How to wash a kitten if there is no special shampoo? Is it possible to wash a kitten with regular shampoo? Can I wash my cat with regular human shampoo or soap? Bathing a cat: a step by step procedure

If the cat's coat is healthy, then it will always be smooth and shiny. Cats are the cleanest pets. Even after bathing and eating, they lick their fur, removing all the dirt from it. If you touch the cat's tongue, you can feel the hard hairs, like a brush, which tilt inward towards the throat. From this, if a cat licks its fur, it looks like it has been combed with a comb with many teeth. Since the bristles on the tongue of a cat are located inside the throat, different threads always cling to it, and the animal cannot spit them out.

An easy way to wash your cat without unnecessary nerves and at the same time stay with healthy hands is to use dry shampoo. With this tool, you can clean the coat well once every six months. This wash is a bit like regular combing. The procedure should be carried out on a clean floor without a carpet, since then it will be difficult to clean the coating from such a shampoo. To wash with this product, apply it to the cat's coat, massage it a little, and then comb it out with a special brush.



It is very difficult to wash a cat in water. Sometimes the pet does not want to dive into the water and twitches a lot in it. Here are some tips to help you bathe your pet safely:

  • If your cat is very afraid of water, be sure to put special caps on her claws so that she does not scratch you.
  • If the cat's coat is long, it must be combed before washing. If the wool gets tangled, the heavily tangled patches need to be sheared off.
  • To prevent water from pouring into your cat's ears during bathing, put on a special cap made of a plastic bag, tying a hat under the neck.
  • All shampoos lather, so apply sparingly.
  • Bathe your cat in a basin or bath, as you wish. If this is a small kitten, it is better to bathe him in a small basin; for an adult cat or cat, a bath will be an ideal solution. It is easier to hold a pet in a basin, but a cat can easily turn it over.
  • Lay a cloth in the bathtub before pouring water. Without this, the cat's paws will slip, and she herself will become nervous.
  • Draw water slightly above the cat's belly, and turn off the tap during washing so that the pet is not afraid of the murmur of water.
  • So that the liquid is not hot, dip your elbow into it. At the right temperature, water will not burn your skin. Before washing, the cat must be caressed and calmed down.
  • It is good to wash a pet in pairs, so that the first one will wash it, and the second one will hold it tightly.
  • If your cat is very nervous while bathing, you can give her a sedative, but infrequently.
  • First, put the cat in a bath of water, caress it, but hold it firmly, even if it does not resist. Cats are the most cunning creatures. When she realizes that you are not holding her, she will immediately break out and run away.
  • It is not recommended to pour a lot of shampoo on the coat and rub it for a long time. Firstly, the cat does not have such a large coat, and secondly, the longer you rub the shampoo, the longer the coat will acquire its natural beauty.
  • Do not wash your cat's face with shampoo, as the product can get into her mouth, nose and eyes. Cats wash their faces well too. If suddenly the shampoo gets into the eyes of a cat, then you should immediately rinse them well with clean water, and then drip with drops or wipe them with weak tea.
  • Bathing a cat should be only 10 minutes no more.
  • After washing, rinse the shampoo well from the coat. Wet cats lick themselves a lot, and if a little shampoo remains on it, the animal can get poisoned.
  • After washing, the cat should be wiped dry with a towel, since all members of the cat family freeze very much after such a procedure, especially if the room is cold. It will be great if the cat agrees that you warm it up a little in a towel. Most cats quickly break free and start licking themselves.
  • Be sure to cover the areas where your cat likes to sit with towels so that they absorb moisture and the water doesn't leave stains on the furniture and carpet.
  • If your cat is trembling for a long time after bathing, dry it with a hair dryer. This will protect your pet from pneumonia and colds, which wet cats can easily catch.

Here I hear a surprised question: Why wash them? The cat licks it clean anyway. No wonder they say that in every joke there is some truth.

Once at work, we talked with the girls about how often they wash the stove (for cooking). And then one of the employees asks in bewilderment: Why wash the stove. I will pour valerian on her, and the cats will lick it to a shine. We laughed together, no one understood whether it was true or false. But I remember this conversation.

I think every housewife has her own opinion: how often to wash dishes, what detergents to use. But when it comes to cat dishes, there are doubts, is it possible to use detergents, dishwashers, how often to wash?

Let's hear the opinions of experts on this issue:

Can detergents be used to wash cat bowls?

It turns out that it is not enough that it is recommended to wash cat bowls with hot water and soap (preferably for children, without using detergents) after each meal of the animal. But, according to William Bill of the Center for Veterinary Medicine, you should be sure to wash your hands with soap before and after handling cat bowls (especially pregnant women).

Can cat bowls be washed in dishwashers?

