Unlike dogs, cats are great at grooming themselves. They can stay clean even without our help. However, there are also times when we need to intervene. For example, those with outdoor cats know that it’s not surprising to see their cats come home covered in dust or even motor oil, since they love to sneak into dark corners like cars and attics.
According to the National Cat Groomers of America, it is advisable to bathe your cats (with a blow dryer) every 4 to 6 weeks to keep their coat clean and shiny, as well as to prevent peeling or peeling.
How often should cats be bathed? It depends on several circumstances:
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Temperature: I live in a tropical country where most of the time the climate is hot and humid. In these cases, it’s best to bathe your cats once or twice a week (or as needed), as they are prone to heat stroke just like humans. Vice versa, if you live in a cold country, you can do it at least once a month to keep them free from dandruff and fleas.
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Shredded Fur: Definitely, if you see that his fur is shredded, it’s time to groom and bathe him. Regular brushing with special pet combs can also prevent shredded fur.
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Outdoor vs. Indoor Cats: Outdoor cats should be bathed more frequently than indoor cats. Regular brushing of your indoor cats can reduce hairballs and clean their coats.
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Coat Length – Cats like Maine Coon, Persian cats and Norwegian Forest cats need to be bathed regularly as they have longer coats compared to British Shorthairs and Siamese.
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Personal grooming habit – There are cats that take very good care of themselves and those that do not do it so well. Take one of my Persian cats as an example. I had a white Persian cat named “Sugar” who isn’t that good at grooming. She can’t keep her fur as white as before, unlike my house cat named “Bernard”. So when I bathe Sugar, I really have to give her a thorough scrubbing to get that shiny white robe back.
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Health Issues – If your cat has skin irritations or perhaps has fleas and ticks all over her, regular bathing along with a topical treatment for her health issue is an absolute must.
It is perfectly safe to bathe your cats. Plus, it can also be a bonding activity for both of you, especially if you started them young. This mesh bathing bag is a great tool to use if you find it a bit difficult to bathe your cats. It has a secure lock feature that is safe and will not harm your cats. However, I think it’s more useful for keeping your cats from moving while getting their nails trimmed.