Note: Cats don't sweat like humans do. The steamy hot water you might prefer for a shower or bath can overheat your pet. Instead, aim for a few degrees above lukewarm.
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.
The right temperature – not cold but not hot – is important. It should soothe, not startle your cat. Holding your pet in the tub or sink, pour some of the water over his or her coat. Gradually soak down to the skin.
Some of you may even be asking yourself, "Is it safe to give a cat a bath?" Yes, indeed it is. In fact, cats may need a good washing for a number of reasons. For instance, if they: Have gotten into something really messy or sticky.
Do cats feel better after a bath? Most cats feel anxious and stressed by baths because they dislike water. If you do need to bathe your cat, it's essential to follow our advice regarding how to wash your cat safely and with minimal stress.
Use cat-specific shampoo – preferably with no smell – and lather your cat from tail to neck. Rinse with the pitcher, cup or gentle sprayer, being sure NOT to get soap or water on kitty's face. Don't forget to rinse those out-of-the-way places, like the belly, under arms, tail and neck.
A grooming professional will try to calm your cat before placing her into a few inches of lukewarm water and applying the shampoo. Often shampooing starts from the head down to the tail, while avoiding the nose, ears, and mouth of the cat.
The average indoor cat may never need a bath, but if you do decide to take the plunge, we do not recommend bathing your kitty more than a couple of times a year. Only you know your cat's personality and levels of aggression, which can be a key deciding factor when it comes to bathing a cat.
A small plastic tub, roughly the size and shape of a litter box, will come in handy if your sink is too small or your bathtub is too big. Add a few inches of lukewarm water, roughly 100 to 103 degrees. You also want to make sure the room is warm. If it's cold outside, you don't want the cat to catch a draft.
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.
"Fill a sink or bathtub with a few inches of tepid or lukewarm water," Juma says. Get the area that needs to be cleaned wet by either dipping the cat into the water, pouring water onto her with the measuring cup or using a washcloth to dampen her fur. Avoid getting water in the cat's eyes, nose, and ears.
Only use fragrance-free shampoos.
Baby shampoos are designed to be gentle for human babies and also work well for kittens. You can also use fragrance-free dish detergent. No matter what soap you use, avoid your kitten's eyes and try to keep the inside of their ears dry.
When it comes to personal hygiene, cats are the epitome of cleanliness. They are naturally equipped with the implements to groom themselves: a barbed tongue with which to lick, forepaws they moisten with saliva and use as a surrogate washcloth, and teeth to dig out tougher debris.
Shampooing and Bathing Your Cat
To help get the balance right, a dry shampoo for cats is an excellent choice. This cat grooming product avoids the stress of water while neutralising bad smells and helping your kitty feel fresh and clean.
Why Are Cats Afraid of Water? Cats hate water as they understand their environment through their nose and getting wet can remove their personal scent. They can also notice chemicals in the water that humans cannot sense.
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.
Cats can develop skin odour because of an underlying health problem, or from a wound, allergy, parasite, or anything that interrupts the skin's healthy condition. If you notice a bad smell on your cat, it could be that they have a problem beneath their fur, and you should take them to the vet to have it checked out.
Solutions: If your cat's anal glands become infected, clogged, or abscessed, they will cause a foul odor around your kitty's rear end. You need to consult a veterinarian to empty their anal glands, to drain an abscess, to receive antibiotics to deal with an infection, or to diagnose the problem behind the soft stools.
Purring. In many cases, soft, gentle purrs signal your cat's satisfaction with the world, providing an audible sign of her contentment. But purring doesn't always indicate happiness; some cats also purr when they are hungry or stressed.
Can You Use Human Shampoo on Cats? Put simply, you should never use human shampoo on cats (or dogs), states Preventive Vet, because it can "cause inflammation and irritation of your pet's skin." This, in turn, causes more itching and can lead to skin infections.
How Often Should You Change the Cat Litter? If you use a clumping litter, it's best to scoop the box daily and change it out completely at least monthly. If you have more than one cat, it may be best to change the cat litter more often, every 2-3 weeks.