Persian Cat Baths

Persian Cat Baths - an introduction

Most people assume cats do not need baths because they give themselves a bath. But when it comes to the Persian cat, it is very important to bathe your cat often, even if the cat is still a kitten.

The longer you go between baths, the more likely the cat will forget the bath routine. So in the beginning days of getting your Persian cat, keep the bath as the foremost important step to you and your kitten's bond and kitten training routine.

On this site, we share with you multiple articles on grooming supplies, products and techniques for your Persian cat baths. We offer advice and suggestions on how to make your trip to the bath tub or sink the best Persian bath possible!

Here at Purrinlot, we start at the age of 6 weeks for the first Persian cat bath (or kitten bath we call it) and we give that kitten a bath every 3 weeks to the age of 12 to 14 weeks to help the kitten become completely familiarized with having a Persian cat bath before the kitten leaves our home.

Some reasons why you'll want to give your Persian cat a bath

Cat Licking - Allergies

One good reason for making certain to give your Persian a bath is to help reduce allergy issues with the other humans in your house. Did you know that it is not so much the cat's fur that causes allergic reactions in humans as much as it is the saliva. When a cat licks himself, it produces a saliva based allergen on its coat that causes allergic reactions in humans.

Shedding

Persians shed down their winter coat and then their summer coats. They semi-shed pretty much around the clock in some climates. When they begin this shed-down, they can go from NO knots to total matt in a matter of a few days. When you notice this shed-down, please brush out the old coat completely and THEN bathe the cat to avoid a sheep's skin hairdo.

How often to give Persian cat baths:

If the kitty is starting to knot, then it is time for a Persian cat bath. Please never assume your cat cleans himself and doesn't need a bath... Instead, think about having to swallow all that extra fur, and then, pull out a brush and help your kitty feel better.

Not only will this brushing help you with the cat bath (brushing helps avoid matting in the tub and excess coat knotting up) and drying, but it will help you and your kitty bond and become best friends for life.

Persian cat baths are an important part of the grooming process. Due to their long hair, Persian cats require frequent grooming, especially if they are show cats. A wide metal comb or soft brush is typically recommended, as plastic combs have a tendency to create static. Without the proper grooming, their hair can rapidly become knotted, requiring a haircut in order to rectify the problem. Check out our free online Persian Grooming 101 e-Course for specific brush and comb recommendations.

Persian Cat Baths - The Way We Recommend

At Purrinlot, we recommend giving Persian cats baths once a month and combing them once per week, including a daily comb of the underarms, ruff and behind the ears. A Persian show cat being prepared for a show will require more frequent Persian cat baths to help keep the coat in top condition, which helps the hair grow longer and fluffier. Regardless, it is important to stick to a rigorous schedule, as Persian cats may seem clean to the naked eye, but be greasy upon closer inspection.

The rinse cycle is one of the most important steps for persian cat baths. Below is a receipe to help your Persian coat during rinsing.

Beautiful Healthy Coat Recipe

After you have shampoo'ed try this Rosemary and Apple Cider Rinse

What you'll need:

• 4- 8 tablespoons of fresh cut rosemary, cut into bits (Do not use seasoning rosemary)
• 3.5 cups of apple cider vinegar
• A gallon glass jar with a tight lid

For those who have water issues, which cause difficultly removing the last bits of soap from your coat, a Rosemary Apple Vinegar rinse might help do the trick. This final rinse is designed to remove all soapy residues from the coat, leaving it exceptionally shiny and soft. Rosemary is often used in hair tonics and helps to stimulate the scalp and promote hair growth.

Shop for sweet scented rosemary with a hint of mint from your grocer. If the rosemary doesn't smell sweet, it isn't freshly grown. Avoid sour-smelling rosemary. Chop your rosemary into bits and place it in a jar filled with apple cider vinegar.

Store the mixture in a cool place and allow to set and mature for at least one week. Shake the jar every day quite vigorously, to help tincturize the rosemary into the cider. If desired, you may strain the liquid and discard the rosemary bits once matured. Personally, I'd strain the mixture each time I was ready to use it, and allow the rosemary to continue to tincture in the solution of cider. Make sure to always have your jar sealed tightly, and make sure the rosemary bits don't get into the cat's coat (strain good.)

When ready to use, dilute 1/4 cup of strained solution into 4 cups of warm water. Place the kitty in your sink with the stopper plugged. Gently pour some of the solution into your freshly cleaned, rinsed damp coat. Then begin to add and fill the sink with warm water, adding the remainder of the diluted solution over the coat. Rinse the solution into and over the coat for about 5 minutes, floating the coat in the rinse.

Next, rinse again with clean cool water and dry coat as usual. Warm water opens pours and cool water shuts them. Cool water will also help leave a shinier coat appearance on your kitty.

Further Reading

I hope you enjoyed learning about this coat treatment.

If you want to learn more, I suggest you check out this next article for instructions step by step on a complete detailed persian cat bath. We also have a DVD and an ebook called Lookin' Good.