it is best to make sure the cat is happy to cooperate and isn’t in the energetic playful part of their day. This makes the process a little less messy and avoids any biting and scratching.