Domestic cats, like their cousins in the wild, do not like to bathe too much. Despite the fact that these animals are good swimmers, they will never climb into the water of their own free will. 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 this article.
Frequency of bath procedures: what you need to know
Animals that attend exhibitions are accustomed 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 are struggling to adapt to water. Therefore, bath procedures end with scratches on the body of the owners. How often do you need to carry out such events to keep the animal clean and healthy? The answer to this question depends on many factors. For example, cat species, age, length and structure of the fur.
Do not forget that grease is constantly present on the fur of the beast. This substance is provided by nature to maintain the skin in good condition.
Therefore, experts do not recommend washing the animal frequently to prevent the development of dry skin. You need to bathe the 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 the first bath be?
Speaking about how to wash a cat, experts note that it is necessary to teach a pet to water from an early age and gradually. Then bathing procedures will not become a source of great concern for him. Adapt a small pet only after he gets used to a new place of residence (if the animal was taken from another house). At the age of 3 months, the animal can be brought from time to time into a dry bath with toys, as well as accustomed to the sound of water (for example, turn on the tap). If a pet is scared and runs away, he must be left alone. Over time, he will adapt.
How to prepare for the bathing procedure?
To make the event as comfortable as possible for both the cat and the owner, you must follow these recommendations:
- Check for drafts in the rooms. Cold air is dangerous for the animal after bath procedures. The cat can catch a cold.
- Place a carpet or sheet on the bathroom floor. During bathing, pets behave uneasily, spray water.
- On adult cats, you need to wear a harness and attach it to the mixer.
- All accessories that a person uses during bath procedures should be removed.
- For a pet, you need to prepare a large towel and put this item next to you.
- It is recommended that you open the shampoo bottle before bathing.
Host Security
Many owners ask how to wash the cat if it is scratched. Aggressive behavior is quite natural. After all, the pet experiences excitement and tries to defend itself. To avoid scratches, you should cut the claws of a domestic predator. Also, before bathing, it is recommended to play with the cat to calm him. The owner must be patient with the animal, show affection and caution. It is better to wear a denim jacket with long sleeves. This will help protect the skin if the cat breaks loose. In addition, we must remember that you should start washing only after the pet visits the toilet.
Water preparation
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 the bucket. It is undesirable to have an open crane next to the four-legged friend, this is an additional source of excitement. The water level should reach a maximum to the belly of the pet. The optimum temperature of the liquid intended for swimming 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 the pet with affectionate words. It is desirable that the animal was bathed by more than one person. The owner should find an assistant because cats tend to resist seeing water.
You can take the animal by the withers. It will not hurt. If the owner picked up a pet from the street, there are fears that there are parasites on the skin of the beast, he suffers from skin disease. Talk to your doctor about this. The vet 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 bathing procedures is completed, you should wet the skin of your pet. First water the back, then the pelvis and the rest of the body. It is necessary to be extremely careful and not to allow liquid to enter the ear cavity.
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). It is possible to wash off a means for bathing with a shower or manually. Speaking about how to properly wash the 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 your pet can poison. After the owner washed off all the foam from the wool, you should wrap the beast in a towel and hold it in your hands.
To make the cat’s fur dry, use a hairdryer or towels. The second option is preferable, since most pets do not tolerate loud noise. After wiping, treat the beast with a treat.
When the skin is dry, comb it. The main thing is that the animal does not catch a cold. If the room temperature is less than +22 ° C, bathing should be abandoned.
Types of Shampoos
Speaking about 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 strong aroma. Bathing animals with shampoos is extremely undesirable for people, as they have a bad effect on the skin. There are detergents for cats that come in dry form. The owner rubs this powder into the fur of the animal, and then combes its particles.
The procedure takes about an hour, sometimes more. The advantage of this shampoo is that it helps to tidy up the hair of even that cat who is panicky afraid of water. Cons - a short-term effect, irritation of the nose and eyes of the animal (there may be dryness, sneezing).
For easier combing, spray-shaped products are used. However, they have a strong aroma that is unpleasant for the pet. But this product has its pluses. Spray protects fur from harmful effects, parasites.
For hosts who are interested in how to wash the cat and what to use for this, vets recommend emulsions. Such products maintain a good condition of the skin, do not harm health, as they have a natural composition.
If there are no special products at hand, and the animal needs to be bathed, the safest option is a shampoo for children and an 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?
In the event that parasites are found on the skin, they must be disposed of as soon as possible. Using a comb, all insects and larvae are removed. It is recommended to bathe the animal after using the product to eliminate fleas and ticks.
In severe cases, consult a doctor. Sometimes animals get dirty with fuel oil. This substance is difficult to wash. The oily structure is not susceptible to shampoos and water. It is strictly forbidden to wash domestic predators with solvents or gasoline. This will negatively affect the organs of vision and smell. To remove chemicals from the wool, the rag is moistened with vegetable oil and rubbed. Then you can use shampoo.
A dishwashing detergent also helps to clean the skin from fuel oil. True, after it, the wool should be rinsed well.