Why does my cat lick me after swimming

If you have a kitty that adores swimming, then you might be wondering whether you have to bathe the fluffy ball after its aquatic adventure or not.

Giving your cat a bath after swimming is always a great decision. The ocean or sea is salty, pools have chlorine in them, and lakes are usually full of algae and bacteria – you would certainly want to wash it all off your precious pet.

In general, giving your cat a bath after it has swum in a body of water is a good idea. If your kitty was in the sea, you wouldn’t want it to smell like a marine creature, and if the little guy got into a lake, then you might also want to bathe it just in case, as lakes can be full of bacteria and algae.

When it comes to swimming pools, you shouldn’t really let your kitty swim in those as the chlorine can irritate the cat’s skin and eyes. If the pet got into the pool, for some reason, make sure to give it a bath to wash off the remaining chlorine.

Do Cats Need to Be Bathed in Water?

Cats don’t really need baths – the fluffy balls do a great job at keeping themselves nice and clean.

However, there can be a few situations when you might have to give your precious cat a bath:

The kitty got dirty while playing (in the soil outside or in paint/flour/sauce inside the house)
Your cat is overweight or too old to groom itself properly
The vet told you to give your cat a bath (you might have to use a special shampoo for external parasites, for example)

Read: Why Cat Not Gaining Weight but Eating Well?

Is Bathing a Cat a Good Idea?

Even though healthy kitties can stay perfectly clean without your help, it might be a good idea to give the fluffy ball a bath, if it had rolled into something that it can’t lick off or if it has very long hair that has become matted.

How Often Should I Wash My Cat?

Generally, cats shouldn’t be bathed more often than every 4-6 weeks. However, if you have adopted a kitten that has not yet learned how to groom itself, then you might have to bathe the tiny guy every week or so.

Can Cats Drown in a Bath?

If a full bathtub has been left unattended, then your cat can actually end up drowning in the water. The poor thing might not be able to get out because the bath is way too slippery.

How Do You Give a Cat a Bath Without Dying?

Make sure to take the following tips into consideration when attempting to give your cat a bath:

Before bathing the kitty, remove all the excess fur by brushing and trim the cat’s nails (ideally, about a day before the bath time, so that the little guy doesn’t experience too much stress in one day)
During the water procedure, make sure that the water is lukewarm (neither hot nor cold)
Use only the products that have been specifically designed for cats
Don’t apply water to the cat’s face, instead, use a damp cloth
Offer a reward to the little hero after the bath

Read: Why Cat Won’t Calm Down After Spay?

Do Cats Know How to Swim?

Cats are instinctively capable of swimming. However, if the kitty has not been introduced to water during childhood, it may not want to go anywhere near water.

Moreover, if a cat ever ends up in a body of water, it might start to panic and will, consequently, drown.

What Kind of Cats Can Swim?

There are a few cat breeds that are actually fond of water and enjoy swimming:

Bengals
Maine Coons
Turkish Vans
The Manx
Savannahs

Do Cats Like Swimming?

Some domestic breeds seem to naturally enjoy the water at any age. That does not mean, however, that all the other cats are going to hate water – the little guys simply haven’t been exposed to it, and this fact, of course, makes them afraid of the unknown fluid.

Is It Safe for Cats to Swim in Pool?

It is not safe for a cat to swim in any body of water if it has never done that before – the kitty might simply start panicking and drown.

Another unsafe thing about swimming pools is the chemicals used in them.

Read: Why Cat Not Feeling Well After Fight?

Can Cats Swim in Chlorine Pools?

You would want to keep your cat away from chlorine as the chemical can easily irritate the fluffy ball’s skin, eyes, and even inner system.

Can Cats Swim in the Ocean?

The kitties that love swimming can end up getting in the ocean, but that does not mean that you should let your pet do that.

The seawater can be dangerous for the cat’s health
If it’s windy, the kitty might get sand in its ears and eyes
The beach increases the risk of dehydration in pets
The ocean is way too big for the little guy and the current might be really strong – these factors can make the kitty drown, even if it’s a great swimmer

How Long Can Domestic Cats Swim?

Cats can learn to swim greater distances with practice. How long exactly your pet can swim depends on its experience and breed, but you should not expect the kitty to be able to swim for several miles like big cats do.

Read: Why Does My Cat Keep Licking Me Then Biting Me?

Can Kittens Swim?

Kittens can be taught to love water if they receive the right introduction to it. The precious thing will instinctively start moving its legs as soon as it gets in the water, but make sure to first simply carry the kitten around while you’re in the water and slowly dip its tail into it.

Why Do Cats Hate Water?

Cats are scared of the unknown
Water makes their coat heavy
The kitties don’t like to be cold
They don’t like the smell of the water
The cats could have had a previous negative experience with water

Read: Why Cat Won’t Eat After Moving?

How Do You Dry a Cat?

The safest and best way to dry your cat after bathing or swimming is by using a towel.

Can You Air Dry a Cat?

Air-drying can be a good idea if the weather is warm. However, you would never want to leave your cat soaking wet – towel dry the little guy first and then let the warm air finish up the job.

Can You Brush a Wet Cat?

You should brush the cat before the bath. Wet tangles and mats become worse and are extremely challenging to untangle.

Do Cats Lick Themselves After a Bath?

If the moisture stays way too long on the cat’s fur, the kitty will start licking itself. Excessive licking can lead to hairballs that might turn into intestinal obstructions.

So, ideally, you would want to dry your cat after bathing to prevent excessive licking.

How Can I Make My Cat Smell Better Without a Bath?

Change the cat’s diet
Clean the litter box regularly
Make sure that the kitty is not suffering from any health issues

Are All Cats Waterproof?

Cats are not waterproof, if they get into a body of water, they will become soaking wet.With that being said, the top layer of the kitty’s fur is usually relatively water-repellant because of the glands in the skin that secrete oil.