Should You Bathe Your Cat?

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: August 28th, 2024

Victoria 1/Shutterstock

We’ve all seen those old-school cartoons in which cats absolutely hate water or taking baths. Is there truth to that myth? Should you even question bathing your feline friend? Well, believe it or not, bathing a cat is a topic of much debate amongst owners. Some believe that it is paramount for maintaining their cat’s hygiene, while others think it is stressful and unnecessary. But what is the final word? There are several factors to consider, so let’s delve into it.

Cats – and all felines in general – are well known for their cleanliness. They spend a significant amount of time grooming themselves and will use their tongues to remove dirt, parasites, and all that loose fur. This is their natural behavior and cemented their reputation as clean and orderly animals. Besides this, the behavior ensures that their coat remains clean and it reduces the need for frequent baths. And, in fact, regular grooming is sufficient to maintain a clean and healthy coat – for most cats.

And while many cats never really need a bath, there are situations where it might be necessary. For example, if your cat has gotten into something greasy, sticky, or even toxic, a bath might be the only possible way to remove that dirt. Similarly, if your kitty has a skin condition, your vet could recommend medicated baths as part of the treatment.

What is more, certain long-haired felines, such as Persian cats, could also benefit from an occasional bath. This will prevent matting and keep their fur in good condition. It should also be noted that cats with certain health issues, such as arthritis and obesity, might have problems grooming themselves. In such cases, you need to help them stay clean with a bath.

If you decide that your cat needs a bath, it is important to do it safely and calmly. Cats are not usually fond of water and are often willful. So the experience could be a bit stressful for them. In order to minimize that stress, you should choose a quiet time when your cat is calm and relaxed. Use lukewarm water and a shampoo designed specifically for cats. Remember that human products can be too harsh for a cat’s sensitive skin.

Next, you want to gently wet your cat’s fur and avoid the head area. Be gentle and definitely don’t splash your cat whole. Apply the shampoo and massage it into the fur, from the neck down. Next, slowly rinse thoroughly, removing all the shampoo, as any residue can irritate a cat’s skin over time. Next up, use a towel and gently pat your cat dry. Avoid using a hairdryer - unless your cat is comfortable with it.

Of course, there are alternatives to bathing, if your cat has a big dislike of water. Dry shampoos for cats, cat grooming wipes, and regular brushing can all maintain your cat’s coat without the need for water or the stress of bathing. Regular brushing, in particular, is very important and efficient for removing loose fur, and dirt, and preventing matting.

In conclusion, it’s clear that cats, in most cases, don’t really need regular baths, thanks to their natural grooming habits. But if it happens that a bath is needed, then all you need to do is remain calm, and patient, and do things gently. And if you really can’t do it without getting clawed, then don’t hesitate to find the help of a professional cat groomer.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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It’s true, cats and dogs don’t drive gas guzzlers or use fancy energy-sucking appliances, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an environmental impact. As it turns out, our four-legged companions play a big role in the global climate crisis. You may wonder, but what do Fido and Whiskers have to do with climate change?! It’s not our pets we should blame, but the products we buy for them.  Researchers have shown that the meat-based pet diet is the biggest contributor to cats' and dogs’ carbon pawprint as its production requires plenty of energy, land, and water. On top of that, the production of pet food emits obscene amounts of CO2. A new study, led by Andrew Knight from Griffith University, Australia, estimated the potential environmental benefits of pawrents switching their cats' and dogs' meat-based diet to a vegan diet. Knight published his findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. The livestock industry has huge environmental impacts, including land and freshwater consumption and gas emissions. Many studies have investigated livestock impacts in relation to human diets, but only a few have considered the impact on cat and dog diets.  According to recent research, nutritionally sound vegan cat and dog diets, that lack eggs, dairy, and meat, are safe and may be equally healthy as meat-based diets. Curious about the potential benefits of vegan-based pet diets, Knight calculated a series of estimates of what would happen if all dogs and cats in the United States or worldwide were switched to nutritious vegan diets. For his estimates, Knight used pet population data from 2020 for the United States and 2018 data for the rest of the world along with governmental data and input from a variety of prior studies. Results showed that cats and dogs in the U.S. consume one-fifth of the livestock that is consumed by Americans and about one-tenth globally. Knight's model estimated that nearly two billion land-based livestock could be spared from slaughter yearly if all cats and dogs living in the U.S. switched to vegan diets. Billions of aquatic animals and nearly seven billion livestock animals could be spared around the world if all cats and dogs stopped eating meat-based diets. In addition to billions of lives saved, these estimates also suggest a huge potential reduction in the use of land, water, and biocides, greenhouse gas emissions, and emissions of other pollutants. To put this into perspective, transitioning all dogs in the world to a vegan diet could free up an area of land larger than Saudi Arabia and for cats larger than Germany. Transitioning all dogs to vegan diets could lead to an estimated reduction of greenhouse gas emissions greater than the amount of all emissions from the UK, or Israel for cats. However, Knight noted that the data he used is several years old and might underestimate exact numbers, so the real environmental benefits of vegan diets may be even greater than he estimated. He also admitted that the calculations required him to make some assumptions and that further research is needed to support these estimates. “This study shows environmental benefits when vegan diets are used to feed not just people, but dogs and cats as well. However, to safeguard health, it’s important that people feed only vegan pet food labeled as nutritionally complete, produced by reputable companies with good standards,” said Knight according to Phys.Org. Switching to a vegan diet might be good for the planet, but it may not be so great for your furry companion’s health. A number of commercial vegan diets for dogs exist on the market, but not all of them are equal in quality. If you decide to go the vegan route, look for an experienced veterinary nutritionist to discuss your pet’s dietary needs and create a dietary plan that reduces health risks.