Cat bowls can be washed in the dishwasher, but after cleaning it (the bowl) from the remaining food. If you have small children at home or people with weak immunity (sick, elderly), then it is not recommended to wash cat dishes with yours.

How often should you wash cat bowls?

Why you need to wash your cat's bowls right after eating. The answer is simple: in cat food, just like in human food, bacteria appear after a long period of storage. This applies to all foods, even dry ones.

If you can store at room temperature, then, and be sure to store in the refrigerator after opening canned food. It is not recommended to leave such foods in your pet's bowl for more than two hours.

Because pets eat straight from the bowl, germs and bacteria that normally live in your pet's mouth can remain on the bowl (even if your cat has licked it).

I will not list which bacteria are formed in a cat's bowl, for those who are interested, read the article: that's not the point.

It is recommended to treat the place where the cat bowls are with a weak chlorinated solution. From myself I will add, do not overdo it, many cats do not like the smell of bleach! There must be a measure in everything. And then your pet will refuse to eat at all.

Pay special attention to the bowl for drinking water. The film that forms on the surface of the water contains a number of bacteria that cause water damage. It is recommended to change the water and wash the bowl daily, and in hot weather twice a day.

In addition, if you are feeding your pet raw food, you need to take special precautions, including thorough disinfection of any surface used to cut raw ingredients. Since raw food can be contaminated with salmonellosis (intestinal infection).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children under 5 years of age, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are most at increased risk of severe illness from salmonella.

Summarize:

If you don't wash your cat bowls for several days, you run the risk of spreading dangerous bacteria and foodborne illness. If you want to be healthy, wash your cat bowls after each meal. If you don't have that option, get some food and water bowls.

And don't forget to wash your hands every time you come into contact with pet food.

Meaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa love cats.

Cats are by nature clean - they constantly lick their fur, wash their paws, muzzle, it seems that they cannot clean their ears from the inside. Some breeders believe that this feature avoids bathing with a special shampoo. Indeed, for a pet, it is almost always a real stress, and many members of the cat family hate water fiercely. But there are also owners who do not see anything wrong with regular water procedures - on the contrary, they believe that they help to make their pet's coat flawless - clean and silky.

Who to believe, how often should you bathe domestic cats and is it necessary at all? Judge for yourself: most of the time these four-legged animals are devoted to hygiene. In addition, the animal itself knows when it needs to go over the fur with its tongue, and does it with such care that one can only envy such zeal. And such a fluffy tenant practically does not go out into the street. Should I introduce him to shampoos?

When should pets be bathed?

By nature, most cats are very clean animals. In any free time from sleep, food or entertainment, they lick their fur, put their fur coat in order.

It could be decided that the issue of pet hygiene has been removed. But it's not. There are times when cats need to be washed with human intervention.

You need to wash the cat as needed in such cases:

Even if nothing happens from such cases, you should not refuse to bathe your pet.

Changed environmental conditions, synthetic food, dirty water and air leave a negative impact on the condition of the coat and skin of pets. Bathing is the best care.

Instructions on how to properly wash a cat

  • First draw water into the bath: theoretically, it should reach the abdomen of the animal.
  • Lay the prepared bedding on the bottom of the bath to protect the paws from slipping. How to wash a cat if it is unstable?
  • Only now bring the cat in and confidently, but smoothly, begin its immersion in the water.
  • Watch the reaction of the bather: if there are attempts to slip out and run away from a wet place, call for help from your family to hold it in four (six, etc. hands). If there are no obvious attempts to escape, then give the animal some time to get used to and come to terms with the inevitable situation.
  • You can try to somehow defuse the situation, divert attention with an affectionate conversation.
  • Gradually wet the cat with the collected water. Lather the wet coat with a small amount of shampoo. Do not pour too much - it usually foams a lot. Wash the paws, chin and tail especially carefully.
  • The moment of truth is coming. Proceed to wash off the soaped wool. If the coat is very thick, wash it more thoroughly to wash everything thoroughly, including the undercoat.
  • The water pressure should not be too strong, its temperature should be the same as at the beginning. Cats love very warm water, so even the most unyielding ones get warm and stop resisting.

Finished? Does the cat's eyes sparkle with hope for liberation? You will have to suffer a little more - soap and rinse the cat should be at least two times. Remember that she hasn't washed in months.

How often can cats be washed?

