So today was bath day for Kato. We do this regularly and have done since kittenhood. It is something I am glad we decided to do, as it is now a fuss-free operation with no stress. And there have been so many occasions when bathing has been important - like today when Kato came back from his walk covered in engine oil. It's not something I want him to lick clean. In sickness too, there are occasions when a cat will badly soil themselves. And as preference, we like to wash off flea-medicine residue after each monthly application. This medicine absorbs into the skin. With some types, it is fine to wash the animal after only a couple hours - with the medicine we use, we wait for 24hrs. And we do this as Kato invariably wants to lick it off. He will use his back paws to scratch the back of his neck, then lick his toes. Again, it's a substance that warns against ingesting, or getting in eyes - so I don't want it rubbed over our bedding to get into our eyes! And that is why we have a monthly bath time. Besides which, today we are also getting ready for Ava's arrival!
Here's how it goes:
Here's how it goes:
The important things we have found in bathing Kato include preparing the room. In winter, we heat it up with a portable heater. The water is always very warm (comfortable for our skin). The window is closed. We found that Kato preferred all four paws on the shower floor - with a tub situation, the rising water freaked him out. Finally, we always use a cat specific shampoo. I use dermcare natural shampoo because it is so gentle. It also does not contain any known toxins for cats like tea tree oil or any other essential oils. (REALLY surprising how many manufacturers don't seem to know about these feline toxins!) And you must use a cat shampoo - people soaps or shampoos contain toxic ingredients for cats.
After bath-time is always a special time. We have the heater on if cool (if hot, we go upstairs into the sun), and we all sit around as Kato gets dry. We help out towards the end by offering his brush...nowadays Kato rubs his own cheeks along the brush. He knows it's a good thing! And then, because it is so tiring, we settle down so Kato can curl up into a warm human lap - usually under a blanket - and have a sleep.
After bath-time is always a special time. We have the heater on if cool (if hot, we go upstairs into the sun), and we all sit around as Kato gets dry. We help out towards the end by offering his brush...nowadays Kato rubs his own cheeks along the brush. He knows it's a good thing! And then, because it is so tiring, we settle down so Kato can curl up into a warm human lap - usually under a blanket - and have a sleep.