If you have a cat in your home, at one point in time, you might have asked yourself one of the scariest questions ever: “Should I be giving my cat a bath?” After all, the idea that cats absolutely hate water is deeply embedded in the minds of most pet owners. Why would you ever want to test that theory?
However, it turns out that there are plenty of good reasons to bathe your cat. The pet site Preventative Vet cites a few key reasons why cats should be washed. For starters, regular baths will prevent infections, such as ringworm. Baths also help minimize flea infestations, or just to get something gross and/or dirty off your cat’s coat.
But once you understand why you should bathe your cat, it’s also crucial to understand how you should bathe your cat. And it turns out that most cat owners are going about bath time for their felines completely the wrong way.
Here's how to really give your cat a bath
Before you begin running the bathwater, there are a few tools that will go a long way toward helping you out. Petfinder recommends arming yourself with rubber gloves, cat shampoo, a gentle spray nozzle or a pitcher for rinsing, a large towel, cotton balls for your cat’s ears, and a soft cloth for your cat’s face.
Once you are ready, there are a few things you can do to help make bath time easier for both of you. Pure Wow suggests waiting for your cat to be in a particularly calm state before you bathe them. Once you have achieved the optimal state of feline nirvana, begin bath time by trimming your cat’s nails and brushing out their fur. After all, it doesn’t make sense to just toss them in the water and hope for the best!
You wll only want to fill your sink or tub with a few inches of water. After that, begin cleaning your cat’s face with a cloth, and then use your nozzle or cup to wet your cat from the base of their tail first, working your way up to the neck. Massage in shampoo, rinse, and ta-da — your kitty is clean!
Drying your cat also doesn’t have to be too hard. Simply use a towel to gently and slowly blot your cat dry. Once you are finished, reward your furry friend with a delightful treat. They’ve earned it!
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