Can I wash my cat?

Can I wash my cat? The answer to this question is quite personal. Several factors could lead you to consider it, especially if they have gotten into mud (or any other dirt). In other cases, fleas, mites, and other infestations might need you to wash your cat, but with medicated shampoo.

A lot of cat owners argue that cats do not need a bath. After all, they are among the cleanest animals in the world. In this article, I will answer questions like how often should you bathe your cat and how to do it in the most comfortable way for your cat.

How often should you bathe your cat?

Cats are more-than-capable self-groomers. They use their rough tongues with papillae to break down dirt and smooth out their coats. So your cat does not need a lot of bathing.

It is not uncommon for your vet to prescribe a medicated shampoo to treat fleas and mites infestation.

If you have an indoor kitty, bathing them every 4-6 weeks is good enough. My partner and I wash our two fur babies, Mila and Suki every one and a half months.

Bathing your cat too often, however, can strip off the natural oils on their skin. This could lead to dry skin, irritation, and a coat lacking the natural sheen.

For an outdoor cat who likes to roll around in the dirt, you may clean them a bit more often to keep your house tidier.

Overweight, ( I love calling them chonky), elderly, or sickly cats may struggle with self-grooming. They may not reach the belly or back areas which may cause matted fur. This makes it essential to wash them a bit often.

Hairless cat breeds need frequent grooming due to excess oils produced by their skin. With no hairs to wick it away, your sphynx, for example, will leave oily brown patches everywhere. A bath a week with a gentle shampoo will do good for them.

Before you bathe your cat…

Choose the right time

To make the experience smoother for you, and more positive for your cat, you need to choose the right time to bath your cat. Play with your fur baby for a few minutes before the bath, to burn off excess energy. You could bathe them after eating too. Bathe your cat when they are mellow and tired.

Trim the nails

Before heading to the bath, make sure you have trimmed your cat’s nails using the cat nail clipper. This is a safety precaution to help reduce the amount of damage (in painful scratches) they might do when stressed.

Brush the coat first

Brushing your cat first aims to reduce the knots and tangles beforehand. You can’t get to the mattes and tangles quite nicely when the fur is wet.

Clean the eyes and ears

A cotton swab will do the work nicely. Remember to be gentle. Dampen it with some warm water and clean their eyes and ears.

You can also insert a piece of cotton wool in your cat’s ears to prevent excess water from draining into their ears. This is just a precaution to ensure their comfort.

Get your supplies

You will be washing your cat in a tub or sink. If none of these are an option, a wide basin serves the same purpose.

Line the surface of whichever option you pick with a rubber non-slip mat. This ensures your cat does not skid when bathing them. If you can’t get your hands on a rubber mat, an old towel is just fine.

Get your shampoo, but NOT human shampoo. Use designated cat shampoo to bath your cat. You should not use human shampoo due to the difference in pH of your skin and that of your cat.

If you cannot get your hands on cat shampoo, liquid dish soap would do just fine.

A small jug, to assist you in rinsing them.

Get a washcloth or a sponge to lather the soap and clean them.

PRO TIP: get yourself a mesh bag with an adjustable opening to put your cat in. Put 2 fingers between the spandex and your cat’s neck whole confining them in, to ensure they are not suffocated.

Get your cat some treats or catnip to lure and reward them for having the bath, relating it with rewards.

Get lukewarm water. Use your elbow to ensure the water is warm enough for your fur baby. Your elbow tends to be more sensitive to temperature than your palms. The same technique is used by mothers to test the baby’s bathing water.

Get a large towel, or two to dry your cat after the bath.

Getting to it! Bathing and drying your cat

Once all your supplies are in check, ensure you wear a long-sleeved shirt and some gloves. In case your cat gets feisty, this will save you a whole lot of scratches. You can wear an apron to prevent your clothes from getting wet.

Remember to close the door once you get your cat in to prevent them from running away if they get frantic.

1. Lower your cat gently, paws first, into the lukewarm water. Do not overfill your bath. The recommended height of water is water that covers the lower half of their feet. Cats dislike the sound of running water, so you might wanna avoid using an overhead shower. Use the small jug to help you wet the fur before lathering.

2. To affirm the bath as a positive experience, use a calming reassuring voice, offer them treats, catnip, or a pheromone diffuser.

3. Lather your sponge or washcloth with the shampoo and start washing your cat. In the case of arthritic and overweight cats, ensure you hit the spots they can’t reach themselves.

4. Use a brush to ease out any matted fur and dirt

5. Rinse your cat using the small jug, ensuring no soap is left on their coat.

6. Dry your cat with the towel set aside. Most cats are sensitive to loud noises, so a hair dryer wouldn’t be ideal. But based on your cat’s sensitivity, you could use it in the lowest setting. Otherwise, give them a good rub down with a nice soft towel.

And with that, you are done.

If you find all this a hustle…

If you find all this a bit too much work, especially if your cat needs extra care, or is a long-hair breed, consider hiring a professional pet grooming service. They are better equipped with tools and experience and saves you the hustle of having to wash them yourself.