do i need to wash my cat?

In more than 25 years as a veterinarian, I have never advised routinely washing a healthy cat.

And in more than 45 years of living with cats, I have never washed one of my own.

Cats are not dogs. They don't generally seek out the same environments, roll around in things on the grass, or enthusiastically investigate unfamiliar smells and substances.

More importantly, cats already have a very effective cleaning system of their own. They groom themselves frequently and fastidiously.

For most cats, washing is not only unnecessary — it can be stressful. Shampoo can strip the natural oils from the coat and residues are likely to be ingested during grooming. And forcing a cat through an unnecessary experience can create distrust and friction in the relationship between you and your cat.

I can probably count on one hand the number of cats I have needed to wash as a veterinarian. Usually there was a very specific reason: car oil or another potentially harmful substance on the coat that needed to be removed before the cat could lick it off.

That's very different from routine washing.

So, do I need to wash my cat?

No.

Stuart Ralph BVSc
Veterinarian and founder of WellCat