BATHING YOUR CAT
- Why should you bathe your cat?
- Keeps the coat cleaner
Cats can clean themselves — that’s true, but it’s not the whole picture. Cats use their tongue to lick away loose fur, dust, and stuck-on bits of food. However, this level of “clean” only meets a cat’s own standard when living in a natural environment. For cats that live indoors and interact with us daily, that standard of “clean” isn’t enough by human standards. Bathing your cat is necessary to maintain hygiene, both for your pet and for you.
- Reduces shedding
Eating, sleeping, and living surrounded by cat fur is something every cat owner has to deal with. That’s why anyone who owns a cat wants to find ways to minimize shedding as much as possible. Regular baths combined with brushing help remove loose fur and cut down on hair scattered everywhere.
- Prevents ticks, fleas, and skin conditions
Bacteria are always present on a cat’s skin and fur. Using proper shampoo and conditioner removes harmful bacteria and helps prevent ticks, parasites, fungus, and dandruff, keeping your cat’s skin and fur healthier.
- How often, and when, should you bathe your cat?
This depends on whether the coat is long or short, activity level, self-grooming habits, the cat’s health, and its living environment.
Short-haired cats can generally keep themselves cleaner than long-haired cats. Some cats are especially active — they love running around and exploring — so their coats get dirty more easily and need more frequent baths.
As a general rule, you should bathe your cat once a month. For cats in weaker health, you can reduce that to once every 6 weeks. But if your cat’s coat gets too dirty or starts smelling, a bath becomes necessary regardless of schedule.
Picking the right time to bathe your cat is a key factor in whether your cat will cooperate. Don’t bathe your cat while it’s hungry — it’ll only be thinking about food instead of sitting still in a tub of water. And don’t try to force a bath, since that will make your cat angry, and an angry cat could accidentally hurt you.
Likewise, right after playtime or while your cat is asleep isn’t a good time to take it for a bath either.
The best time is right after your cat has had a light snack and a nap. Once it’s alert, approach it calmly, pet it gently, and slowly pick it up to take it for a bath. If it resists or seems irritated, you can scratch it gently to help it relax and feel less stressed.
CAT BATHING PACKAGES AT BTM PET SHOP
At BTM Pet Shop, we offer Bath & Spa services for cats at the following prices:
