Grooming VII

Washing Cats

While a dry shampoo process may suffice for shorthair breeds, there are times when a cat will need to experience the much dreaded wash. Cats dislike the idea of running water over them and dislike being wet in general. However, there are many benefits to bathing a cat for a thorough clean. This is no easy feat to achieve, it’s often easier to introduce bathing at young age and becomes increasingly difficult as time moves on.

Getting a cat wet might seem like an easy task, but it’s the cleaning process that one should be interested. The reason to bathe a cat is to enhance its level of hygiene and perhaps remove some of the tougher dirt particles that may have built over time. Being prepared is key as a prolonged session and exposure to water will most likely keep a cat uncomfortable. An assistant may be desirable in certain circumstances. Be sure to have shampoo, towels and anything else on hand before starting.

If a cat displays discomfort, spend some time calming it down. With a gentle introduction, even the most difficult of cats will come to appreciate or at least remain calm when going for a bath. The environment is key for this. A clean and warm area is essential to avoid any chills reaching the cat or kitten. A basin filled with minimal warm water should be used to dip the cat in and ease into the process. Be sure to caress and reassure at this stage to avoid any sudden escapes. Always test water conditions to avoid being too cold or scolding hot. A shower head is then used to wet the cat and rinse the fur.

Once wet, shampoo is to be applied. Gently massaging this into the fur with care to avoid any sensitive areas such as the eyes. A consistent lather should appear within minutes and it is now times to rinse this out along with any dirt that might have been hanging around. This is the stage to apply any conditioner that may be used. Work this in with the preferred comb and wash down when the desired treatment has been applied.

The bath has now been completed and a gentle rub will help to rid any excess water that may be held within the coat. It’s time to dry off and make use of those towels on hand. Towel drying is an essential process and should not be rushed. Be sure to remove all water that is being contained, if the towel becomes too damp feel free to switch to a new one. A low powered hairdryer may also be used to supplement the drying process. This should not be overdone to avoid over drying.

It’s now time to apply some finishing touches by working out those pesky knots. Cats will generally learn to cope with baths and perhaps eventually enjoy them. As always, picking a suitable time to carry out this task is important.