Bathing Your Cat

Is bathing your cat a nightmare for you both?!

Most cats do not need to be bathed unless they have a skin problem such as fleas, ticks, dermatitis, etc. however if you have a cat that will co-operate and you wish to give it a try, here are a few tips to follow:

• Ensure you are using a shampoo made for cats. Their skin's pH is different from ours, so even the mildest of human shampoos can cause them to dry out.
• Brush them before AND after you bathe them. Brushing beforehand makes the brushing after much easier. I recommend brushing then combing.
• If your cat has any mats, please see your veterinarian or a professional groomer for advice on how to remove them. Sometimes they can be teased out with a comb, sometimes they need to be clipped out. If they need to be clipped, let a professional show you how the first time so you do not cut their skin.
• Be careful around their eyes and ears. If your cat will let you, place a cotton ball in each ear before the bath (remember to remove these when the bath is over). There also are bland eye ointments that you can purchased at most pet stores you can use to protect their eyes from soap or detergents.
• If your cat does not like the bathing routine, don't push your luck. An angry cat can be very dangerous.
• Most cats do not have an odour from not being bathed. If you think your cat smells abnormal, don't jump to a bath. Have a check up with your veterinarian. Most of the time the odour is NOT skin related, but has some other cause, and you may go through an unnecessary bath, which may not be much fun for you or your Fab Feline.