Cats that are not allowed outside are bathed every three months, the owner must also comb it periodically. If the owner lives in the city, then a pet that walks every day in the yard should be washed every one and a half to two months. An animal that lives in the village and walks along the village streets is washed three to five times a year. Hairless cats should be bathed more often - in the summer every two weeks, in the winter once a month. You must adhere to the following recommendations:

  • many owners do not know at what age to bathe a kitten. Of course, early water training will allow you to bathe an adult cat without any problems in the future. But you should know that tiny kittens are badly affected by temperature changes. It is better that in the first months the mother cat takes care of their cleanliness. After the loss of milk teeth (4 months), you can wash the kitten for the first time;
  • how often to bathe a kitten? It depends on his reaction to the first bath. It is good if he is not afraid of water and will jump into the bathroom with pleasure. If a kitten plays with water, do not scold him. But still, most animals do not like water procedures, so the kitten should then be bathed after changing milk teeth;
  • adult cats need to be washed 2-3 times a year. The number of baths depends on the breed. Persians, especially pure white and peach ones, can be washed every 2-3 months. Breeds such as British "plush" and European cats do not need water procedures at all. The Sphinx is only wiped with a wet cloth;
  • cats should not be bathed if the room is very cold. A wet animal can easily get sick. It is undesirable to wash animals during illness, after vaccinations, so as not to expose weakened immunity to even more stress;
  • a pregnant or lactating cat is washed in case of emergency, so as not to create a stressful situation

A wet cat, contrary to popular belief, does not need greenhouse conditions. Average room temperature is quite suitable conditions for natural drying. Drafts are much more dangerous for a wet pet, so the window and the door to the room where the cat dries should be covered. Another danger is the stress that a cat is exposed to that is not accustomed to water procedures. Nothing threatens the nervous system of a healthy pet, but the health of weakened or sick animals may worsen. Vaccination and a period of quarantine after vaccination is another reason to postpone the “swim”.

Kittens are bathed until a complete change of teeth, only if there is a real need. Is it possible to bathe a pregnant cat? Pregnancy is not a disease, vaccinations have been done for a long time, and I would like to keep hygiene at the level, because the cat will soon become a mother. However, veterinarians, for the reasons listed below, give a negative answer to the question: is it possible to wash a pregnant cat? The expectant mother should be bathed only if she is dirty in something that should not get into her stomach.

The danger of injury arises with every bathing. Your cat may awkwardly jump out of the tub, drop an object on itself, or slip on a smooth surface. For a cat, a slight bruise is not dangerous, but even a minor injury can harm babies. Draft and stress can cause miscarriage or pregnancy pathology if the pet gets sick during the demolition. Is it possible to bathe a pregnant cat if the period is short? It depends on the temperature in the room and on the attitude of the future mother to water: if the cat is not afraid of water procedures, you can bathe it if necessary.

Chemistry, which is present even in expensive shampoos, can also harm babies, although it does not pose any danger to the cat itself. No matter how carefully the owner rinses off the shampoo, part of the product will still remain on the coat and enter the cat's stomach. Is it possible to wash a pregnant cat knowing that she will swallow chemistry?

Regular shampoo is undesirable, it is better to use dry cleaning of wool: four tablespoons of ground oatmeal (or starch) and two teaspoons of baby powder. The powder is gently rubbed into the coat, massaged and carefully combed out. The same tool will help out if the owner is considering whether it is possible to bathe a nursing cat (chemistry, drafts and stress can lead to cessation of lactation or a decrease in the quality of milk). If traditional bathing is necessary, the shampoo should be as safe as possible - based on natural ingredients, for kittens.

Drying the cat after washing

Contrary to the opinion of the majority, after washing the cat, it is not at all necessary to dry it with a hairdryer or try to create greenhouse conditions for it. A healthy pet will dry out calmly at an average room temperature. The only thing is that there should not be any drafts in the room, otherwise the cat may catch a cold.

Do not forget that bathing is a real stress for many animals. Be affectionate with your pet, talk to him and in no case punish him, because he is not naughty, but really afraid. Teach your pets to bathe from an early age so that in the future they will be more relaxed about this procedure.

Features of bathing long-haired cats

In fact, this was the simplest algorithm for bathing pets, designed to ensure that the pet does not bring much trouble during water procedures. In order not to be afraid that the animal might escape, some owners use special latches that are attached to the bathroom wall with a suction cup. Such a device does not strangle the animal, and at the same time holds it.

If the pet's hair is matted or matted, it is better to comb it out or even do a manicure and pedicure with special scissors. For better removal of contaminants, a degreasing paste is applied to the collar zone, behind the ears and on the tail. If you do not yet know how often you need to wash your cat, we recommend that you go through this procedure from beginning to end.

Perhaps you simply do not have the skill and time to wash the animal as often as you would like. After applying the paste, rinse gently with water. The ears of the animal can be covered with hands. Next, a degreasing shampoo is applied and washed off several times. It is believed that the rinsing procedure must be repeated until the characteristic "creak" of wool appears.

