Cats rarely to be bathed, but if you ever need to, read on for advice on the best shampoo.
Don’t Use People Shampoo
Even though the label on your kids’ shampoo claims that it’s gentle, it’s not the right choice for your cat. For example, looking at the ingredient list for a big brand children’s shampoo, we see that it contains sulphates and dyes, both of which are big no-nos in pet shampoos.
Avoid shampoos that contain:
- Artificial dyes
- Parabens
- Sodium lauryl sulphate
- Petrochemicals
Cleaning and Deodorising
Pets who just need a simple scrub are the easiest. In this case, you need a shampoo that will get rid of the dirt and make your pet smell good.
When I did some poking around, I found that many shampoos claiming to be “all natural” actually contained dyes and sulphates.
Dry Skin, Dandruff and Coat Conditioning
It’s not uncommon for cats, especially when older, to develop sensitive skin and irritation. Cats are natural groomers who spend much of their time keeping themselves clean. Because their skin is so often wet, it can get irritated.
Shampoos that contain natural oils can help. Both camomile and aloe vera help nourish the skin and fur and relieve itching.
If your cat breaks out in sores or skin irritations, remember to check with your veterinarian before trying anything new. This ensures that you are catching any infections that may be lurking.
Shedding and Hairballs
As an owner of a long-haired breed of cat, I can confirm that cats will shed more and get matted hair if their coat is not properly groomed. Shedding is more common in the spring and summer months, but you’ll see it happen all year long.
One way to effectively help decrease the cat hair in the house is to brush your cat frequently. While this can be challenging, it makes a huge difference by removing hair before it ends up creating tangles and matted hair.
Detangling shampoos and sprays are also available.
Fleas and Ticks
It’s a pretty safe bet that your cat is going to encounter fleas, ticks or both during his lifetime. Fleas don’t like soap and water. Simply put your cat into a bath with warm water and your chosen shampoo, and scrub away. You may have to repeat this several times before the fleas are entirely gone, but specialist cat shampoo is gentle enough that this shouldn’t be a problem.
IMPORTANT Whenever you want to try something new on your pet, check with your vet first. Also, you must know that bathing a cat too frequently may cause more harm to the animal than good.