Every pet in some form or another is able to perform a daily routine of bathing on its own. But, as most mischievous pets do, they can get extremely dirty when their curiosity gets the better of them. Dogs are, for the most part quite easy to bathe as most of them do enjoy the water.
However, the old wives tale is true regarding cats, they HATE the water. Baths are good for a number of reasons from cleaning off dirt, chemicals, grease or even for flea infestation. Dogs and cats have highly sensitive skin and some even have hair that is fragile and prone to damage, so experts recommend giving them a bath no more than once a month.
Just as we require special items in order to bathe, so do dogs and cats. But, before you begin to gather these items, there is something you must decide first. Where are you going to give your cat his bath?
We have all seen pictures of the little boy or girl giving their dog a bath outside in an old metal tub while using a garden hose. While this method may be great for those hot summer days, cats are smaller and require a little more finesse.
There are two prime locations that work great for bathing your feline companion. The first is the kitchen sink. This area is much smaller and may provide a more comfortable area that will allow you to retain a better grasp on your cat and most kitchen sinks are already equipped with a sprayer. However, the kitchen is a much larger room and if your cat escapes your hold, it has plenty of areas to run for cover.
The second option is the bath tub. A bathroom leaves you the ability to contain your cat in a small area in case of an escape attempt. For safety reasons, along with making your cat feel safe, it is recommended that a non-skid mat be placed securely at the bottom of the tub or sink. This prevents your cat from sliding all over the place and gives them a more secure feeling.
Now, it is time to gather the items needed in order to give your cat a clean healthy body. The first on the list is pet friendly shampoo and conditioner. Human shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals that may irritate the eyes or skin of your cat. Next, you will need two absorbent soft terry towels, a sprayer, cup or pitcher for rinsing purposes and some experts say playing soft soothing music in the background can help calm your cat during bath time as well, although this is optional.
After you have placed all the items in the designated area and have secured the skid free mat to the bottom of the tub or sink, add only about two to three inches of warm water. You can use the elbow trick like testing water for a baby’s bath to make sure it is warm and not to hot. Now it is time to turn on the charm, turn on the music and finesse your cat.
As you pick up your cat and begin to place him in the water, pet him gently and begin speaking to him in a soothing, reassuring voice. Usually, within a few minutes, the cat will begin to relax and not struggle as much. Using the sprayer or if this method startles your cat into a panic, you can use a cup or pitcher to slowly pour water over his body, making sure to stay away from his head and face, all the while, continuing to speak in a low reassuring voice.
When wetting the cat down is complete, place a small amount of shampoo, about the size of a dime into the palm of your hand. Start rubbing the shampoo gently into the hair and skin, slowly working it into lather, once again, being very careful not to get near the head or face. When you are finished lathering the soap, using a sprayer, or cup which ever does not frighten your cat, slowly begin to pour clean fresh water over his body.
Make sure all soap is rinsed thoroughly from the body as it can cause skin irritation. If your cat is willing, you can now begin to lather a dime sized portion of conditioner into his hair. This step is not required. Once again, rinse your cat thoroughly making sure not to leave behind any residue. After the body is finished, get a small sponge or soft wash cloth damp with warm fresh, soap free water and begin to gently wipe off his head and face. Please remember to be very careful around the eye area.
The final step in the cat bathing process is to pat your cat down with one of the terry cloth towels. When that towel is wet, grab the second one and begin the process again. As the final towel begins to become damp, a short haired cat can usually take over and finish the job itself.
If you own a longhaired cat, it may be beneficial to see how it will react to the sound and wind of a hair dryer. It is important to remember though, to use the lowest setting. Another very important point to remember is to always keep the hair dryer in motion making sure not to get too close to the body in order to prevent the possibility of burning the skin.
However, the old wives tale is true regarding cats, they HATE the water. Baths are good for a number of reasons from cleaning off dirt, chemicals, grease or even for flea infestation. Dogs and cats have highly sensitive skin and some even have hair that is fragile and prone to damage, so experts recommend giving them a bath no more than once a month.
Just as we require special items in order to bathe, so do dogs and cats. But, before you begin to gather these items, there is something you must decide first. Where are you going to give your cat his bath?
We have all seen pictures of the little boy or girl giving their dog a bath outside in an old metal tub while using a garden hose. While this method may be great for those hot summer days, cats are smaller and require a little more finesse.
There are two prime locations that work great for bathing your feline companion. The first is the kitchen sink. This area is much smaller and may provide a more comfortable area that will allow you to retain a better grasp on your cat and most kitchen sinks are already equipped with a sprayer. However, the kitchen is a much larger room and if your cat escapes your hold, it has plenty of areas to run for cover.
The second option is the bath tub. A bathroom leaves you the ability to contain your cat in a small area in case of an escape attempt. For safety reasons, along with making your cat feel safe, it is recommended that a non-skid mat be placed securely at the bottom of the tub or sink. This prevents your cat from sliding all over the place and gives them a more secure feeling.
Now, it is time to gather the items needed in order to give your cat a clean healthy body. The first on the list is pet friendly shampoo and conditioner. Human shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals that may irritate the eyes or skin of your cat. Next, you will need two absorbent soft terry towels, a sprayer, cup or pitcher for rinsing purposes and some experts say playing soft soothing music in the background can help calm your cat during bath time as well, although this is optional.
After you have placed all the items in the designated area and have secured the skid free mat to the bottom of the tub or sink, add only about two to three inches of warm water. You can use the elbow trick like testing water for a baby’s bath to make sure it is warm and not to hot. Now it is time to turn on the charm, turn on the music and finesse your cat.
As you pick up your cat and begin to place him in the water, pet him gently and begin speaking to him in a soothing, reassuring voice. Usually, within a few minutes, the cat will begin to relax and not struggle as much. Using the sprayer or if this method startles your cat into a panic, you can use a cup or pitcher to slowly pour water over his body, making sure to stay away from his head and face, all the while, continuing to speak in a low reassuring voice.
When wetting the cat down is complete, place a small amount of shampoo, about the size of a dime into the palm of your hand. Start rubbing the shampoo gently into the hair and skin, slowly working it into lather, once again, being very careful not to get near the head or face. When you are finished lathering the soap, using a sprayer, or cup which ever does not frighten your cat, slowly begin to pour clean fresh water over his body.
Make sure all soap is rinsed thoroughly from the body as it can cause skin irritation. If your cat is willing, you can now begin to lather a dime sized portion of conditioner into his hair. This step is not required. Once again, rinse your cat thoroughly making sure not to leave behind any residue. After the body is finished, get a small sponge or soft wash cloth damp with warm fresh, soap free water and begin to gently wipe off his head and face. Please remember to be very careful around the eye area.
The final step in the cat bathing process is to pat your cat down with one of the terry cloth towels. When that towel is wet, grab the second one and begin the process again. As the final towel begins to become damp, a short haired cat can usually take over and finish the job itself.
If you own a longhaired cat, it may be beneficial to see how it will react to the sound and wind of a hair dryer. It is important to remember though, to use the lowest setting. Another very important point to remember is to always keep the hair dryer in motion making sure not to get too close to the body in order to prevent the possibility of burning the skin.
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