After the shampoo, you can apply a balm to prevent overdrying of the coat. In the same way, we wash off the balm and let the water drain a little. The hair of the animal is gently soaked, for which you can use several different towels. Now you can get the animal out of the retainer and move it to the place where we will dry and comb the cat. Of course, such a complicated procedure is especially in demand among owners of long-haired individuals who require special care.

What shampoo to wash the cat?

Shampoos for human hair, even the softest and childish "without tears" are not suitable for cats. Cats are bathed with shampoos with a special composition and alkaline balance, which are gentle on sensitive skin. If you have ever tried to wash a cat with soap, you probably know that nothing good came of it: only irritated dry skin and dull coat after bathing. Take the time and money to specifically buy cat shampoo from a pet store:

  1. liquid shampoo for cats consists of natural ingredients that care for the coat. It is sold in small bottles, but it is used sparingly, and it lasts for a long time if you wash the cat no more than a couple of times a year. Tar shampoo for cats, shampoo with medicinal herbs, special shampoos for fluffy, smooth-haired breeds and shampoo for cats with problem skin are produced.
  2. Dry shampoo for cats, it is similar to talc or baby powder: this fine powder is applied to the coat, and then combed out along with dirt and excess sebum. Washing a cat with dry shampoo is recommended if he categorically does not tolerate water. But dry pet shampoo is more expensive and less effective than liquid shampoo.

You don't need to wash your cat frequently with flea shampoo unless it's necessary - it's best to use a mild detergent from the pet store. And in general, remember the main rule of bathing cats: it is better less often than more often. If you can not wash the cat - do not wash. Instead, brush the coat frequently with a down brush to keep it from matting and forming hard tangles.

Grooming cats before the show is a separate issue, there are special rules for care and the frequency of bathing. About a week before the competition, the cat is bathed in shampoo for coat shine, then sheared and treated with powder for volume. If your pet does not participate in exhibitions, then we can say that both his and your life are relatively simple and pleasant, and you can wash the cat occasionally and without violence.

Why not bathe a cat

There are a number of means by which cats cannot be bathed, even if the situation is critical. Simply put, whatever happens, it's better to use clean water than to bathe your cat with:

  • Shampoo for people - contains fragrances, does not meet Ph. Bathing is guaranteed to lead to skin problems.
  • Shower gel - similar to the point above, besides, it foams more strongly, that is, it is more difficult to wash off.
  • Dog shampoo - there is only one exception that is relevant for an acute situation - a means for bathing puppies.

Suppose a cat gets dirty in something toxic, for example, poison that is viscous in consistency, can the remedies above be used? Naturally, you can! In any situation, you need to compare the degree of risk, because dermatitis is a trifle compared to the death of a pet. If such a situation has already happened, use the most transparent and colorless product, but in no case wash the cat with dishwashing detergents and other household chemicals.

Consequences of the wrong choice

The wrong shampoo or the actions that you were forced to take in a critical situation lead to a lot of problems with the skin and coat. The difficulty is that the disease that has already begun can not be noticed. Keep an eye on the condition of the coat, if it has lost its luster or looks tousled - inspect the skin.

Seborrhea is the most common consequence of improper dog skin care. The disease is accompanied by a violation of the sebaceous glands of the skin and the release of too much fat. It should be understood that the cause of seborrhea can be malnutrition, inappropriate conditions of detention, allergies, etc. The disease is divided into two types: dry and oily (wet). Both forms are difficult to heal and are quickly complicated by dermatitis. With seborrhea, if bathing is prescribed, then it is done only with veterinary drugs that “knit” sebum. Local processing of wool and skin is more often prescribed.

Dermatitis is a very broad, one might say, collective concept that indicates skin problems. In a global sense, dermatitis is divided into:

  • Light (superficial).
  • Wet.
  • Purulent.

By the nature of occurrence, dermatitis is divided into:

Contact - most often occurs in the nose, affects not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes. Important! After bathing with the wrong shampoo, a cat can develop any type of dermatitis!

How often can you bathe domestic cats and how to do it correctly, with maximum efficiency, in order to protect your pet from unnecessary stress, and not make yourself a patient of the surgical department?

Bathing a mustachioed pet: is it necessary

It is possible and necessary to bathe a cat, but it is not worth doing it as often as the owners sometimes think. It is recommended to subject a mustachioed family member to water procedures only when necessary. The same applies to hairless cats.

In cats, the skin produces a special secret that is responsible for the local protection of the body (local skin immunity) and for the good condition of the coat (acts as a natural lubricant and care product). With frequent and unreasonable bathing, the secret is washed off, it does not have time to be fully developed, and this already negatively affects both the skin and the coat.

