What's the big deal with washing your cat every once in a blue moon?

Question

I would like to what's all the hype about when it comes to washing cats. I don't care how much they "Clean themselves" via their tongues, At some point or another does it not become necessary to wash them yourself? I want to know some real answers as to why it is said that you shouldn't. Is it just becaus ethey will freak out, or because they may get sick, or what?

Answer 1

Some cats hate water, some tolerate it.

Some owners will bathe their cats, some don't want to even attempt it.

If your cat allows you to without trying to shred you like a paper shredder, I don't see why not.

professional cat breeders often bathe their cats as part of the grooming regime. A continuous repetition of the procedure accustoms the cats to water - just as their larger jungle cousins learn to swim across rivers, wade in and fish for their dinners, and even play in the shallows of lakes and streams.

Cats that are not used to being bathed will often panic, but consider that most cats will happily go out and hunt in the pouring rain.

Cats spend hours a day washing themselves. In fact, most can do very well to keep themselves clean without additional help from us. However, there are times when your cat may need a bath:

When she is covered with a substance you don't want her to l**k off and ingest, such as machine oil, pesticides, or cleaning powders and fluids.

When you need to bathe your cat with medicated shampoo to treat the skin for fleas or other disorders.

When you are showing your cats - a thorough bath a few days before the show is usually desirable.

It is not harmful to your cat. It may be harmful for you though...

Answer 2

If you want to bathe your cat then it is not a big deal.  Just make sure you start out when they are young so they get used to the water and baths.  It can be pretty traumatic for an adult cat if they have never had a bath.

Answer 3

It's not a big deal, as long as your cat is healthy.  Cats can get overly stressed when faced with a bath, and that can be hard on older, frail animals.  Cats generally do a fine job cleaning themselves (and yes, they really do get clean by l*****g themselves).  If your cat gets into stuff you don't want them to l**k off themselves (like excrement or soot) it's a good idea to bathe them.  Also, if your cat has flea allergies or other types of environmental allergies that irritates their skin, an occasional bath is a fine thing.

Answer 4

Same reason they scream whenever you don't cook for your cat. In reality you can wash your cat, its just not normally recommended. I have 2 cats. The oldest one needs a bath min of 1 per week, often 1 per day for numerous health reason relating to the fact that he poops on himself and the acids hurt his skin. The other one get the blue moon bath for the same reason, he rolled in the other ones leavings....

Basically, since cats are often terrified of getting wet (rain is cool, baths are not. Cats!!!) they freak. Putting a lot of stress on their systems, and scratching the skin off of you. I wash my cats when they can't clean themselves, or shouldn't try to. Beyond that, they are on their own to keep clean.

Stress in high doses is bad for kitties, baths = high stress, = people freak out!!!

Answer 5

Cat's usually don't like water and it is very stressful for them to get baths.  They don't need people to give them a bath, they wash themselves throughout the whole day.

Answer 6

It can dry out their skin and upsets most of them.

I have 6, ranging in age from 9 years to 10 weeks.  I have given 2 baths across the entire group.  4 were strays and both baths were from smells/fleas when bringing them in.  The other two got themselves perfectly clean without help and could be treated for fleas.  

Although I often have to wash off the foot of my youngest because he tends to step in his p**p when he's covering it. (just rinsing, no soap)

But, they all have short fur.  

When I had long haired kitties we did wash them sometimes to help them out.  Not often, once every other year or so.  They also needed regular brushing to help them out.  It was just too much work to do all on their own.  But in general, if a cat needed a bath I would be concerned since when they're healthy they are usually able to keep themselves very clean.  

Answer 7

I guess its not natural?

I personally would make sure that the cat is started with this at a young age so it does not stress in the near future.

Make sure you have a good drying cage because their fur takes forever to dry and they can get sick if you dont dry them quickly.

Answer 8

I have a Maine Coon/Manx (big fur ball with no tail) who sometimes manages to get c**p stuck in the fur on his hind legs.  I have often given him a bath, and he doesn't seem to mind.  Personally, I'd much rather have someone give me a bath than have to l**k the c**p off my *** myself.  I won't say he LIKES the bath, but he tolerates it.  He's 16 years old, so it doesn't seem to have negatively impacted his life span at all.

Answer 9

It's because it is just totally unnecessary. You said it yourself - they clean themselves. Why would you assume it necessary for humans to intervene at some point? They don't need it.

Bathing a cat at all messes up their lovely natural skin oils which, in a healthy cat, keep them sleek, soft, shiny, clean and smelling delicious. Why put them through the trauma of a bath (most don't like it) to spoil all this?

Keep your cat healthy with good food, regular fleaing and deworming and lots of cuddles. Let nature take care of his coat because there is no better way.

Chalice

Answer 10

Unless they get themselves into some kind of mess it really isn't necessary to bath a cat. They are very good at grooming themselves. If you feel you have to bath your cat make sure to use a cat shampoo that it the correct pH for felines or you will dry out their skin.