Have you ever tried to bathe your cat and ended up with a limb full of scratches? If your answer is yes, then the reality is that you are doing it wrong. You see, cats do not like water, but there is more to that. The water temperature sets the aggressive reaction in your cat, not the water itself.
Now you might be asking yourself, did I not use the proper water temperature? The thing is, even if you have tried different temperatures, your cat is still scared. It might be due to previous experiences that may be “traumatic” for your cat. A lot goes into providing the most comfortable experience for your cat bathing. So keep on reading this article to gain tips for the ideal bath.
What Is The Perfect Temperature of Water for Cats Bathing?
There is not much complexity behind the perfect water temperature for cat bathing. It is as simple as checking the weather and choosing the temperature accordingly.
When it is a relatively warmer day, as it is in summers, your cat is more likely to enjoy getting bathed in cold water. On the contrary, if it is freezing during winters, opting for warm water will be your best option.
Building Comfort Early On
Using the right water temperature in the first few baths gives your cat comfort. This is because if your cat gets used to the water early on, then giving a bath will not be a challenging experience, as it is with other cat parents.
If you fail to make your cat comfortable and establish baths as a relaxing activity, then there is a great chance your cat will deem bathing one of the worst things to do and eventually turn your cat bathing routine into nightmares.
Why Do Cats Prefer Warm Water?
As humans, we tend to despise cold water for the most part. Except for warmer days in summer, humans will turn to cold water to help balance the hotness throughout the day. Cats are no different in this case. Cats bathing in cold water during a chilly day will not hesitate to show their displeasure and are likely to scratch you as well.
You see, cats are homeotherms, which means that a cat’s body maintains a temperature of around 100 degrees, which is relatively higher than that of a human body. Due to this fact, cats bathing will feel a lot colder when water is poured onto their bodies.
How to Identify the Right Temperature?
As I mentioned earlier, the most straightforward way to identify the proper water temperature is to check for the current day’s climate. If it is more on the colder end, your best bet would be to use warm water for cats bathing. If it is a hotter day, start bathing your cat with cold water.
However, make sure to begin slow and see if the cat is comfortable enough with the temperature of the water. Keep altering the temperature until your kitty is calm and relaxed. It is essential to establish some trust when it comes to cats bathing, and if you fail to do this, your cat will always be stressed and anxious during the following bath times.
How Often Can I Bathe My Cat?
Cats have made themselves quite a reputation of being self groomers and independent of their owners to tidy them up. This is a different case for dogs, which require to be bathed as often as once a week.
On the other hand, Cats can be kept away from baths for as long as two months. They clean themselves through their tongues, which they use to lick the fur and their paws until they feel entirely clean. So if you have a cat that stays mostly indoors, then you can wait a couple of months to give your cat its next bath.
How to Calm Down Your Cat During Baths
When it comes to calming your cat during bath times, it is important to ensure that she is already used to taking baths. Cats bathing in a comfortable environment in their early ages determine how trained and comfortable they are with baths from that point onwards. However, you can do other various things to help calm your cat while washing away the dirt.
One of the most common and reliable options is constantly giving your cat treats during cat bathing. This creates the perception in your cat’s mind that bathing is a rewarding experience, so in the long run, your cat will be less likely to act out during bath time.
You can also try the other helpful techniques, such as providing your cat’s favorite toys and letting them play during baths, and being gentle when rubbing the cat’s body. Along with ensuring the water temperature is right, these will collectively make the bathing experience more enjoyable and comfortable for not only your cat but for you as well.
After Bath Essentials
So you have successfully gotten over with your cat bathing, what is next? One important thing you want to keep in mind is to dry off your cat yourself, or at least as much as you can. This is especially crucial during winter when your cat is more prone to cold and fever.
Cats prefer to dry themselves using their tongue, but you want to make sure the fur is dry and that your cat is sitting in a warm room. In addition, you can relax your cat by giving more treats, her favorite food, toys, and playing relaxing music.
Bottom Line
To sum it all up, the right temperature for cats bathing depends on the weather of that particular day you bathe your cat. If it is a chilly day, then make your cat cozy and comfortable by choosing warm water for the bath. Similarly, if it is a hot day, your cat is more likely to enjoy a colder bath with relatively cold water. Each cat is different, so you can find out what works best for your cat with trial and error.
