Do Cats Need to Be Bathed?

Grooming, regulating temperature, repelling water, removing scent other than their own and coping with stress are all reasons that cats are seemingly forever licking their fur. All that licking keeps them impeccably clean, and experts agree that, particular breeds excepted, cats require bathing in very few circumstances.

  1. Sphynx Cats

    • Keeping a sphynx warm after bathing is essential.

      Although the sphynx looks hairless, its body is covered in soft down. Fur on a typical cat absorbs body oils, but it is essentially nonexistent on the sphynx, so a sphynx can get oily enough to stain furniture and for its pores to clog. Wax buildup in its ears must also be taken care of. Bathing, using a feline shampoo formulated to not dry out its skin, is recommended once a week. Also, begin bathing when the cat is young to acclimate the cat and make the process easier.

    Persian Cats

    • A blow-dryer on a low-heat setting is perfect for drying a just-bathed Persian.

      A Persian cat̵7;s hair is so long that it can̵7;t manage it on its own. Persians should be groomed with a metal comb or stiff brush every day, and especially prior to bathing, which is recommended once a week. Using feline shampoo and getting the cat used to a bath when it̵7;s a kitten are suggested.

      Persians are also a popular ̶0;show̶1; cat, so are bathed prior to competitions to keep them looking their best. Other show cats that normally wouldn̵7;t need them also get baths before shows.

    Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)

    • Young cats in particular are prone to picking up mites that cause scabies, a skin disease the symptoms of which include severe itching, red lesions that become crusty from scratching, and hair loss. Although anti-parasitic drugs and topical flea-prevention products are used to treat scabies, the less expensive and equally effective method is a once-a-week lime-sulfur bath until the mites are eradicated. Although completely safe for cats and people, lime sulfur stains everything it comes in contact with, so gloves should be worn while giving the bath, and the cat should be completely dry before coming in contact with furniture.

      Treating flea infestations with baths is essentially a thing of the past because medications that can be applied externally or taken orally are much more effective. Brand names for this medicine include Frontline, Program and Advantage.

    Outdoor and Sick Cats

    • If you let your cat outdoors, it may come in contact with greasy or sticky substances -- engine oil, sap or gum -- that it will have trouble removing itself. Other animals̵7; feces and run-ins with skunks are also potential problems. A cat that̵7;s had diarrhea may not be able to clean itself enough to get rid of the smell. These circumstances all warrant bathing. Any substances too sticky to remove can be cut from the fur using scissors with blunt ends.