Calico cats, like most cats, usually roam around inside and outside your house. They sometimes lay or step on muddy, wet, dusty, and oily surfaces that could make them dirty. Should you bathe them? Or do they even like water? We've done a thorough research and asked experts for the answers.
Some calico cats like American Shorthair, Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, and Maine Coon love water, while others avoid it as much as possible. Generally, cats don't need to be bathed. However, there are exceptional instances wherein bathing becomes necessary for your furry friend.
Continue reading as we delve deeper into the topic. We'll tackle those exceptional situations wherein you can bathe your calico cats, and we'll give you some tips on how to properly do it. We'll also discuss along the way some important questions that are commonly asked in connection with the topic.
Calico Cat Breeds That Love Water
Generally, most cats avoid and dislike water because of the feeling of discomfort they get when they're all wet and soaked. But not all indoor cats, especially calico, totally despise water. Some enjoy playing with water and love being wet. Here are some of the calico cat breeds that like water:
Turkish Angora
One of the ways a Turkish Angora fights boredom includes playing with water. Indoor Turkish Angora cats would come running to you as soon as they hear the sound of splashing water or would love to get in the shower with you. Outdoor Turkish Angora cats love to swim on streams and ponds.
Maine Coon
A Maine Coon calico cat is historically known as an excellent pest killer on sailing ships, hence that somewhat explains why they like being around water. Because of their historical background, Maine Coon cats love playing with water.
Their coats are said to be water-resistant due to their thickness and shagginess. Thus, they don't mind playing with anything that has water in it.
Turkish Van
A Turkish Van cat breed is also known as the "swimming cat" because they love water so much and want to swim as much as they can. Their coat is said to be waterproof, meaning it doesn't hold that much water which makes swimming more enjoyable for them.
According to folklore, the reason why they have that water-loving attitude is that, purportedly, two Turkish Van cats are among the animals aboard Noah's Ark. However, later on, they jumped off from the ship and swam on the shores of Turkey. Since Turkey is a hot land, they would swim in Lake Van to cool down.
American Shorthair
American Shorthairs are known to be athletic and energetic, hence they love to play even with water. When indoors, make sure that your toilet bowls are closed since they love messing around with anything that has water in it. They also love getting in your shower or bathtubs whenever you're bathing.
Why Bathing Becomes Necessary
Bathing your calico cats is not recommended since their tongue's papillae do the cleaning work. Whenever they lick their furs, the papillae in their tongue excrete an aggregate of 48 milliliters of water a day to their fur, which is responsible for cleaning them and cooling their temperatures down.
However, there are certain instances wherein your calico cats need to be bathed. Here are some of the reasons why:
Dirty And Smelly Coat
When your cats step or lay on a muddy, oily, or dirty surface, their coats accumulate dirt which will, later on, be hard to remove. This will cause their coat to tangle and eventually become smelly.
Some substances on coats cannot be removed by mere water or saliva only, hence you should bathe your cats once in a while when they begin to smell or become sticky.
Presence Of Pests In The Coat
When your furry friends interact with other cats outside, they're prone to acquiring viruses, bacteria, and pests. When your cats have fleas or ticks, they should be bathed once in a while to treat their coat. It is better to use a cat shampoo that has anti-flea and tick properties.
In this way, you'll eventually get rid of the pests in your cat's coat and control them before they get out of hand and infect your other pets at home.
Make sure to always check your cat's coat with any possible pests since it'll not only make them itch but also, could cause them serious infection or disease.
Long And Thick Coat
Despite their grooming habits, cats with long hair need to be showered once in a while to maintain a healthy coat. Cats with shaggy coats can't manage their coat and would tend to tangle if not properly maintained. Hence, make sure to properly groom your hairy cats.
Less Or No Fur
Cats with less to no fur at all also need some pampering time inside the shower. They need to be bathed once in a while because they have body oils that if not washed, would cause them to smell over time.
Health Reasons
Cats that are obese, in their old age, have a mobility problem, or are arthritic and can hardly do self-grooming all by themselves. Because of this, they should be bathed once in a while to get rid of tangled and matted fur and maintain a healthy coat.
Do calicos need baths?
Some calico cat breeds need a bath once in a while for some reason. Other breeds don't require one since cats are typically good at grooming themselves.
How often should I bathe my calico cat?
According to the National Cat Groomers of America, maintaining your cat's coat health entails bathing them every 4 to 6 weeks just to keep it from getting tangled, smelly, or matted.
Do calicos like to swim?
Again, as stated above, most cats hate water in general, more so swimming into it. However, some calico breeds like water, but a Turkish Van is a one-of-a-kind cat breed that greatly loves water and swimming more than any kind of water-loving breed.
Are you supposed to give cats baths?
Cat baths should only be done if necessary. If not, then let them clean and groom themselves the natural way.
How To Give Your Cat A Bath
Follow these steps to properly bathe your cat:
- First thing that you need to do is to trim their toenails. One of cat's defense mechamisms is their claws. Since most of them hate water, they get upset when you try to bathe them. They might claw you and this can cause you some scratches if their toenails are long.
- Before you begin bathing them, brush their coat to get rid of any loose or matted fur.
- Schedule the time you need to bathe your cat. It's always better to bathe them after a strenuous activity when they're tired and have already mellowed down.
- Use a pitcher, a cup, or a detachable shower head to pour in the water into your cat's body. Make sure the water's temperature is just a few degrees higher than a lukewram water.
- Always use a cat shampoo when bathing your cat to protect them from any harmful chemicals. Gently apply it in your cat's neck up to the tail. Avoid applying it in their head and face.
- Rinse your cat thorougly to prevent attracting dirt and causing any skin irritation.
- Use a damp washcloth or a wet wipes to clean your cat's face.
- Dry your cat's coat thorougly using a blow dryer.
- Give your cat a treat to reward them every time after you bathe them.
In Closing
Typically, cats hate water. But there's always an exception to every general rule. Some calico cat breeds like Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, American Shorthair, and Maine Coon like to play and jump into the water.
And because not all cats hate water, you should also bear in mind that not all cats need to be bathed. The authorities and experts recommend that, as much as possible, they should not be bathed if not essential. However, in some necessary instances, cats need to be bathed once in a while.
Do you want to learn more about calico cats? Check these posts before you go:
Do Calico Cats Change Color As They Age?
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