However, cats can be unpredictable and, if startled, can panic. Plus, cats can sense how you feel and pick up your negative attitude. Rough handling and scolding will only add to the already stressful situation and make things worse. The first thing you need to do is stay calm and be patient. Here are some tips on how to prep your cat for a bath. Now that you understand the roots of your cat’s skepticism for water, it will be easier to craft the right preparation strategy. Scent changes – bathing changes how the cat smells and ruins the hard work of self-grooming, meaning it needs to start from scratch and lick itself back to “normal.”.Negative experience – cats squirted with water as a disciplinary measure are likely to be afraid of baths.Fight or flight – as semi-domesticated species, cats are always alert, and having wet, heavy fur compromises agility.Evolution – modern cats descended from the Arabian wild cat who lacked access to large water bodies and had no advantage of swimming.Cats do not hate water – they simply have good reasons for not being wet: How to Prep Your Cat for a Bathīefore we explain how to successfully prep your cat for a bath, we should debunk the popular myth that cats hate water. Now that you are familiar with the “when” of bathing cats, it is time we discuss the “how”. Prevent cats from self-grooming – cats with arthritis and cats that are elderly or obese are physically incapable of self-grooming or will only groom the body areas that are easily accessible.Require bathing as part of the treatment plan – for example, cats with allergies, atopic dermatitis, and seborrhea need more regular bathing to manage the condition and soothe the symptoms.Sometimes, bathing can be a medical necessity. Anecdotal reports suggest that these cats jump into waters to cool off during Turkish summer heats. The Turkish Van is the exception to the cats-hate-water rule. If the skin oil builds up, it will attract debris and increase the risk of skin infections. The Sphinx needs periodic baths (every few weeks) to remove the excess skin oil. Keeping the coat clean and tangle-free requires daily attention and usually some human assistance. The Persian cat has long, lustrous and high-maintenance hair. Fur bugs – bathing can help remove superficial infestations with creepy pests like ticks, lice, fleas, and mites.ĭue to their specific anatomy and physiology, some cat breeds need more frequent bathing.Trash digging – in this case, your cat can clean itself, but you do not want her ingesting all the germs and toxins from the garbage.Skunk spraying – removing the smell takes thorough cleaning, and you will need to step in and help your cat. However, this does not mean you should schedule regular baths – it means you need to bathe your cat in situations when licking away the dirt is not enough.īasically, the reasons for bathing cats can be classified into three groups:Ĭats can get adventurous and end up in a sticky or stinky situation. Yes, it would help if you bathe your cat. Situational Reasons for Bathing Your Cat.
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