It is enough to carry out water procedures for cats no more than once every 2-3 months. Many pets do not enjoy contact with water and washing; it is a stressful situation for them. But it's not only that. The skin and fur of cats are not intended for frequent bathing; it is too sensitive and gentle to the action of soap compounds.
Abuse of such methods of care can cause an imbalance in the pH balance of the skin, flaking and irritation, brittle hair and fading of color. The issue of bathing animals must be taken seriously. It would be a good idea to purchase cleaning supplies in advance. But if this is not possible, you can wash your cat without shampoo using other detergents.
Emergency methods
In extreme cases, when an animal shows aggression and flatly refuses hygiene procedures, and the owner definitely needs to give it a bath, you can resort to emergency methods. For these purposes, you will have to purchase a special suction cup mount at the pet store.
The suction cup itself is attached to the wall of the bathtub, and the loop attached to it is placed around the cat’s neck. You should not worry about the safety of your pet. The product is made in such a way that, while fixing the cat, it does not choke it, providing the opportunity, in a pinch, to wriggle out of the loop.
Then you can calmly move on to the bathing process. For long-haired cats, in addition to shampoo, it is recommended to use a special degreasing paste. This product is applied to dry wool, left for 5-6 minutes, after which it is carefully washed off with warm water.
At the end of the procedure, you can use a balm for cats to avoid drying out the skin, making your pet’s coat especially beautiful and giving it a healthy shine. In addition, balms help prevent the appearance of dandruff.
How not to bathe a cat: tips
Tips for bathing a cat:
- It is necessary to adjust the water pressure in advance and prepare the bathroom. Be sure to close the door to the room when putting the cat in the bath. Before you start bathing, try to remove from the bathtub all objects that the animal could get caught on and jump out.
- Remove any unnecessary items to prevent your pet from dumping open bottles of shampoo in the bathroom or on the floor. Before carrying out the manipulations, it is necessary to close all the vents and windows in the apartment in order to avoid drafts and colds for the animal. If you did everything correctly, the cat will not catch a cold. Of course, it is best to accustom a kitten to water procedures from an early age.
- The first bath should be carried out after changing the animal's milk teeth. For the first bath, you need to fill the bath with just a little water so that it lightly covers the paws. This way the kitten can get used to the water. With each bath, the amount of water increases. Never use human shampoo or soap for bathing.
- This is due to the fact that they contain a huge amount of alkali, which dries out the cat's skin. In this way, the fatty membrane is washed away, which prevents skin damage. It becomes dry and may flake and itch. Thus, you will acquire another problem in the form of dermatitis.
Wet kitten
conclusions
For regular use, it is better to purchase a special shampoo for cats.
If you nevertheless decide to bathe your pet and use human shampoo for this, then thoroughly wash the animal’s fur. Otherwise, when licking itself after bathing, the animal may lick off the product that remains on the fur and become seriously poisoned.
Washing with regular shampoo can be practiced only in case of one-time bathing of the pet. If you plan to subject your cat to regular water treatments, it is better to purchase a special cat shampoo.
Popular shampoos for bathing cats: review
List:
- Shampoo Doctor . This product contains benzoyl peroxide, which exhibits antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Thanks to this, it gets rid of dandruff and also prevents the occurrence of lichen in cats. Can be used for cats of any breed.
- Shampoo Elite . This option applies only to hairless cats, that is, hairless ones. The composition contains many herbal extracts: thyme and eucalyptus, which help regulate the secretion of sebum and also prevent dry skin. Forms a kind of film on the surface that protects the pet’s sensitive skin.
- Perfect coat. An excellent product that reduces hair loss. Best prevents the formation of tangles in your pet’s stomach. In addition, the shampoo is anti-allergenic and can be used for bathing pets who suffer from allergies.
- Jerob shampoo . This is a professional product that is mainly used to prepare pets for exhibitions. Helps improve the condition of the coat, making it fluffy, smooth and shiny. The cost of the shampoo is quite high, so if you have an ordinary pet that does not participate in exhibitions, there is no point in purchasing this shampoo.
- Rolf Club . This is a whole line of cat care products. The fact is that these shampoos may contain completely different components. The line consists of shampoos for long-haired breeds, short-haired ones, and also with medicinal effects. They help get rid of lichen, fleas, and various bacterial lesions. Prevents the formation of dandruff, as well as excessive drying of the cat's skin. Choose the type of shampoo depending on the cat's breed, as well as the specific problem.
- Biovax shampoo . Contains Lanolin, which prevents your pet's skin from drying out. That is, the hairs are covered with natural wax, which gives the coat shine and a healthy appearance. Almost all animals are not allergic to this product, because there are very few allergens in the composition.
Shampoo for cats
For bathing, it is best to purchase shampoos at a veterinary pharmacy or special pet stores. They have a special composition and do not dry out the cat’s skin at all.
How to wash a cat: types of shampoos for cats
They may differ in release form, as well as in their state of aggregation. Shampoos can be:
- Dry. In the form of free-flowing powders.
- Classic. That is, the same as in humans, which must be applied to wet wool.
- Shampoos in sprays. This is a new type that does not contain moisture, so there is no need to wash your cat before applying shampoo. There's no need to rinse it off either.
Shampoos for cats
Purpose of shampoos:
- According to their action, shampoos can be cosmetic . They are used only if it is necessary to remove dirt from your pet's fur.
- Medicinal. This kind of shampoo is also divided into several types, depending on the problem. There are shampoos for ringworm, fleas, and bacterial infections. Remember that flea shampoo contains an insecticide, so such products cannot be considered completely safe. It is necessary to carefully monitor your pet to ensure that the product does not get into the eyes, ears or mouth. Because this can provoke poisoning of the animal. Anti-lichen shampoos are also often used. They contain antifungal drugs that help fight rashes.
- Antibacterial shampoo most often contains an antiseptic. In the case of a cat, most likely it is Chlorhexidine or Miramistin. The product allows you to get rid of a bacterial infection in a short period of time.
- In addition, there are special shampoos that can tint your pet's coat. That is, you can separately purchase shampoo for white and black cats. They help give a beautiful shade to the coat and also care for it. Please note that toning shampoos cannot be used before visiting the exhibition. Because your cat may be disqualified.
Shampoos for cats
Please note that under no circumstances should human shampoo be applied to the skin of hairless cats. That is, these are sphinxes, as well as Egyptian breeds that have practically no hair. The fact is that their skin is very sensitive to various kinds of substances, and dries out very much when exposed to regular shampoo.
For such cats, special products have been developed that allow you to moisturize the skin and form a protective silicone layer on its surface, which prevents the penetration of microorganisms, as well as flaking of the skin.
Bathing a kitten
The importance of choosing the right detergent for your furry pet
If the shampoo is chosen incorrectly, it will negatively affect the condition of the cat's coat.
The hair will become brittle, dull, begin to get tangled, and form clumps. The skin condition may worsen. When using inappropriate products, the dermis becomes dry and there is a risk of dandruff.
It is important to take a responsible approach to choosing shampoo.
Your pet needs to be given proper care to avoid problems with its fur and skin . Responsibility for the health of the animal lies with the person.