Bathing Kitty?

[LinZ]

Is it safe to give a cat a bath?

I know that it's said that cats don't have the right oils in their fur to dry faster, but I usually give my cats a bath every 5-6 months, and when I do I towel them dry, blow dry them on a low setting, and then brush them.

I don't wash the back of their head or chest.


LinZ - thinks her cats are about due for a dip

[lovemyfurbabies]

I was wondering about this too...I mean, my cat, Sasha has never had a bath and she is a year old! But, I mean, she never goes outside and she doesn't have fleas and she doesn't stink ever..so really, what's the point?

Is there really ever a good reason for giving cats a bath, cause they never stink and they bathe themselves...so hmmm? I dunno.

[Traci]

No, it's not necessary to bathe your cats. Frequent bathing can dry the fur, remove the natural oils from their fur and can also cause dry skin.

Cats are impeccable groomers, bathing should only be done if there is excessive dirt or debris/ if kitty got into something he/she wasn't supposed to, in which a call to the vet is the best course of action.

[LinZ]

Sometimes I tihnk I bathe them just to be safe...they don't go outside but maybe they have a flea here and there. They also stay in our garage, which is far from being dirt-free.

When I was younger I had a cat named Sonya and my cousin and I would bathe her practically one a week! But we didn't know any better O.o she seemed okay though.

But I don't bathe Mollie, because he's a senior cat and well, I don't want him to go into shock when he's getting rinsed. Only my two younger cats get bathed. Mollie doesn't stay in the garage so he won't gather as much grime as Caspurr and Rolly.


LinZ

[jason]

I would bathe her practically one a week! But we didn't know any better

now you know.

[GraciesMommy]

Strangely enough when I am in the shower Gracie actually hops in with me...and when i cant find her i always find her in the bathtub laying down in the water. I cant get her to stop doing this.. haha..

But whenever i see her i try to take her out and dry her with a towel.
Sometimes she will have wet paws and go into the litter box and come out with litter stuck to them so i have to wet it again and get it off

She also likes to jump in the sink...

I thought it was because she was thristy but I constantly give her fresh water (more than 5 times a day). Weird, huh? I thought cats didnt like water..

[jason]

Weird, huh? I thought cats didnt like water..

weird indeed.

[guitarsjb]

My cat Fred seems to love the tub after I bathe/shower. But he's never jumped in at the same time....And Trouble will only drink out of the sink. But I don't bathe any of the cats. I used to give Patches one now and again (because she would tolerate it) when she was an indoor/outdoor cat. But since she has been strictly indoors for the past 6 or 7 years, I never bathe her either.

[lovemyfurbabies]

I had to bathe my little furbaby tonight because she pooed in the litter box and somehow it got all over her!! So I didn't have a choice! I HAD to...I still think she is too young to be bathed (6 weeks), but there was no other way of getting poo off of her completely.

But other than being a little freaked out by the hairdryer, she did great! And now her fur is soft and smells so good!!

I guess sometimes it's necessary.

[jason]

I had to bathe my little furbaby tonight because she pooed in the litter box and somehow it got all over her!!

if it was diarrhea, then you might need to investigate that...especially if it happens again soon.

But other than being a little freaked out by the hairdryer, she did great!

depending on the temperature, you can probably just towel dry and let them groom the rest...that is what i would do.