How to Bathe a Cat to Reduce Allergies
There are ways to learn how to bathe a cat to reduce allergies. Start this routine as early as possible. Use your voice to keep your cat calm and give firm commands as soon as they show signs of aggressive behavior. You do not have to yell. Give a one word firm command and maintain control of your hold of the cat. Have everything prepared beforehand. Rinse well and wash face last with clean water.
- Begin to bathe your kitten as soon as possible. The dander that irritates people can reside on the surface of the cat’s skin, saliva and other places. Most allergy specialists and pet experts recommend a weekly bath to keep pet dander levels down.
- Know that older cats can be trained to take baths but be prepared the first few times. You will need to show that you are always in control. Keep calm and protect yourself from injury.
- Get everything ready before you get the cat. Have everything laid out and opened. Have the water run with the right temperature. Warm up the room.
- Use your voice to convey affection and calm. Keep your emotions under control as cats can uncannily sense any uncertainty from you and will take advantage of it. Do not act scared.
- Learn and practice how to hold your cat so that you have control if the cat would try to bite or wiggle around. Expect that they may try to do so. Showing them that you have control will calm the animal. Basically it is a hold that puts you in control of the head and upper torso. This can be done very gently in a calm manner.
- Protect yourself the first few time with thick gloves. Use common sense and pull your hair up and even wear eye goggles if you must. Trim your cat’s nails prior to bathing if possible.
- Get advice from your veterinarian on what products to use. The important thing is to rinse everything off as cats groom themselves.