In the marshes and mangrove forests of southern Asia, a mysterious wildcat prowls the tall grasses around streams and rivers.
This secretive feline – about the size of a bobcat – is rarely seen by humans. She hunts at night, preying upon small mammals, birds and lizards. But she favors one food in particular – fish.
In fact, biologists call her a “piscivore” because fish make up the majority of her diet. And it’s her liking for fish that leads to her most unusual trait.
While most cats prefer to keep water at arm’s length, the Fishing Cat loves to swim.
Nature even designed her with partial webbing between her front toes, giving her an advantage when diving headfirst into deeper water to catch a meal.
If you were to ask your pet cat what he thinks of the Fishing Cat, he would probably tell you she’s crazy.
After all, the majority of pet cats despise water, a fact that cat lovers have learned to respect. Because of this, and the fact that cats are excellent personal groomers, many cat parents would never think of giving their cat a bath.
But while felines generally get along great without baths, there are key times when they need a little extra help.
The extent to which your cat can adequately groom himself depends on a number of things, including his health status and age, as well as his tendency to get into mishaps.
As your cat goes through life, there’s a very good chance he will need a bath, and most likely more than one. I want to help you be prepared.
And I want to help make the experience as stress free and healthy as possible.
Your Kitty Might Need a Bath – Reasons You May Not Have Considered
You may be surprised to learn there’s a long list of reasons to give your cat a bath.
Some of the reasons are limited to special circumstances, such as a cat’s age, size or medical condition. Others spring from the everyday things any cat might do to end up needing a good washing.
One important reason you might want to bathe your cat regularly is if you have a family member who is allergic to cat dander or saliva. Regular bathing can sometimes mean the difference between keeping your beloved pet and giving her up for adoption.
Other situations where your cat might need a bath include when:
- She has long hair and spends time outdoors, where she can pick up excess dirt
- He becomes so overweight he can’t reach the back half of his body, including the perineal area
- She’s prone to dermatitis, skin infections, sores, scabs or hotspots
- He has seborrhea, or excessively oily skin
- She develops fecal or urinary incontinence with advancing age
- She loses interest in grooming herself as she grows older, especially if she experiences age-related cognitive decline, or kitty dementia
- He is paralyzed or has a medical condition requiring special care
- She develops a greasy or sticky feeling coat
- He gets into something sticky or stinky
Maybe you haven’t had any need to give your cat a bath yet. But as you can imagine, with a curious feline, that situation can change in a heartbeat… and you don’t want to be caught unprepared.
Make sure you already have what you’ll need on hand, including a cat-suitable towel and a gentle, high-quality shampoo.
If you’re a new kitten owner, I encourage you to introduce your pet to a bath while he’s young. Once a cat reaches adulthood, a first bath becomes a much trickier endeavor.
6 Things You Should Never, Ever Do When Giving Your Cat a Bath
Before I go over the basics of bathing a cat, there are a few common mistakes you should know about so you can avoid them. They can short-circuit your success in a flash.
- Don’t bathe your cat when he’s in a frisky mood. Schedule it for a time when he’s more likely to be mellow. Diffuse his excess energy with a vigorous play session first.
- Don’t go into battle against a full set of sharp claws. You won’t win, I promise. Trim your cat’s claws before getting started.
- Don’t go it alone (if at all possible). Even the most docile of kitties can become frightened and react forcefully when bathed. You never know how he’s going to respond, so having an extra set of hands can be very helpful.
- Don’t start until you are 100% prepared. Have everything you need on hand, the water adjusted to the perfect lukewarm temperature and a mat or wet towel to make your sink slip-free. You’re not likely to get a second chance.
- Don’t skip the brushing. Especially if you have a long-haired cat, a thorough brushing removes dirt, other particles and tangles. Be sure to remove any mats, as matted fur can trap soap residues next to the skin and cause itchiness and flakiness.
- Don’t use a human or dog shampoo on your cat. Your cat’s skin has its own unique pH that’s different from yours (and your dog’s). In addition, dog shampoos may have ingredients that aren’t appropriate for kitties.
Okay, now that you know what not to do, let’s go through the steps of a successful bath.
