Q&A for How to Bathe a Cat

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  • Question
    How do I wash my cat without getting scratched?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    You can also create positive associations with baths by offering your cat its favorite treat before and after bathing or by giving it gentle head or belly scratches as you wash it.
  • Question
    What if my cat hates baths?
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    If bathing your cat is too much of an ordeal for both of you, consider talking to your veterinarian to see if they can prescribe a small amount of kitty Xanax to make the process safer and easier for you.
  • Question
    What can I use as shampoo for my cat?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    It's best to purchase a shampoo that is marketed for cats. Look for brands that are low in artificial fragrances and colors, and contain natural ingredients rather than sulphates and phthalates.
  • Question
    Can you use Dawn to wash a cat?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Dawn is considered a degreaser, meaning it's great at dissolving and removing grease. This makes it too harsh for use on cats and will cause excessive drying of the skin. I wouldn't use Dawn, except if nothing else was available and a cat was covered in grease.
  • Question
    Can I wash a cat without cat shampoo?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Avoid human shampoos and only use a product for pets marked as "mild." Check on the label and make sure it says suitable for cats (not all pet shampoos are). If in doubt, just use water to cleanse her coat.
  • Question
    How do you remove cat poop from their long fur around the anus area?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Wear a latex glove and use disposable kitchen paper to 'pull' on nuggets out of the fur. If this fails, use a cat comb and site the teeth between the poop and the skin. Pull gently to see if you can removed the poop. If not, replace the comb between the poop and skin, and carefully trim the fur to remove the soiled area. Take care not to nick the skin (the comb should stop you doing this).
  • Question
    Do you need to bathe a cat?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    A regular housecat rarely needs to be bathed. Cats are so fastidious at grooming that it's unusual for them to become dirty. The exception is a long-haired cat who may soil their rear end, show cats who have special requirements, and breeds such as the Sphynx who have a medical need.
  • Question
    What kinds of shampoos are best for cats?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Shampoos for cats are typically low in artificial fragrances and colors, and contain natural ingredients rather than sulphates and phthalates. You can find them at pet stores or ask a veterinarian in your area if they sell shampoo at their office.
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