How often can cats be washed and what does it depend on?

Bathing a cat or a cat is a time-consuming procedure, requiring from a person not only dexterity and skill, but also patience and a benevolent approach. The overwhelming majority of baleen pets take this procedure extremely negatively, so pet owners usually try not to abuse bathing. Let us examine in the article how often cats, cats and kittens are allowed to be washed, whether there are contraindications to this procedure, and what veterinarians think about this.

According to veterinary experts, without the need to wash the animal is not necessary. Bathing for most cats and cats is the strongest stress, so resort to this procedure should be only in case of need. However, there are reasons that can be considered objective indications for bathing.

If a kitten appeared in the house, taken from a well-groomed domestic cat, then most often it is not necessary to bathe it.

Bathing is usually not required for small pets taken from a shelter. Employees of such organizations and volunteers, as a rule, give their owners to the new owners already clean, neat and combed.

The situation is somewhat different when a kitten appears in the house, picked up on the street. In this case, the animal must be carefully examined, paying particular attention to the condition of the ears, eyes, nose, abdomen and groin area.

No less attentively, you should also examine the wool, running your fingers against it (you should first wear gloves). The presence of bald spots in the hair may indicate the development of lichen, and the presence of leaks and traces of pus in the nose and eyes - an infectious disease. After inspecting a pet, it is necessary to bathe it carefully, using a special antiparasitic shampoo.

Although cats and cats are considered clean animals, some of them are completely at odds with this stereotype. Some representatives of the cat family and do manage to get dirty, being in a clean house, even without leaving its limits.

In some cats and cats, wool can quickly and often get dirty, falling into untidy mats due to increased production of sebum. Often this phenomenon is observed in animals experiencing changes in hormonal levels. In this case, pets also need bathing. using a special zoo-shampoo with antiseborrheic effect.

The period of intensive change of undercoat is one of the main reasons requiring more frequent bathing. During molting, a part of the dead hair remains and becomes entangled in the wool, forming ugly tangles and clumps. The animal cannot cope with them on its own.. Moreover, trying to put himself in order, a molting pet often chokes with its own wool. Swimming is also required here. with a further thorough combing of the dead undercoat.

Detection of parasites and fleas in the fur of an animal is the reason why a thorough swimming should be carried out without delay.During the procedure it is important to use a special zooshampoo with insecticidal action. Such detergents contribute to the destruction of parasites and prevent their further appearance. In some cases, the procedure is repeated.

Professional breeders of cats and cats are well aware of how much effort it takes to prepare for exhibitions. Before the show, pedigreed pets are washed using very expensive shampoos that give shine and volume to wool. Additionally, wool is combed and laid with professional gels and varnishes.

The reasons listed above are the main reasons for the next bathing pet. Owners of cats and cats who prefer to wash animals too often, veterinarians remind that this may threaten the development of skin diseases, up to the mass of hair loss.

Often there are situations when bathing a cat or a cat is strictly not allowed. The following circumstances are usually attributed to the list of such contraindications:

• the pet has just or recently eaten (vomiting may result from stress);
• the animal has suffered severe stress, it is scared or aggressive;
• the pet has undergone surgery (after surgery, cats do not bathe for at least two weeks);
• the animal is currently diagnosed with any disease.

The frequency and frequency of bathing cats and cats depend on a number of specific factors, under the influence of which some animals have to wash more often than others. Thus, the frequency of this procedure may depend on the age of the pet, its breed and, consequently, the length of the coat, and the state of health.

Veterinarians recommend very small kittens not to bathe in the first months of life. During this period, their mother actively cares for them. For the first time, a baby is allowed to bathe after its baby teeth fall out. This usually happens at 4 months of age.

Kittens whose age is younger than 3-4 months should not be bathed. At this age, the immunity of animals is still weak, which can cause the development of colds after water procedures. In addition, after bathing a kitten with the use of detergents, the nursing cat may not recognize the baby’s smell and, consequently, do not let him.

Adult animals with medium-sized wool are bathed on average 2-3 times a year. Active individuals that quickly get dirty, wash a little more. Older cats and cats, who prefer to spend much of their time in solitude and peace, bathe about two times a year.

