A vet has spoken out about how often you should wash your cat, in his expert opinion – and cat owners might be surprised to learn it’s not as often as they might think
A vet has weighed in on the long-standing question of how regularly you should bathe your cat.
While most pet owners are aware that a wash is necessary from time to time, the frequency differs with the type of animal you’re cuddling. It’s widely believed cats keep themselves tidy thanks to their habitual fur-licking.
Veterinarian Amir Anwary, who’s quite the social media guru when it comes to pets, gave some advice on TikTok for all the feline aficionados out there. In his video, he lays down the law stating that our feline friends don’t require baths as frequently as their canine counterparts.
He said: “Bathing them 1-2 times per year is sufficient.” Amir cautions against over-bathing cats since it could strip essential oils from their skin but does highlight that they need to be “brushed regularly” to keep their coats spick and span.
Cats Protection, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, has answered the hot query ‘should I bathe my cat?’ on its highly informative website. The organisation provides comforting news: “The good news is there usually isn’t any need to bathe a cat. Cats are very clean creatures and are good at grooming themselves.”
They explain that cats use their tongues as personal beauty tools to ditch dirt, debris and excess fuzz, thus maintaining a sleek coat. The site cautions, though, that some kitties may need a helping hand, especially those sporting long hair.
It advises: “Long-haired cats should be brushed daily. Short-haired cats should ideally be brushed once a week.”
The charity has warned that regular bathing “can be harmful for a cat” because it can “strip their coat of natural oils which are needed to promote skin health and a layer of waterproofing.” It also highlighted that bathing is often a “stressful experience for most cats” as they “don’t like water or having certain areas of their body rubbed or touched.”
Cats Protection consulted registered veterinary surgeon Sarah Elliott who addressed common queries about shampooing felines. Sarah emphasised that you should only bathe your cat if your vet has recommended it, and they will guide you on the appropriate frequency for washing your cat.
The feline charity has issued a step by step guide on how to wash your cat safely. Begin by filling a sink or bathtub with warm water, ensuring it’s no higher than the top of your cat’s legs and avoid “submerging” your cat in water.
Following this, the cat welfare organisation advises placing a towel at the bottom of the sink or tub to prevent slipping, which helps your cat “feel more stable.” Cats Protection then suggests standing your cat in the water and applying a cat-specific shampoo onto a soft, wet cloth, then “gently sponge the fur until they are clean.”
Amir’s TikTok video, posted on Friday, April 11, has attracted over 100 comments, with many from concerned cat owners. One confessed: “I didn’t think you were ever supposed to bath them.” In response, another user said: “There are situations where you have to i.e diarrhoea.”
