The short answer is no. Cats are one of the cleanest animals on the planet. Cat grooming is a delicate subject because cats are notoriously anxious around water. In fact, there’s a very good chance that she will immediately try to get out when you put her in the tub. For the most part, giving cats baths is entirely unnecessary. With all the grooming they do, they certainly don’t need to be wash daily as … If your cat's skin is exposed to one of these substances, you may need veterinary support on top of a bath. The world of cat supplies can …, Buying a scratching post for your cat can be an exciting and frustrating experience. Ear Care. But the truth is, there is simply no reason to bathe your cat. Tip 87 – Cat bath – Bathing cats – Should I bathe my cat. They are role models of personal hygiene. Some cats can go longer depending on the length of hair and their active lifestyle. Don’t let. So, how often should you bathe your indoor cat? In turn, this can weigh down your cat and make her very uncomfortable. Just don’t get the heat too close to her. To get straight to the point, cats actually need baths, especially in certain circumstances where they might have dirtied themselves beyond simple grooming in infested with fleas. But if you’re curious, learn more about why cats really hate water. Since it’s pretty well-established that dogs need to be bathed regularly, it is usually presumed that cats do, as well. Senior cats may also be assisted from time to time. Not daily, not weekly, not monthly, not even annually. Only bathe cats when absolutely necessary. These diseases are airborne, so every cat needs to be vaccinated against them. It depends mostly on what you need to bathe your cat for. Now what would you do if your cats need a bath? Carefully wet your pet. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links." While indoor short haired domestic cats need less or no baths, the outdoor and long haired ones definitely do need a bath every now and then. Cats spend a large percentage of their days grooming themselves and they are experts at it. Lv 4. Coat Length and Type. A long-haired cat may also need slightly extra assistance cleaning themselves and of course a cat who stumbles his way into something messy that you wouldn’t want them to ingest. However, veterinarians advise us to apply flea control on indoor cats, even though they never go out. I was with my five year old son the other day and he asked me this question out of nowhere: “Do cats need baths?”. Although living inside is generally considered healthier, indoor cats need special care, too. Cats are the clean freaks of the animal world. In fact, half of their waking hours are spent on grooming themselves. On average, an indoor only cat needs to be bathed about 3 times a year. The water should be lukewarm. And thanks to their systematic licking and grooming habits, they’re probably cleaner than most of us. A domestic indoor cat will be able to handle a bath once or twice a year. The best option for these instances is to find a groomer of vet that will bathe your cat for you. Dry her in a warm room. According to them, cats can get fleas from other pets, people who visit us, or from us. 1 decade ago. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my e-mail and can look out for a lot more of your respective intriguing content. Dogs and cats have taken opposite paths when it comes to hunting strategies. “A healthy cat spends up to 40 percent of his day grooming himself,” said Dawn LaFontaine, owner of Cat … Longer coats will require more frequent bathing than short coat cats. Indoor cats also live much longer than outdoor cats. The question itself is an example of how we tend to look at cats through“dog-colored” glasses. Do Cats Typically Need Baths? Both occasions were pretty traumatizing for both of us, but I couldn’t leave her to groom the stuff off as it would have been dangerous. Do cats actually need to be bathed? Such as if they tumble on dirt or wrapped by color or others. “We do see cats who begin to develop health problems needing baths. For example, your cat was away from home for a few days. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Do you own a cat that litters around and you aren’t finding a relevant solution to it? Most cats can go their entire lives without a bath. According to Dr. Matthew McCarthy, DVM, veterinarian and owner of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital in Middle Village, NY, cats do not typically need to be bathed regularly. How to Discipline a Cat? I did however expertise some technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. We don’t need to bathe cats. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. We have all heard the stereotype that cats hate water, so it may feel a bit daunting to think about putting your own cat in a tub full of it. Using a general-purpose pet grooming shampoo should be sufficient. There are some cases wherein you have no choice but to bathe her, even if she doesn’t like it. How To Clean Your Cat’s Ears In 10 Easy Steps? There is no need to give your indoor cat a bath unless it has gotten into something that would be toxic for it to lick off itself (ex: paint, grease, chemicals, etc). Thus, giving her a bath isn’t really needed except for certain situations which I will discuss a bit later. Older cats may be incapable of keeping up with their grooming needs. Next, check out what else your pet groomer wishes they could tell you. Here are some of the pointers that you should remember: If your cat is afraid of water, I recommends trying dry bath products. Some cats are certainly more inclined to allow you giving them a bath, however, my kitty was not! Why Cats Don’t need to be Bathed. What is the Best Cat Scratching Post Today? The fact is, even though cats groom themselves, they often still need baths. Most cats are also very sensitive to odors. But if they have very greasy fur it is good to give them a bath just to keep them well groomed. Indoor cats do need the FVRCP vaccine. I guess he was pretty satisfied with my explanation. Many owners of indoor cats believe that their pets do not need flea treatment. Effective Ways to Solve 4 Cat Behaviors, Cats Urinating In The House: Three Possible Reasons, How to Make Homemade Dog Food: 10 Simple Recipes to Follow, No More Cat’s Dirty Paws Anymore! Or when she figures in an accident and her coat gets exposed to oil. I hope to share my ideas and personal experiences from my dog ownership with you so you too can be the best pet parent possible. Apply shampoo and rinse thoroughly. If you have an indoor and outdoor cat those baths would need to be more frequent, especially if they are long haired. The indoor cat diet, which often involves grazing on an open bowl of food all day, plus a sedentary lifestyle, can lead to obesity and may predispose a cat to diabetes. You’ll be surprised with the answer. When Should You Bathe Your Cat? “A cat that is ‘too clean’ may even play around in dirt just to replenish some of that bacteria on their coat.”. Cats not only groom themselves because they want to be clean. Domestic cats – whether they’re allowed to roam around outdoors or always kept inside – typically don’t need to be given baths. Answer: There is a Fallacy in people that cats never need to bathe. Cats don’t like too hot or too cold water. It’s a different situation for longhaired cats though. But what if you’re just new to taking care of cats? Make sure you update this again soon.. I’ve had to bathe my cat 2 times before. Indoor cats don’t get as dirty as outdoor cats, but they still need occasional baths to stay clean and healthy. In most cases, a cat would not need … Materially cats can clean their own fur and hair by licking. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), how to bathe a cat without getting scratched, what else your pet groomer wishes they could tell you, How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothing, 25 Funny Cat Photos Everyone Needs in Their Life, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. When she got back, you noticed that her coat has turned black. Unless people or dogs bring the fleas inside, the indoor cats shouldn’t be exposed to fleas. I’m certain your other friends will appreciate your effort. An actual bath is a lot of trouble though. By nature, they are too neat and clean. Aging cats with arthritis usually have lost their interest in grooming, so you may have to bathe them from time to time. It is very important to own a …, "This site contains affiliate links to products. Fill a large tub with around 5 to 6 inches water. I would assume that an indoor-only cat wouldn’t need flea meds. After all, grooming themselves is something cats do very well. Your cat’s ears may be able to pick up the sound of a bag of treats being opened across … But there will be times when you need to bathe her, like when she gets too old or too fat that grooming becomes less of a priority. hey there and thank you for your information ?I have definitely picked up something new from right here. You may also need to bathe a cat more often that has fleas. Cats generally aren’t fond of water. Find out the best way to get rid of cat fleas. After the vacation we picked up the cats from the boarding place and we will talk about the myth "Cats do not need baths". Once when she came home with some kind of oily substance on her, and once when she decided to run/fall/roll in some paint. