Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you can bathe a cat? This is a very controversial subject and one that arouses a lot of doubt in most guardians (especially first-time parents). As many know, felines are animals that take care of their own hygiene and self-clean daily with their own tongue, so in many cases veterinarians do not indicate bathing a cat. ToTo better understand why, we went after some important information about this type of feline hygiene and why you can't bathe a kitten, adult or elderly cat. See what we found out!

Why can't you bathe a cat?

Some people may even think it's okay to bathe their cat, but before subjecting your feline to such an experience, it's important to consider several factors. The first is that cats don't get dirty often and are usually self-sufficient to perform their own hygiene, so bathing ends up being something totally dispensable and that will only irritate the kitty. In fact, thisturns out to be the second point that needs attention: most cats do not like to be doused with water because it generates too much stress for the animal.

Moreover, bathing the cat is also unnecessary for physiological reasons. Excessive contact with water tends to remove the natural protection of the cat's fur, which can trigger dermatological problems. The pheromones produced by the feline organism are also removed in this process: the smell of these substances are super important in various aspects of the cat's routine. That is whyright after a bath, they often lick their entire body in an attempt to restore lost pheromones.

Before bathing, cats need a doctor's recommendation

To make bathing part of your cat's routine, it's best to talk to your vet first. Cleaning with water, shampoo and soap is usually only indicated in cases of health problems, such as for the treatment and control of skin diseases (such as dermatitis). The products used for bathing your cat are therefore very specific and should be recommended by a vet.qualified professional.

If the idea is to bathe your friend regularly for hygiene reasons, it may not be the best idea. As already mentioned, cats are animals capable of cleaning themselves.

If bathing the cat is allowed, it is important to take a few precautions

Assuming that your kitten needs a bath because of a medical advice, it is also important to know how to do it in the best way without harming your four-legged friend. So, how to bathe a cat? Here are some important tips:

- Always check the temperature of the water, which cannot be too cold. As the body temperature of felines is 38º to 39ºC, the kitten can suffer a thermal shock and be more vulnerable to diseases.

- A cat bathtub or a large basin are the most suitable accessories for bathing, as they allow you to get the animal wet without losing control of the situation.

- Be very careful not to get water in your cat's eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Ideally, leave washing the head last to avoid any problems.

- Don't forget to dry the kitten very well after the bath with a towel. The use of dryers is not recommended because it can scare them.