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..... .. . . . . . . Bathing Your Cat
Every
cat needs a bath sooner or later. Lets get started.
The
bathing process is good time to check for any abnormalities in your
cats eyes, gums, teeth, or skin. If you see anything unusual,
consult your vet.
Start
by gathering a clean towel, mild soap or cat shampoo, a soft nailbrush,
and a shallow plastic pan, such as a clean liter box, the cat and
your patience. Shut the door behind you to ensure the cat will not
run away.
Place
the pan in the sink or bathtub. Fill 1/4 -1/3 full with warm water
only and gently place the cat inside. Expect a fair amount of yowling
and squirming. Put your left hand across its chest, right under
the forearms and use the right to secure and wash the back. Wet
cat and apply a small amount of shampoo and work into the cats
fur, cleansing the back of the head to the tail, under the chin
down the chest, sides and the limbs. Be careful not to get soap
or water in its face. If it is absolutely necessary to cleanse its
face, then do so later with a clean damp washcloth and a gentle
touch. Using the nailbrush, gently clean the claws of any debris.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water only. Wrap the cat with a large
clean towel, gently rubbing away any excess water. If at all possible,
avoid using a blow dryer, as this can scare some cats. You may also
wish to clip the cats nails and cleanse its ears at
this time.
If
your cat is completely out of control, you may consider a waterless
shampoo or cat wipes, both of which can be found at any pet
supply store.
A.J.
Parnell
Kentucky Pet Gazette
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