While felines are diligent about grooming themselves, they still need to be bathed occasionally. Bathing keeps your cat’s coat clean, prevents shedding, and alleviates health issues. You can even schedule regular sessions with a pet grooming professional to ensure a stress-free process.

Why Bathing Is Important

Giving your furry friend a bath removes dead skin and makes it easier for them to groom themselves. It also reduces skin oils that make their coat feel greasy and minimizes pet dander, which can be helpful if someone in your house has allergies.

Bathing removes loose hair, so it’ll minimize shedding and the amount of fur your cat ingests when they groom themselves. This is beneficial, as hairballs may become trapped in the small intestine and require surgical intervention to remove.

When to Bathe Your Cat

Short-haired cats can be bathed infrequently and only when there’s a specific need, like if wandered into a mud puddle. Long-haired cats should be bathed every six weeks to keep their coats clean and free of mats. If your furry friend is on the older side or has a disability that inhibits their movement, bathe them once you notice a change in their coat’s texture. This may frequently happen, as they may not have the dexterity to groom themselves.

Signs Your Cat Needs a Bath

Cat’s are naturally oily, so give them a bath if their fur feels greasy. The warm water and soap will remove the oils, which will prevent their fur from clumping and matting. You should also bathe your furry friend whenever they’re noticeably dirty or smelly, like after lounging on a dusty bookshelf or an adventure through the trash bin. Although felines can groom themselves, their efforts typically aren’t enough to remove strong odors.

Many cats don’t like water, and if you need help bathing your furry friend, contact the team at Bar-King Dog Kennel in Keaau on the Big Island. These pet grooming professionals will bathe your feline and help them feel at ease throughout the process. They’ll also perform essential tasks your cat can’t do on their own, like trim their nails and clean their ears. View their services online, or call (808) 966-8733 to book a pet grooming appointment.