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. If your senior cat can no longer reach to clean, or if they have arthritis, weakness or other issues preventing them from grooming effectively, you may need to bathe them regularly. Submerging them in water can cause their fur to become saturated with water. You assume that this was caused by exposure to automotive oil. These include: Aside from the fact that cats have the unique ability to groom themselves, there are other reasons why you should think twice about giving them a bath such as: There are a few cat breeds, though, that are known to like water like the Turkish Van and the Bengal. Grooming has many benefits to our feline friends. There are various ways to know when to bathe your cat, with the number one reason being: His fur looks dirty and he begins to smell!. In fact, the record for the oldest house cat is over thirty years, while outdoor cats are sometimes lucky to see five years old. Indoor cats only NEED a bath when they are too dirty to clean themselves. Seek the help of another adult. Like mentioned, he may not need a bath if he lives indoors and is less susceptible to dirt and unpleasant odors.But if he happens to get into the garbage can or makes a huge mess in the kitchen, then it’s time for a bath. Do outdoor cats need shots? Cats need immediate baths when they have encountered a toxic substance, such as cleaning supplies, dog flea topicals, and some essential oils. There are some dissenting views on this issue but in general there is usually no reason to bathe your cat especially a shorthaired indoor cat. Are you sure about the supply? Cats are naturally very neat animals as they habitually clean themselves with their tongue. Most of the time, bathing the cat is more to give the human peace of mind, rather than the cat, but there are reasons behind this other than just your pet’s hatred for being wet. Being the cat lover, I readily had an answer. Dogs love to roll in stinky things because they mask their own scent that way. Remove her from the bath and then wrap her in a towel. But still, this is important to bath them during some circumstances. 1 2. blackbimmer1972. How often you need to bathe your cat depends on the following: Indoor vs. outdoor environment: Outdoor kitties will need a bath more frequently than their indoor counterpart. Occasionally there are special circumstances when bathing your cat might be necessary. I have had more pets in my lifetime than I can count, but I'm currently a proud dog dad to a 2 year old puppy named Baxter. We may receive a commission for purchases made through …, Do cats need baths? In their top 10 favorite activities, grooming is right up there between napping and stalking prey. That’s how much of a stickler they are when it comes to grooming. A cat bath, when done well stimulates the skin, removes excess hair and oil, and eliminates fleas and stubborn stain. In a word, no. Cats are one of the cleanest animals on the planet. Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will very frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Amazing Guide of Kitten Development in the First 10 Weeks …, Top 15 Best Cat Water Fountains for Happy Pets – …. If you do, why you won’t share this article on your social media accounts? Learn how to bathe a cat without getting scratched. What would your answer be? These toxins can be ingested and cause serious health conditions during self-grooming. Do Cats Need a Bath? This is a very dangerous scenario because automotive oil exposure can be very fatal to cats. Even overweight cats may have difficulty in cleaning themselves. It is also possible that the scent of chemicals from tap water may upset her. They'll "groom" themselves of course, but it's good to help them out with that duty. Do Cats Need Bathing? Their prey will never suspect that pile of dung is really a wolf pack. Confirmed or Busted? “Their tongue is comprised of hook-like, hollow scoops that are able to transfer their cleaning saliva effectively onto their fur and skin to more thoroughly groom their coats (research is actually being done to study cat tongues to improve technology for hairbrushes and carpet cleaners because they are so effective),” explained Dr. TimShu, founder and CEO of VETCBD. With the many cat scratch posts available, who wouldn’t be …, Raising a kitten is no easy task. Outdoor cats can pick up all kinds of smells, dirt and germs. It’s recommended to bathe an indoor cat at least once per month. I eventually found out that unlike the canines, our feline friends don’t need baths most of the time. When they do, it’s usually because they somehow got into something filthy and now they’re tracking dirt all over the place. There are some special circumstances such as cats with arthritis who have lost the flexibility needed to groom, sick cats, overweight cats, and even depressed cats who may require a little more help. Of course, they would have to be given a bath if they come across substances like oil or mud and if they have long hair. But do cats really need baths? Do indoor cats need Fvrcp? The same goes for the chemicals found in shampoo. As an owner, you have to know exactly what …, "This site contains affiliate links to products. I will admit that when I was younger, I really thought that cats were just like dogs