Bathing Your Cat

Most cats do not need to be bathed unless they have a skin problem such as fleas, ticks, miliary dermatitis, seborrhea, etc. But if you have a cat that will cooperate and you wish to give it a try, (assuming your cat has none of the conditions I mentioned), here are a few tips to follow:

- Be sure to use a shampoo made for cats. Their skin's pH is different from ours, so even the mildest of human shampoos can cause them to dry out.

- Brush them before AND after you bathe them. Brushing beforehand makes the brushing after much easier. I actually like to use a comb more than a brush.

- If your cat has any mats, please see your veterinarian or a professional groomer for advice on how to remove them. Sometimes they can be teased out with a comb, sometimes they need to be clipped out. If they need to be clipped let a professional show you how the first time so you do not cut their skin.

- Clip their toenails, front and back, before you start. This may save you some wear and tear on your own skin.

- Be careful around their eyes and ears. If your cat will let you, place a cotton ball in each ear before the bath (remember to remove these when the bath is over). There also are bland eye ointments (Paralube or others that you can buy at most pet stores) you can use to protect their eyes from soap or detergents.

- If your cat does not like the bathing routine, donŐt push your luck. An angry cat can be very dangerous.

- Most cats do not have an odor from not being bathed. If you think your cat smells abnormal, don't jump to a bath. Have a check up with your veterinarian. Most of the time the odor is NOT skin related, but has some other cause, and you may go through an unnecessary bath, which may not be much fun for you or your feline pal.

Dr. Larry