How to bathe a kitten stress-free
Appearance in the house kitten- This is a great responsibility. In order for the kitten to grow up healthy, it is recommended to choose a balanced diet. In addition, the condition of the baby's skin and coat must be carefully monitored.
At what age kittens are bathed
While the kitten is very small, follow him looks after his mom, and no additional procedures are required. In rare cases, you can resort to washing your baby if it is heavily soiled, but not earlier than 1 month. If this is not necessary, then it is recommended to postpone bathing for up to 4 months.
Some experts believe that teaching your kitten to bathe early will help avoid stress later on. Others are inclined to believe that the body of a small animal is very weak, and it can catch a cold. Therefore, it is advised to acquaint the animal with water and shampoo no earlier than 2-3 months.
How to properly bathe kittens
Cats themselves can clean their fur from contamination and do so periodically. Why then bathe them? First of all, specially formulated shampoos help get rid of parasites that live on the animal's body. Secondly, part of the animal's fur is washed off during washing and does not enter its stomach. And besides, after washing with specially selected products, the wool becomes shinier and softer.
When choosing a means for bathing kittens, they are guided by the following features:
- The age of the animal.
- Coat type (long, short).
- Purpose of the procedure (getting rid of fleas, detangling hair, etc.).
- Breed kitten.
Experts advise bathing a kitten together. One person will help hold the baby, the other will wash him. To prevent the kitten from scratching his hands in case of fright, it is recommended to wear gloves. For this, it is the fabric that is taken, tk. rubber gloves can damage the delicate skin of the animal.
Do not pour a large container of water. A basin or even a sink will do. At the same time, the water temperature can reach 38-39 ° С, but not more than 40 ° С. Its level should ideally touch the baby's belly. To prevent the pet from slipping and be more calm, a cloth or rubber mat is placed on the bottom.
It is necessary to lower the kitten into the water gradually. First, wet the paws, then gently put them in the water so that he slowly gets used to it. You can wet your pet with the help of a shower, but the noise of the water will scare him. While it is small, it is enough to water it with a ladle.
During bathing, the kitten's ears and eyes are not touched. If water gets into them, this can provoke the development of the disease. Small cotton swabs are inserted into the ears. When pouring water on the head, it is recommended to press the ears.
A small amount of shampoo is applied to the animal's body with massaging movements. After soaping, the shampoo is washed off with plenty of water. It is important to rinse off the detergent thoroughly so that it does not irritate the skin or enter the stomach when licking.
After bathing, the kitten should be wrapped in a soft large towel and held for 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. You can finally dry your baby with a hair dryer, if he is not afraid of loud sounds. The main thing is not to burn it with hot air. After water procedures, the animal should be in a warm room until the coat is completely dry.
How often to bathe kittens
It is recommended to bathe a kitten as soon as its fur gets dirty. It is advisable to do this every 4-6 months. Bathing too often will wash the grease off the animal's fur. As a result, the pet will be at risk of disease, and its coat will lose its healthy shine.
If the pet is completely home, then there is often no need to carry out water procedures. When a kitten goes outside, communicates with other animals, it should be washed periodically. This will help prevent the development of diseases and keep the house clean.
