Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
BATH TIME
Surprisingly, some cats like water and will tolerate baths, but for most
cats a bath is a hair-raising experience. Owners often ask me how fre-
quently their cat should be bathed.There is no set schedule for bathing
a cat, and some cats may never need a bath. Factors to consider when
deciding about a bath are:
•
Greasiness of the coat
•
Presence of fleas
•
Dirtiness of the coat
•
Smell
•
Discoloration
Many cats live to a ripe old age without ever getting a bath, but I
think all cats look and smell better after being bathed. Baths can play a
role in treating some dermatological conditions and in removing exter-
nal parasites such as fleas.
It is important to use a proper shampoo on your cat. Most sham-
poos for human hair do not have the right pH balance for a cat's skin
and should not be used. Baby shampoo is acceptable, as are specially for-
mulated pet shampoos. Many of the insecticides found in flea shampoos
can be toxic to all cats or specifically to kittens, so be very careful if you
want to use a flea shampoo. Make sure it is labeled for use with cats and
kittens. With the advent of safe, effective, once-a-month flea preven-
tives, flea shampoos should not be a necessity.
Before starting a bath, you should trim your cat's toenails.This will
decrease the potential for injury if the cat gets upset. You should also
comb out any mats in the hair, because they will tighten and be hard-
er to remove after they are wet.
Here's how to bathe a cat:
1.
Place a towel or mat at the bottom of the tub or sink so the
cat does not slide.
2.
If possible, use a faucet that has a sprayer attachment.
3.
Gently wet the cat's coat with warm water. Hold the cat by
her scruff, if necessary.
