By Cindy Youngers
One of the main reasons people are drawn to cats as pets is their self-sufficiency. Cats are great at self-care and are content with minimal pampering from their owners.
Many cats do not require bathing as a dog would. They are very capable of grooming themselves and keeping clean. In the rare instance a cat gets very dirty or gets something stuck in its fur that it cannot remove, a bath might be necessary.
Many cats are skittish around water, and anything like a bath is foreign to them, resulting in owners getting scratched, bitten, and having the cat escape. But there are ways to minimize the stress of bathing a cat for both owners and felines.
Pointers include:
- Brush the cat beforehand to remove tangled fur.
- Place something the cat can grip with its claws into the bottom of the bath, such as a piece of window screen, to provide traction.
- Use warm water.
- Place cotton in the cat’s ears to prevent bath water from entering.
Slowly lower the cat into the water and watch for their response, using soothing words and petting. Use a gentle shampoo designed for cats, and begin washing the neck, working backward. Thoroughly rinse all of the shampoo to avoid skin irritation. Use a towel to pat the cat dry, avoiding vigorous rubbing or new matting may occur. Place the cat in a warm room to dry and keep the cat away from other pets until dry, calm, and ready for social interaction.
Cindy Youngers is the owner of Cara Mia Pet Resort, located at 6429 Transit Road in East Amherst, NY. Learn more at www.caramiapetresort.com or call 716-568-2272.