Bathing a cat: a step by step procedure

The first time you can bathe a mustachioed pet as early as 3 months old. From this age it is good to start showing the cat what water and water procedures are. There are opinions that from the age of 1 month you can begin to accustom the animal to bathing and a hair dryer. But we are of the opinion that if the kitten is not dirty with something extraneous, it is not worth bathing a baby younger than 3 months. It is necessary to leave the process of hygienic care to the mother-cat.

The order of preparation and directly bathing:

  1. Before bathing, long-haired cats are carefully combed out, their claws are trimmed. The presence of claws increases the risk of injury to the owners, and not combed out, but the hair that has fallen out will certainly be bundled after bathing. If the pet has short hair, then it is not necessary to comb it. Be sure to remove tangles if they already exist (areas with felted wool).
  2. 4 hours before the procedure, it is advisable not to feed the pet, so as not to provoke problems in the gastrointestinal tract due to nerves.
  3. To prevent water from entering the ears, balls rolled from cotton wool are inserted into the ear canals and / or a special cap is put on that covers the entire surface of the head, including the ears (available at any pet store).
  4. The temperature in the room where the animal will dry should not be lower than 18 ° C - this will help to avoid colds against the background of a sharp temperature drop. If for some reason the temperature does not reach this indicator, and there is no possibility to increase it (to warm it up, for example, with heaters), then swimming in all seriousness should be postponed until this condition is met.
  5. The temperature of the water at which you can bathe a cat should be in the range of 36-38 ° C. Ideally, if there is a thermometer for water. If not, then we check the water with the elbow of the hand - there should be a feeling of comfort. If you can’t decide whether to make it hot or leave it as it is, remember that it’s better to make the water a little cooler, because. cool water is better tolerated by animals than hot water.
  6. It is best to bathe directly in the bathroom or some convenient container (cup, small bath), where water will be collected. It is not recommended to use a shower so as not to frighten an already frightened animal with sharp sounds and streams of water, murmuring and hitting the body. At the bottom, be sure to place a rubber mat or a terry towel so that Murka feels supported and does not slip with her paws (this way the animal will feel more confident and calmer).
  7. The water level should reach the beginning of the neck (middle of the side). If it is higher, then there will be a risk that the cat will choke, if it is less, it will be inconvenient to hold the animal and wash off the foam from the shampoo.
  8. It is better if two people participate in the bathing process.
  9. Before bathing, a towel should be prepared at arm's length and all bottles with the necessary detergents should be opened.
  10. The animal is picked up, the paws are fixed in any convenient way and, speaking affectionately, gently immersed in the water. After diving, you need to hold the pet in this position to allow him to adapt to the water. The second person begins to pour water on the cat, scooping water around with his palms, or with the help of an additional small container (scoop, mug, etc.). It is important not to wet your eyes, nose and ears!
  11. For washing, it is advisable to use special shampoos for cats or tar soap. Animals are not washed with ordinary shampoo - the risk of poisoning is high. "Cat" products foam very strongly - this must be taken into account and not applied to the coat in a large volume at a time. When lathering, it is important to ensure that the foam does not get into the eyes, otherwise the burning sensation will lead the cat into a wild state, and, alas, it will not work to finish the procedure.
  12. After lathering, it is important to rinse everything thoroughly!
  13. A washed cat should be wrapped in a towel, which is changed to a dry one several times. After the excess moisture is removed from the wool, you can use a hair dryer or let the animal dry on its own, but on the condition that the room is warm (above 18 ° C), and there are no drafts at all. Domestic apartment cats are very sensitive to them, and if the coat is also wet, the risk of catching a cold increases several times, so blow-drying is more a necessity than a whim.
  14. In the process of drying, long-haired cats are well combed out.
  15. A bathed, dried and combed cat is rewarded with some kind of treat.

When You Shouldn't Bathe a Cat

Do not bathe the cat:


  • within 10-14 days after castration (that is, until the post-castration wounds that are not sutured heal);
  • within 2 weeks of any vaccination;
  • during the period of treatment depriving;
  • when there are open wounds, scratches, inflamed skin on the body;
  • during pregnancy;
  • during any illness.

An alternative to regular bathing is dry shampoo, which allows you to "bath" your pet without water. This is a powder product that is applied to the animal's coat (the details of application and the amount are indicated in the instructions), evenly distributed, and then carefully combed out. The condition of the coat improves significantly after a "dry" bath. If there is serious dirt on the body, then they are removed with an ordinary damp sponge, and then only dry shampoo is used.

If the cat has tangles (areas with matted hair) - before using dry shampoo, they must be removed.

Bathing products for cats

The list of the most commonly used hygiene products for bathing:

Soap for cats:

  • tar (from 25 to 100 rubles / piece).

