Our cat companions do not exactly love water. However, it might sometimes be inevitable. In such a case, it is better to get prepared for it in advance so all of you can survive unharmed.
With the exception of several breeds such as the Bengal cat or the Siberian cat, cats don’t like water very much. Luckily, they don’t need to wash very often but even though they thoroughly keep themselves clean, a situation when there’s no other option than to take a bath might happen. In such cases, many of our furry friends are able to fight really hard to avoid it. How to do that so both sides survive washing a cat unharmed?
If you plan to go on exhibitions with your cat, you’ll need to wash it more often, though. The best way is to get it used to washing since early age. Then, there is a higher chance it won’t hate water and shampoos so much. But you need to keep in mind that cat fur is not made for water, so wash it only when it’s necessary and use only shampoos made specifically for cats. Also, check their quality. Their skin is very sensitive to chemicals.
People who take their pets to exhibitions know that it’s necessary to wash their furry friend about a week before it because even the gentlest shampoo makes the fur less shiny and elastic. Then, it takes a while until the fur is at its best again. Washing needs to be complemented with a conditioner and other nourishing sprays.
Before you start washing, prepare everything you need within your reach so it is as short as possible. Besides a shampoo (and maybe a conditioner), it is also a larger towel, a cup for rinsing and don’t forget to put an anti-slip pad or at least a towel on the bottom. You can prepare a hair dryer, too, if the cat can stand it. You’ll appreciate conditioner particularly with long-haired cats.
If you cut your cat’s claws, do it before the washing, it’s in your own interest. It is better to have water in a bath then to shower the cat. If you don’t have a bath, a larger bowl might work as well. The hissing noise of water as well as its stream is even scarier for them. The water should have around 37 degrees, at least 33 degrees so your cat won’t get cold.
Try to keep as calm as possible for the whole time and hold the cat the best way you can so you don’t need to fight with it so much. It’s better if you have another person there, one person makes the washing and the other one holds the cat.
Soak the fur properly in water first and don’t forget about the undercoat. Water needs to get to the skin. Then use a shampoo. Take care not to put the product to the cat’s face or ears. You need to rinse the foam thoroughly. Otherwise the cat could consume a dangerous amount of shampoo when licking its fur which will definitely follow after the washing. If you plan on using a conditioner, the procedure stays the same and also rinse it with a large amount of water.
Then dry the fur using a towel. It should be highly absorbent so the drying is as fast as possible. If the pet is not too scared, use a hair dryer but keep it on the lowest temperature and speed. In any case, the cat should stay in a warm place until the fur is completely dry. This is because cats are very sensitive to temperature changes. If you wish to comb the cat after washing, wait until the fur is completely dry.
If washing is very terrifying for your cat, it is better to use a dry shampoo or a cleaning foam than to put it under so much stress. However, still use products specifically designed for cats.
And what about you, have ever washed your cat? Because of dirt or because of fleas? And have you handled it without scratches?
According to the data published at the end of last year, more than half of the people from around the world lives with at least one pet. The most numerous dog population is in the United States (70 million dogs), followed by Brazil (36 million) and...
When I travel, I'm always interested in what is the view of the given country upon the keeping of pets. And generally, how animals are treated there. The position of cats, dogs and rodents varies significantly in different countries, so there’s...
People often confuse the grey wolf with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This shepherd’s and today a very popular breed was bred from the German Shepherd by crossbreeding with the Carpathian wolf. Even though the dog and the wolf are very similar in...
The golden hamster, sometimes referred to as hamster-teddy bear because of its appearance, was first captured less than a century ago by zoologists in Syria. Hence also its second name – the Syrian hamster. Over time, it became a popular pet throughout...
The cloning of dogs or cats is slowly becoming a completely normal reality. For now, you can encounter it mostly in Asian countries. It’s the companies in South Korea that are most famous for their business plans focusing on the grieving dog and cat...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex. Apart from the most famous colouring with black or golden marks, it is bred...
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian Longhairs, which have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the...
The desire for your own dog friend can also lead to a great disappointment. Since a lot of people fall for scammers when buying through an ad. Getting a dog this way is a risk not only from the money point of view, but also with respect to the mental...
Traveling with a dog in the city is stressful for many dog owners. One of the reasons may be the fear of riding escalators. If the dog is not accustomed to them since young age, he can have issue with it as an adult. Even in the case that your dog aces...
For the majority of dog breeders, winter is the period that has to be waited out somehow. But this time of year provides ideal conditions for the musher sport. And if you found pleasure in summer trainings with the dog, don’t hang the dog harness on an...
Most owners consider pets kept at home to be full-fledged family members. And year after year, they invest more and more money in them. Just for dog and cat food, Czechs spend around eight billion crowns a year. The business around pets is experiencing...