Take a Deep Breath… It’s Time to Get Started with the Bath
The key to success is to make your cat’s bath experience as gentle as possible. Talking to your kitty in soothing tones throughout the entire process helps.
You want to get your cat into the tub, bathed and back out as quickly as possible to keep her stress level at a minimum.
If you’re concerned about your kitty’s reaction, I recommend using a flower essence blend, such as Rescue Remedy, to help reduce her anxiety.
You can give it to her orally, but I like to apply it topically by rubbing a few drops on the inside of the tips of the ears.
To do the washing, I suggest using your kitchen sink, which is a lot easier on your back than bending over a bathtub. Use a cup for pouring water over your cat, or the hand spray, only if it doesn’t frighten her.
Start by wetting your kitty’s coat with water, avoiding her head. Gently massage the shampoo through her coat.
If your cat has thick or long hair, diluting the shampoo with water first will help get it down into the fur. Bathe her bottom, feet, belly and tail, but never her head. Use a moist sponge or washcloth to clean her face.
Now, it’s time to rinse.
It’s important to get all the shampoo out of your cat’s coat. Any residue left behind can irritate her skin. Thoroughly rinse her belly, the underside of her neck, armpits, and under the tail.
Lastly, wring off any excess water, wrap your cat in a thick towel and remove her from the sink. It’s important to dry her thoroughly in a warm room using several changes of dry towels. Hold and cuddle her until she’s completely dry.
A final word… Don’t despair if your first bathing experience isn’t what you hoped for. With a little practice, your cat will soon learn to tolerate regular baths, and you’ll be thrilled with your newly clean, fluffy soft pet.
What You Need to Know Before Reaching for the Cat Shampoo…
Whether your cat is a tomcat or the self-appointed queen of felines, one fact remains…
Cats are different from both dogs and humans when it comes to their skin and hair needs.
Not only does their skin have a unique pH; they really don’t like scented products. And their bodies are especially sensitive to additives, sulphates and dyes.
Exercise care when using a “pet” shampoo on your cat. Be sure to check the label for synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids – specifically, Resmethrin or D-trans Allethrin. Pyrethroids can be very toxic to cats.
And just because a shampoo says it’s for cats, don’t assume it’s much safer. Following is just a partial list of ingredients found in one top selling cat shampoo, along with the Environmental Working Group’s toxicity concern levels:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate – A surfactant derived from lauryl alcohol that may be contaminated with toxic impurities like 1,4-dioxane. Has HIGH concerns for irritation to skin, eyes, and lungs and moderate concerns for organ system toxicity
- Cocamide DEA – A chemically modified form of coconut oil that’s a known allergen. Has HIGH concerns for contamination and moderate concerns for organ system toxicity.
- PEG-40 Lanolin – A polyethylene glycol derivative of Lanolin with HIGH contamination concerns.
- DMDM Hydantoin – A preservative that releases formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Has HIGH chemical release concerns for skin, eye and lung irritation.
- Diazolidinyl Urea – Another preservative that releases formaldehyde, with HIGH chemical release and allergy concerns. May be derived from animals.
- Fragrance – Moderate concerns for skin, eye and lung irritation.
- Yellow 5 dye – May cause skin irritation and sensitivity.
Would you really want to lather any of those on your cat’s skin? Neither would I…
Ideally, you want a shampoo that’s organic, unscented and free of toxic chemicals, dyes and additives. It must be very gentle and mild, and designed specifically for a cat’s pH.
If you can find one with a coconut oil base, that’s a big plus. Coconut oil can benefit your cat’s skin by helping with dry skin, itchiness and overall coat health.
Organic Cat Wash – Gently Formulated for the Most Sensitive of Felines
Frankly, there aren’t many shampoos out there that meet my standards for a high-quality, safe and effective cat shampoo. That’s why I created Organic Cat Wash.
Our Organic Cat Wash is so gentle, it can even be used daily for cats who need it. It’s unscented, free of any risky additives and chemicals, won’t strip your cat’s natural oils and leaves no residue behind.
