can i and should i give my cat a bath?

Answer 1

During the switch of seasons, my cat tends to gain alot of fur that he sheds instantly and it causes hairballs when he licks it all up. So once in the fall and once in the spring, I give him a rinse down to get rid of the build up of hair.

Answer 2

Absolutely. It is completely necessary sometimes. As cats age, it is essential to help them with the grooming and sometimes kittens don't do a good job of cleaning either. Every now and then is completely fine. You wouldn't want to do it more than once every couple of weeks. That could dry their skin out. I only bath every four months or so, but my guys are strictly indoors. It is important to use a product that has been recommended or approved by a vet. Some products have perufmes or additives that may adversely affect a cat especially since they clean themselves orally.

The greatest challenge is introducing a bath to a kitty that isn't accustomed to it. Be calm and talk to your kitty. I do not subscribe to the quick it better. I tend to try to remove the fear. I have two that I started bathing from the beginning and they are much more likely to play in water. One runs everytime I turn on the water. I never want to do anything to deter that behavior. If they become frightened hold them firmly and close. VERY IMPORTANT! Trim their nails first! Maybe wear a sweatshirt so that you may cuddle them to your chest for comfort until they settle down. Some cats just scream and don't fight it, while others are frantic. Still others don't seem to mind at all. I have all types.

Clean kitties are wonderful. A good product helps them stay fresh smelling and dandruff free. Not to mention some products can aid in controlling fleas, lice and tics if that is an issue. Those products don't necessarily smell as nice and must be used with caution as to their toxicity. Be careful as well, I had a cat allergic to some flea control products. Don't worry, most of the time just watch their reactions and don't use a product again that affects our kitty in a bad way. Mostly it is just observation and go with your gut.

Oh, the first time I bath my kitties to get them used to it, I take them into the shower with me and I wear my clothes so they can't scratch me. Then I am able to comfort them completely and hold them close. Never use cold water only. That makes it that much more tramatic for them and then you.

Answer 3

How to Give a Cat a Bath
1. Know that although the kitty cat has the advantage of quickness and lack of concern for human life, you have the advantage of strength. Capitalize on that advantage by selecting the battlefield. Don't try to bathe him in an open area where he can force you to chase him. Pick a very small bathroom. If your bathroom is more than four feet square, we recommend that you get in the tub with the cat and close the sliding-glass doors as if you were about to take a shower. (A simple shower curtain will not do. A berserk cat can shred a three-ply rubber shower curtain quicker than a politician can shift positions.)
2. Know that a cat has claws and will not hesitate to remove all the skin from your body. Your advantage here is that you are smart and know how to dress to protect yourself. We recommend canvas overalls tucked into high-top construction boots, a pair of steel-mesh gloves, an army helmet, a hockey face-mask, and a long-sleeved flak jacket.
3. Use the element of surprise. Pick up your cat nonchalantly, as if to simply carry him to his supper dish. (Cats will not usually notice your strange attire. They have little or no interest in fashion as a rule.)
4. Once you are inside the bathroom, speed is essential to survival. In a single liquid motion, shut the bathroom door, step into the tub enclosure, slide the glass door shut, dip the cat in the water and squirt him with shampoo. You have now begun one of the wildest 45 seconds of your life.
5. Cats have no handles. Add the fact that he now has soapy fur, and the problem is radically compounded. Do not expect to hold on to him for more than two or three seconds at a time. When you have him, however, you must remember to give him another squirt of shampoo and rub like crazy. He'll then spring free and fall back into the water, thereby rinsing himself off. (The national record for cats is three latherings, so don't expect too much.)
6. Next, the cat must be dried. Novice cat bathers always assume this part will be the most difficult, for humans generally are worn out at this point and the cat is just getting really determined. In fact, the drying is simple compared with what you have just been through. That's because by now the cat is semi-permanently affixed to your right leg.
You simply pop the drain plug with your foot, reach for your towel and wait. (Occasionally, however, the cat will end up clinging to the top of your army helmet. If this happens, the best thing you can do is to shake him loose and to encourage him toward your leg.) After all the water is drained from the tub, it is a simple matter to just reach down and dry the cat.
In a few days the cat will relax enough to be removed from your leg. He will usually have nothing to say for about three weeks and will spend a lot of time sitting with his back to you. He might even become psychoceramic and develop the fixed stare of a plaster figurine.
You will be tempted to assume he is angry. This isn't usually the case. As a rule he is simply plotting ways to get through your defenses and injure you for life the next time you decide to give him a bath. But at least now he smells a lot better.


But really, as a owner of 4 cats, I bathe all of them once every two months (two have REALLY long hair) and they really hate it, but man they really do feel better afterwards.

Answer 4

Unless you have a good reason (like, my cat was sprayed by a skunk or my vet told me to) you probably shouldn't bathe your cat. It's not necessary.

Brushing is a much better idea - it will remove just as much dirt as a bath and your cat will enjoy it a lot more.

Answer 5

Cats can use bathes as they get dirty too. the spittle that remains in their coat will smell and they really don't get themselves very clean. I give about 1 bath every 6 months. You will have to do this quickly as they want to get dry fast but they do make the water black. Use a pet shampoo and Luke warm water. make sure to dry the cat as good as you can, because they will try to dry using their tongue.

Answer 6

You could, but there really is no need. They are THE cleanest animals you could ever own (they spend hours a day licking themselves clean) and cats really do hate water so they wouldn't like it much. Unless it is a long haired cat (which just needs regular brushing) I don't think you cat will need a bath.

Answer 7

You can give your cat a bath but I wouldn't recommend it, unless your willing to get a lot of cat scratches or if your cat is just plain weird and loves water.

Answer 8

No, Cats are proud and independent creatures and will not like being washed by humans. Even if your cat is a long haired cat, get a comb or brush.
Cats think of themselves as higher rank than humans and will not trust you again if you wash/bathe them, not matter how much they like water.

Answer 9

Cats are so clean, you shouldn't need to bathe it. Unless it's too old/fat to do it themselves. If you bathe any animal too often it will get dry skin, just keep that in mind. If you want to ensure that your cat is clean, they have wipes you can use on them, it would probably be a hell of a lot eaiser and quicker...

Answer 10

Sure go ahead but if you want to put him or her in the sink because that would be better.Once your done cleaning him or her put them outside if you don't want the floors wet.