How to Wash Cats to Rid Them of Dander

Allergic reactions to cat dander (flakes of dry skin) are common, occurring in up to 25 percent of people suffering from allergies. Bathing your cat frequently can help reduce dander levels and minimize the chance of allergic reactions to your feline friend.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat brush
  • Pet shampoo
  • Rubber gloves
  • Clean towels
  • Hair dryer
  • Pet wipes
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Instructions

  1. How to Wash a Cat to Rid Them of Dander

    • 1

      Brush your cat daily with a small-toothed brush. The smaller the teeth of the brush are and the closer together they are set will remove the most loose hair and maximize the brushing effect. Grooming your cat will prevent the hair and the cat's dander from being spread around the house.

    • 2

      Put on the rubber gloves and place your cat in the sink and wet him with a generous amount of lukewarm water, taking care to soak him to the skin. Apply a liberal amount of pet shampoo and scrub it down through his fur. Make sure the shampoo reaches his skin, as a lot of dander is trapped down at the roots of his coat. Rinse him thoroughly, removing all traces of soap to prevent skin irritation.

    • 3

      Keep the cat in a warm room and dry him gently with a clean towel. It's essential that you dry him completely to keep him from getting chilled. You can use a hair dryer set to the lowest heat setting to ensure that you don't burn your cat. Make sure you get all the water off his fur.

    • 4

      Wipe your cat down daily with pet wipes. These wipes are available at most pet stores and veterinarian offices and are an alternative to bathing your cat every day. The wipes help draw dander to the surface and remove it, reducing the allergens on your pet.

    • 5

      Close off any rooms you don't want the cat in. Bedrooms are popular spots for many cats, so keeping the door closed and blocking off air ducts in and out of the bedroom will help keep dander from spreading to your sleeping area. Reducing your cat's exposure to carpeted surfaces will also help keep the dander levels in your home down.