Adult full-grown cats require more frequent bathing than their neutered brethren. In males with preserved reproductive function, the sebaceous glands, under the influence of hormones, produce more secretion, as a result of which the wool gets dirty faster, becomes greasy and sticks together.

The frequency of bathing depends on the breed and the color of the animal. So, if ordinary cats with an average coat are bathed about three times a year, then it is allowed to wash long-haired individuals about once every 2 months. Shorthair cats are rarely bathed. Representatives of the Sphynx breed and completely wipe with a damp cloth, if necessary, although many cats of this breed love water procedures. Some owners of sphinxes who love to swim, arrange this procedure for their pets once a week.

Besides, frequent bathing is required in cats of white, beige and peach color. They are allowed to bathe every 2-3 months using a special shampoo.

If the pet suffers from allergies, accompanied by skin itching, then you can alleviate his condition with the help of bathing. Usually this procedure is arranged once a week, using special soft shampoos with a soothing effect. The frequency of bathing and the type of detergent should be recommended by the attending veterinary specialist.

Some internal diseases (for example, hormonal disorders) are often accompanied by increased sebum production. As a result, the cat's fur begins to clump together and hang like untidy "icicles." With abundant sebum secretion, the secret clogs the pores of the skin, because of which the animal may begin to itch. In this case, you can also resort to the help of bathing with the use of means regulating the work of the sebaceous glands, while not forgetting the treatment of the underlying disease.

It is not allowed to bathe animals with infectious skin diseases in the acute form, with severe injuries of the skin. Also, pets who suffer from colds or have recently had them are banned from bathing.

The frequency of washing the cat depends on its place of residence. If a pet spends most of the time on the street, it should be bathed quite often - about 4-5 times a year. Animals that are raised at home and do not walk outside are washed less often - about 2-3 times a year.

Determine that your pet needs a swim, you can by appearance. In dirty animals, the wool begins to stick together, shine, and after contact with it on the hands there may be a feeling of a greasy film. Another sign that the pet needs to bathe is the appearance of an unpleasant smell coming from the wool.

Bathing pregnant cats should only be done if absolutely necessary (for example, when parasites or fleas are detected). If the pregnancy proceeds normally, and the animal quietly tolerates bathing, it is allowed to gently wash it.

It is undesirable to bathe future cats-moms shortly before birth. Frightened by water or sudden movements, the animal can cause serious harm to itself and future babies.

If the need to bathe a pregnant cat has become apparent, the procedure should be performed as carefully and carefully as possible. It is important to keep track of time, trying not to keep the animal in the bathroom for a single extra minute. While bathing you need to communicate with the animal, talk to him very gently, avoiding shouts and raised voice.

No less caution should be exercised when bathing nursing cats. If the procedure is not necessary, you should not disturb the animal without need. Under the influence of a stressful situation, which is bathing, milk may disappear in a lactating cat.

Even if the pet belongs to the category of those animals that require frequent bathing, it is not recommended to carry out this procedure more than 6 times a year. In some cases, water procedures are best combined with dry bathing, which use special powder shampoos.

It must be remembered that in the cold season, cats and cats are washed less often. If the apartment is cool, then you should not rush into swimming. After water procedures, animals get very cold, so they can easily catch a cold in a cool room (especially if there are drafts). For this reason, after bathing, a cat or cat should be placed in a warm room where there is no draft.

In very hot weather, some inexperienced cat breeders try to bathe their pets more often or simply rinse them with water.According to the vets, do not need to. To alleviate the condition of the cat in the heat, you can use the following recommendations:

• place a wet towel or a clean cloth moistened with water near the cat bed;
• gradually sprinkle the animal with water from a sprinkler, covering the muzzle and ears with a palm;
• provide pet with easy access to clean water;
• periodically wipe the cat with a damp cloth.

In an effort to help their pet withstand the heat with the least suffering, some owners use air conditioners and fans. Often these devices cause severe colds in cats and cats.

The frequency of bathing cats and cats is a conditional indicator, depending on the individual characteristics of animals, their way of life, age, health status and conditions of detention. These parameters are well known to caring and attentive owners, therefore, with the determination of the moment when it comes time to bathe pets, they have no difficulties.

About whether you need to bathe the cat and how often to do it, see the next video.