Do cats need to be bathed? Most cats are fastidious creatures who usually do a great job bathing themselves. In fact, some cats can spend up to half their waking hours grooming! However, senior cats can have trouble getting to those hard-to-reach spots as they age.
Less grooming can also indicate health issues. Grooming can slow or stop if their mouths hurt, so you might want to have teeth and mouth checked by your veterinarian if it looks like your cat is doing less grooming.
If you’re thinking about giving your cat a bath, or giving them what many groomers call a “spa treatment,” please consider these aspects. With their wet, noisy, unfamiliar environments, baths and groomers can be very scary for cats. You will probably have a happier cat if you don’t have to resort to that.
Help with grooming
Grooming by their favorite people can be another form of bonding for most cats. If your cat hasn’t been brushed before, start out with a simple plastic or metal comb. Pet him lightly with the back of the comb to start.
Once your cat consents by leaning in and/or purring, you can flip the comb over and comb very lightly. This should start to desensitize your kitty to feel of the teeth side.
Senior cats with thinner skin and bonier spines will appreciate lighter, smaller brushes with a light touch. The goal is to have grooming feel like a nice massage.
Small mats can be worked out with your fingers. If you need to trim them out, slip the mat between two fingers to protect the skin, then very carefully snip the top off with rounded tip scissors.
Wipe the surface
Feline wipes are an easy way to quickly clean off surface matter from your cat’s coat, but not meant to be a substitute for grooming. Look for nontoxic, unscented brands, as scents are not regulated and can be carcinogenic. Avoid “anti-bacterial” wipes, as these can contribute to antibiotic resistance.
To bathe or not to bathe
You might still be considering a bath if your combing, grooming and wiping doesn’t help your senior kitty. Please keep in mind a cat who has gone most of his life without being dipped in water will probably be scared of it. Your cat could rightly see this as punishment and become fearful of you.
Groomer baths
If your cat must have a bath, consider one of these options. A professional groomer who offers cat-only services will probably be least scary. A Fear Free trained groomer can minimize the stressful handling. A cat-only groomer may be able to get the job done more efficiently and with less trauma than you doing it yourself.
You don’t have to choose all the steps a groomer offers. Perhaps a good brushing will be enough. If your cat has mats in one part of his body, you may want to just have that part shaved. Dryers add a terrifying noise to getting wet (remember, sounds are 3 times louder for cats!), so if he needs to be bathed, he may be able to be towel dried and avoid the scary dryer.
Veterinary baths
Your vet may be able to do a decent job if your kitty just needs a sanitary shave on his rear or something similar. As always, he’ll be less fearful if it’s done without other animals around, especially without dogs nearby.
Both of these options should be last resorts. Like normal vet visits, if your cat gets anxious, talk to your vet about one of the calming medications that can make his visit less scary.
Bathe if you must
If you have no choice but to bathe your cat, no one can give you better advice on this than feline behaviorist, Pam Johnson-Bennett in her article on how to bathe your cat. A little calming medication may make the task more pleasant for both you and your kitty.
Sara Ferguson is the Director of Happy Cats Haven, where cats always get another chance at their best lives in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
