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[Supervised by a veterinarian] Cat shampoo you can see in the video! Introducing recommended products

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[Supervised by a veterinarian] Cat shampoo you can see in the video! Introducing recommended products
I think there are many people who have the image that it seems difficult to shampoo a cat that doesn't like getting wet. There should be many questions about the cat shampoo that the owner has, such as "Do you need shampoo itself?", "How to shampoo?", "How should I choose shampoo?"
今回はそんな方のために、猫のシャンプーの方法や、猫用のシャンプー選びのポイントなどについて解説します。(最終更新日2023年3月31日)

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Supervision

Dr. Kunimitsu Masuda, Director of Masuda Animal Clinic
Masuda Animal Clinic
3-918-9 Mukuya, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL 0547-33-6010

Graduated from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University. He is a part-time lecturer at the Renaissance Pet Academy, a vocational school, and a lecturer at the Japan Pet Massage Association and the Pet Medicinal Food International Association. Participated in rescue activities for animals affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. In addition to general Western medicine, work on animal health through acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, Chinese medicine, pet massage, etc.

【まずは動画で解説!】獣医が教える!猫をシャンプーする方法

猫のシャンプーはどのように行うのがよいのでしょうか。
The procedure and points to be kept in mind are summarized in the video, so please take a look here first.

Do cats need shampoo in the first place?

Cats are animals that are not good at water. First of all, I will explain whether cats need shampoo.

 

Cats grooming themselves basically don't need shampoo

Cats are originally animals with little body odor. He also has the habit of trying to keep his body clean by performing "self-grooming" to groom his entire body. So basically healthy cats don't need shampoo.
If you are a completely indoor cat, especially short-haired cats, frequent brushing is sufficient for care.

 

Shampoo may be needed to keep the coat and skin clean

Depending on the condition of the cat, shampoo may be needed. If you have a long hair type, it is easy for the coat to get dirty, and it may be difficult to remove all the dirt by brushing alone.
If you have a cat with a skin condition, your skin is greasy, dandruff, or your hair is dirty with excrement, you need to shampoo it to keep it clean.
Also, for cats that often vomit hairballs during the moulting period, shampooing regularly has the effect of reducing the frequency of vomiting.

In addition, shampooing cats is said to have the effect of relieving human allergies to cats. Studies have shown that cat shampoo has the effect of temporarily reducing allergens secreted by cat skin and salivary glands, which are ingredients that cause cat allergies.
The effect is not permanent, but it may be possible to relieve the symptoms by shampooing the cat in advance, such as when a person with a cat allergy visits.

Things to do before shampooing a cat

Before you shampoo your cat, there are some things you need to prepare. Specifically, let's prepare for the following two points.

 

Check the cat's appetite, excrement, and skin condition

Before shampooing, it is important to closely observe the condition of the cat. If you notice any unusual appearance such as appetite, excrement condition, or skin abnormalities, please postpone shampoo. Shampoo your cat only when you are in good health.

 

Brush more firmly than usual

Before shampooing, brush to remove dust and loosen pills and tangled hair. At this time, remove the hair loss. In particular, long-haired coats tend to get entangled, so brush carefully.
In addition, it is recommended that you cut your nails in advance so that the owner does not get injured, as you may dislike it and rampage during shampooing.

Procedures and points for shampooing cats

What steps should I take to shampoo a cat? I will explain in order along with the points to keep in mind.

 

1. Pour hot water evenly from your back

First, get your coat wet. By getting it wet, large stains are washed away, and the roots of the hair and the skin are thoroughly moistened to improve the foaming of the shampoo. When you pour hot water, first pour hot water from your back, then wet your buttocks and hind legs, then your stomach, and finally your face.
The temperature of the hot water should be about 30 to 35 ° C, which is slightly lukewarm than human skin. A temperature that is a little unsatisfactory for a cat is the optimum temperature for a cat.

