Maintaining good hygiene in cats is simple because the felines themselves are very careful in this regard. Daily, they wash their bodies by licking themselves and try not to strain themselves. Even so, sometimes it is unavoidable to bathe your kitten if it has become very dirty, either by rolling around in a muddy place or by accumulating remains of dirt when hiding in the rooms of the house.
Bathing a cat is not always easy, as they are usually water reluctant animals. In addition, it is important to choose the moment well, since it is not necessary to bathe them very often. If you do not comply with a series of premises, it will surely cost you a lot and the moment will be unpleasant for both parties. If you have found that your cat prefers that you not bathe him and even becomes aggressive, you may be interested in discovering how to bathe a cat that is not left and how to calm him before the bath so that it is easier to achieve it.
How to Calm a Cat Before Bathing
Knowing how to bathe a feline is just as important as the best ways to calm it beforehand. If you can't get him to relax, the task will become an ordeal. To discover how to bathe a cat without scratching you, you follow these tips to relax a cat before bathing :
- Play and have some fun with the cat. This way, you will be able to have all her confidence and that she feels very calm before putting her in the bathtub. In addition, it is likely that she takes the bath as one more game if you are patient, you give her caresses and you speak to her in a loving tone.
- By brushing or combing the cat, you will be able to distract it and not focus all its attention on the water, especially if you use a small amount of water.
- Try to move with calm and smooth movements all the time, speak to him in a pleasant and soft tone of voice, offer him a treat or treat (if he likes malt or catnip you can offer them), etc.
- A few hours before the bath, cut the tips of his nails, or file them to avoid scratching you a lot once you have started bathing him.
- Also, try giving your cat a massage before and during the bath.
- If he is still a puppy, try to accustom him to the baths so that he leaves more easily and when he is older he does not panic. To do this, you can usually play with it in the water, even with a small bowl, and without always using soap, only when you really have to wash it, the rest of the time they will help it get used to the water more easily and see it as something good or even playtime.
How to Bathe an Aggressive Cat
To bathe an aggressive or very scary cat in water, patience will be your best ally. Before proceeding to the bathroom, you must have everything well prepared, soap, towels, a quiet environment, water at a suitable temperature, etc. Remember that it's crucial to choose the right shampoo. Not sure what soap to bathe a cat with? There are specific alternatives for felines, but if you cannot access them, bet on a neutral soap. Keep in mind that these animals have a very different pH than humans, so do not use the gel or shampoo that you use to bathe them. Otherwise, you can cause an infection on their skin or problems with their coat.
After having everything ready, follow these tips on how to bathe your aggressive cat.
- Close the bathroom so that the cat is not distracted by other noises or can escape.
- Place a mat or towel in the tub so that it sits at the bottom of the water and doesn't slip.
- Fill the bathtub little by little so that the cat is not scared by the sound of the tap and make sure that the water temperature is warm.
- Use clothes that protect you against a possible scratch from the pussycat, thus preventing it from hurting you. Put on a sweatshirt or sweater with long sleeves, covering both arms.
- Don't force the soap and water onto the cat. Slowly wet her body, either with your hands or a soft sponge.
- Rinse off the soap with lukewarm water while stroking her body. Avoid rubbing shampoo around the eyes and ears.
- To clean her face, she opts for a damp washcloth so that no soap or water gets into her mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Gently dry your cat with a towel and, if noise is not scary, with the help of a dryer, but at a certain distance and at a normal temperature, not hot.
- Make sure that the whole process is as short as possible, finding a balance between calm movements and the time that the cat spends in this situation, so that the bath is efficient and effective, thus causing the least possible stress.
Read also: How to Train a Border Collie – Puppies and Adults
As alternatives to baths with soap and water, bet on the wet wipe. There are also specific shampoos for cats suitable for dry bathing.
Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff
Sources: Uncomo
