Should you bath cats?

Answer 1

During your cats normal activities her coat and paws picking up dust and debris, chemicals, dirt, and loose hair . Swallowing all of this not the best practice for optimal health of any cat. Daily brushing will only take a few minutes and will remove 4/5ths of this and a few added moments grooming with a damp sponge will prevent most hairballs while removing odors, How ever removing deep dirt and debris, dust, dead skin particles, soiling, and dander from the skin and all hair layers means bathing. And in spite of your cats protests it feels good to be clean. Thorough brushing and combing before the bath and after the blow-dry removes dead hair and improves appearance.


Most people who think they are allergic to cats are actually allergic to their saliva which builds up on their fur. Begin when they are kittens to wash them with a wash cloth or sponge repeatedly wrung out in a basin of clean warm water Using it as if it were their mothers tounge licking them. They will respond with a calm attitude if you are calming and if you do not let the rag become dripping wet.

Bathing your cat is much less tramatic if the cat has learned from kittenhood that you are trust worthy ...please read the article sited and you will learn how to bathe your cat like a pro.

Once they are fully clean and dry, they know it and show it in their demeanor, the same humans do after a session with a hair stylist or groomer. Shelter groomers see repeatedly how even a dirty kitten who has never been bathed before will hold her tail upright and strut, after being bathed clean.

Answer 2

I bathe my cats since they often start smelling [they get into stuff they aren't supposed to]. But I wouldn't suggest bathing cats any more than once or twice a month unless your vet recommends it for a skin condition or some other reason.

Should you bathe your cats? Sure, it helps keep hair balls at bay, fleas and ticks off your cat, etc.. But like I said, you shouldn't really make a habit of bathing your cats more than twice a month tops. When you bathe a cat, you wash away the natural oils on its fur, this can be replaced fairly quickly if you only bathe them once or twice a month.. Any more than that the oils will not be able to be replaced as quickly.. These oils give the cats natural waterproofing and protection from dirt and other such things. So while baths are helpful to your cat, too many can actually harm your cat.

Just a note on what one of the first few answerers said: Never give a cat milk... They cannot digest it and it will harm your cat greatly. It can get diarrhea and become very dehydrated.

Answer 3

Cats are usually very clean animals. They don't need to be bathed most of the time. Then again, if your cat has a skin condition or has fleas, a bath is definitely a good idea. Contact your vet to see if your cat needs a bath.

If you would like to see other people's opinions, visit this link.
http://www.catster.com/answers/question/how_often_if_ever_do_you_give_a_cat_a_bath-83

Answer 4

I have never bathed a cat, never known anyone who does, and see no reason why you would need to. Maybe if you have a show cat you might, or if the cat really stinks! I have read about introducing them to bathing when they're kittens if it's something you want to start. But all my cats are shiny and smell nice anyway- why put yourself in hospital for something so unnecessary!

Answer 5

Typically no.

Most cats will keep themselves clean through licking. I have never had to bathe a shorthaired cat. I have, however, had to wash a kitten's feet when it was learning how to use a litter box... She would always step in it and I would have to spot wash her feet -- not an easy task!

Some longhaired cats - such as Persians - ocassionally need a wash. Since they are typically bathed now and then from kittens, they will get use to be bathed and not put up a fight. This is typical with show cats.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

To bath or not to bath...

It seems to be big business... http://www.catbathing.com/

I would think it mainly depends on you and your cat. If you've got allergies or you have others that are allergic, then bathing is a good idea. Assuming your cat is mainly an indoor cat.

If your cat is an outdoor cat (mainly), bathing is only warranted if your cat dosen't keep itself clean enough.... where, it could be a health problem.

Ultimately, it's your choice... it is possible to bath a cat but it's better if you start when it is a kitten. If it is full grown and you haven't bathed it before than I would start with a warm damp sponge and move into a full bath latter on...

Good luck and happy bathing (or not).

Answer 7

No, there should be no reason to. A healthy cat will keep itself clean, bathing it will only muck up it's normal body oils and dry out it's skin. You only need to wash them if they get something hideous on them, like engine oil.

Bathing is also not a way to get rid of fleas - flea shampoos do not work. If you're looking for flea treatment, the only stuff that works is found at vets.

Chalice

Answer 8

yes, cats get fleas like dogs at certain times of the year, dog fleas dont bite humans, but cat fleas do and cause problems of the skin on humans, cats should be bathed, combed it makes them feel comfortable especially in summer, cats venture out at night they can go anywhere a cat not bathed, not groomed can get skin infections like mange, fleas burrow under the skin. so bathe the cat, it will form a strong bond together.

Answer 9

no they can clean themselves fine (bathing a cat could make them ill if you don't do it properly)....

my mums cat (the cat was white) had kittens and she was covered in blood and stuff ... they were going to give her a bath the next day but when they saw her she was perfectly clean (plus to 4 kittens were clean too)


all you have to do to make sure your cats coat stays healthy ...

is ...use the medicine drops (which you put on the back of their necks and it makes sure they don't get fleas or worms) you can get this from the vets.

and also comb your cats fur regulary ... once a week if your cats fur is short ... every other day is they've got long messy fur ... and twice a week if its got long silky fur

Answer 10

i bath both my cats
i started from a young age, also the first time i used the bath anf=d ended up the lots of scratches but the second time i just put the shower on slow and it was fine in fact my youngest kitten jumps into the bath when we are in lol. so my answer is yes you can.