When showering, set the water flow as weak as possible and push the shower head against the cat's body as much as possible, or hold the shower head with your palm to prevent hot water from hitting the cat's body vigorously. .. This is so that the splashes and sounds of water do not surprise the cat.
For cats who absolutely dislike showering, it is recommended to take measures such as slowly pouring hot water from the washbasin or using a towel or sponge to gradually wet the cat.

 

2. Quickly wash with shampoo foam

When the coat and skin are sufficiently wet, lather the shampoo you picked up. At this time, wash it so that it reaches the skin, occasionally against the fur. If you have long hair, your coat may get entangled, so wash as much as possible along the flow of hair.
The point is to wrap it in your hands and wash it like a gentle massage without rubbing it. Areas that should be washed especially carefully are the tail and anus area, where dirt easily accumulates, as well as between the toes and fingers. Instead of washing your head and face directly with your hands, it is a good idea to wash them with gauze. It is dangerous to get shampoo in your eyes or mouth, so be careful not to get it in.

If you can't get the shampoo in your hand and whisk it well, it is recommended that you put the shampoo in a washbasin in advance and then pour hot water in the shower vigorously and whisk it. By doing so, you can quickly shampoo your cat without having to wait, so please give it a try.

 

3. Rinse from around the face to the buttocks

Once you have thoroughly applied the foam to wash your hair and skin, the next step is to wash the shampoo.
First, rinse from around your face. In the same way as when wetting the coat, pour hot water against the cat's body and drop the shampoo from top to bottom. At this time, rinse thoroughly toward your buttocks.

 

4. Rinse well so that no shampoo remains

If you do not wash it off properly, the shampoo will not flow cleanly and will remain on a part of your body. Doing so may cause skin problems later. You may also get shampoo in your mouth when your cat grooms your whole body. Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly wash off the shampoo to the skin.

Precautions for shampooing cats

There are a few things to keep in mind when shampooing cats that don't like water. First of all, why are cats not good at water? Because I lived in the semi-desert area when I was wild, I am not accustomed to getting my body wet, and the thin and soft coat has weak water repellency, and once it gets wet, it does not dry easily.
Therefore, cats usually dislike shampooing for long periods of time. Therefore, if it is difficult to wash your whole body without forcibly continuing to shampoo, wash only your buttocks and toes first.

In addition, the thickness of the epidermis of cats is only about 0.1 mm, which is said to be thinner than that of human babies. When shampooing, you need to be careful not to wash it too hard and damage your skin.

Tips on how to dry a cat after shampooing

Once the cat's coat gets wet, it doesn't dry easily, and if left untouched, it will be deprived of body temperature. Therefore, after shampooing, it must be dried quickly.
When you dry your cat's coat, bring a few bath towels, a hair dryer, and a comb.

Cats don't like having their faces wet, so wipe your face first. Then lightly grasp the base of your foot or tail and slide your hand to drain the water. After draining the water to a certain extent, wrap it in a bath towel and wipe it. Wipe off the water from the whole body by pressing it from above without rubbing. On the way, while changing the bath towel, wipe the inside of your stomach and the inside of your feet, which you tend to forget.

Use the hair dryer with the weakest air volume, and apply it from a distance so that the sound does not irritate the cat. At this time, the point is to scrape the coat and dry it so that it hits the root. It is also recommended to dry from a high position on the back such as the neck and shoulder blades.
However, some cats dislike it, so be sure to watch the situation.

Frequency of shampooing cats

If you shampoo your cat too often, it can cause skin problems by causing the pH of your skin to become unbalanced and the barrier function of your skin to deteriorate.

For short-haired breeds, try to keep it once or twice a year, especially when the stains are noticeable. Even if you have long hair, use it once a month as a guide. Also, if you have skin problems or if you have a condition that you are treating, talk to your veterinarian.

What to do if your cat doesn't like shampoo

If cats really don't like shampoo, what can they do? Specifically, there are the following methods.

 

Give a reward between shampoos, etc.