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Most dogs love being around their owners any time of day or night and any place – they’ll use every chance and every opportunity to snuggle in with you, even if it means sharing the bed, the sofa, or the armchair. Now, it’s up to you whether or not you’ll let them join you for a cuddle every time, but the question remains – should you let your dog sleep with you even if you don’t mind sleeping crowded? And are there any precautions you need to be aware of when sharing a bed with your four-legged best friend? Let’s find out.Should You Let Your Dog Sleep With You?Let’s face it: not all dog owners are the same. While we all love our pooches to death, that doesn’t mean that everybody has the same opinion on everything. Some dog owners think it’s perfectly fine to sleep with a dog by your feet, others sleep hugging their furbaby, and some don’t even allow their dogs in the bedroom. Needless to say, whether you want to sleep with your dog by your side or not is simply down to your personal choice and preference. You can do it, but you have to keep in mind that there will be some pros and cons included. Here are the basics:Pros:Bonding: Sharing a sleeping space with your dog can strengthen the bond between you two and provide comfort and companionship.Warmth and Security: Dogs are pack animals and often seek warmth and security by sleeping close to their owners.Reduced Anxiety: Having your dog close by may help reduce  separation anxiety and stress, especially if your dog is prone to such issues.Physical and Mental Health: The presence of a dog has been shown to have positive effects on human health, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing stress.Cons:Sleep Disruption: Dogs can move around during the night, potentially disturbing your sleep and waking you up earlier than you’d want to get up.Hygiene: Dogs can carry dirt, allergens, and even parasites into the bed, which might affect your sleep environment and health.Allergies: If you or someone in your household has allergies, allowing a dog in the bed could exacerbate the problem.Behavioral Issues: If not properly trained, allowing your dog on the bed might reinforce dominant behaviors or lead to territorial issues.Ultimately, there are several aspects you will have to take into consideration, even if you are keen on letting your pooch sleep with you. First of all, consider the size and behavior of your dog. A small, well-behaved dog may be less likely to disrupt your sleep compared to a larger, more active one. Of course, if you have a giant breed dog, they might not even fit into the bed next to you, even if they want to. Next, consider health and allergies. If you have allergies or respiratory issues, sharing your bed with a dog might not be the best idea, especially during the shedding season. Of course, you will have to consider training too. If you choose to let your dog sleep with you, it's important to establish boundaries and ensure they follow basic commands like staying off the bed until invited. Chaos is never good. Needless to say, you have to look after your own sleep quality as well. Your preferences matter. If your dog's presence affects your sleep negatively, it might be best to establish a separate sleeping space for them.

