Can I give my cat a bath regularly?

Friday, 26 February 2010 19:30

Good pet health care means being aware of what is best for furry friend - and one recent query asked whether it is healthy to give a cat regular baths.

Writing into the Telegraph, the owner said their Bengal cat once jumped in the tub and seemed to really like it.

Resident vet Pete Wedderburn was then asked whether it is okay to bathe the feline and, if so, should shampoo be used.

He said as long as the water is not too hot, this is fine, as there are some cats who actually love it.

However, fur has a delicate mix of natural oils and secretions, so shampoo is not a good idea as it could dry it out.

"Save the shampoo for occasions when he is muddy or has a skin disorder," Dr Wedderburn added.

The vet wrote earlier this week on the subject of pet insurance, suggesting that while some headlines aim to scare people into buying it, it is actually a financially sensible tool much of the time.

Animal Friends are a specialist pet insurance company providing dog insurance and cat insurance to British pet owners since 1999 and we now offer horse insurance too.

Posted by Mike