Dry shampoo:

  • Pet`s Lab (from 130 to 155 rubles);
  • 8 in1 Perfect Coat Waterless Shampoo (about 380 rubles);
  • Trixie (from 50 to 90 rubles depending on the volume);
  • Merial Frontline Pet Care (from 500 rubles).

Shampoo regular:

For allergic cats, you can use egg yolk for washing, washing it off with a decoction of string and / or chamomile.

Question answer

Question:
Can I bathe a cat with regular human shampoo?

The answer is unequivocal - no, you can't. Special shampoos have a special composition that cares for the cat's hair, and also does not have a negative effect on the condition of the skin, which releases some kind of natural lubricant for the coat. Conventional shampoos deprive the cat of this natural protection. Plus, if the product is poorly washed off, then for Murka it will not be as toxic as an ordinary human shampoo.

Question:
How many times a year can you bathe a cat?

Purely from a hygienic point of view, if the pet does not have access to the street, it is enough to bathe an adult animal 1-2 times a year or as it gets dirty. Plus, additional indications for this procedure are added in terms of health status.

Question:
Can you bathe a pregnant cat?

No, during the period of bearing offspring, the animal cannot be subjected to a full-fledged bathing procedure, because. this creates conditions of increased stress and increases the risk of premature termination of pregnancy. If it happens that a pregnant cat gets dirty, it makes sense to use a wet sponge to clean heavy dirt on the coat and / or dry shampoo.

Question:
At what temperature should you bathe your cat?

The water temperature should not be too hot or too cold. Considering the body temperature of mustachioed pets, it is not lower than 36 and not higher than 39. When diluting water, you need to try it with the edge of your elbow - there should not be any unpleasant sensations (cold or hot).

Question:
How often to bathe a small kitten?

Question:
Is it okay to wash a cat with soap?

You can use tar soap or a special industrial soap purchased at a pet store marked “for cats” to wash Murka. No other soaps can bathe the animal.

Question:
Why are domestic cats washed with tar soap?

The world has become much cheaper lately, things are made in China, everything is momentary, one-time, and even human relationships are becoming the same. But there is still something immeasurably valuable left in this world: a real miracle that sparks emotions - Scottish Fold cats! Yes, these cats are expensive, difficult to obtain, and it has taken decades for breeders around the world to achieve this level of perfection. But today they are real gems of the cat world! Luxurious on the outside and delightfully charming on the inside! If you want to own this treasure - look for your Scottish kitten on the "Kittens for You" page.

Bath day ... or how to properly wash a cat

When you hear the phrase "pedigreed cat" - before your eyes there is an image of perfection from head to toe ... from ears to the tip of the tail ... a shining mink plush or a delicate, silky, gracefully flowing long woolen raincoat - that's what causes universal admiration. In reality, the owners of purebred cats, in order to earn this admiration, have to make certain efforts to make their pet look not like a purr from a garbage dump, with streaks under the eyes, all in tangles and icicles, but as befits a privileged person.

Of course, nature has not deprived pedigreed cats of the ability to take care of their hair on their own. But it is special care, by analogy with a woman's trip to a beauty salon, that is able to emphasize all the advantages of your cat from the best side. And it does not matter the length of your pet's coat. Short-haired cats shed and get dirty no less than their long-haired counterparts. A thick plush coat, of course, does not roll into tangles, and does not require too much attention on your part, but it also needs careful care, no matter what some ignorant and unscrupulous would-be breeders say about it. And this is not only a question of the appearance of the animal. The main thing is the health of “our smaller brothers”. In the conditions of a modern apartment (or house), the smallest electrified (due to the abundance of household appliances and branched electrical wiring) dust particles settle on the fur of pets. These particles, when licked, enter the gastrointestinal tract of the cat along with the hair and cause various allergic reactions and immune disorders. So, the only way out is water procedures.

Let's say more - it is not so important whether you became the happy owner of a purebred animal or took a mongrel cat into the house, if you want your pet not to complain about well-being and look perfect - learn the basics of modern domestic cat hygiene.

The purpose of this article is to help you learn how to properly groom your pets without going to extremes.

So just three steps:

1. Get the necessary care products and tools

Below is a list, where brands that we use in our practice are indicated in brackets. You can choose the tools and tools of those brands that you like best. Let me just give you a piece of advice: do not skimp on detergents and tools. Your rational impulse in this case will not bring any benefit. The fact is that expensive professional products are produced in the form of concentrates and their consumption is ten times less than that of budget shampoos, not to mention their effectiveness. And as for the tools, those who buy cheap ones - as practice shows, do not use them because of their inconvenience and / or lack of the expected result.


