Cats and water go together like oil and… well, water! It’s a well known fact that our favourite feline is more than likely to hate taking a bath.

Thankfully, our cats are able to keep themselves clean enough most of the time. However, if your feline friend is covered in something nasty, sticky or is contaminated with parasites like fleas or ticks, a shower is well in order!

 

Once you get your cat used to showering, regular cat baths can also help them smell better, reduce shedding, have a healthier coat, reduce fleas and remove mats.

 

So how do you go about doing that? Let’s take a look at how to bathe a cat!

How often must I bathe my cat?

 

As mentioned above, in most cases, you won’t have to bathe your cat very important. However, there are also a few different factors to consider:

• Indoor vs outdoor cat: Outdoor cats require more frequent baths
• Coat Length/Type: Longer coats require more maintenance
• Behaviour: If your cat does not groom themselves sufficiently, it might be necessary to give them more of a helping hand! For example, overweight cats and kittens may have trouble with grooming and need more regular baths.
• Activity level: The more active your cat, the more baths they’ll probably need
• Health Issues: If your cat is experiencing skin irritation, parasites like ticks or loose stool, a cat bath will be good

As a rule of thumb, it’s recommended to bathe your cat once every 4-6 weeks. Adjust this duration according to the above conditions.

Making Bathtime Quick and Easy

Bathing a cat is easier said than done. But you can follow a few tips to make your job a lot easier!

 

#1 Keep Your Cat Happy

A happy kitty will make bath time much easier. Even better if your cat is tired out and mellow! In order to get your cat to the perfect stage for a bathe, make sure to tire them out with a long play session beforehand!

 

You can also help your cat get more calm with calming aid supplements like this NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Soft Chew.

#2 Pre-bathing routine

Trim your cat’s nails This is a useful tip for anyone with a cat, but especially so if you’re attempting to bathe one. Helping your cat clip their nails right before a bath can save you plenty of pain and scratches.

Of course, do take the time to get your cat used to getting their nails clipped!

 

Next, brush your cat before the bath with a suitable cat brush. This helps get rid of loose hair and mats that could be hard to get rid of post shower. You can also place cotton wool in your cat’s ears to help keep water out. This helps give them a less stressful cat bath experience.

#3 Prep Your Bathroom

Make sure to have your battlestation ready before you bring in your cat! That means getting a suitable cat shampoo like TropiClean For Cats Papaya & Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner, preparing lukewarm water in a tub, sink or shallow pail and a dry towel ready. You can also find other bath time essentials in Tropiclean’s wide range of excellent cat bath products.

 

If you’re bathing your cat in a sink or tub, a non-slip rubber mat will help your cat avoid slipping. This will make baths less disorienting for them.

 

#4 Be Gentle

To keep your cat in a good mood, take things slow. Make sure not to spray water directly into your cat’s ears, eyes or nose. Instead, slowly and gently wet your pet.

Massage your cat shampoo of choice into your cat slowly but surely. Once you’re done, make sure to rinse off all soap residue. Then wipe your pet with a large towel and a blow dryer on the lowest setting.

 

Last of all, you can use a wide-tooth cat comb like Petz Route’s Fine & Coarse Flea Cat Comb to help untangle your cat’s fur. If you’re looking for other cat brushes that fit your cat’s needs, take a look at our collection of bathing and spa products here!

#5 Reward Them!

With everything all said and done, it’s absolutely vital to reward your cat for a job well done! Give them a tasty treat like Sheba’s Melty Treats! These treats are a perfect handheld treat to reward your cat and help build your bond with your cat.

 

Make bath time a fun and relaxing activity and your cat will naturally protest less. It may take some patience and time to get your cat to the comfort level you want, but bathing your cat can be extremely rewarding for both you and your cat! After all, bath times make for excellent bonding time between you and your cat. Enjoy it as much as you can!

  

 

 

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TAMMI CHNG

Tammi is an avid writer, but especially loves learning and writing about animals! She spends her free time visiting cat cafes, playing video games and having plenty of cuddle time with her pup.