Do I Actually Have to Give My Cat a Tub? Well being & Hygiene Ideas

Final Up to date on: July 17, 2023 by Crystal Uys

wet cat in the bathtub having shower

Anyone who owns a canine will let you know that even the cleanest canines want baths typically. In actual fact, most canines want baths no less than on a semi-regular foundation. Baths will help preserve the well being of a canine’s pores and skin and coat, in addition to scale back any disagreeable odors. It looks as if it will make sense to your cat to want the identical sort of upkeep for his or her coat, proper? Not precisely. Most cats don’t want common baths, although there are exceptions. Right here’s what you should learn about giving your cat a shower.


Do Cats Want Baths?

When you’re one of many many individuals with a cat that hates water, you’re in luck! Cats are primarily self-cleaning creatures. When your cat grooms itself, they’re prone to be way more environment friendly of their cleansing than you notice. Cats have barbed tongues, which permit them to snag unfastened hair and something caught of their coat, eradicating most of what shouldn’t be there. It additionally permits them to distribute the pure oils from their pores and skin throughout the coat and pores and skin, conserving every part moisturized and wholesome.

Though most cats don’t want baths, there are exceptions to each rule. Some cats could battle to successfully groom themselves, and there are a lot of causes that your cat could not have the ability to hold themselves clear. Chubby cats are sometimes unable to succeed in their again finish, whereas cats with arthritis and different medical situations could also be restricted from grooming as a consequence of ache or restricted mobility. It’s additionally not unusual for older or lazy cats to easily not groom themselves.

In case your cat has hassle grooming themselves and they’re getting soiled, amassing waste round their again finish, getting tangled and matted, or just smelling unhealthy, then routine baths could also be needed.

When you have a cat that struggles to groom themselves, you could possibly get away with brushing and utilizing merchandise like waterless shampoo and pet wipes to maintain them clear. There are some instances that your cat will completely want a shower, although.

Cat-playing-with-water-in-bathtub
Picture Credit score: sophiecat, Shutterstock

How Usually Do Cats Want Baths?

In case your cat is among the few that does want a shower, it’s essential to discover a bathing routine that retains your cat clear and hygienic with out overbathing them. Bathing too continuously can strip the pores and skin and coat of its pure oils, inflicting pores and skin dryness and irritation, in addition to a dry, broken coat. Except in any other case really useful by your cat’s vet, attempt to keep on with giving a shower no extra continuously than each 3–4 weeks. Needless to say topical flea and tick medicines shouldn’t be utilized inside a couple of days earlier than or after a shower, so be certain to observe the instructions on the package deal to make sure efficacy.

Some cats could require medicated baths to deal with issues with the pores and skin and coat, and medicated baths sometimes have to be repeated continuously, with some medicines requiring a number of baths per week. Focus on the suitable bathing schedule with the medicated shampoo in case your vet prescribes this to your cat.


In Conclusion

Most cats do a beautiful job of conserving themselves clear, because of their intuition to groom and their tongue that’s completely designed for thorough grooming. Some cats may have a bit of further assist staying clear, although, so it may be essential to provide you with a showering routine in case your cat struggles to correctly groom themselves.


Featured Picture Credit score: Vladeep, Shutterstock

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