Special comb for combing out faded wool (FURminator, USA)

Metal (preferably Teflon) comb with fairly wide tooth spacing (Trixie)

Nail scissors (Trixie)

Eye cleansers (Eye Envy, Chilli, alcohol-free and fragrance-free Kleenex wet wipes)

Degreaser (Groomers GOOP, Jerob)

Shampoo (Groomers GOOP, Jerob)

Apple or white vinegar (natural filtered or distilled)

Conditioner (Groomers GOOP, Jerob)

Antistatic and/or grooming powder (Jerob)

2. Keep clean daily

Do not forget about the hygiene of the cat's tray, then your cat's paws will not smell unpleasant and turn yellow. It is enough to change the filler in time and disinfect the tray after each change of the filler.

If you have a long-haired cat, brush it with a comb once a day to avoid tangling. Make it a part of your life. Your pet will react favorably and love you even more for your attention.

If you have a short-haired cat, she will not need daily combing, but during the period of intensive molting, you, as well as the owners of long-haired beauties, will need a furminator (better than the original American FURminator or European analogues of the same price). Use it once a week. Avoid combing the tail and collar as they take a long time to grow back.

Regular eye care is very important. When you have a kitten (especially if it is white), you will need to clean your eyes every day (at least once a day). The fact is that small kittens devote a minimum of time to caring for themselves compared to adult cats, so almost all babies have small brown discharge in the corners of their eyes that leave traces. With age, the need for such care disappears by itself (with rare exceptions, when increased lacrimation is associated with the structure of the skull, for example, if the eyes are "rolling out").

NOTE: Discharge from the eyes may be a sign of some diseases. When the discharge is too plentiful, or an unusual color, this is a reason to contact the veterinarian. If you have passed all the tests and ruled out possible diagnoses, then you should NOT (contrary to the recommendations of the sellers in the pet store) use drops and ointments with antibiotics for care. Then your kitten will not build up immunity to strong drugs. And lacrimation will eventually decrease on its own if you adhere to proper nutrition and hygiene rules.

It is enough to rinse the eyes with water or wipe with a damp swab. If you have a white cat (or another light color), then use cotton pads moistened with an aqueous solution of boric acid or iodinol to remove stubborn brown marks and keep the hair under the eyes white. Or you can use specialty powders like Chilli or Eye Envy like we do. DO NOT use bleach of any kind (such as hydrogen peroxide) as they make hair very porous and dry (and can damage your eyes). Also, if you clean your cat's eyes every day, you won't need to use bleach anyway. Right?

3. Learn to bathe your cat properly and do it regularly.

As we have already said, for health and maintenance of condition, every modern cat needs a bath at least once every one and a half to two months. This simple procedure also significantly reduces the amount of wool in your home.

Before water procedures, trim the nails on all four paws and gently comb your cat's coat with a furminator (if the coat is very long and thin, use only a comb). Never use slickers!

Prepare a swimming area. If your cat is not accustomed to bathing from an early age, then he will most likely panic when you try to put him in even an empty bath (large basin), not to mention a tub of water. Therefore, the best option for most cats is a shelf in the form of a lattice that is installed on the bath. Put the animal directly on it. In this case, your back will not be as tired as if you were washing the cat, bending down. And don't forget to close the bathroom door as cats are prone to escaping.

Before bathing, clean the hair under the eyes using alcohol-free and fragrance-free Kleenex wet wipes. Wipe the fur around the eyes with the required number of wipes until the stains are removed. However, you can simply rinse under the eyes with plenty of water using the pads of your fingers if your pet does not panic during the bath. Then dry your eyes thoroughly with a dry cloth.

As for the ears, it is enough to wipe the auricles from the inside with a damp cloth or a cotton swab slightly moistened with water or lotion. If your cat's ears have an excess of ear wax or it is dark in color, contact your veterinarian. Normally, earwax should be almost transparent.

Start the bathing process with degreasing. We start with Groomers GOOP paste or Jerob Pre-cleaning cream. As an economical option, you can use dishwashing liquids such as Fairy, Palmolive or Ivory (do not use colored dishwashing liquids because they contain dyes that can stain the coat of a light-colored cat).

NOTE: Before using degreasers, it is worth checking if your cat is allergic to them by applying a small amount of the product to a small area of ​​the skin and leaving it for 5 minutes. If the skin turns pink - the product can not be used.

When using GOOP, some people like us apply the paste to dry coat (which is preferable in terms of effectiveness), others prefer to apply it to damp. Some use it only around the ears, on the collar and on the panties, where the hair turns into icicles, separates and looks greasy.

Rub the product well into the coat to the very roots. Then rinse under running water for at least 5 minutes.

NOTE: One of the most important things we've learned about proper cat bathing is the need to thoroughly rinse out shampoos and conditioners. If it is not enough to rinse the wool well from these products at least at one stage, the whole process will be in vain. The cat will look dirty after washing.

