The most effective method to Clean a Stinky Cat
Most of the time, cats do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean and pleasant smelling. However if they are experiencing ill health or are of an advanced age and are having a few problems, then it can be that they get a bit stinky and your assistance is needed. So how do you wash a cat?
Cat bath
If your cat has learned from a young age to have a bath in the bathtub then this will be an easy process. Some breed such as the Persian need this kind of treatment to help maintain their long coats. But for the cat who has never bathed, the idea of entering the bathtub is one of terror so using a sink is the best bet.
You will need a helper for this job, one person to hold the cat and another to do the washing process. If your cat is a biter, gloves may be needed for both and long sleeves will help combat scratching. It is crucial to try to keep the cat as calm as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.
Line the area around the sink with old towels as it is likely to get wet and no-one wants to slip over on a wet floor.
Preparing the bath
First, put a rubber mat into the sink so the cat has something to grip and feel safer. Run around two or three inches of water into the sink and watch the temperature - think as you would for a baby. It should be lukewarm so not to hurt the cat or shock them.
If you are using shampoo, mix it with the same temperature water so that the mixtureisn't colder or more sizzling than whatever remains of the water temperature.
Pick up the cat, talking soothingly and gently lower them into the water. You need to hold them firmly but not so much you injure them. They will try to get out and it is important to make a decision at this point - if they are too scared of the water, you may be better off abandoning the process.
If the cat allows you to put them into the shallow water, gently pour the water over their body, avoiding the eyes, face and ears. If your cat will allow, you can put cotton balls into their ears as a double protection because their ears are very prone to infections from water.
Gently rub the shampoo into their coat them rinse with more lukewarm water until it is clear. Ensure that none of it touches their face. Depending on your cat, you may be able to use a gentle water spray to rinse off the shampoo.
Once all the shampoo has gone, lift them out of the water and wrap them in a towel. Give them a gentle rub to remove the thick of the water.
When you release them, make sure it is in a warm, draft-free room where they can recover from the shock and groom themselves until the water is gone.
Remember, if you get scratched or bitten during the process, treat the injury with an antiseptic cream to ensure you don't end up with an infection as cat's claws and teeth contain a bacteria that can easily cause this.
Most of the time, cats do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean and pleasant smelling. However if they are experiencing ill health or are of an advanced age and are having a few problems, then it can be that they get a bit stinky and your assistance is needed. So how do you wash a cat?
Cat bath
If your cat has learned from a young age to have a bath in the bathtub then this will be an easy process. Some breed such as the Persian need this kind of treatment to help maintain their long coats. But for the cat who has never bathed, the idea of entering the bathtub is one of terror so using a sink is the best bet.
You will need a helper for this job, one person to hold the cat and another to do the washing process. If your cat is a biter, gloves may be needed for both and long sleeves will help combat scratching. It is crucial to try to keep the cat as calm as possible to avoid unnecessary stress.
Line the area around the sink with old towels as it is likely to get wet and no-one wants to slip over on a wet floor.
Preparing the bath
First, put a rubber mat into the sink so the cat has something to grip and feel safer. Run around two or three inches of water into the sink and watch the temperature - think as you would for a baby. It should be lukewarm so not to hurt the cat or shock them.
If you are using shampoo, mix it with the same temperature water so that the mixtureisn't colder or more sizzling than whatever remains of the water temperature.
Pick up the cat, talking soothingly and gently lower them into the water. You need to hold them firmly but not so much you injure them. They will try to get out and it is important to make a decision at this point - if they are too scared of the water, you may be better off abandoning the process.
If the cat allows you to put them into the shallow water, gently pour the water over their body, avoiding the eyes, face and ears. If your cat will allow, you can put cotton balls into their ears as a double protection because their ears are very prone to infections from water.
Gently rub the shampoo into their coat them rinse with more lukewarm water until it is clear. Ensure that none of it touches their face. Depending on your cat, you may be able to use a gentle water spray to rinse off the shampoo.
Once all the shampoo has gone, lift them out of the water and wrap them in a towel. Give them a gentle rub to remove the thick of the water.
When you release them, make sure it is in a warm, draft-free room where they can recover from the shock and groom themselves until the water is gone.
Remember, if you get scratched or bitten during the process, treat the injury with an antiseptic cream to ensure you don't end up with an infection as cat's claws and teeth contain a bacteria that can easily cause this.