Don't be tempted to use a blow dryer since it will probably scare the heck out of your cat. Let your cat air-dry. Keep the air temperature in the house moderate while they're drying so they don't get a chill. If your cat has long hair, comb it out while it's still damp.
The most important part of bathing your cat is drying them off afterward. Dry them off as quickly as possibly with a large towel, and keep them in a warm room until they've completely dried. If your cat lets you, you can also use a hairdryer on its lowest warmth setting to speed up the process.
Towel dry your cat
Once you have removed all the excess water, it's best to leave them in a warm room. As tempting as it might be, it's not a good idea to let them go outside until they are completely dry. Not only does this stop them getting a cold, but it also keeps them clean that little bit longer.
It might be helpful to set a LOUD timer as a second note of precaution to not forget the cat is being dried. I normally allow the cat to dry for 30-40 minutes in this manner before I do the final dry with the blow dryer and cat in my lap.
Put the cat into a warm room until it's completely dry.
If you've managed to remove most of the moisture from your cat's fur, it will quickly air dry. Remove the wet towel and put your cat into a room with a heat source so the warm air finishes drying the cat. Don't put your cat directly next to the heat source.
Don't be tempted to use a blow dryer since it will probably scare the heck out of your cat. Let your cat air-dry. Keep the air temperature in the house moderate while they're drying so they don't get a chill. If your cat has long hair, comb it out while it's still damp.
Dry air can also have your kitty coughing and sneezing more. Dry airways and mucous membranes are more prone to irritation. Irritation leads to coughing and sneezing, coughing and sneezing leads to irritation, so you can see there is a vicious cycle.
It might be that they're just not used to the whole experience of being held in a sink or tub and getting drenched. Their coats can also take a while to dry out, which can make them cold and uncomfortable.
Bathing too frequently, using a shampoo that was not formulated for cats, or using water that is too warm can all dry out your cat's skin. For the best results, use an oatmeal-based shampoo that will combat any dryness, use water that is warm but not hot, and rinse thoroughly to remove all shampoo residue.
In general, cats should be given a bath once every 4-6 weeks, depending on how often they groom themselves, and the environment they're usually in. If your cat is more outdoorsy and soils itself while playing, it's a good idea to help with the grooming process as they alone won't be able to properly get cleaned.
Cats are purrfectionists
Cats can smell the chemicals in water and prefer not to be soaked through to avoid smelling that way all day. Cats also secrete pheromones into their fur to mark their territory and communicate with others, so any submersion in water will remove this.
Because most cats aren't used to water and being bathed, bathing a cat too often could have some harmful effects. Your cat could develop dry skin. “Bathing too frequently can dry the skin, so healthy cats shouldn't be bathed more frequently than every four to six weeks or so,” Dr. Coates said.
Bathe Your Cat
Avoid getting water in the cat's eyes, nose, and ears. Use a washcloth when cleaning the face area. Use a washcloth or soft brush to apply cat-safe shampoo. Wrap her in a towel, and dry vigorously.
Yes, after a bath cats will lick their skin to try and dry off. After a bath, cats typically lick their skin in an effort to dry off. While this behavior may seem strange to some, it is perfectly normal for cats. There are a few reasons why cats groom themselves after a bath.
To avoid making a bad situation worse, brush out your cat's fur before the bath and not after. When mats and tangles get wet, they get worse and often impossible to untangle. When this happens, taking your cat to a groomer is often the only option to dematting fur carefully.
If cats are bathed too often, they may lose essential oils from their fur, and it may even be a traumatic experience for them. As a general rule, cats are extremely clean animals and spend most of their time grooming themselves.
While talking to your cat and offering lots of reassurance and praise, gently place her into the shower tray or bath. Using a showerhead from above is significantly less stressful for your pet as she is far more likely to be used to being rained on than she is being lowered into 4 inches of tepid water!
Cats don't cry tears when they're sad or in pain. But Halls says whether your cat is experiencing emotional or physical pain, they'll exhibit behavioral changes that could include vocal crying. The sound of a cat crying is typically longer in duration and lower in frequency than day-to-day cat chatter.
If a cat is shaking, there can be a few reasons why this is happening. It may be a normal occurrence after you bathe your cat and it is soaking wet or if the weather is cold outside and its body temperature is lower. These instances are common and have simple solutions to help your cat.
The cat bath temperature should be around body temperature, in other words pretty warm but not so hot that it's uncomfortable. Place a towel or rubber mat in the bottom of the tub or sink. Cats hate the insecure footing of slippery surfaces and this will make it less stressful.
Taking a bath or shower before bedtime is also a well-known sleep remedy. This is partly because a warm bath can help us relax, but also because our body temperature tends to drop after a warm bath, which can induce better sleep.
Benefits of life indoors
Indoor cats are usually healthier, too, which saves on veterinary bills for treatment of contagious diseases, parasites, and abscesses from fights with other animals. While it is true that cats enjoy sunshine, fresh air, and exercise, they do not need to go outside to be satisfied.
So, do cats need wet food? Not necessarily, but feeding a combination of wet and dry food can give your cat the benefits of both. The wet food will increase her total daily water intake and provide her the variety she wants and the dry kibble will help keep her teeth clean.
Some cats exhibit what is called “silent heat.” The cats are in heat, they develop follicles on their ovaries and are fertile, but they show no behavioral signs of being in heat. These cats will allow a male to mate with them. Silent heat is more commonly seen in cats who are lower down in the social hierarchy.