Bathing

 

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I bath my adult cats about every 2-3 weeks, and kittens usually weekly, more often if they seem to be looking/feeling a little greasy or smelly from playing in the litter box. Bathing keeps the cats less greasy, makes grooming easier and removes dead hair that would add to hairballs.

If the cat requires a bath, we recommend bathing in a double sink. Fill the first sink with water and a few drops of Dawn dish detergent (DAWN ORIGINAL BLUE OR DAWN FREE), or a shampoo specially formulated for cats. Tearless baby shampoo is great as well and can be used on the face area too.  Fill the sink as if you were going to do the dishes. I bathe this way because it is easier to rinse out the soap from the hair. If you apply the soap directly to the coat you will be rinsing forever!! (The exception here is flea shampoos, which must be applied directly to the coat.) You will find that bathing your cat this way gets it just as clean! Then remove your cat from the first sink and rinse it in the second sink with a hand held showerhead.

If the cat’s tail is very, very greasy, use GOOP (the mechanics hand wash, NO PUMICE) to degrease. RINSE WELL! I use a hand held showerhead for all of my rinsing. Start bathing your cat from day one; they should become accustom to it.

RINSE - RINSE - RINSE!!!!!!! Be sure all traces of soap are gone.

Towel dry your cat thoroughly, and then blow-dry. Use a heavy-duty hair dryer to dry your cat, we never leave the cats wet.  Then repeat the combing and brushing process, when he's dry. Use a toothbrush to gently comb the hair on the face, and brush the fur out around the neck so that it forms a nice ruff.

 

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