Common Feline Diseases Carried By Fleas
As if the itching and stinging weren’t enough, fleas also transmit other conditions which can have a more deleterious effect on your cat’s health.
- Anemia:;Unchecked infestations of fleas can actually cause anemia from blood loss; this can sometimes be fatal, particularly in kittens. Pale gums are a red flag for anemia in kittens, and a sign that immediate veterinarian attention is needed.
- Tapeworms: Fleas also carry a parasite called tapeworm which are commonly found in cat’s that have been exposed to fleas.
- Haemobartonellosis :;Fleas can also be vectors for a blood born parasite called Mycoplasma Haemofelis in cat’s. This bacterium can cause anemia, fever and severe illness. Haemobartonellosis is diagnosed by laboratory tests and treated with antibiotics, and in some severe cases, blood transfusions.;
How To Bathe A Cat Or Kitten Without Getting Scratched
Cats are exceptional groomers, so its rare youll need to give your cat a bath. But if you need to bathe your cat, these tips can help keep you both happy during bathtime, even if she hates the water.
There are certainly dozens of other chores youd rather tackle than giving your cat a bathand without a doubt, your kitty doesnt welcome the idea either! But when you need to provide the best care for your adorable fuzzball, we have helpful tips to make bath time easier.;
What To Do After Bathing Your Cat
As mentioned above, wrapping your kitty up in a highly absorbent towel after their bath is an excellent way to reduce the risk of any problems. Generally, cats prefer to be towel dried, as hair dryers can be very noisy and upsetting. Unfortunately, you probably wont be able to fully dry your cat before he or she runs off.;
Allow your cat some space to shake themselves dry, lick, and groom until they feel comfortable. Remember that grooming is a comforting process for cats . Just be careful not to allow your cat outside until theyre fully dry, as this can increase their chances of becoming unwell.;
One thing to keep in mind is that if you do have a multi-cat household, your other non-bathed feline might respond differently to your cat after its bath. Thats because your wet kitty will smell a little different. Dont panic, the conflict will settle down after a little while, particularly as your cat continues to dry off.;
If, no matter how hard you try, trying to bathe your cat feels like going into a cage with a hungry tiger, then you might need to consider alternatives. If your feline friend absolutely hates baths, it might be easier to seek a groomers help remember that they have tools they can use to make the bathing process quicker and less stressful.
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Only Clean As Necessary
If your cat happens to get dirty enough that you can’t just brush them clean, Juma suggests only washing the areas that are soiled. “If a cat does require a bath, I recommend only bathing the area that needs attention,” she says. ;”Some cats enjoy being in and around water, while many don’t like the feeling of being submerged as it causes their coats to become heavier. By only washing areas that need attention, you can help reduce the discomfort that a cat may feel if submerged.”
Tips For How To Bathe Your Cat Or Kitten
Cats are known for their grooming habits. With their tongues, teeth, and paws, theyre usually able to keep themselves fresh and clean without any outside intervention. Sometimes, though, your cat might need help staying clean. If your feline friend is covered in something dangerous, smelly, or sticky, or if they have picked up some parasites, it might be a good idea to give them a bath. Heres how to bathe a cat with a minimal amount of stress for both of you.;
1. Trim the Toenails: Your cats claws are one of their main forms of defense. An upset cat may claw anyone nearby, including you, during the course of bath time. Cat scratches can easily become infected, so its in your own best interest to trim your cats nails before attempting a bath.;
2. Brush Before: Cats shed frequently, all year long. That extra fur wont be good for your plumbing, and it will make it more difficult to get your cat really clean. If you can, brush your cat thoroughly to remove any loose fur and mats before you begin the bathing process. You can also put cotton balls gently in their ears to keep water out.
3. Time It Right: Cats generally dont like to be in water. A cat thats full of energy is going to object more strongly to a bath. Schedule the bath for a time when your cat is tired and mellow, such as after a long play session with a cat dancer or some catnip. If you can schedule your cats bath so someone else is around to help you out, even better.;
Continued
9. Dry Thoroughly:
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Why Do Cats Hate Water
Not all cats hate water. Some domestic cats actually enjoy water, especially those in hot, dry climates. Their big cat relatives in hot climates often enjoy soaking in water. The water is cool and refreshing, so your cat may enjoy soaking in it too. We frequently see cats who enjoy sitting in the sink as cool water drips down on them. Arthritic felines may enjoy a warm-water bath and massage.
