A lot of people ask this question frequently. I think it is because people tend to look at cats the way they do their dogs. Dogs get in a lot of dirt and grime, and so they need to be bathed frequently. Is this the case for cats though? Do they need to be bathed regularly?
The answer is no. In fact, it is okay if you never bathe your cat. Cats spend almost half of the hours they’re awake grooming themselves in order to cover themselves with their scent. So when you bathe them, you’re scrubbing off their scent and that’s an important thing to cats.
Also, pets create associations with your actions. If you’re the type that frequently bathes your cat (something that they really, really hate), they can come to associate you picking them up with being doused in water, and even when you just want to pet them, they may react negatively and get all defensive and screechy, and no pet owner wants that.
Why do cats hate water?
Before we start looking at why it may be that cats do not like water, we need to say that not all cats do not like water. Several sources say that certain cat breeds such as the Bengal cat or the Turkish van cat show greater interest in water and may even appreciate a hot bath. We know that some individuals within these races enjoy water, at the same time we also know for sure that there are individuals from other races or mixtures who hate water. It is therefore important that you treat your cat as an individual without any expectation that it necessarily loves or hates water.
Ultimately, it depends on the individual cat and its experiences as a kitten. Physiologically, it makes sense for cats to avoid water. The cat’s fur is thick and with a very dense undercoat, which takes a very long time to dry if it is soaked. In addition, cats stay warm by trapping air in the undercoat, and this would be impossible if it were wet. Unlike dogs, cats’ fur is not very oily and is therefore not waterproof or quick-drying in the same way. Therefore, if a cat gets really wet, it will most likely freeze a lot, and in the wild, this can be deadly dangerous.
The average domestic cat may have been forced into having a bath, which usually ends up with a lot of scratch marks and a very musty cat. It is also often seen (but definitely not recommended) that cats are sprayed with water to discipline it, and this naturally gives water negative associations for the cat. Because most experiences cats have with water are negative, it makes sense for most domestic cats to avoid water.
Is It Bad For Cats To Get Wet?
A cat getting wet is not bad outright, but it can be very uncomfortable for the cat. Cats cannot shake themselves dry like dogs, and wet fur is much heavier than dry fur, making the cat less nimble. And remember all those times where your cat curls up directly under a ray of sunshine or directly under your heater? Cats like warmth, and being wet means they’ll be too cold for what they’re usually used to. There’s also the grooming thing we mentioned earlier. Cats love their own scents, and sopping water on their fur full of unfamiliar smells is a bother to them.
So while being wet isn’t dangerous or bad for the cat, it can be extremely uncomfortable for them.
Is It Okay To Not Bathe Your Cat?
As we have already mentioned earlier, your cat is very fine with never being bathed, so it is okay to not bathe your cat. However, there might be times when a bathe might be necessary. For example, if your cat has gotten into something really dirty or something extremely sticky that they cannot groom off, like maybe fresh paint or motor oil, then you need to bathe it immediately. A bath is necessary too if your cat has ringworm or has been sprayed by a skunk. A frequent bath may also be necessary if your cat is a hairless breed or a recent rescue who is very dirty or ridden with fleas. If your cat is old or obese and cannot clean themselves effectively, then it is necessary to give your cat baths.
Do Indoor Cats Need Baths?
Cats groom themselves fastidiously, so if your cat is an indoor cat, it is very unlikely it’ll get into situations where you need to give it a good scrub, so indoor cats do not need baths.
However, all their grooming may make them cat-clean, but not human standard clean, so if you want your car to sleep on your white pillow without any stains, then by all means bathe your cat.
How Do I Bathe A Cat That Was Never Bathed?
It is a full-blown battle if you are bathing a cat that has never been bathed before, especially if they’re an adult cat. So, here is how you can navigate the entire minefield:
- First, be calm. Cats can sense nerves. If you’re nervous, they will be nervous too. Be gentle and affectionate with the cat.
- Prepare. Have everything ready. Bath towels, cat shampoo, the whole bells and whistles.
- Fill the tub or sink with lukewarm water. Cats hate extreme temperatures, so it is best for the water to be room temperature.
- Most cats hate water on their face, so it is almost impossible to bathe their face. Wipe it with a damp cloth instead.
- Wet the cat from the shoulders to the tail, then apply the shampoo. Lather, just like you’ll do your hair.
- Clean inside the ear with cotton wool. DO NOT insert any object into the ear.
- Rinse the cat thoroughly, then dry them with the many, many towels. Rub as much water from the fur as possible. Then dry completely with a hair dryer at very low temperature.
Can I Clean My Cat With Baby Wipes?
Baby Wipes are harmful for cats. They contain a lot of chemicals and ingredients that are dangerous for cats. If you use them on your cat, they’ll definitely lick their fur to groom themselves, and ingest these harmful chemicals. So baby wipes? Huge no-no.
Finally
Remember, cats aren’t dogs. They don’t need to be bathed so frequently, and if you must bathe them, remember to be gentle. They hate it just as much as you do.