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Tips For Bathing Your Cat
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Cats
normally do not need help getting and staying clean. They are fastidious about
their cleanliness and spend much of their day primping and preening. Cats learn
from a very young age to stay clean, as the mother always teaches their young
the art of bathing. Cat owners rarely need to give their cats a bath however,
there are some situations where you may find it is time to bath kitty. You
never know when your cat will get so dirty that they need a little extra help.
If your cat is afflicted with skin allergies or has a flea infestation, you
might need to bathe your cat. Sick and older cats may have a difficult time
keeping clean, too. You will find that your cat probably resists getting a
bath, but you can do it if you are prepared.
Get Your
Supplies
The best place to bath your cat is in a small, enclosed
room. If you have a sink in your laundry room, that would work perfectly. A
deep bathroom sink would also do the trick. The idea is to get your cat in a
small area to help him or her feel safer during the process. Another idea is to
use a baby tub and place it inside your own bathtub. This might cause an aching
back on your part, but may be just the thing for your cat.
In
addition, you will want to make sure that you have everything you need on hand
before you begin. It will be almost impossible to stop what you are doing with
a struggling cat to run and get a towel or shampoo. You will need several old
towels, mild, non-irritating shampoo such as baby shampoo or pet shampoo and a
cup for rinsing. You might even consider using a turkey-basting tool to reach
under the chin, around the neck and between the legs. In addition, if your
cat's fur is matted, you might want to consider cutting these mats away before
beginning.
Get the Bath Ready
When you have gotten all
of your supplies where you need them, you will want to prepare the bath. Your
cat will not like very hot or very cold water, so lukewarm water works best.
Think of the temperature you would use to bath an infant. That is what you need
when you wash your cat. Next, fill up the tub or sink. You do not need a lot of
water when you bath your cat--just enough to rinse the cat off. It is also a
good idea to place a non-skid mat or folded bath towel in the bottom of the
sink or tub before you begin filling it with water. This prevents the cat from
slipping around on the bottom of the sink or tub.
Ease your Cat
into the Water
It is now time for the hard part. You have to get
your cat and ease him or her into the water. This may sound easier than it is.
Some cats may struggle with you more than others may. Only you know your cat's
personality. The best way to go about doing this is to lower your cat into the
water. Do this by placing one hand under the cat's belly and one hand firmly,
but gently on the cat's back. Lower the cat from its hind legs into the water.
If your cat is still struggling, you might want to wrap a towel around your cat
to prevent scratches. You might be surprised by your cat's reaction. Some cats
will sit there quietly and let you work. Others will be scared and will try to
run from you. You will get wet when holding the cat's body close to your own
while bathing so he or she feels more secure. Never raise your voice or move
too fast, as this can send your cat into a frenzy.
Begin the
Bath
After your cat is somewhat situated in the water, you can
begin to bathe. Work quickly, but gently. The best method for bathing your cat
is to start with the head and work your way down. Be careful not to get water
or shampoo in your cat's ears or eyes. You will only need a very small amount
of shampoo. If you apply too much you will have to rinse longer. If you are
treating fleas, then you will want to follow the directions on the flea shampoo
at this point. You can use vegetable oil if you need to remove sticky
substances from your cat's fur. Use this sparingly because this will leave an
oil residue on your cat's fur, although it is harmless. |
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Call or email for more information:
818.506.1311
Sabina@PetsNanny.net
"Your love will show through me
while you're
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