In cooler climates, cats may not enjoy the water because it makes them feel cold. It doesnt help that baths also tend to make them feel vulnerable and uncomfortable.
How To Bathe A Cat
This article was co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM. Brian Bourquin, better known as Dr. B to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA accredited hospital and Bostons first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 22 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,798,410 times.
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Treats To Give Your Cat Before And After Baths
Greenies are great low-calorie treats that also help clean your cat’s teeth plus, cats love them. The Life Essentials freeze-dried chicken treats are also a big hit with many cats, are also low in calories, and are high in protein. We have more low-cal treat choices in our “Choosing the Best Cat Treats” article.
Available at:
Available at:
Tips For Bathing A Cat
- Have all bathing equipment ready before putting kitty into the tub.
- Only use a cat-friendly, tearless shampoo and follow the instructions on the bottle.
- Check the water temperature before putting kitty into the tub.
- If possible, have a friend help you.
- Be sure to wash away all of the soap on your cat’s body.
- Wash your cat’s face with a warm washcloth. Do not use soap.
- Never dunk your cat’s head underwater.
- Talk to your cat throughout the bathing process. Use a calm, soothing voice.
- Allow your cat to dry off in a warm, draft-free room. Only blow-dry if your cat is not afraid.
- Patience is key to a successful bath!
- The earlier you introduce your cat to the bathing process, the better! Older cats that have never been bathed will not be happy and will present a challenge.
One angry cat!
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Using A Waterless Leave
Should I Take My Cat To The Groomer
The thought everyone I know has is cats groom themselves. So why would they pay anyone to groom them?
Lets be honest, a cats tongue and saliva can do only so much. Whether indoor, outdoor or both your cats need to be bathed.
Now heres where the debate starts.
Many average cat owners feel their cats dont need to be bathed but a couple times a year or ever unless something happens to warrant it.
The pro groomers feel the average cat should be bathed every 4-6 weeks.
Me, personally, havent bathed my 4 cats in like 3 years and they are fine.
Am I lucky?
Disclaimer: CatVeteran.com is for general informational purposes only and is provided without warranty or guarantee of any kind. This site is not intended to replace professional advice from your own veterinarian and nothing on this site is intended as a medical diagnosis or treatment. Any questions about your animals health should be directed to your veterinarian. We go to great lengths to help users better understand their cats. For more information, please read our privacy policy. Also see our terms and conditions.
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How To Accustom A Cat To Bathing
As we have alluded to above, cats will need time to become accustomed to the bathroom before we actually bathe them. We should introduce them to both the shower nozzle and the hairdryer. Do not turn either on beside the cat as it can induce trauma. Instead, you should have them on and let the cat approach from afar. As long as they get closer to them without running away, you should reward them with a treat.
Since we need to get them used to these elements, we should use them on ourselves a little and show it is not a problem. However, even with this process, the cat will likely not be excited about the prospect of getting wet. We need to ensure the bathe goes as smoothly as possible. Have all we need next to us on the floor, not around the bath. This is because the sound of shampoo bottles falling into the tub can scare them. Also, use a non-slip mat at the bottom of the tub.
Once the cat is used to the bathroom, you can bathe them. Choose a time when both you and the cat are calm. Do not do it with stress in the environment. Speak softly and place them in the tub. You can hold them firmly, but do not make them feel constricted to in danger. If they do react aggressively, stop the bathe. It is better to start form scratch another time. If your cat simply will not tolerate it, you will need to contact a professional groomer.
For more information on how to bathe a cat properly, you can take a look at our video below:
Take Your Cat Out Of The Tub
Once you are done rinsing your feline friend, it is time to take him out of the tub. Wrap your cat in a clean, warm towel and put him in a warm, draft-free room in which he can safely dry off. You can blow dry your cat; however, it should be noted that many cats are afraid of the sounds that blow dryers tend to make.
If your cat is already in a stressed-out, panicked state, it’s best to skip the blow dryer altogether. However, if your cat is a bath pro and doesn’t mind the blow dryer, then, by all means, use it . Remember to test the blow-dryer first. Thermal burns can easily occur if the blow dryer is too close to the animal. They can’t tell us if it’s too hot! Once your feline friend is completely dry, brush or comb out his fur.
