How often should I bathe my cat for a certain period? The opinions of the hosts did not agree. Some people think it’s impossible to bathe domestic cats because these animals love cleanliness by themselves, constantly lick their fur, do not need additional care, and don’t like water. The latter is convinced of the importance of helping the pet maintain hygiene. But the truth lies in the middle.
Do I Need to Wash a Cat?
All pets, throughout their lives, need water treatments. We must bathe them more than once, as dirt and tassels appear on the wool. But the owner wants to see his pet well-groomed and beautiful.
In which cases, you need to bathe a cat
You need to wash your “cat” only in justified situations, for example, when:
- The wool is tangled, and the shine has disappeared.
- The “Mustachioed naughty” knocked over something or climbed somewhere.
- If fleas are wound up. After bathing, it should be treated.
- When signs of an allergic reaction, lichen, dermatitis, and other skin diseases are present.
- Homeless “pussies” brought from the street.
- In preparation for the exhibition.
Some cases of illness require a doctor’s prescription.
How Often Should I Bathe My Cat?
How often can I bathe cats? This is especially interesting for pet owners. There is no need to arrange a bathing day every week; it is recommended to do this once every 2-3 months. The little predator is used to keeping its fur clean. Frequent bathing can be harmful, as the protective grease produced by special glands is washed off.
It is essential to share the need to wash the pet and partially rub contaminated areas properly. When the cat got dirty in the tray or returned from a walk, you must remove the dirt with a warm, damp cloth. You can use liquid baby soap, previously dissolved in water.
How To Train A Cat For Swimming?
So that the pet is not exposed to stress, it is necessary to become accustomed to water in stages; starting from an early age is better. It is not recommended to wash Kittens before the appearance of permanent teeth. First, you can dip your feet in warm water. You can wash it for the first time three weeks after changing teeth. It is necessary to allow the animal to adapt; it is impossible to rush. Kids are not as clean as their “mothers” and “dads”; a kitten can be smeared because of curiosity. In this regard, the veterinarians’ recommendations say that young animals should be bathed as their coats become soiled.
How To Wash a Cat?
It is necessary to prepare a large towel and detergent in advance. Removing all unnecessary objects from the bathroom and closing the door and the window from drafts is advisable. The washing should occur at a comfortable temperature of about 35-37 degrees. If the pet is very hot or cold, he can get scared, especially if he is afraid of water. Fill the bathtub for 20-30 centimeters, and slowly lower the animal. It is recommended to take it by the withers; there is a painless zone. Then, thoroughly moisten the skin and ensure that water does not fill the eyes, nose, or ears.
Squeeze a little shampoo onto your palm, then massage the hair lightly with rubbing movements. It is allowed to use a soft brush. It is more convenient to bathe a domestic cat from a shower hose, with a mild pressure of warm water. If necessary, you can re-soap. Rinse the coat thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent and wipe the animal well.
Optimal Water Temperature
It is very important to prepare comfortable water for bathing your pet. You must adhere to these rules:
- Boiling water can burn delicate skin, so it will be correct to set the indicator to 40 degrees (focus on the breed). If the pet is trembling, then the water is very cold for him;
- The room where the kitty will bathe should be warm, at least 23 degrees Celsius.
- To determine the temperature, you must use a thermometer, not a palm or elbow.
Contraindications for Swimming
There are cases when it is forbidden to wash pets:
- In the postoperative period. Full recovery usually takes a month and a half;
- In late pregnancy cats. You should not wash it at this time; stress can cause premature birth;
- After vaccination, within 14 days. Veterinarians believe that immunity at this time is weakened;
- When the animal is sick, washing can cause deterioration.
If the pet owner is concerned, water procedures should be discontinued.
Drying After Bathing
The washed animal should be wrapped in a terry towel or sheet. For long-haired breeds, prepare an extra diaper to collect moisture completely. You can dry the hair with a hairdryer if sharp sounds do not scare the “murky.” It is better to set the device to a warm air supply; a very hot stream can cause burns. So that the animal does not catch a cold, there is a condition – leaving it for 1 hour in a warm room is necessary.
How To Clean Cat Ears At Home?
“How do you clean cat ears at home?” The owners often ask this question of these furry pets. Regular cleaning of the ears of cats and small kittens is a mandatory hygiene and preventive measure. Timely performed manipulations to ensure the hygiene of the organs of the hearing prevent the appearance of various ear diseases and allow you to maintain good hearing in pets for life.
How to Clean Cat Ears at Home?
To understand what and how to clean the cat ears properly, you need to find out the origin of the pollution. Ears can become dirty for several reasons :
- tick infection;
- otitis;
- excessive secretion of the sebaceous glands, which depends on the breed of the cat;
- natural pollution;
- allergic reactions.
