Anyone who has a cat knows the play. It's time for that event that, depending on how you handle it, can be a scratch session or a kiss and cuddle session: the time to take care of feline hygiene and bathe your cat!

First, let it be clear: cats clean themselves, yes, but they need to be bathed occasionally, because bathing prevents parasites, and provides better hygiene of the fur (which is vital for the health and sensitivity of the cat).

Second: there are cases where cats need baths. It won't be as regular as a dog. And if you don't go out much with your cat, the frequency will be even less.

Soon, the questions arise: when to bathe my cat? Do cats need soapy baths? Can I use a shampoo on the cat? Can I use a human soap?

Seeking to solve these doubts, we went after some answers. So, read on and check out everything you need to know about cat hygiene here.

Everyone who has cats knows that these animals are not used to getting wet. Right. However, have you ever wondered why? The answer may not be so surprising, but let's go: cats don't like to feel insecure, at bath time.

That is, if you simply put the cat in a bathtub (even more so if it is a bathtub with cold water), your cat will be afraid. He will be stressed. So, making the bath a “mechanical” process is not the solution.

Ideally, the puppy should be used to the act of being wetted by the tutor from time to time. And that since he was a puppy he understands that it will be part of his life. So, as an adult, the bathing session won't come as a total surprise.

But for that to happen, you need to convince your cat that bathing is something nice. Make bath time a time for cuddles, offering toys, snacks, and dealing with it very calmly and calmly. Give your cat security.

And of course, use warm water.

As we said, cats need water baths. But not always. Your cat knows how to clean itself, has a tongue and flexibility that facilitate this. So your job as a tutor is not to give frequent baths.

Your job is to brush the fur frequently. This procedure is much more important than the bath, and should be done every week.

Basically, in brushing, you remove fallen hair and tufts, dirt particles, food crumbs and other things that eventually get stuck in the cat's skin. For this job, water is not as important as a soft-bristled brush and a cat comb (purchased at pet stores).

Shaving the hair is also important, to ensure proper hygiene of the animal, but each breed has its own specific schedule for shaving. To find out when your cat's grooming season is, it's best to always go to the vet.

Did you know that your cat needs to brush its teeth? Check out all about this practice, here.

After we talk about grooming and grooming, you might feel discouraged about bathing your cat. Don't give up though. There are situations, as we said, that only a bath with water and products solves.

There are some situations in which it is essential for you to bathe your cat. These situations require that your cat be bathed, because in this case there is dirt that will be difficult to remove only with self-cleaning (your cat licks itself) or brushing. Check out:

If your cat lives with other animals, has contact with nature, or is suffering from infestations, the bath will serve to clean the skin and hair more effectively. Simple brushing won't remove flea or tick eggs, and dirt like mud and slime can be difficult to get out.

Self-cleaning, in these cases, can even mean contaminating the cat (imagine if it is dirty with soil rich in decomposing organic matter, for example).

Now, get to know some other situations in which it is important to take care of your cat's feline hygiene!

In the case of toxic or industrialized substances, it can range from simple things – wine spilled on the cat’s back – to really dangerous substances (bleach, contact adhesives, insecticides).

Remember: processed foods were made for human consumption. For your cat, they can cause serious allergies. Therefore, any processed substance should be washed with water and cat hygiene products.

For cats with reduced mobility, due to amputation or paralysis of a limb, bathing is important. The cat won't be able to access certain parts of the body, or it won't be able to move properly. It is up to the assistant tutor.

Well, hairless cat breeds (the most famous is the Sphynx) need frequent baths. They don't have the hair to maintain temperature, control skin oiliness, retain parasites... Soon, the bath will have this function of sanitizing the cat.

Senior cats often continue to clean themselves with their tongue. However, their metabolism is slower, and eventually they may experience joint problems. Soon, they will not be able to reach all parts.

Thus, it is important for the tutor to do this cleaning. Always following the guidelines mentioned above (warm water, toys, tranquility). Periodicity will vary greatly from breed to breed.

What defines whether a cat is obese or not is the relationship between its weight and size, but this factor varies from breed to breed, and who will determine this condition is the veterinarian.

If your cat is obese, you need to pay special attention to hygiene, including bathing. In that case, the bath becomes important, because the cat cannot reach some parts of the body, which become dirty.

When bathing your cat, it is best to use, in addition to water, a product recommended by the veterinarian. The petshop owner can indicate something, but remember: he wants to sell; so if this person is not ethical, he may try to convince you of the effectiveness of a shampoo or soap, just for you to consume.

In any case, the important thing is for you to remember: your cat should not be washed with products intended for humans. Your cat has specific skin and coat conditions. The pH, the texture, the yarn density… All this influences the production of a feline hygiene product.

Human products are designed for human skin. And they have perfume. Your cat does not need perfumes or moisturizers, unless the veterinarian says they do (in this case, it will be a dermatological ointment for cats, that is, a medicine).

Your cat must smell like a cat; some people don't like that smell. It's not the cat's problem, it's the person complaining. The cat's scent is a way for him to identify himself among his peers, for him to communicate. Perfume will not only mask this communication and identification, it will also irritate the feline (and cause allergies). Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell. Strong smells hurt that sense of smell.

The question is actually a bit obvious, but it is a doubt that some tutors have. Can I apply a flea and tick shampoo if my cat has not been infested with fleas and ticks? The answer is no.

If it won't harm the animal, it won't do any good either. Do you take medicine before you get sick? Of course, there are vaccines that help your cat not get sick. But the vaccine is not a shampoo or medicine. It is a diagnostic treatment.

So, unless the vet requests it, only use anti-flea shampoos if your cat has fleas (and use the brand the vet recommends).

Again, it depends on the race. But in general, it's best to use only a pet towel (sold in pet shops), which won't release lint that will get tangled up in the cat's hair.

The dryer might be too cold for you, but too hot for the cat. Then you cause burns and dehydration. Besides scaring the kitty with the noise. So, avoid the dryer.

It may seem that taking care of cat hygiene is difficult. But it is not. Worry about teeth, hair brushing and nail care. The bathing part, you can let the cat know how to do it. Prefer baths only in the specific situations listed above.

And if you want to know more tips on how to take care of your kitty, check out our recommended content below!