When it comes to bathing your cat, the key is patience! The calmer you are, the calmer your cat will be. It is also important that you talk to your cat throughout the entire process . It is very important that you don’t lose your temper and yell at your cat. After all, he or she is already in 100% panic mode. It is important that you don’t rush the bathing process. Therefore, you should only bathe your cat when you have plenty of time.
It should also be noted that the earlier you introduce bathing to your cat, the better. Cats that were bathed as kittens tend to be easier to bathe than older cats who are new to the process.
Caution
Avoid wetting the ear or ear canals as water can cause infection.
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How Often Should You Bathe A Kitten
The same rules apply to a kitten! Your kitten will start to learn how to self-groom in the first few months of his or her life and prior to this, their mother will take care of it. However, if you get your kitten before they have learned how to self-groom, it is advisable to bathe them once a week.
Prepare To Bathe Your Cat
Before getting your cat wet, brush its fur thoroughly. As for you, wear old clothes and expect to get wet.
The bath area should be warm and draft free. The bathtub will do, but you may be more comfortable if you can bathe your cat in a waist-high sink. Move all breakables out of reach and push drapes or shower curtains out of the way. Avoid anything that potentially frighten cats, so the bath is as pleasant as possible.
Assemble your shampoo, several towels, and a washcloth near the sink or tub, and run warm water before you bring in the cat. The cat bath temperature should be around body temperature, in other words pretty warm but not so hot that it’s uncomfortable.
Place a towel or rubber mat in the bottom of the tub or sink. Cats hate the insecure footing of slippery surfaces and this will make it less stressful. Or, try standing the cat on a plastic milk crate so your cat can grip it with its paws. This also allows you to more easily wash the cat from both above and below.
Close the door to the bathing area, or you risk having a soapy cat escape.
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Do Cats Really Need To Be Bathed
The good news is, most cast breeds don’t require regular bathing says Tarina L. Anthony, DVM, a longtime practitioner of feline-exclusive medicine, and owner and medical director of Aurora Cat Hospital and Hotel in Aurora, Colorado. Many people ask me when they get a new cat how often they should be bathing them, she says. By nature, cats are fastidious creatures and able to keep themselves clean.;
A cats rough tongue is covered with tiny curved barbs called papillae that transfer saliva across her fur. This is like a mini spa treatment, as each lap spreads healthy natural oils across her coat and skin. Those little spines work as natural detanglers, too, which is why youll often see your kitty licking and biting at fur clumps until she smooths everything out.;;;
Although a cat spends about 30 percent of her time on daily self-carebetween naps, of course!Anthony says its more important to keep your cat groomed than to worry about bathing them, as regular brushing and combing helps reveal health problems more quickly. Many times, skin conditions are signs of underlying metabolic or gastrointestinal disease, so if your cat’s hair coat has changed, talk to your vet, she says.;
The Best Brush For Cats
Brushing before bathing is helpful to prevent mats and tangles in your cat’s fur. We’ve found that the Furbliss silicone brushes are among the best options for just about any cat. They come in a variety sizes and styles, so there’s one for every cat, regardless of their size and amount of fur they have. Each brush has two sides for different purposes: a brush side for combing and grooming, plus a finer side that’s great for de-shedding.
Since they’re made of silicone, they’re soft, easy to use, and cats actually enjoy the massaging feeling of being brushed. Plus, they can be washed under running water or sterilized in the dishwasher. This also means you can use them in the bath to shampoo your cat and de-tangle their fur as they’re being bathed.
For more brush choices, check out “Tips for Brushing Your Cat” article.
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Why Bathe Your Cat
It is important that you are able to bathe your cat without getting scratched. Even low-maintenance cats can get into something toxic or sticky that you need to get washed right off. Every cat is going to have a potty issue at some point that needs a bath to remedy especially if your cat is longhaired. Your furbaby could develop a medical condition that requires regular bathing. Or someone in your family could develop allergies.
Bathing teaches Kitty to allow handling in an unfamiliar way without scratching the handler. My show cats need to be able to handled by a lot of people that handle differently. But even cats that dont show have to be handled by vet techs and your vet.
Making bathing a positive experience helps Kitty get used to unfamiliar handling in future situations.