How to wash the cat when do you know that for your four-legged friend it is something that goes against the very nature of the feline?
It is good to know that not only can cats be washed, but they must be washed, especially if in the presence of constant dirt or health problems related to the skin and coat.
For this reason, bathing the cat becomes an unmissable appointment in the life of a feline which, however clean it manages to keep itself, can never really be said to be as clean as when using specific shampoo, brush and water.
And although the cat may not appreciate it, there are however remedies and techniques that will allow owners to always keep their four-legged friend clean: let’s see what it is.
Why do cats wash themselves by licking themselves?
The act of licking certainly cleans the fur of impurities and dirt, but it is not the only reason why the cat licks itself.
In this way, in fact, the cat ease the tension and, by stimulating the epidermis glands located at the base of each individual hair, it ensures that substances are secreted which are used to keep the hair waterproof.
How to wash the cat at home?
Cats are very clean animals; helping them in this activity is therefore essential. But how? Here are 4 tips.
Start brushing the cat
To bathe the cat and then wash the cat at home, it is first of all necessary to brush it well: the rubber glove helps to eliminate the excess dead hair, while a stiff comb with clenched teeth helps to untangle any knots that may arise in the mantle.
If the cat is very dirty, then, it is good to pre-treat it before giving it a bath.
Immerse the cat in the water
At this point it is enough to immerse the cat in a basin full of warm water and, equipped with thick rubber gloves, rub it with the special shampoos for cats that are on the market.
Washing the cat with water and apple cider vinegar will certainly not give it a pleasant smell but it is an excellent natural remedy against parasites.
Dry the cat!
After rinsing, it’s time to dry: be very careful not to use an electric dryer for human hair, its noise could scare the cat a lot!
Rather, it’s best to use a quiet blow dryer for cats that keeps them away as little as possible.
What precautions should be taken when washing a kitten?
We can proceed with the same dynamic, certainly paying more attention to vital organs such as the head and ears.
Washing a cat as a puppy, then, allows the cats to get used to this practice right away, “suffering” it without too many traumas in adulthood and, indeed, taking it as a moment of play (especially if in the end the cat is rewarded with an edible prize).
The most common questions about how to wash cats
There are some topics that we have not yet addressed, or borderline cases for which it is worth spending a few words: here they are collected in these frequently asked questions on the topic.
- How to wash an elderly cat that no longer washes? It is important to pay close attention to an elderly cat, who is more prone to infections. In this case it is important to wash it extremely delicately but also paying attention to all the points where dirt accumulates.
- How to wash the cat without water? You can wash your cat with dry cleaning, i.e. with dry shampoo and wipes that prevent the cat from coming into contact with water.
- How to wash paralyzed cat? As in the case of the elderly cat, even in the case of the paralyzed cat it is important to be careful in cleaning it so as not to cause it pain. In this situation, then, it is good for two or more people to wash the disabled kitten, paying close attention to its hygiene.
- At what age can a cat be washed? From 6 months, but not before.
And if you’re wondering how often to wash your cat, we recommend talking to your vet, who will evaluate the best option on a case-by-case basis!