To flush behind the ears, hold the ear with your finger down. To wash the top of the head, hold the head with one hand with the muzzle up, and while rinsing the forehead, push the water with the palm of the other hand away from the eyes and nose.

Dry the cat's face with a small hand towel to make sure the eyes and nose stay dry. This keeps the animal calm, as a wet face makes the cat feel like she is drowning.

The next step is a shampoo that will wash off the remnants of degreasing agents. We use Groomers GOOP or Jerob Herbal Shampoo. With the choice of shampoo for this stage, you can experiment to find the most suitable for your cat's coat type. But remember that human shampoos are not suitable for cat hair in terms of composition. In an emergency, you can use "no tears" baby shampoo, but you should not wash your cat with it all the time, as the coat after it becomes too soft, prone to tangles.

Next - the use of tint shampoo depending on the color and texturizing shampoo. It's not obligatory. Just for beauty. We use All System or Jerob shampoos. However, you can use whatever you prefer. Cat lovers are lucky, today you can find grooming products of any manufacturer in online stores or through professional breeders who often buy products abroad for themselves with a margin.

If using a tinted shampoo, apply it directly to the wet coat without diluting, then add water and massage into a lather. Leave it on for 2-5 minutes.

The next step is to rinse off the soap residue. We do it with the help of a shower, and we spend at least 5 minutes on it. For best results, we add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or organic white vinegar to a pitcher of water and pour directly from the pitcher over the entire body of the cat, avoiding the head. This allows you to remove all shampoo residue and restore natural PH. After that, we wash the wool again with a stream from the shower.

If your cat's coat is not in the best shape after the heating season, if it is thin and dry - at this stage, a hair mask can be added to the usual washing program. Here, too, your choice - any organic mask. You can use the one for people, for example, Redken Climaress or something from Lush. And you can, a special cat, for example, Jerob with cocoa butter and mink oil. Before applying the mask, lightly wring out the cat's hair with your hands, and after application, wrap the cat in a towel and hold for about two to three minutes. Talk to the cat, calm her down. Then rinse the coat especially thoroughly.

NOTE: After using the masks, your cat's coat will look slightly unwashed after bathing. Therefore, after such medical procedures, bathing must be repeated after a week, but without a mask.

And the last step is to use conditioner. We add a drop of Jerob Conditioner to a pitcher of water, mix well and pour the coat over the body from behind the ears to the tip of the tail. Next, guess what? Rinse again!!! Rinse with a stream of water until the wool is no longer slippery.

Some breeders use fabric softener as it helps remove static electricity and makes the coat very soft. But, these conditioners have very strong and recognizable fragrances. As we have said, cats do not like strong smells. Yes, and you are unlikely to like that your pet smells like a towel.

NOTE: If you have a very shy cat, at first you can use the express washing method: ask someone to help you, prepare two large basins of warm water, dissolve a small amount of concentrated shampoo in one, a drop of conditioner in the other, and, holding the cat firmly by the front and hind legs, lower it first into the shampoo basin, then into the conditioner basin. The task of your assistant, while you are holding the cat in the basin, is to wash the hair with your hands.

Everything! The cat is washed. Now it needs to dry.

To begin, wring out excess water from the coat with your hands, wrap the animal in a dry, soft towel or sheet. Don't rub. You don't want to damage the precious fur.

The place where you will dry the cat should be warm and without drafts.

Unroll the towel and gently comb through the wet coat with a fine-toothed metal comb. Turn on the hair dryer on the coldest temperature (from hot you risk losing some of the precious fur), wait a minute and start drying the cat from the back from the base of the tail. Work your way up the back, combing the coat from time to time. If the cat doesn't like a particular area, dry elsewhere and come back to that spot later.

NOTE: Do not blow air at the cat's face. If the cat is very nervous, ask someone to help. After all, if you do not dry the coat dry, it will curl up on the chest and collar, and the cat will look untidy after bathing. In addition, the coat of many purebred cats is so thick that it takes half a day to dry naturally. During this time, a lot of dust will stick to the wet wool, which will nullify all your efforts. And, in the end, a cat that is not dried up to the end can catch a cold.

When you feel dry hair at hand, only then you can let go of your pet. Offer her a particularly favorite treat as a reward for her patience. Better yet, just leave it alone and take a nap. She deserved it.

NOTE: Dry wool can become very electrified, especially during the heating season. To avoid this, the dried fur coat can beprocessspecial antistatic for cat hair or grooming powder.

If you did everything right, your cat will look great! We know it all seems complicated, but once you start, after a couple of successful procedures, everything will become routine. And the result will pay for all the trouble with a vengeance!

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