Cats and Baths

It is a common question among new cat owners: do their cats need to take baths? The answer is yes, every so often felines do need to bathe. Though they can clean themselves most of the time, help from humans is necessary.

A few reasons why cats need a bath can come down to external parasites such as fleas and ticks, or even dirt. Some cats have a problem of cleanliness because of their skin type. A hairless cat with no fur will need help to care for their skin or even a long-haired cat might have a clump of kitty litter stuck to their tail.

Some people will take their pets to a professional groomer which is a good idea if the owner does not know how to properly bathe their animal. Cats are not the best of friends with water so a professional might be a best option. The fleas might be a big issue and the owner does not know how to handle them.

If you want to tackle the bath yourself, make sure you are preparing your feline for the bath. Slowly get your cat ready by dripping a little bit of water on their bodies or paws a little bit before the bath. Having a calm demeaner and voice will also help with the circumstance. Another good tip is to trim their nails before the water apocalypse, so you aren’t scratched later.

Purina has a really good step-by-step list on how to bathe your cat, if you want more information!