You can give your favorite food or treat as a reward between shampoos or after shampooing.
By impressing cats that "shampooing is sometimes good", it has the effect of gradually eliminating the dislike of shampoo.

 

Don't force shampoo on cats you don't like

If your cat really doesn't like shampoo, you may not have to force it. You can just pour hot water in a bathtub for pets or a washbasin of a size that cats can rest assured and take a bath. Even if you just wash it with hot water without shampooing, it will be clean to some extent.

Also, using a dry shampoo that does not require rinsing, or wiping your body with a sheet-type body wipe is sufficient care to keep your hair clean.
It is also recommended to wipe your body with a steamed towel that has been warmed in the microwave, as it will warm your whole body and make your cat feel comfortable.

When can I start shampooing kittens?

After birth, young kittens are not satisfied with thermoregulation and have low immunity. If you shampoo at such times, you may be in a dangerous condition due to a decrease in body temperature. Therefore, shampoo your kitten at least 3 months old and vaccinated. Vaccination is mandatory even if you ask for shampoo at the trimming salon. There is a risk of getting an infectious disease by coming into contact with other cats.
Also, before the first shampoo, it's a good idea to gradually get used to the water. If you suddenly shampoo and dislike shampoo, it will hinder your subsequent care.

Key points when choosing a shampoo for cats

What kind of shampoo should I choose for cats? We will also introduce the best shampoo for cats and the shampoo that should not be used on the contrary.

 

A shampoo that is mild and not too fragrant is recommended

The skin of cats is very delicate. Choose a shampoo that is as mild as possible, as even the slightest irritation can damage it and cause irritation. Basically, we recommend shampoos that are amino acid-based and plant-based, and do not use synthetic surfactants.

Also, cats are animals with a very sharp sense of smell. Some cats don't like the scent and the scent can be stressful, so choose an unscented shampoo if possible. Even if it has a scent, a slightly scented shampoo is good.
The flea-removing shampoo is very irritating to the cat's skin, so do not use it regularly, but use it only when absolutely necessary.

 

Shampoo for humans is NG!

Cat skin has a completely different pH value than human skin.
Be sure to use cat shampoo for cats, as using human shampoo for cats can cause problems such as rough skin.

Introducing Petio's recommended shampoo for cats

There are various types of shampoo for cats, but what kind of product should I use? Here are two recommended cat shampoos sold by Petio.

Featured Products

Overcome your cat's dislike of shampoo with the right steps and points

Shampoo is not essential for cats, but it is recommended to shampoo regularly to keep them clean.
By shampooing according to the procedure introduced this time, I hope that cats' dislike of shampoo will be overcome as much as possible and they will be able to enjoy shampoo as much as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions
猫のシャンプーQ&A

猫にシャンプーは必要?
基本的には健康な猫にシャンプーは必要ありません。完全室内飼いの猫で、特に短毛種であれば、こまめにブラッシングをしてあげていれば、お手入れとしては十分です。ただし、皮膚疾患のある猫や、皮膚が脂っぽい、フケが出ている、排泄物で毛が汚れてしまったという場合は、シャンプーをしてさっぱり清潔にさせてあげることも必要です。


猫のシャンプーを行う頻度は?
短毛種であれば、特に汚れが目立つときに限り、年に1~2回の頻度にとどめておくようにしましょう。長毛種であっても、月に1回程度を目安としてください。猫のシャンプーはあまり頻繁にしすぎてしまうと、皮膚トラブルの原因になってしまう場合があります。


猫のシャンプーを行う上での注意点は?
長時間をかけてシャンプーをしてしまうと猫は大抵嫌がるため、全身を洗うのが難しければお尻周りと足先だけをまずは洗ってあげるようにしましょう。また、猫の表皮の厚みは約0.1mm程度しかなく、人間の赤ちゃんよりも薄いといわれていますので、シャンプーをするときは、ゴシゴシ強く洗いすぎて皮膚を傷つけてしまわないよう、十分注意しましょう。