Bathe a cat can be, in many cases, an adventure. And is that generally these animals are not very friends of water. However, it is important to provide good hygiene.
It is true that cats by their nature are obsessed with washing at all hours, but on many occasions it is convenient to give them a hand, especially if it is a long, older animal that suffers from a disease that prevents it from bathing on its own. same ... or if some human around him suffers from allergies.
Steps to follow
- Place a rubber mat in the tub: your cat will feel much safer if it does not slip.
- Prepare the right shampoo and / or conditioner for your pet: keep in mind that not all breeds or hair types require the same care, therefore it is necessary to have the right products.
- NEVER use products for humans because they are too strong for animals and could cause skin problems.
- Put the cat in the bath, but before opening the water, brush it to remove the dead hair and untangle the knots you may have.
- Remove the hair dropped in the bathtub. Apply a drop of mineral oil in the corner of each eye of your cat to prevent soap from entering.
- Place some cotton balls in their ears to prevent water from entering, but do not insert them too deep inside.
- Because you could hurt or have problems to remove them later. Open the water and regulate it so that it is warm (about 38ºC).
- Gently you see your cat getting wet assuring you that the water reaches every corner of your body, except the face because hot water can create an infection in your eyes and ears and kittens also hate to wet your face.
- If you see that the animal is getting nervous and aggressive, remove it from the bath, dry it with a towel, and let it go. Try again in one or two weeks.
- If your cat, on the other hand, shows no signs of stress, go ahead with the bath.
- Apply a little shampoo to a wet towel, and with it carefully wash your cat's face, trying not to touch the area of the eyes or the ears.
- With another wet towel, but without soap, rinse the face of your pet.
- Apply shampoo to the rest of the body of the cat, and rub it gently to wash his little body. And do not forget to insist on the anus and the tail.
- With the shower head, you see your cat clearing, helping you with small massages with one of your hands.
- Make sure there is no soap residue left on your fur, since the shampoo can dry out your skin a lot. Remember not to wet your pet's face.
Short hair: you can dry it with a towel, rubbing it gently until it is completely dry.
Long hair:
- Wipe it with a towel, until it is damp, not wet.
- Pinal to avoid entanglements.
- Use a dryer at minimum speed and at medium temperature for a perfect finish (this step should only be done if the cat tolerates it).
Make sure that the cat does not immediately go outside or is exposed to currents.
Make sure it is in a dry and warm place, at least a couple of hours, to prevent it from catching a cold.
Relevant data
- Ideally, start with the bathroom routine when the kitten is a baby. In this way we will get him to understand that moment as something normal incorporated in his life, not as an extraordinary and strange event that causes him fear. You have to familiarize yourself with the water.
- Some cats tolerate that to rinse them, use a spray with water. If so, take advantage of it, since it will facilitate the task. Of course, do not spray your pet's face with it. When drying, the dryer's mouth should not point directly at the cat, since it can cause burns if the air comes out very hot.
- The ideal is to orient the exit of the air against the birth of the hair, beginning by the torso of the animal. Then you focus on the legs and neck (also without focusing the air directly), and finally dry the tail, stomach and hind legs (if your cat is left).
