As we know, cats don’t necessarily like water. And yet, it may happen that you have to give your cat a bath. So how do you go about it? Are all shampoos suitable for our domestic felines? How to get them used to like it? We explain everything in this article.

Unlike dogs, cats are animals that spend a lot of time grooming themselves, and hate being dirty. By doing this, they cleanse their skin and hair and are naturally clean. So it is often not necessary to shampoo a healthy cat. On the contrary, it could upset the balance of the microbial flora that develops on its skin and cause it to become red or itchy.

However, it may happen that you have to shampoo your cat, whether for health or aesthetic reasons. This is particularly the case when the cat is very dirty, when it gives off a strong and unpleasant odor, or when its coat has been poorly maintained and is strongly matted.

It also happens that you need to shampoo older cats regularly. Indeed, it is common for cats to develop a little osteoarthritis with age, which can cause them joint pain and make them less flexible. They therefore have a little trouble washing their backs or hindquarters.

Finally, shampoo is sometimes recommended for medical use. This is the case when the cat is heavily infested with parasites: shampoo, associated with a more general anti-parasitic treatment, can then relieve it by greatly reducing the number of parasites on the animal. Some other pathologies, often dermatological, also require shampoo treatments. The most common is ringworm: when this fungus is developed on the cat’s hair, it is often essential to apply a local treatment in the form of shampoo to get rid of it.

In any case, keep in mind that the cat has many bacteria, viruses and small parasites on the surface of its skin. These agents are present in small quantities naturally and prevent certain more serious pathologies from happening, by occupying the place. The shampoos that will be carried out risk unbalancing this microbial skin flora of the cat. They should therefore not be done too frequently, at the risk of weakening the skin of your four-legged friend.

Cat skin is very different from that of humans and dogs, and the “normal” microbes that live there are specific to each animal. It is therefore essential to use a shampoo that will be adapted to the needs of your cat. Human shampoo, or even dog shampoo, should not be used, as it can dry out the cat’s skin and therefore do more harm than good. In an emergency, if you do not have cat shampoo, you can use Marseille soap, but this must remain exceptional.

There are many types of cat shampoo, adapted to the different problems of the animal. In the absence of pathologies or particular cases, we will use a universal shampoo, suitable for the normal skin of the cat.

Суви шампони

Dry shampoos are very often used for cats because they do not require water or rinsing. They are therefore the most suitable when you want to do a light and occasional cleaning of your cat, or when you are the owner of a particularly fearful animal. They are most often in the form of foam or powder. You will need to apply a small amount of shampoo to the cat’s coat and then gently massage with a damp washcloth in order to thoroughly clean and allow the product to penetrate. After about XNUMX seconds, the shampoo is finished, all you need is a gentle brushing of the animal’s coat to remove the excess product.

Anti-dandruff shampoos

Some shampoos have a medical interest. This is the case, for example, with anti-dandruff shampoos, which are used to gently remove cat dander and restore the cutaneous balance of the skin in order to reduce the production of dandruff. This is also the case for shampoos for sensitive skin, which are used to limit irritation and dermatological disorders in cats.

Antiparasitic shampoos

Finally, there are antiparasitic shampoos. Mainly used in young kittens, it is an effective means of eliminating fleas, ticks or other external parasites.

All of these shampoos will modify the skin flora and can dry out the cat’s skin. This is why rehydration of the coat and skin is an essential step after shampooing, for the beauty of the coat and for relieving the skin.

Ideally, the cat should be gradually accustomed to taking a bath, going step by step:

• go to the bathroom and reward him;
• put it in the empty basin and reward it;
• put it in a basin with a background of water but without wetting it and reward it;
• then teach him to be wet and reward him.

At each of these stages, we will congratulate the cat with treats and caresses. The objective is that he associates this moment of toilet with a moment of pleasure. Obviously, learning will be easier when the cat is young, but it remains feasible throughout the life of the animal.

Cat shampoo should be done in a quiet, heated room. The cat should also be calm, and accustomed to the room. We recommend that you open the shampoo bottles and have all the equipment you need ready at hand. We will then pour a little lukewarm water, around 28 degrees in a tub or basin. Once the cat is in the basin, we will gradually wet it by hand, or with a small cup. The water jet should be avoided because cats are often afraid of it. You should also avoid getting their heads wet because this is an area where they are particularly sensitive. Once the shampoo is done and rinsed well, it will be important to dry the cat well with a lukewarm towel. Special emphasis should be placed on sensitive areas, and in particular the ears to avoid ear infections.

This shampoo must remain exceptional, but on the other hand, it will take regular care of your cat’s coat by brushing it, which will remove the dead hair and loosen the knots before they are too important.