A leading British veterinarian has delivered a stark and unequivocal message to cat owners across the nation: you should never bathe your cat as a routine practice.
The Unnecessary Ritual
Dr Ben Simpson-Vernon, a vet who shares professional advice on his popular 'Ben The Vet' TikTok account, revealed that one of the most frequent questions he encounters from new pet owners is about when to bathe their feline companions. His response is consistently and deliberately simple: "never, unless you absolutely have to."
Dr Simpson-Vernon's warning was prompted by the circulation of viral videos showing cats in visible distress during bath time. He expressed bewilderment at the phenomenon, stating, "What is this obsession people have with bathing their cats. You do not need to bath your cat." He emphasised that cats are inherently fastidious creatures, spending a significant portion of their day self-grooming to maintain impeccable hygiene.
When is Washing Actually Needed?
While the rule is generally absolute, the vet did acknowledge rare exceptions. He noted that certain breeds, like Persians with their distinctive short faces, may struggle with self-cleaning. Furthermore, if a cat gets a substance like faeces or vomit on its fur, a localised clean is warranted.
However, Dr Simpson-Vernon stressed that the goal is always to minimise stress. His recommended method is far from a full immersion bath. "Get a bowl of warm water and clean the dirty area. It's very rare that a cat would be completely covered in poo or need to be immersed in water," he advised.
Practical Tips for a Stress-Free Clean
For those unavoidable situations where a clean is necessary, the expert provided a clear, step-by-step guide to ensure the process is as quick and calm as possible:
- Enlist help: Have someone else assist you to make the procedure much quicker.
- Minimise wetness: Only wet and shampoo the specific area that is dirty.
- Use distraction: Offer a tasty treat like a lickelix to keep the cat occupied.
- Prioritise the pet, not content: His final, pointed advice was: "don’t film it to post for likes on social media."
His concluding take-home message for all cat owners was emphatic: "Don't bath your cat routinely please. It's not necessary."
The vet's professional stance resonated strongly with his followers. One commenter, Amy, attested to her cat's natural cleanliness, saying, "My cat literally smells like a faint baby powder. He's a good boy on his own." Another, CarrieAnne, supported the view, noting her 13-year-old cat has never been bathed and remains clean, smelling like "popcorn." While some, like Kylie, pondered how cats manage to smell so good after cleaning themselves with a "tuna mouth," others questioned why anyone would voluntarily subject their pet to the ordeal.