Here are the nourishing, natural ingredients you’ll find in Organic Cat Wash:
- Aloe barbadensis Aloe Vera Leaf Juice*
- Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil*
- Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*
- Sesamum indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*
- Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum*
- Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) Nut Butter*
- Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Milk*
- Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Jasminum officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract*
- Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract*
*Organic Ingredients
A very different type of list from the standard popular cat shampoo we looked at, wouldn’t you agree?
These ingredients are not just non-toxic – they are actively beneficial for your cat, promoting the health of her skin and coat with nourishing lipids and antioxidants.
Does Your Cat Have Flaky, Itchy Skin? It Could Be This…
I have found a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids to be the number one cause of excessively flaky skin in pets.
Omega-3 fatty acids are very sensitive to heat and light, so the processing of commercial foods typically renders them useless to your cat’s body. Even a homemade raw diet can run low in omega-3s.
To support healthy skin, try adding extra omega-3s to your cat’s diet. My favorite source of omega-3s for cats is Krill Oil.
These Organic Ingredients Do More Than Just Get Your Cat Sparkly Clean
Why did I select these specific ingredients for my Organic Cat Wash?
Washing your cat provides the ideal opportunity to enrich her skin and hair with extra nourishment. After all, your cat can’t apply moisturizer to her skin at night and conditioners to her hair like you can!
And remember… your cat’s skin is her largest organ (as is yours), so what you put on it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
With my Organic Cat Wash, you won’t mind massaging these organic, nourishing ingredients deep down into her skin:
- Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice – A soothing nutritional powerhouse that contains more than 130 compounds and 34 amino acids. Provides iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc, chromium, magnesium, copper, and manganese, plus vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E, folic acid, and niacin.
- Organic Coconut Oil – Rejuvenates skin and helps exfoliate dead skin cells.
- Organic Sunflower Seed Oil – Improves the appearance of dry and weathered-looking skin. Provides vitamins A, D, and E, plus oleic acid, as well as lecithin and unsaturated fatty acids.
- Organic Sesame Seed Oil – An outstanding moisturizer for a luxurious coat that’s rich in vitamin E, B complex, and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
- Organic Shea Nut Butter – A valuable skin conditioning cream that provides vitamins A, E, and F, along with minerals, proteins, and a unique health-promoting fatty acid profile.
- Organic Jasmine Flower Extract – Rich in flavonoid antioxidants and important compounds for helping to protect the skin, as well as to help balance the skin’s moisture.
- Organic Marshmallow Root Extract – High in plant proteins for promoting healthy hair growth and shine while it soothes the skin. Softens hair and encourages detangling.
Your cat’s skin and coat need special care. When he can’t groom himself, or when he meets with an unexpected situation that calls for a bath, you can enjoy peace of mind that she’s getting the best available care with Organic Cat Wash.
Non-toxic, Nourishing Ingredients That Promote a Healthy Coat and Skin – This is What a Cat Wash Should Be
Let’s review why Organic Cat Wash is the ideal shampoo for your cat and why you will want to have it on hand when he needs a bath:
- Gentle enough for daily use
- Coconut oil-based so it’s naturally mild and nourishing
- Promotes healthy hair growth and shine
- Won’t strip away natural oils
- Balanced for your cat’s delicate pH
- Provides soothing and rejuvenating care for delicate skin
- Softens hair and encourages detangling
- Helps balance skin moisture
- Provides antioxidants and nutrients to the skin
- Unscented for the fussiest of felines
- Contains no hazardous ingredients, fragrances or dyes
- Leaves behind no residues
And once you see what it can do for your cat’s healthy appearance, you’ll be delighted.
A cat shampoo with natural, nourishing ingredients that doesn’t expose your kitty to toxic chemicals or irritating residues… This is what you’ve been looking for.
Give Your Cat the Best Care Available with Organic Cat Wash
Whether your kitty requires frequent bathing or just lives the normal unpredictable cat life, Organic Cat Wash provides the finest feline bath care available.
Loaded with beneficial ingredients and pH balanced for a cat’s unique needs, it leaves her skin and coat in top condition.
And gives you confidence that you’re giving her the best.
Don’t take chances with potentially risky ingredients when you now have a healthful, certified organic option that contains no hazardous chemicals, dyes, perfumes or additives.
Give your cat the highest-quality bath care available, order Organic Cat Wash today.