Should I Bathe My Cat? The Benefits You Need to Know

Cats are known for being notoriously clean creatures. After all, they seem to spend all day either washing themselves or sleeping. This means that we often assume that we don’t need to bathe our cats unless they end up getting into some kind of a mess.




However, there are plenty of experts out there that suggest that bathing your cat might be a great way to keep him or her healthy and clean for longer. Although bathing your cat might not be an everyday task, it is a fantastic way to make sure that they have that fresh, beautiful coat you love so much.

Bathing your Cat Makes Him Cleaner

Though it’s true that cats do wash themselves, this is a fact that’s often misunderstood. Cats don’t wash as well as we do. While licking his own fur will help to get rid of dirt, dead hair, and foot leftovers, this doesn’t mean that your cat will be as clean as you are. When it comes to keeping him or her free of hairballs and grime, bathing is the way to go.

Bathing a Cat Reduces Shedding

Have you noticed that you seem to live with a layer of cat fur constantly covering everything you do? Your clothes are covered in hair, your bed’s brimming with leftover fur from last night’s nap, and even when you’re making sandwiches you have to pick hairs out of the mayo. Bathing your cat can help you to fight back against this problem, by washing the dead hair away and reducing shedding. You can also help to reduce shedding by brushing your cat regularly too.

Bathing your Cat Makes Their Coat Healthier

Bathing your cat with a natural and proven coat shampoo and conditioner will help to make your cat’s coat and skin healthier. That means that they spend less time scratching themselves, and are less likely to suffer from dandruff. Combine this regular bathing with a good brushing, and you can ensure that your cat’s coat is tangle free.

Related: 5 Ways that Scratching Benefits your Cat

Bathing Cats Can Banish Fleas

If you’re worried about fleas in your home, then bathing a cat can help to alleviate those problems. If your cat already has fleas, then vets will often recommend that you bathe them using a flea-control shampoo. If you want to protect against fleas, bathing will help to wash away any parasites that might make their way onto your cat’s skin before they can multiply.

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You Should Bathe your Cat

Ultimately, it’s often a good idea to bathe your cat. While there can be negatives to bathing, such as the possibility that your cat might develop allergies to some of the ingredients in your shampoo, there are plenty of ways that you can overcome those problems, and enjoy the benefits of a healthier, happier, and cleaner cat.

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Comments (44)
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  • robin rue

    My vet told me not to, so I don’t. I trust what he says when it comes to pretty much everything because this is my first cat and I didn’t know anything about them.

  • Alli Smith

    I have a dog and he loves bath time! I never knew that cats needed baths. This is interesting info and I’m all about helping pets be as healthy as possible.

    • ann

      Cats DON’T need baths, dumb ass.

  • candy

    Realize cats give themselves baths but there were a couple of times that they got into something and had to have a bath. They actually did really well and seemed to know we were trying to help.

  • Heather

    Our cats nearly killed us when we tried years ago. They were kittens and we never attempted it again. They clean themselves.

  • Sarah Bailey

    I have to admit I didn’t know that bathing cats had so many benefits, I’m not sure if my parents bathe theirs so I will have to ask her about them.

  • Guest

    My vet told me not to, so I don’t. I trust what he says when it comes to pretty much everything because this is my first cat and I didn’t know anything about them.

  • Tomi C

    I remember bathing our cat ONCE! We NEVER did it again. I know there are benefits to bathing them but it’s definitely something I have to leave for the professionals.

  • Jeanette

    I had no idea that you should bathe cat! These are all great points especially the one where they do not shed as much afterwards. I am sure the cat will not enjoy it but I know I would enjoy less shedding.

    • ann

      Then BRUSH your cat, you idiot. Don’t bathe it. They’re very clean animals and don’t need baths.

  • Guest

    I have a dog and he loves bath time! I never knew that cats needed baths. This is interesting info and I’m all about helping pets be as healthy as possible.

    • Guest

      Cats DON’T need baths, dumb ass.

  • Anosa

    I always thought all pets should be bathed and its good to know the benefits.

    • ann

      Then don’t adopt a cat because they fear water, don’t need to be bathed and you’re stupid.

      • Kia

        Ann you talk too much. I’ve seen you reply to nearly every comment that gives bathing praise. My cats love to bathe and I ALWAYS get compliments in regards to their fur and health from the vet. Quit with the foul responses and grow tf up. Just say you don’t shower yourself and leave.

  • Guest

    Realize cats give themselves baths but there were a couple of times that they got into something and had to have a bath. They actually did really well and seemed to know we were trying to help.

