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Okay, I admit in. I've never given my cats baths. The vet does it for me but now that I have three feline princesses I need to learn how to do the deed.
What do y'all recommend? Do I put the cat in the sink with water already in it? Do I just wash them under running water? What kind of soap should I use?
I know to have towels ready and waiting at the end of the bath and to wrap the cat up in one to help dry her. Two of my cats have very long hair. Do you use a hair dryer on yours or just towel dry and set them free?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I dread doing this because they are not going to be happy kitties.
I find that my cats are clamer if I run the water ahead of time and then put them in. I recommend one of those non-slip mats in the tub/sink as well, since then they have something to grab on to and don't seem as nervous. I soap them up and then use a cup to dump water over them for rinsing. I used to blow dry my long hair cat, but my short haired ones I towel dry as much as possible then set them free. If the house is cooler, then I blow dry all of them.
I do know that a cat's fur has natural oils that naturally repels insects, dirt, water, like water off a duck's back, so to speak. When you consistently wash a cat with soap, you strip that cat's oils from its fur, and in so doing, set them up for being dirtier then normal for now the fur is dull and porous, and potentially, will be unable to stop a wandering bug from investigating further in towards the skin.
Let me ask you a question. How does your hair feel when you over-shampoo? That is more of less the same scenario with cats' fur.
In caring for many cats, I do not ever bathe them. I am amazed at the high shine on them, especially my black ones. Brushing cats who normally are indoors, should be more then enough in keeping a cat clean.
yeah, get the special shampoo or use very mild baby shampoo if you can't find anything decent in the petsection.. don't over bathe, I agree with that..it ruins the hair
I'd let them airdry (dryer adds to the hair drying out) unless it's really cool in the house, try to have it kind of warm inside when you bathe them..
I use an oatmeal-based, gentle shampoo for cats and dogs that I bought at a pet store, and I usually wash the cat in the bathtub. I find that a pitcher of some sort is a good idea. My cat doesn't like the idea/sound of the running water from the bathtub tap, which is why I rec the pitcher. I don't use gloves but some people rec them to avoid getting scratched.
Getting the whole process over with as quickly as possible is key, as is towel-drying (the sound of a hair dryer freaks most cats out). But then, the cat usually dries itself off naturally and very quickly afterward by licking/grooming.
I also agree that frequent baths--for cats and dogs--will dry out their coats. Brushing is a much better way to clean cat and dog coats; baths should be reserved for those occassions in which they are an absolute necessity (my cat *loves* to roll around in the sand; she has favorite spots in the backyard that are of a circular design b/c she rolls around in them, flipping from side to side. If I run a moist paper towel over her after she comes in, it's black with dirt).
There is a member here by the name of luvmycat who makes the most wonderful all natural soaps. Two that come to mind that would be wonderful for your cats is either her lavender or oatmeal. Why don't you DM luv and inquire about these soaps, if you are interested. I know luv would be more then happy to help you! Tell her I sent you!
Really! Cats are generally self-cleaning, with an occasional brushing to help them out. See post #3 above; my thoughts exactly!
Thank you, catman!
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