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I know most articles are “How To” articles — how to do this and how to do that, but when it comes to bathing a cat, sometimes the question is “Do I have to?” As a long time cat owner of rather onerous cats, I have decided that it’s best to let Kitty bathe himself unless he gets into something rather dirty or smelly (some long hair cats may need such aid after eating their cat food), in which case, I have no choice but to help him out. But if you decide you’d prefer to bathe your cat then here are some tips to get it done without getting too scratched up. By the way i suggest a premium cat food like Life’s Abundance or another top brand. A premium grade food is very important these days in light of the pet food recalls.

1. One option is to give your cat a sponge bath. This is probably the easiest method of bathing your cat, and is also less stressful to the cat as well, because you’re only using a wet sponge or cloth and you’re not putting them directly in water. Most cats detest baths and will do ANYTHING to get away from you once they realize your true intention. So if you have never given a cat a bath, and don’t know the cat that you are trying to bathe very well, I would say, prepare yourself, because you could end up with a bunch of horrible scratches and bite marks if you aren’t careful. I’ll speak more on how to prep for a bath in a bit. TIP: Give your cat a sponge bath before you feed them cat food as you don’t want to handle Kitty on a full stomach.

2. Another option is to utilize a cat shampoo that doesn’t necessitate getting your cat wet. This is probably your easiest option and only requires the purchase of a good cat shampoo at your nearest pet store.

3. Your other and most formidable option is to give your cat a bath. If you have a shower, I would say it might be easier to stand your cat in the shower (if your cat isn’t afraid of water that is). However, you should never run the water while the cat is in the shower or bathtub because the noise often startles them. I would suggest having jugs of water nearby that are already full so that you can gently pour water onto your cat; but again, trying to get a cat INTO a tub as well as to STAY in a tub, will be a task in itself which only the bravest, most experienced cat owners should try.
If you have decided to give you cat a bath, here are some quick tips:
1. Be sure to trim their nails beforehand. This will give you a fighting chance of not looking like Rambo after his last battle once you are through.
2. Have a towel nearby in case Kitty gets out of hand. Using the towel, you’ll be able to grab her so that you can control the situation a bit better.
3. Do not use human shampoo on a cat. Because they lick their fur, you don’t want your cat ingesting some ingredients of human shampoo which might make them sick. If you need to use something, use the plainest soap (ones that don’t contain perfumes or medications) that you can find and use sparingly where you need to.
4. Feed your cat some cat food after you’ve sponged him, bathed him, or just shampooed him. After all the stress, Kitty has earned it.

This excellent article initially appeared in the November 2008 Healthy Pet Net Newsletter, which is dedicated to the health of dogs, cats and other companion animals. It has been partially edited for length purposes:

The cold winds of winter are beginning to blow through the country. Certain regions are therefore experiencing sooner and larger than expected snowfalls. So, what can you do to make sure your dog or cat is prepared for these months?
Well for one, if your pet happens to be arthritic, be certain not to leave him/her outside for a long period of time. Just as with people, these colder temperatures may make arthritic joints even more rigid and painful.
In addition, Dogs which often walk on sidewalks and streets should have their paws cleaned upon re-entering the house. Rock salt and related chemicals may sometimes collect in their pads and cause irritation.
Furthermore, check outside food and water bowls often during the day for signs of freezing. For a modest price, you may get a premium heated bowl to make certain that your dog or cat will always have access to tepid water and warm food even when the temperature drops. Speaking of food, it helps if you feed them premium cat food or dog food as this will help their metabolism, which will of course help them bear the burden of the toupher weather conditions. If you are interested in premium cat food or dog food you may wish to visit Petfoodretail.com as they have some of the best.
Try to bear in mind that both dogs and cats have to burn more calories to stay warm during the cold months, especially if your pet will be frequently outdoors. Consider increasing the amount of food you feed by 10–20% overall, says holistic veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks.