Do i have to wash my cats or is it enough for them to clean themselves by themselves??

Answer 1

Let them clean themselves, otherwise you'll be washing valuable oils from their coats. A bath every so many months won't hurt them tho' if the house/apartment is temperature controlled.

Answer 2

People are answerin genrally yes or not. Neither answer is correct. It depends entirely on your cat. Not even the breed. Some cats get DIRTY. It doesn't even matter if they are outdoor or indoor. Some cats are by nature grungy. They cannot adequately clean their coats and they smell. If a cats coat is soiled they SHOULD be washed. If they are relatively clean and just smell like a cat it is fine to leave them be. Certain breeds like Persians and exotics have very flat faces and do not clean themselves well, despite how hard they try. They MUST be bathed occasionally. I have however had exotics that groom themselvs meticulously..I have had cats from other breeds like devons with very little hair....that are considered "clean and low maintenence"...that neede regular bathing because they tended to be more oily.
The question you need to ask yourself is...Is the cat dirty? Are there stains on the coat, do they smell? If so....by all means give that cat a bath! If not they ae doing fine on their own and can continue until....well until the answer to the question is Yes....Pew!!!My cat needs a bath.HOW to bathe the cat...this is another story completely. Good luck

Answer 3

No you do not have to give them a bath, EVER, unless they medically need it or cannot groom themselves. For fleas, use Frontline or Revolution (which protects against heartworm too)- they are more effective and much less likely to harm or irritate your cat. If he goes out and gets extra dirty just wipe off his coat with a warm damp towel or kitty cleaning cloth that they sell in stores- he'll take care of the rest. If you really still feel the need to bathe them, start when they are kittens- some cats actually enjoy it if you start young. There is absolutely no reason to traumatize an older cat with a bath. Just make sure you brush them gently a few times a week in summer and maybe once a week in winter.

Answer 4

Some believe that bathing there cats help keep the shedding down. I have had cats all my life and I work in a vet clinic and we dont bath cats.
You should however do daily grooming. Clean the junk out of there eyes with a wet cotton ball, comb there fur at least once a day and keep an eye on there teeth and gums. They to can have dental problems like we can. As it is almost impossible to brush there teeth, give a treat that will help brake off the plaque if your not able to brush there teeth. Your vet should have a toothpaste that may help if you are able to brush as well as have health treets like greenies or Hills Brand t/d.
By brushing the fur daily will help keep the shedding down and prevent any matballs. Besides its a good way to spend time with your cat and spoil the cat.

Answer 5

They should be able to keep themselves clean. Some cats have an "odor" about them and need to be bathed every once in a while, but soap and hot water can really dry out a cat's skin. If you do give your cat a bath, use baby shampoo or something else that won't irritate their skin. Also make sure you don't get water in their ears.

Answer 6

In most cases cats do a sufficent job of grooming themselves. In the case of an elderly cat, an obsese cat, or a cat with a deformaty in the jaw or mouth (from accident, or natural) they need help. They normally just need a brushing, not a bath if you do need to help them. I would not suggest washing a cat more than twice a year, maybe for prevention of fleas, but they stay pretty clean.

Answer 7

Hi there...most cats don't like being bathed/showered--a statistical fact that any vet can confirm. However, there are some exceptions, but those cats who like being bathed are unusual. Unlike dogs, cats are exceptional at grooming themselves so there's no need to bathe them and it will be one less thing for you to do as well. :-) BUT...if you find you need to intervene/help use unscented baby wipes. All cats spend a large percentage of their days grooming themselves and they are experts at it. They use their barbed tongues and lick dirt and debris off their fur in order to keep it clean and odour free. Cats with long hair may require the occasional bath if their fur gets too oily, but with regular brushing that may eliminate bathing. There are also occasional times when your cat's fur may get excessively dirty due to some mishap that the cat has gotten itself into. In some of these cases it may be necessary to give your cat a bath, but generally it isn't required and sometimes babywipes will be all that is needed if that's the case. :-)

Answer 8

I read that for allergy sufferers, you can wipe down the pollen and dander once a week with a damp cloth or baby wipe. There are also "cat bath" wipes available at pet stores.

You can tell the difference, even after brushing, if their hair is matted or dull. I have to wash my long haired cat all the time (in the sink) she hates it but man what a beautiful coat afterwards, we both like it super clean!

Answer 9

As long as they're indoor cats, baths aren't really necessary unless they get into something....or something gets spilled on them. Baths ARE helpful at reducing dander, though....and there are a few exceptions in the cat world; some of them actually LIKE water. So an occasional bath for those cats wouldn't hurt:)

But for outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats, baths would be a good idea.

Answer 10

most cats can keep themselves clean. I do have a long haired Maine Coon who gets a "baking soda bath" once every few months. I rub the baking soda into his fur, then brush him well. it deoderized his fur without removig the natural oils from his skin.

If the cat had goopy mess on him, use a damp washcloth to gently rub the soiled areas.

Many cats can be trained to tolorate water. I have a cat who will climb into the tub with me after a few years of training ( yes, years) it all started by me gently pulling his tail under the water. Now, he likes it. Just keep the head above water, or they could get an ear infection or, even worse, water in their lungs.