Contraindications to bathing are the postoperative period (it is necessary to wait until the sutures are completely healed) and the cat’s pregnancy. Also, cats should not be washed for two weeks after vaccination.
Choosing a shampoo for a cat
Cats should not be washed with regular shampoo or soap: humans and animals have different acid-base balance, so the use of “human” detergents can injure the cat’s skin and ruin its coat.
Pet shampoos for cats can be purchased at veterinary pharmacies or pet stores. They are of three types: – dry (powder), – liquid, – spray shampoos.
Dry shampoos are a compromise solution to relieve the cat from the fear of bathing. The powder is applied to the wool and, after a while, combed out along with the dirt. Dry shampoos are almost as effective as liquid shampoos and make it easier to brush the coat. They are often used for long-haired animals: after the usual washing, their coat dries for a long time and the cat can catch a cold.
Spray shampoos are quite rare and are used in the same way as dry shampoos: the spray is sprayed onto the coat and then combed out. Spray shampoos also make the coat easier to comb and have an anti-static effect.
Liquid shampoos are the most common and most effective. They not only get rid of dirt, but also help to make the cat’s coat silky and soft. There are many specialized liquid shampoos: anti-flea, anti-mite, anti-mats, designed for cats of a certain color, and so on.
How to bathe a cat
For most cats, washing is very stressful, therefore, preliminary preparation for the procedure is necessary. About 4 hours before washing, the cat does not need to be fed or exposed to additional stress. Before taking the animal to the bathroom, try to take the cat in your arms, caress, calm down.
It is better not to wash the cat in the basin – the animal will grab onto its edges with its paws. Usually, sinks with a plug or a bathtub are used for these purposes. It is better to lay a rug on its bottom so that the cat’s paws do not slip. Cats are often frightened not so much by the water as by the noise with which it flows from the tap, so it is better to collect warm water in advance. Its level should be up to the cat’s abdomen. The air temperature in the room where you wash your cat should be at least 22 ° C (cats are sensitive to hypothermia), the water temperature should be 38-40 ° C.
Place the cat in the water and, holding the animal firmly by the shoulders, wet the fur, making sure that no water gets into the nose and ears. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the coat and lather, then rinse off the foam with clean water (you can use a low-pressure shower).