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How To Warm Up a Cat After a Bath (Stop It Shivering)

If your cat is shivering after a bath you may be wondering how you can warm it up (Click here for my best solution, on Amazon #Ad) and if you should be bathing it in the first place…

Do cats get cold after a bath?

Cats do get cold after a bath. You can often see them shiver with cold immediately after they have been bathed. It is also important not to expose them to the outside air directly after a bath to avoid them getting too cold.

Use these to warm your cat up

Description Image My Rating
01. Heating Pad (My Best)
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5 stars
02. Hairdryer
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03. Hot water bottle
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4 stars

So, now you know they get cold. But, how can you warm it up? How warm should they be? Keep reading for these answers, and so much more…

How to warm up a cat after a bath:

How to warm up a cat after a bath.

How to warm up a cat after a bath.

In this section, I will share with you some simple techniques that you can use to keep your cat warm. You will be amazed at how easy it can be:

01. Heating Pad

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One tactic that you can use to keep your cat warm is a heating pad. You will need to make sure they are towel dried then placed on the mat. Also, make sure you choose a waterproof heat pad. (Click here to see the reviews, on Amazon #Ad)

02. Hot water bottle

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Another simple technique is to use a hot water bottle, instead of a heating pad. This will work in the same way. It can easily be placed on the floor with your cold cat on top after the bath.

03. Use a hairdryer

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Finally, a simple hairdryer can be used to get your cat dry as soon as possible. This is quite a fast way to do it. The only issue is, some cats can’t stand the noise it makes. So, you will need to try and see.

Should I dry my cat after a bath?

You should make sure that you fully dry off your cat after the bath. The best way is to use a large bath towel that you no longer need, or bought for your cat specifically.

The water on its fur catching the room air is what causes your cat to get cold. Also, make sure there is no drafts that is coming through any doors, windows, etc.

How warm should a bath be for a cat?

The temperature of the water is important and should be lukewarm. Make sure there are several inches of cold water in the bath first to avoid making it too hot.

Is it a Bad Idea to Bathe Your Cat?

So, is it bad to give your cat a bath? If you’re a cat owner struggling with this question then you’re in luck because this article is exactly what you need right now. Most cat owners believe that felines tend not to like water very much.

They also usually believe that since their feline companions normally spend most of the day grooming themselves, they don’t necessarily need a bath.

This is not entirely true. How your cat reacts to water depends on numerous factors. Some of these factors include whether your cat has ever had a negative water experience, whether you accustomed it to water from a tender age or if you must bathe it for a certain particular reason.

Whether it’s necessary or not to bathe your cat really depends on the particular animal. Most vets will tell you that if your cat looks clean and healthy then you don’t really have to give it a bath.

Bathing cats regularly may cause them to lose some essential oils found on their fur and at times can even prove to be an extremely traumatic experience for the cat involved. Cats are commonly known to be one of the cleanest animals.

As in they spend more than half of their day grooming themselves, so that shouldn’t be so hard to believe, no? Anyway, if your cat rarely goes outside then all you really have to do to keep it clean is brush it regularly.

Why Do Cats Hate Water?

One would think that cats love water considering how much they love cleaning themselves. However, the truth is that most felines tend to avoid water like the plague unless it’s for a polite sip from a dripping faucet here and there. A few of the reasons why most of them don’t like water are:-

  1. When cats get wet their fur becomes waterlogged. This weighs down the cat a lot. Even though the cat fur’s top layer is water-resistant to some extent, when you drench the whole cat it’s bound to experience some degree of discomfort.It makes them feel not as quick as usual as well less maneuverable and cats don’t generally enjoy being in this state.
  2. Cats like to live life on their own terms and they do not tolerate change too well. Cats, unlike dogs, don’t accept new experiences easily.Those that hadn’t been exposed to water since an early age will most probably not like the feeling. However, one that has been exposed to it since they were young may not have such a big problem with it.
  3. Most felines are very sensitive to smell. Unlike humans, cats can more acutely pick up the smells of the chemicals found in tap water. Its odor can sometimes prove too strong for the cat to tolerate.