Ear Cleaning Frequency
A healthy pet does not need constant cleaning of the ears. Usually, this is done only if such a need arises. A preventive visual inspection is recommended at least once every 10-14 days. It is enough to clean a pet’s ears from accumulated dirt only once a month. Cats of breeds subject to increased deposition of sulfuric matter are inspected much more often. It all depends on the specific physiological characteristics of the pet. Some animals require auricles every 2-3 days.
Ear Cleaning Rules
The procedure for cleaning the ears carries a lot of stress for cats. They behave uneasily and can show aggression. To reduce the discomfort of carrying out manipulations in front of her, it is recommended to observe some conditions :
- play with the animal, distract him;
- let sniff items that will be cleaned;
- calm the pet by stroking;
- at the end of the hygiene of the ears of the cat, treat your favorite treat.
It is best to use special cat ear care products that can be instilled into the auricle for cleaning. With the help of such products, dirt, plaque, and crusts will soften, and the procedure will be easier for the cat. It is forbidden to use hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and soap solutions for installation. After all, the internal auditory meatus is delicate, and such funds can burn and dry it. They can only be used to cleanse the outer ear by applying them to a cotton pad.
Preparation of Necessary Tools
It is recommended to prepare the following items in advance: a dense blanket, several cotton buds (it is better to use special children’s shoes so that the possibility of ear injury is minimized), and a cleaning solution. This liquid can be prepared independently based on furatsilina or hydrogen peroxide, or you can buy a special tool in a veterinary store. You can rinse the cat’s ear with the Barsik special gel for cleaning the ears.
How to Clean Your Cat and Kitten’s Ears at Home?
The ears-cleaning process includes the following sequential steps:
- An unaccustomed or overly frisky pet should be fixed with a towel or sheet. The limbs and the body are wrapped with fabric; only the head remains outside.
- The auricle is very carefully turned out. Highlighting a flashlight, carefully inspect the inside of the ear. If the skin is clean, smooth, and shiny, and there are no contaminants, then there is no need for hygiene measures.
- Detected small impurities can be removed with a dry swab so as not to irritate the skin again.
- If the contaminated areas are significant, the dirt particles are removed using a swab soaked in a disinfectant solution. All movements should be made from the inside out to prevent the sulfur from being pushed into the ear canal. As needed, cotton pads are changed.
- Then, thoroughly treat the entire surface inside the sink with cotton buds. Having soaked them in a disinfectant, gently and carefully wipe the internal folds and bends. There is no need to try to clean the auditory canal; these actions can accidentally injure the eardrum. The sticks change periodically as they become dirty. Cleaning is only completed when the fleece on the used tool is clean.
- If sulfuric plugs are found during inspection, they are soaked with the help of special ear drops, which are instilled with a dispenser or pipette. After introducing the solution, the cat’s ear is lightly massaged at the base so the liquid is better distributed inside the cavity.
- At the end of the manipulations, you should praise the pet and treat it with a delicious treat.
For Kittens
Tiny kittens need a special careful approach during hygienic manipulations. Accustoming them to such procedures from 2-3 months is recommended. Breeders with great experience are advised to use saline or special care products for washing. It is forbidden to use vinegar, soap solution, and alcohol-containing liquids.
Early Childhood Education
How and with what should we clean the ears of the cat so as not to frighten the animal? Experienced veterinarians and zoopsychologists recommend teaching a kitten the procedure for cleaning the ears from a young age. In this case, he will be much calmer to tolerate such manipulations in adulthood. A stressed or scared cat will scratch or try to escape from its owner. Ears should be cleaned systematically, depending on the animal’s ears’ age and nature. Regular cleaning procedures will help your pet adapt better to them.
Dr. Jenifer Miona is a highly skilled and compassionate veterinarian based in Ireland. With a passion for animal health and wellbeing, she has dedicated her career to providing the highest standard of veterinary care to pets and their families.
After completing her veterinary degree at the University of Dublin, Dr. Miona went on to specialize in small animal medicine. She has since gained extensive experience in all areas of veterinary care, including routine check-ups, surgical procedures, and emergency treatments.
In her clinic, Dr. Miona is known for her gentle and compassionate approach to patient care. She takes the time to listen to the concerns of pet owners and develops personalized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each animal.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Miona is active in the veterinary community and stays up-to-date with the latest advances in veterinary medicine through ongoing education and professional development. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the Irish Veterinary Association and the European College of Small Animal Medicine.
Outside of her work as a veterinarian, Dr. Miona is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending time with her own pets. She also volunteers at local animal shelters and is committed to promoting animal welfare through community outreach and education.
