Cats normally do not need help getting and staying clean. They are fastidious about their cleanliness and spend much of their day primping and preening. Cats be taught from a very young age to stay clean, as the mother always teaches their young the art of bathing. Cat homeowners hardly ever need to give their cats a bath, however, there are some situations where you may find it is time to tub kitty. You never know when your cat will get so dirty that they need a little bit additional help. If your cat is afflicted with skin allergy symptoms or has a flea infestation, you would possibly need to bathe your cat. Sick and older cats could have a difficult time holding clean, too. You will find that your cat in all probability resists getting a bath, but you can do it in case you are prepared.
Get Your Supplies
The most effective place to bathtub your cat is in a small, enclosed room. If you have a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly. A deep bathroom sink would also do the trick. The thought is to get your cat in a small area to help him or her feel safer during the process. Another idea is to use a baby tub and place it inside your personal bathtub. This would possibly cause an aching back on your part, but may be just the thing for your cat.
In addition, you will want to make sure that you have the whole lot you need available before you begin. It will be almost not possible to stop what you’re doing with a struggling cat to run and get a towel or shampoo. You’ll need several outdated towels, gentle, non-irritating shampoo such as baby shampoo or pet shampoo, and a cup for rinsing. You might even consider using a turkey-basting tool to reach under the chin, around the neck and between the legs. In addition, if your cat’s fur is matted, you may need to consider cutting these mats away before beginning.
Get the Bathtub Ready
When you’ve gotten all of your supplies where you need them, you will want to prepare the bath. Your cat is not going to like very hot or very cold water, so lukewarm water works best. Think of the temperature you’d use to bathtub an infant. That is what you need while you wash your cat. Next, fill up the tub or sink. You don’t want a number of water when you bath your cat–just enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a good idea to position a non-skid mat or folded tub towel in the bottom of the sink or tub before you begin filling it with water. This prevents the cat from slipping around on the bottom of the sink or tub.
Ease your Cat into the Water
It is now time for the onerous part. It’s a must to get your cat and ease him or her into the water. This will sound easier than it is. Some cats could wrestle with you more than others may. Only you realize your cat’s personality. The best way to go about doing this is to lower your cat into the water. Do this by putting one hand under the cat’s belly and one hand firmly, but gently on the cat’s back. Lower the cat from its hind legs into the water. If your cat remains to be struggling, you might wish to wrap a towel around your cat to forestall scratches. You could be surprised by your cat’s reaction. Some cats will sit there quietly and let you work. Others might be scared and will try to run from you. You will get wet, but you may think about holding the cat’s body close to your individual while bathing so he or she feels more secure. Never increase your voice or move too fast, as this may ship your cat into a frenzy.
Begin the Bath
After your cat is somewhat located within the water, you may start to bathe. Work shortly, but gently. The best technique for bathing your cat is to start with the top and work your approach down. Be careful to not get water or shampoo in your cat’s ears or eyes. You’ll solely need a very small amount of shampoo. Should you get too much, you will have to rinse longer. In case you are treating fleas, then you will want to comply with the directions on the flea shampoo at this point. You should utilize vegetable oil if you could take away sticky substances from your cat’s fur. Use this sparingly because this can leave an oil residue on your cat’s fur, although it is harmless.
