
An animal charity is warning homeowners to not wash their cats unnecessarily after noticing an uplift in cat bathing movies on social media websites.
Cats Protection is worried that inexperienced cat lovers are being inspired to wash their cats which, it says, isn’t wanted and infrequently distressing.
The welfare charity warns that washing a cat can strip their coat of important oils that are wanted for his or her pores and skin so as to add a layer of waterproofing and can even take away flea management therapies.
To elevate consciousness, Cats Protection has launched a video on Instagram Reels and TikTook, which will be discovered www.instagram.com/catsprotection or www.tiktok.com/@cats_protection
“It’s no delusion that cats don’t like water and, so long as they’re grooming themselves, they need to keep clear,” stated Elin Williams, Cats Protection’s Regional Behaviour Officer. “If actually essential, utilizing a mushy material soaked in heat water can be sufficient to take away most filth.”
Elin factors out that home cats are developed from the African wildcat, whose pure habitats have been deserts, so being immersed in water is unnatural to them.
“It can even have an effect on your cat’s pheromones which they use to scent mark their territory,” says Elin.”
The charity advises solely bathing a cat if really useful by a vet and, in these instances, it ought to solely be with water or a small quantity of fragrance-free cat shampoo.
“Cats have a distinct pores and skin PH to us so even a gentle shampoo usually too harsh for cats,” says Elin. Long-haired cats often want additional assist grooming, with day by day brushing, to maintain their fur in tip prime form.
“If your cat stops grooming themselves for no matter cause then we’d all the time counsel talking to your vet first as any modifications in behaviour might point out there’s one thing fallacious.”
More tips about grooming cats and different cat care movies can be found on Cats Protection’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@catsprotection