>>>Bathing A Cat: 10 Survival Tips
All cat owners dread bath time, just like parents with toddlers do. Bathing a cat can be a traumatic and life-endangering prospect for you and your beloved pet. While Fluffy may seem sweet and demure 99% of the time, all bets go out the window when you hold them in your arms and approach a tub, a sink or other body of water. The unfortunate reality for pets and owners alike is that your cat will occasionally need to be bathed in order to maximize health and reduce the likelihood of potential problems. While it may not be an idea that you enjoy, it's one that will eventually need to be done.
In order to minimize harm to you and your animal, the following tips and suggestions are helpful to make bath time a success - if not a pleasure for all parties involved.
1. Trim nails prior to bathing
Cat claws can be deadly weapons. If you've ever held your loving pet in your arms and then dumped out a glass of water or turned on a faucet, you're probably aware of the dangers. It behooves you to trim your cat's nails (all of them, not just the front ones) prior to addressing the issue of a bath. Not only can you avoid having your arms ripped to pieces, but you calm your cat as well. Don't go straight from the nail-trimming to the bathtub, either. Let your cat relax before showering water over them. Some cats respond to nail-clipping calmly, and others see it as an act of war.
2. Plan your bath time accordingly
Bath time should not immediately follow playtime. If your cat is calm, they're likely to respond to the prospect of bathing better than if they're hyped up on catnip or have just played run and dash with their siblings.
3. Start with a calm brushing
Chances are you don't want a huge mess of hair all over your sink or tub. Before approaching the bath, make sure to remove any loose fur. Brushing a cat also calms them and makes them feel safe and loved - and they're much more likely to approach the situation calmly.
4. Give them a leg to stand on
Wet surfaces can easily become slippery, and if your cat doesn't have something steady to stand on, they can become even more freaked out by the process. Put a slip-proof mat or cloth in the bathtub or the sink to allow them the ability to feel secure in a situation that they definitely don't like.
5. Avoid sensitive areas
You probably wouldn't want someone to just dump a cup of water over your head, carelessly ignoring the fact that water and soap in the eyes ar unpleasant. When initially moistening your pet, take care to avoid getting water directly in their eyes, ears or nose. They will appreciate your sensitivity and will become less likely to try to bite or claw their way free - especially since you've already trimmed their nails (right?).
6. Use the correct products
When bathing a cat, don't make the assumption that your shampoo will work just as well as shampoo specially designed for cats. Human shampoo can dry out your cat's skin and make it more sensitive, and you would
All cat owners dread bath time, just like parents with toddlers do. Bathing a cat can be a traumatic and life-endangering prospect for you and your beloved pet. While Fluffy may seem sweet and demure 99% of the time, all bets go out the window when you hold them in your arms and approach a tub, a sink or other body of water. The unfortunate reality for pets and owners alike is that your cat will occasionally need to be bathed in order to maximize health and reduce the likelihood of potential problems. While it may not be an idea that you enjoy, it's one that will eventually need to be done.
In order to minimize harm to you and your animal, the following tips and suggestions are helpful to make bath time a success - if not a pleasure for all parties involved.
1. Trim nails prior to bathing
Cat claws can be deadly weapons. If you've ever held your loving pet in your arms and then dumped out a glass of water or turned on a faucet, you're probably aware of the dangers. It behooves you to trim your cat's nails (all of them, not just the front ones) prior to addressing the issue of a bath. Not only can you avoid having your arms ripped to pieces, but you calm your cat as well. Don't go straight from the nail-trimming to the bathtub, either. Let your cat relax before showering water over them. Some cats respond to nail-clipping calmly, and others see it as an act of war.
2. Plan your bath time accordingly
Bath time should not immediately follow playtime. If your cat is calm, they're likely to respond to the prospect of bathing better than if they're hyped up on catnip or have just played run and dash with their siblings.
3. Start with a calm brushing
Chances are you don't want a huge mess of hair all over your sink or tub. Before approaching the bath, make sure to remove any loose fur. Brushing a cat also calms them and makes them feel safe and loved - and they're much more likely to approach the situation calmly.
4. Give them a leg to stand on
Wet surfaces can easily become slippery, and if your cat doesn't have something steady to stand on, they can become even more freaked out by the process. Put a slip-proof mat or cloth in the bathtub or the sink to allow them the ability to feel secure in a situation that they definitely don't like.
5. Avoid sensitive areas
You probably wouldn't want someone to just dump a cup of water over your head, carelessly ignoring the fact that water and soap in the eyes ar unpleasant. When initially moistening your pet, take care to avoid getting water directly in their eyes, ears or nose. They will appreciate your sensitivity and will become less likely to try to bite or claw their way free - especially since you've already trimmed their nails (right?).
6. Use the correct products
When bathing a cat, don't make the assumption that your shampoo will work just as well as shampoo specially designed for cats. Human shampoo can dry out your cat's skin and make it more sensitive, and you would
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