However, not exactly ALL cats hate water. Some of them do actually like the water, specifically those that reside in hot, dry climate regions. To the cats in these areas, the water is both cool and refreshing. They may even take a little swim in it from time to time.

Others may just be giving in to their pure hunting nature and might want to hunt fish which would mean they’d have to start enjoying the water if they want to enjoy eating some fish.

When Should You Bathe Your Cat?

So, when is the best time to bathe your cat, if you really have/want to? If you’re the cat owner that falls into this category then you should probably start doing it when they’re still kittens and the best time to introduce this to them is when they are about eight weeks old.

Most experts say you should start by using a shampoo designed for kittens. It’s vital that you avoid those shampoos that are made for adult (What about baby shampoo? Click here) cats or humans.

Both those options usually tend to be way too aggressive for the kitten. A gentle kitten shampoo should do the trick

Ringworm or Fleas

When your cat seems to be suffering from a ringworm or flea infestation then you might have to consider giving it a bath using some specific shampoos.

Most vets will advise the same. In most cases, after seeing them, they’ll prescribe for your cat medicated shampoos which only means that you have to bathe your cat.

However, not all modern flea treatments require bathing but most of the very effective ones do. But it’s important to note that bathing will depend on how bad the infestation is.

Obese or an Old cat

If you have an obese or old cat then chances are they won’t be able to groom themselves effectively because there are some areas of themselves they most likely won’t be able to reach.

When this happens you might have to take up some of the grooming duty, especially the bottom area which happens to be a place that accumulates dirt pretty fast.

Arthritis

Those cats with arthritis need this bathing even more because that warm water and massaging actually helps in relieving some pain.

If your cat is one that spends a lot of time outside then you know that there are several ways it can get really dirty. Especially when they get into those places they’re not supposed to.

Cats that are allowed to roam free outside can come back with nasty germs and smells so you might have to consider giving them a bath once in a while.

However, these baths (what if it digs the tub? click here) should only be given when necessary and should not generally be a regular affair because they may not necessarily get dirty every time they go outside.

The difficulties with water and cats

It’s a tricky situation to handle when it comes to water and our feline companions. However, it certainly isn’t too hard for cat owners and cat lovers alike to learn and understand.

And with that hopefully, you’ve learned a little bit more about whether bathing your cat is a bad idea, when do you need/have to do it, and why most of them generally despise water.

Both of you will definitely appreciate that extra knowledge. And the question, is it bad to give your cat a bath?…fully answered, no?

Why do cats shiver?

Cats shiver because they are cold. This can be because they have just left warm water, in a bath, or exposed to cold conditions outside. Like us humans, they will instinctively flex and relax their muscles to attempt to warm themselves.

This is common as they leave a bath. For example, have you ever been swimming and got out of the swimming pool and felt cold? This is similar to how your cat shivers.

Will my cat get sick from a bath?

No. Cat’s are not likely to be sick from a bath. However, if you do not bathe them in the correct water temperature, or dry them off properly after, there is a chance they could.

Also, it would be classed as a big mistake to let them dry out naturally outside following a bath. They need to be dried off properly following a bath because they will be exposed to cold air and shiver otherwise.

Is it dangerous to bathe a 1-week old kitten?

Yes. A one-week-old kitten should not be bathed. Instead, they should be left to be cleaned and groomed by their mother. In the absence of their mother, if needed, they could be wiped with a towel.

The danger is young kittens cannot regulate their temperature like adult cats can so they are more susceptible to the cold after the bath.

How can I gain my cat’s trust after bathing it?

To regain your cat’s trust after bathing it just be patient and, in time, it will forgive you. Cats are not known to hold grudges. But, it may take some hours, or days, for them to forgive you and move on.

Obviously, something simple like bathing it is regarded as a minor violation, in a cat’s mind. But, if you hurt or abuse the cat that could be unforgivable.

How can you tell if a cat is cold?

The most obvious sign that your cat is cold is it shivering. However, other more subtle signs include it hiding in warmer places, or puffing up their fur while remaining hunched down.

In most cases, this will be quite obvious when you see it. And, if this is the case you need to take action and make it feel comfortable as soon as possible.

Lindsey Browlingdon