Cats Site: Caring For Your cat With A Good Bath

In reading the article about this subject I hope you have expanded your knowledge.

Because cats are so independent, many people believe that cat care requires little to no effort at all. While it is true that a cat will usually take care of its own needs, your cat still could use a little help from you. Grooming is a good place to start. Daily or weekly brushing can help to remove loose fur that could cause hairball's. Check your cat's nails too and trim them when they need it. There is one aspect of cat care that most cat owners don't think of, though - the bath.

You could take your cat to the veterinarian or a professional groomer and have them give your cat a bath, but giving your cat a bath on your own isn't all that difficult. As long as you have patience and take things slowly, the two of you can get through the ordeal in one piece.

Before you think of bathing, give your cat a good brushing. Use a soft brush or grooming glove for short haired felines. For cats with longer fur, use a wide-toothed comb. Don't brush too hard. Cats don't have very thick skin like their wild cousins, the big cats. Brush out any tangles and check the cat over for any sores or abscesses. Clean the cat's ears and trim its nails. If your cat starts to get a little antsy, take everything in stages. Start with one task, then put the cat down and come back to the next task later.

While your cat is off wandering the house and working off stress, you can get the bath ready. Make sure you have a soft towel and shampoos made for your cat at hand. Remember that your cat will be licking himself after the wash, and some soaps might have a residue that could make your cat sick if ingested.

If you can, use your kitchen sink as a tub. The sink is much easier to work with than trying to bend over a tub. Place a towel in the bottom of the sink as a mat to keep your cat from slipping. The most important thing is to give your cat a bath in a warm room so that afterwards, he'll have a warm place to dry off.

When you're ready to bathe your cat, put cotton balls in its ears to help keep the water out. Run some lukewarm water into the sink, but don't fill the sink all the way. You might want to fill the sink first, since the sound of the rushing water could make your cat nervous, especially if he knows what's coming. Try not to restrain your cat too much either. If the cat feels like it's being trapped, you'll have a harder time holding it through this cat care process.

Keep talking to the cat calmly and reassuringly. Don't yell or try to scold him if he decides not to cooperate. If you're nervous, your cat will be nervous, too. Hissing, flattened ears and yowling are all signs that you have a very stressed kitty on your hands.

To wet the coat, pour water over your cat. You can also take a thin towel, wrap it around your cat, and wet its fur through the towel. Once the fur is wet, apply shampoo, and then rinse well. When you rinse your cat, try to avoid using the spray nozzle. If your cat didn't like the sound of running water, the hiss of the spray won't be calming at all.

It's very important to get all the shampoo out of your cat's fur. If you think you've gotten all the shampoo out, the rule of thumb is to rinse again to make sure. Remember that your cat will be licking itself after this cat care and while you will be using a cat-safe shampoo, you still don't want your pet ingesting any. To dry your cat, blot it dry with a towel. Don't scrub, especially if your feline has long hair. You'll only get the fur tangled and matted and have a hard time brushing it out again. You can use a hair dryer on its lowest setting if your cat will tolerate it.

The first time a cat is bathed is the most important. Anything you do for the first time in their cat care routine will set the tone for subsequent bathing sessions later down the road. A new kitten won't need a bath, but after the cat reaches a year or so, you can make your first attempt. Do all you can to make that first experience enjoyable and stress-free to ensure your cat's cooperation in the future.

Thank you for choosing to read this paper, it was written specifically to be of aid to you.

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Today's Tip On Cats

Before you think of bathing, give your cat a good brushing. Use a soft brush or grooming glove for short haired felines. For cats with longer fur, use a wide-toothed comb. Don't brush too hard. Cats don't have very thick skin like their wild cousins, the big cats. Brush out any tangles and check the cat over for any sores or abscesses. Clean the cat's ears and trim its nails. If your cat starts to get a little antsy, take everything in stages. Start with one task, then put the cat down and come back to the next task later.