Tips on How to Bathe a Cat

While it's often discussed how to use Listerine for dogs, understanding the proper method to bathe a cat is crucial. There exist several widespread misconceptions regarding the care and incorrect ways to bathe cats. The fear of making mistakes and causing harm or danger is real among many people. However, before we dive into the accurate ways to bathe a cat, let's debunk some of these prevalent myths.

You can't bathe a cat if you don't have a special bathtub or sink. The reason this myth comes up is because in the past, most people only had a standard tub for bathing purposes. But nowadays you can get a tub that looks like a cat wash basin but is actually quite large. There are many options on the market today that look just like the wash basins you see in the homes of the celebrities. This would not be a good idea for a regular bathroom, but it would make a great addition to a cat's living room or foyer.

Cats cannot get out of a bathtub. If you are having trouble getting your cat out of the bathtub when the water hits his skin, consider putting soap and shampoo in the water. This will help to get your cat to take the plunge and enjoy a nice soak.

Regular Schedule - Cats do not have a regular schedule, they sleep and eat and play and go to the bathroom all at the same time. If you have a cat that has trouble getting out of the bathtub on his own, try putting your hands in the water for him to go in. It may be a little embarrassing, but sometimes it works.

How to Bathe a Cat - Cats love to have their fur patted and rubbed down so you might want to offer them a pat after taking a bath. Offer your cat a fish or bread to nibble on. Cats are notorious for chasing and catching mice with their paws. After they are all out of the bathtub, place a few small pieces of bread on the floor, climb on them and have your cat follow you there.

Cats will stop urinating and defecating during the night, and if you have trouble with this, be sure to use talcum powder instead of baby powder. Cats find it difficult to clean themselves off, so using talcum powder will help them get to the bottom of things faster.

If you try to bathe a cat and he does not seem to want to cooperate, try giving your cat a small piece of chocolate or a bit of peppermint candy. Cats love these sweet scents, but some people are allergic to peppermint, so be sure to check with your vet first. Cats also love toys, so give your cat a t-shirt and a tennis ball to play with while you bathe.

Cat litter box training - If you have a cat that is not using the litter box, you can train it by throwing a few little stones into the toilet. Your cat will learn not to use the box when it is needed. Once your cat uses the litter box, this is a great time to use an old towel to dab the box with to keep the smell down.

Some people like to use catnip to help your cat get used to having his claws trimmed. Catnip does not irritate the cat's skin, it is too strong for them. But the effect it has on the cat is quite soothing, which helps to calm a cat and get him ready for a trim.

As a rule, cats do not like to be scolded, so keep from saying things like "Come here!" while you are trying to clean your cat. Cats can become very sensitive to any kind of criticism, and if you are trying to teach them a new trick, this could even cause them to scratch, making the situation worse.

Make sure you clean your cat's nails regularly. When they are dirty and cut, they will not help your cat to scratch much but instead make your cat more uncomfortable and create a breeding ground for bacteria. that can make your cat sick.