Bathing Cats and My Pretty Litter

April 21, 2021

It's bath time for my kitties.

Although cats are remarkably clean, well-groomed animals, I've always been a firm believer in regular brushing, combing and bathing. My cats are brushed every single day and bathed about once a month. And, since I started grooming them when they were young, they actually enjoy the process - sometimes they even fall asleep.

Enjoy these photos. And take a look at the cat litter I use. Pretty Litter is a convenient to use, healthy monitoring formula that can be delivered right to your home.

: This is Empress Tang, one of my two dominant calico Persians. She is the one with mostly black markings on her face. Here she is just before bath time.

: Bath time takes place in the big laundry room in my Winter House basement. I have two large, deep enameled sinks there, which are good for soaping and rinsing. Here’s Enma making sure the water temperature is just right.

: Empress Tang is bathed in lukewarm water and a special pet shampoo. Despite her expressions, Tang is very accustomed to bathing and doesn’t mind it at all.

: Here she is getting a gentle rub down with soapy water.

: Enma uses a towel to gently wipe Tang’s head. Enma is very careful not to get her face wet. Cats do not like getting water in their ears or nasal passages. In general, cats are skittish about water. The key is to make it a gentle and positive experience. Enma talks to the cats throughout the entire process. It’s also good to schedule baths when the cat is most relaxed.

: Enma runs a comb gently through Tang’s coat. Cats have built-in grooming tools and do a lot of self-grooming. Longhaired cats require a bit more grooming care than shorthaired cats. Two of my three cats are longhaired, so bathing is a necessity.

: After her bath, Tang is wrapped in a large terry towel for drying. Here she is with Enma. Be sure to dry in an area free from drafts. Tang is very affectionate, and loves being swaddled, held, and petted.

: And then, with the dryer on the lowest heat setting, Tang is dried and combed thoroughly. At this time, it’s always good to look for and remove any matted fur. This is important because collected mats can cause irritation and hairballs. Tang and her sister, Princess Peony, have been brushed since they were kittens, so they are very calm during grooming time. Enma brushes as Carlos blows the coat dry – it is always helpful to have two sets of hands.

: Tang stays still for much of her grooming session.

: It is important to brush down to the skin to ensure any mats that have formed are completely removed. Carlos is very thorough when brushing. Here he is brushing Tang’s neck and chest.

: After brushing and drying are complete, Enma checks to see if any of Tang’s nails need trimming. Pet nails grow quickly, so it is important to check them often and trim whenever needed. And only cut the white part of the nail – never the pink part, which is called the quick – this is where the nerve and blood vessels are located.

: And within an hour, Tang is done and back in one of her favorite spots – her bed in my bedroom.

: Princess Peony is next – she is the one with orange markings on the front of her head.

: Peony is bathed in the same way. Here, Enma checks Peony’s feet to see if there is any dirt stuck in between or around the nails. She uses a soft brush to remove any dirt.

: Here are her dirty nails. Enma also checks the paws for any abnormalities or ticks. Thankfully, Peony’s feet are just a little dirty.

: Peony is rinsed in fresh lukewarm water. Removing all traces of shampoo is crucial to prevent skin irritation.

: And then it’s time to for drying and combing on the table. Peony is actually beginning to fall asleep. We use a variety of combs and pin brushes to remove any knots or tangles. A good, durable comb is a must-have for grooming. Always be sure to introduce the cat to new tools before using them, so they never shy away from grooming time.

: Grooming time is not only a good opportunity to get your pets looking clean and beautiful – it’s also a wonderful time to bond with them and check for any other possible abnormalities to the coat and skin.

: A short time later, Peony is done and napping in her bed under the laundry table. My cats definitely like their routines – they like to eat and go out at the same times and they like to sleep and lounge in the same places. Peony and Tang are very healthy and happy.