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As the sun starts shining brighter and the days get warmer, it's the perfect time to plan some outdoor adventures with your furry companions! Whether you're hitting the slopes, swinging on the golf course, or just soaking up the sunshine on a hiking trail with your loyal sidekick by your side, it's important to ensure your pet is well-protected – and that's where PetMeds steps in to lend a helping paw.One of the biggest concerns for pet owners as the seasons change is dealing with those pesky fleas and ticks. These tiny troublemakers not only make your pet itch and scratch, but can also bring some serious health risks along for the ride. From annoying skin irritations to more severe conditions like anemia, dermatitis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, fleas and ticks can cause real problems for our furry friends. And let's not forget the headache of dealing with a full-blown flea infestation in your home – it's a nightmare! But fear not, because PetMeds has all the tools you need to keep your pet safe and happy.To tackle this challenge, PetMeds offers a wide range of highly effective flea and tick prevention products, including NexGard, Seresto collars, Simparica Trio for dogs, and Revolution Plus for our feline companions. These products are specially formulated to zap fleas and ticks on contact, stopping infestations in their tracks and shielding your pet from all kinds of nasty diseases.But fleas and ticks aren't the only villains lurking in the shadows. With warmer weather comes an increase in mosquito activity, and that means the risk of heartworm disease skyrockets. Heartworm disease is a potentially deadly condition transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Once those pesky parasites make their way into your pet's system, they can wreak havoc on their heart, lungs, and other vital organs, leading to serious health issues. Needless to say, protecting your pet from these heart-wrenching parasites is a top priority!Thankfully, PetMeds has you covered with a variety of heartworm prevention products, including Heartgard Plus and Trifexis. These monthly medications are a breeze to administer and are incredibly effective at keeping heartworms at bay. By staying on top of your pet's heartworm prevention, you can give them the gift of year-round protection and ensure peace of mind for yourself.So as you gear up for some fun in the sun, don't forget to arm your pet with the best defense against fleas, ticks, and heartworms with PetMeds. Your furry friend will thank you with plenty of tail wags, purrs, and maybe even a slobbery kiss or two!Why PetMeds?

Sphynx Cats Have the Lowest Lifespan of All Domestic Cats, Study Finds

Looking for a new feline companion to take home? Before you start researching cat breeders or head to the local shelter, keep in mind that not all cats live to a ripe old age. Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) and the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan created life tables of the annual life expectancy of cats in the United Kingdom. Based on their findings, the hairless Sphynx cat has the lowest life expectancy of all cat breeds, living for only six and a half years, on average. The first-of-its-kind study of companion cat varieties was published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The team of researchers created the very first “life tables” for different cat breeds, which predict the remaining life expectancy and probability of death. Life tables have been used in human public health for years, but have recently started being used for cats and dogs. “Understanding typical remaining lifespan can also support owners and veterinarians while making complex decisions about the best treatment option to protect a cat’s overall wellbeing,” said researchers. Although they look timeless, the Sphynx cat has a surprisingly low life expectancy of 6.7 years. Researchers noted that Sphynx cats are at an increased risk of several diseases that might be the leading cause of their shorter-than-average lifespan. For this study, researchers used data from 7,936 veterinary-registered cats in the United Kingdom that died between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021. Data showed that the average life expectancy for cats is 11.7 years. Interestingly, researchers discovered that female cats have a longer life expectancy (12.5 years) than male cats (11.2 years).The team also found that cats that haven’t been neutered have shorter lifespans. Cats with normal weight tend to have a longer lifespan than underweight or overweight felines. The study discovered that crossbred cats have a longer life expectancy than purebred cats. Crossbred felines have an average life expectancy of 11.9 years, while purebreds have an average lifespan of 10.4 years.Based on the data, Birman and Burmese cats have the longest life expectancy of all cat breeds, with kittens in their first year of life expected to live on average 14.4 years. Next were crossbred cats, which usually live around 11.9 years, followed by Siamese cats, with an average lifespan of 11.7 years. Using the available data, researchers calculated that Persian cats have an average lifespan of 10.9 years, followed by Ragdoll cats (10 years), Maine coon cats (9.7 years), Russian cats (9.7 years), British cats (9.6 years), and Bengal cats (8.5 years). The study also discovered that purebred cats have a 1.83 higher chance of dying before three years of age than crossbred cats. According to researchers, understanding these numbers is important because they offer an idea of what the future holds. “Essentially what we’re doing is we’re giving some level of statistical certainty, where previously it was just guesswork,” said Dr. Dan O’Neill, a co-author of the study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). This data can be important for prospective owners, vets, and rehoming organizations, and can also be helpful for people who may be evaluating the value of expensive and painful surgery or medication for their cat. “Essentially, this is now giving the power to the public. If somebody’s priority is they want a cat that is going to defer death for as long as possible, on average, we now have the evidence to say [get a] female and crossbred [cat].” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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