Many pet owners think their cat should not be bathed because they believe cats don’t like water. However, many cats tolerate the bathing process very well if the procedure is feline-friendly. Getting dry seems to be more objectionable to most cats. There are ways to safely and kindly dry cats. Read on to learn how.
- If the cat's coat is not completely clean, it will take longer to dry. When bathing, use products and techniques that will get the cat as clean as possible. Condition as appropriate.
- While the cat is still in the tub, use a super-absorbent towel to remove as much water as possible from the coat.
- Wrap the cat in a clean, dry, terry cloth towel. I like to wrap them up quite snugly; I call it a “kitty burrito.” Most cats find this to be a calming experience. I carry them around for a few minutes like this, allowing the towel to absorb more water.
- While the cat is still in the towel, I turn my dryer on low. This lets the cat acclimate to the sound before I direct any airflow and gives the dryer time to warm up. Ideally, the temperature should be just a little warmer than the air in the room. Variable-speed dryers are excellent for cats. Start on the lowest setting and turn it up a bit to a comfortable level. Low and slow is the way to go with felines.
- Place the cat on the table and unwrap its hind quarters, leaving the towel wrapped on the front of the cat if possible. I introduce the warm air flow starting at the back of the cat. Hold the nozzle close to the pet's body. If possible, comb the coat as you dry to help separate the fur. This will speed up the process.
- If the cat is doing well with being dried, unwrap the front part from the towel. Placing the towel under the cat will help absorb water blown off as you work and give the cat additional cushion and good footing on the table.
- As with any animal, avoid blowing air in the face and ears. Some cats respond very well to wearing a Happy Hoodie while drying.
- Drying the cat's underside is the trickiest part because, unlike dogs, most cats won’t stand on the table, feeling more comfortable lying down or even curling up into a ball. Combing the fur there early in the drying process will help it dry some while you are working on the rest of the body. If possible, have a second person who can either hold the cat so it is standing on its rear legs or gently roll it so you can direct the airflow towards the belly.
If the cat is too upset by the process to tolerate any table drying, comb it well to open the coat, then place it on a warm, dry towel in a cage. Most cats will not object to a cage dryer on low, but almost all will face away from the dryer and stay curled in a ball, so this is not a very effective drying method.
The fur on a freshly washed and dried cat is lovely to see, smell, and stroke. The above methods will achieve excellent results on most cats.
