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 all the time teaches their young the art of bathing. Cat homeowners hardly ever need to give their cats a bath, nonetheless, there are some situations where you might find it is time to bathtub kitty. You never know when your cat will get so dirty that they need just a little extra help. If your cat is afflicted with skin allergy symptoms or has a flea infestation, you may need to bathe your cat. Sick and older cats may have a difficult time protecting clean, too. You’ll find that your cat in all probability resists getting a bath, but you can do it if you are prepared.
Get Your Supplies
The perfect place to tub your cat is in a small, enclosed room. If in case you have a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly. A deep bathroom sink would also do the trick. The concept 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 might cause an aching back on your part, but may be just the thing for your cat.
In addition, it would be best to just remember to have every thing you need on hand before you begin. It will be virtually not possible to stop what you are doing with a struggling cat to run and get a towel or shampoo. You will have several previous towels, mild, 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 achieve under the chin, around the neck and between the legs. In addition, if your catÂ’s fur is matted, you may want to consider cutting these mats away before beginning.
Get the Bath Ready
When you will have gotten all of your supplies where you need them, you’ll want to prepare the bath. Your cat won’t 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, replenish the tub or sink. You do not need a whole lot of water when you bath your cat–just enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a good idea to place 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 hard part. You must get your cat and ease him or her into the water. This may increasingly sound easier than it is. Some cats might wrestle with you more than others may. Only you realize your catÂ’s personality. The best way to go about doing this is to lower your cat into the water. Do this by inserting one hand under the catÂ’s belly and one hand firmly, but gently on the catÂ’s back. Lower the cat from its hind legs into the water. If your cat continues to be struggling, you would possibly wish to wrap a towel around your cat to prevent scratches. You might be stunned by your catÂ’s reaction. Some cats will sit there quietly and let you work. Others will be scared and will try to run from you. You will get wet, but you may think about holding the catÂ’s body close to your own while bathing so he or she feels more secure. Never increase your voice or move too fast, as this can ship your cat into a frenzy.
Begin the Bath
After your cat is considerably situated within the water, you can start to bathe. Work shortly, however gently. One of the best method for bathing your cat is to start with the head and work your manner down. Watch out to not get water or shampoo in your cat’s ears or eyes. You’ll solely want a really small quantity of shampoo. If you happen to get too much, you will have to rinse longer. If you’re treating fleas, then you’ll want to observe the instructions on the flea shampoo at this point. You should utilize vegetable oil if you must remove sticky substances out of your cat’s fur. Use this sparingly as a result of this will depart an oil residue on your cat’s fur, although it is harmless.