How to wash a cat at home?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Domestic cats, like their counterparts in the wild, are not too fond of bathing. Despite the fact that these animals are good swimmers, they will never enter the water of their own accord. However, the owners from time to time have to wash the animal. How to do it right? You can read about several important recommendations in the article.

Frequency of bath procedures: what you need to know

Animals that attend exhibitions are taught to water from an early age. Therefore, their owners do not have a question about how to wash an adult cat. However, animals that were not bathed in childhood find it difficult to adapt to water. Therefore, bath procedures end with scratches on the body of the owners. How often should such events be carried out so that the animal is clean and he althy? The answer to this question depends on many factors. For example, cat species, age, length and texture of fur.

Don't forget that the animal's fur is constantly lubricated. This substance is provided by nature to keep the skin in good condition.

Therefore, experts do not recommend washing the animal often to prevent the development of dry skin. You need to bathe cubs no more than 3 times a month, adult pets - twice a year. It is undesirable to wash a pregnant female. If necessary, you can only use a special dry shampoo.

At what age should I take my first bath?

Speaking about how to wash a cat, experts note that it is necessary to accustom a pet to water from an early age and gradually. Then bath procedures will not become a source of great concern for him. A small pet should be adapted only after it gets used to a new place of residence (if the animal was taken from another home). At the age of 3 months, the animal can be brought into a dry bath with toys from time to time, as well as accustomed to the sound of water (for example, turn on the tap). If the pet got scared and ran away, he should be left alone. He will adjust over time.

How to prepare for bathing?

To make the event as comfortable as possible for both the cat and the owner, you need to follow these recommendations:

1. Check for drafts in rooms. Cold air is dangerous for the animal after bath procedures. The cat might catch a cold.
2. Place a rug or sheet on the bathroom floor. While bathing, pets behave restlessly, splashing water.
3. Adult cats must be harnessed and attached to the faucet.
4. All accessories that a person uses during bath procedures should be removed.
5. For petyou need to prepare a large towel and put this item next to you.
6. It is recommended to open the shampoo bottle before bathing.

Host Safety

Many owners ask how to wash a cat if it scratches. Aggressive behavior is completely natural. After all, the pet is worried and tries to defend itself. To avoid scratches, you should trim the claws of a domestic predator. Also, before bath procedures, it is recommended to play with the cat to calm him down. The owner must be patient with the animal, show affection and caution. It is better to wear a sweater made of thick fabric with long sleeves. This will help protect the skin if the cat tries to break out. In addition, we must remember that you should start washing only after the pet visits the toilet.

Preparing water

Experts do not recommend collecting a large amount of liquid in the bathroom, sink or basin in which the animal is bathed. Do not water it from a bucket. It is undesirable to have an open tap next to a four-legged friend, this is an additional source of excitement. The water level should reach a maximum of the pet's stomach. The optimum temperature of the liquid intended for bathing is +37 °C. It should be checked with a thermometer. How to wash a cat if he is afraid of water? First of all, you need to calm your pet with gentle words. It is desirable that the animal was bathed by more than one person. The owner should find a helper because cats tend to resist the sight of water.

You can take the animal by the withers. It won't hurt. If the owner picked up a pet from the street, there are fears that there are parasites on the skin of the animal, it suffers from a skin disease. Check with your doctor about this. The veterinarian will tell you how to wash the cat in this situation, whether it can be done at all.

Bathing process

When the preparation for the bath procedures is completed, you should wet the skin of your pet. First, water is poured on the back, then the pelvis and the rest of the body. You need to be extremely careful not to allow liquid to enter the cavity of the ears.

When the fur gets wet, it is covered with shampoo. It is necessary to ensure that the foam does not penetrate the head (this place is wiped with a washcloth). You can wash off the bath product with the help of a shower or manually. Speaking about how to properly wash a cat, it should be noted that there is one important rule: shampoo should not remain on the surface of the fur. It contains substances that can poison your pet. After the owner has washed off all the foam from the wool, you should wrap the animal in a towel and hold it in your arms.

To make the cat's fur dry, use a hair dryer or towels. The second option is preferable, since most pets do not tolerate loud noise well. After wiping, treat the beast with a treat.

When the skin becomes dry, it is combed. The main thing is that the animal does not catch a cold. If the room temperature is less than +22 °C, bathing should be avoided.

Types of shampoos

Speaking of how to wash a cat at home,It should be emphasized that the choice of means is of great importance. It should not have a bright color and a strong aroma. Bathing animals with shampoos for humans is highly undesirable, as they are bad for the skin. There are products for washing cats, which are available in dry form. The owner rubs this powder into the fur of the animal, and then combs out its particles.

The procedure takes about an hour, sometimes more. The advantage of this shampoo is that it helps to tidy up the coat even of a cat that is terribly afraid of water. Cons - short-term effect, irritation of the nose and eyes of the animal (may be dryness, sneezing).

For easier combing, use products in the form of a spray. However, they have a strong aroma that is unpleasant for the pet. But this product also has its advantages. The spray protects the fur from harmful effects, parasites.

For owners who are interested in how to wash a cat and what to use for this, veterinarians advise emulsions. Such products maintain the good condition of the skin, do not harm he alth, as they have a natural composition.

If there are no special products at hand, and the animal needs to be bathed, the safest option would be shampoo for children and egg yolk mixed with water. This ingredient acts as a balm, protecting the skin from dryness.

How to wash a cat if it has fleas or heavy pollution?

When parasites are found on the skin, they must be disposed of as soon as possible. With the help of a comb, all insects and larvae are removed. Bathepet is recommended after using a flea and tick remover.

In severe cases, you should consult a doctor. Sometimes animals get dirty with fuel oil. This substance is difficult to wash off. The oily structure is not affected by shampoos and water. Domestic predators are strictly prohibited from washing with solvents or gasoline. This will negatively affect the organs of vision and smell. To remove chemicals from wool, a rag is moistened with vegetable fat and wiped over the wool. Then you can use shampoo.

Dishwashing detergent also helps to clean the skin from fuel oil. True, after it, the wool must be rinsed well.