  • Joline

    I absolutely agree that we need to bathe them. The question is how to catch them and get them to do it lol!

  • Guest

    Our cats nearly killed us when we tried years ago. They were kittens and we never attempted it again. They clean themselves.

  • Guest

    I have to admit I didn’t know that bathing cats had so many benefits, I’m not sure if my parents bathe theirs so I will have to ask her about them.

  • Guest

    I remember bathing our cat ONCE! We NEVER did it again. I know there are benefits to bathing them but it’s definitely something I have to leave for the professionals.

  • Guest

    I had no idea that you should bathe cat! These are all great points especially the one where they do not shed as much afterwards. I am sure the cat will not enjoy it but I know I would enjoy less shedding.

    • Guest

      Then BRUSH your cat, you idiot. Don’t bathe it. They’re very clean animals and don’t need baths.

  • Guest

    I always thought all pets should be bathed and its good to know the benefits.

    • Guest

      Then don’t adopt a cat because they fear water, don’t need to be bathed and you’re stupid.

  • Amber Myers

    Interesting. I don’t bathe our cats simply because they’d claw us. No doubt about it. If they were more relaxed, I might be tempted.

  • Guest

    I absolutely agree that we need to bathe them. The question is how to catch them and get them to do it lol!

  • Guest

    Interesting. I don’t bathe our cats simply because they’d claw us. No doubt about it. If they were more relaxed, I might be tempted.

  • Paula A Bendfeldt Diaz

    I’ve always bathed my cats. There are many great benefits to bathing them. Some of my cats even loved it.

  • Marysa

    Our previous cat seemed to need a bath more often, her fur would get a sort of waxy feeling to it. We recently adopted two new cats, including a long-haired cat, so I will have to see when they need a bath, since they seem to be better about grooming!

  • Lisa

    I never knew you should give your cats a bath. I always heard that you should not. But I don’t have cats so I never looked into much.

  • Guest

    I’ve always bathed my cats. There are many great benefits to bathing them. Some of my cats even loved it.

  • Guest

    Our previous cat seemed to need a bath more often, her fur would get a sort of waxy feeling to it. We recently adopted two new cats, including a long-haired cat, so I will have to see when they need a bath, since they seem to be better about grooming!

  • Guest

    I never knew you should give your cats a bath. I always heard that you should not. But I don’t have cats so I never looked into much.

  • Our Family World

    My cats are indoor cats so they don’t get really dirty but when they get in the garage that is when they get dirty and we have to bathe them. I know they don’t like it but they try their best to be at their best behavior.

  • Guest

    My cats are indoor cats so they don’t get really dirty but when they get in the garage that is when they get dirty and we have to bathe them. I know they don’t like it but they try their best to be at their best behavior.

  • Jennifer G

    I had no idea that you could even bathe a cat! I am going to have to share this with my downstairs neighbour, she has a cat that she allows outdoors and I think that bathing him would be awesome!

  • Mommy Moment

    When I think of bathing a cat, I imagine a cartoon cat, spread out over a bathtub trying to stay out of the water. Maybe there are some cats out there that actually ENJOY bathtime??

  • Jacqui Odell

    I use to have a cat and I never thought about bathing it. But I bath my dog so why not my cat.

  • Guest

    I had no idea that you could even bathe a cat! I am going to have to share this with my downstairs neighbour, she has a cat that she allows outdoors and I think that bathing him would be awesome!

  • Guest

    When I think of bathing a cat, I imagine a cartoon cat, spread out over a bathtub trying to stay out of the water. Maybe there are some cats out there that actually ENJOY bathtime??

  • Guest

    I use to have a cat and I never thought about bathing it. But I bath my dog so why not my cat.

  • Jaime Nicole

    I had no idea that you were supposed to bathe cats! I guess it makes sense that they really can’t wash themselves as well as we think.

  • Guest

    I had no idea that you were supposed to bathe cats! I guess it makes sense that they really can’t wash themselves as well as we think.

  • Reba

    We have had our rescue cat since being rescued as a kitten when his eyes were still shut and bottle feed he is now 16 years. Until recently I have never have given him a bath. But with his age he tends to want and need more attention. He actually needs a bath a couple times this year. He never puts up a fight, nor is he threatening. he truly acts grateful.
    Note: true story, he was bottle feed, and de-wormed, at 6 weeks we took him to the vet for test and check-up, The vet told me after that if he is to remain an inside cat that he doesn’t recommend shots. So here he is 16 years later our “Cat-dog”.