that needed to be bathed. Giving a cat a bath can be pretty stressful for both parties. Outdoor cats will need a bath more frequently than their indoor cats. My answer is Yes, Cat need baths. The answer is: it depends. We recommend our users to update the browser. Cats can also use their paws, which they moisten with their saliva so they can clean the parts they are unable to do with their tongues such as the face, neck, and ears. Final Thoughts. The short answer is no. Sometimes, their age or their health condition make it impossible to groom themselves properly so there is no option but giving those cat a bath. Cats should not be bathed with cat shampoo and water too often according to Lily Dee, editor at The Pawsome World. Do cats really need baths? I eventually found out that unlike the canines, our feline friends don’t need baths most of the time. But while bathing a cat is generally discouraged, it doesn’t mean that you should never bathe your cat. Should you really give your cat a bath? I will admit that when I was younger, I really thought that cats were just like dogs that needed to be bathed. “This continuous attention to self-care means there is little need for a cat owner to help out with bathing.”. So should you bathe your cat? This is why I suggest that you enlist the help of another person. It pretty much went how you describe the steps. Cleanliness is very important to felines, but for many different reasons. Since indoor/outdoor cats would seek out cleaning themselves, they would only need to be cleaned or given a bath occasionally. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Did you learn something from this article? Coat length and type: Longer coats will require more maintenance than short coat cats. Sometimes they need help to fulfill basic hygiene functions. You will need another pair of hands to keep a hold on the cat, who likely won’t enjoy being bathed. They moisten their forepaws with saliva and use it to clean themselves. Bathing is something you won’t normally do to a cat. “Most healthy cats do not need for us to give them baths; they do a great job of cleaning themselves,” Proietto tells The Dodo. This does not apply to the treatment of specific medical conditions in which case a veterinarian should evaluate the individual case of your cat. Most of the time, cats have trouble tolerating a formal bath unless they were conditioned at a young age, so make sure to clip those nails so you don’t get scratched! Most of the time, your feline friend can take care of herself when it comes to grooming. So, do cats need bathing? “Cats don’t need baths; they groom themselves.” That’s one of the most common myths about cats out there. (Sorry kitties) If your cat is healthy, young, and appears to be relatively clean and has no matted fur, then they probably don't need a bath. They are role models of personal hygiene. Self-grooming behavior: Cats that cannot or do not groom themselves efficiently need regular baths to keep their coat from … The lists can go on and on but to summarize, while cats typically don’t need baths, there might be occasions when they will need to be bathed. We may bring in fleas on our clothes or shoes from the outside world. Most of all, this vaccine helps your cat’s immune system remain ready to respond to these diseases. Read The Guide To 5 Best Cat Litter Mat, Cat Checklist: Important Supplies and Entertaining Toys. As such, indoor cats usually don’t get dirty enough to require a bath. With their barbed tongues they are usually quite capable of keeping their own coats clean without any help from humans, thank you very much. You may have even noticed that your cat spends a good portion of its day licking itself, which prompts the question: do cats really need a bath? I'm Brett Helling, and I'm the guy behind Happypetsnow.com. “A healthy cat spends up to 40 percent of his day grooming himself,” said Dawn LaFontaine, owner of Cat in the Box. And they should, considering how much time they spend at it. Thank you, I’ve just been searching for info about this topic for a long time and yours is the greatest I have came upon till now. However, if there’s no great need to do so, it’s also okay not to. The next question that comes up when wondering how to give a cat a bath — do cats actually even need baths in the first place? However, there are some exceptions to that rule. Cats spend more than 50% of thier day bathing themselves, so there's no reason for you to do it too. “Bathing a cat too often strips their coat of bacteria, which they need to maintain their gut health (necessary to protect them against diseases, boost their immune system, aid in digestion, and more),” claimed Dee. They also usually get dirty faster. Cat’s do love to be brushed so if you want to be part of the grooming process, they will never shy away from a good bushing. You can try a hair dryer too if she allows it. Indoor Cat Health. Older Cats.