Regular grooming will also help prevent hairballs and gives you the opportunity to remove dead leaves or any other debris from their fur. If your cat gets caught out in the rain, always dry them thoroughly with a towel; warm, damp fur creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and infection.
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 hate a wet coat
Some say that cats first evolved in arid desert environments, so they're just not well adapted to the rain. Cat fur is also less waterproof than a dog's fur. Whatever the reason, your cat is unlikely to be delighted by being drenched by a downpour while caught out in a storm.
Squeeze the towel gently so it absorbs the water.
Press the towel against your cat's body so it begins to soak up the water from their fur. Don't rub the towel back and forth as you dry the cat or you could tangle the hair. Instead, squeeze the towel using a blotting motion.
Now that the bath is over, you'll need to dry your cat off with the towel, so they won't be uncomfortable or get cold. Cats and hairdryers typically don't make a good combination. However, if you have a longhaired breed that needs some assistance drying off (and you're really brave!), you can try a hairdryer.
The wet fur becomes heavier and this will compromise your cat's agility. Being soaked through will cause a loss of body heat and exposure to being cold and wet for a long period of time could potentially result in hypothermia.
The sound of raindrops on the roof, bright flashes of light or even the drop in air pressure may be enough to trigger anxiety. In addition, walking in wet grass constantly stimulates the long whiskers on her paws and disrupts her athletic moves – that's why your cat doesn't enjoy going outside during a rainy day!
After your cat's bath
Unless they've been used to a hair dryer from kittenhood, do the best job you can with a towel then leave them in a warm room to dry off naturally. Don't let them go outside until fully dry, so that they don't catch a cold.
Letting your cat outside when it's cold
Rain, not just snow, can cause illness and hypothermia. Your cat's fur coat only really works when it's dry.
Cats may experience adverse effects when the temperature outside dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for any extended period of time. Even if the temperature is above 45, if there is rain or other inclement weather and the pet is outside for multiple hours, then hypothermia can result.
We know they're scared. But cats, too, can be fearful of the atmospheric light and sound shows, reacting to pressure changes, loud wind and rain, and electrical discharges.
Cats with short hair can finish off the process by themselves, though they do enjoy having a heat source to aid them. In some instances, a groomer may be able to use a blow dryer on their feline customers with longer fur, but only if the cat is not afraid of the noise.
If your cat is short-haired, you can groom her with a rubber brush. Remember to wet or dampen the brush before you start grooming as this will help to catch loose fur and keep it from flying around. Should your cat need a bath, ensure you have some pet friendly shampoo.
Some cats will prefer to drink from a natural water source outside; this might be because some are put off by the taste of chlorine. You could try collecting rain water for your cat to drink.
Another possible explanation is that cats may instinctively respond to the sound of rain, as some cats find it soothing and sleep-inducing. Cats are also very sensitive to changes in temperature. So, if the air feels cooler or more humid when it rains, they may naturally gravitate towards a cozy spot for an extra nap.
Before the rain moves in, the air pressure begins to fall. Cats are able to detect slight changes in air pressure as a result of their very sensitive inner ears, which also allow them to land upright when falling. The cat will rub its ears for relief.
Like some dogs, some cats couldn't care less if it's storming outside, and remain as calm and collected as they would be on a sunny day. Many cats, however, do become anxious during storms, and they typically show their fear by hiding in closets or under furniture until the storm passes.
Wipe down your cat's fur.
Wipe gently. Wipe slowly. Wipe in the direction of her fur, the way she would lick herself.
Cats do a good job of cleaning most debris from their coat, but their self-grooming won't get everything out, nor will it make them smell any nicer. The National Cat Groomers Institute of America recommends a bath once every 4-6 weeks.
There's no set frequency for giving a cat a bath. Cats with long hair, like Persians, may need more frequent grooming to help keep their coats shiny, clean and free of tangles and mats. Short-haired cats may only need weekly brushing and the occasional bath when they get dirty.