Preventing Cat Fungal Infections The Importance of Thorough Drying

Cats and water have long been sworn enemies. It takes every trick in the book just to get a cat to tolerate a bath, and then you still have to blow-dry them afterward. Just hearing this, we're sure many cat parents know this situation all too well. But did you know that ineffective bathing and drying can actually lead to fungal infections and skin conditions in your cat? So choosing a good shampoo and bathing the right way is definitely better than having to bring your cat in for treating cat fungus later on.

In this article, we're sharing some great cat bathing and drying techniques with all you cat parents out there. But for anyone who doesn't have much free time, or who wants their cat to get the best possible bath and grooming, we've also got a service from Thonglor Pet Hospital to tell you about!

Don't Want to Treat Cat Fungus? You Need to Know These Cat Blow-Drying Techniques!

Cat fungus (ringworm) is another contagious feline disease commonly found here in Thailand, due to our hot, humid climate. In reality, there are several types of fungus that can cause this condition, but the most common species is Microsporum Canis, which is caused by moisture buildup on a cat's body.

This is especially true for long-haired cat breeds, since their thick, multi-layered coat makes them more likely to not be dried thoroughly after a bath, leaving trapped moisture in the undercoat. Once a cat is infected with fungus, you can spot it from dry, red, flaky skin along with unusual patchy hair loss. What's more, cat fungus can spread to humans, so you should bring your cat to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Today we have some techniques for blow-drying your cat without scaring them into running off before their coat is completely dry. Here are the details:

• Don't try to force them -- not letting a cat move freely, such as pinning down their body or legs, or putting them in a cramped cage, will make them more stressed. So once a cat realizes they're about to be bathed or blow-dried, they may resist strongly, potentially hurting their owner without meaning to.
• Train them from a young age -- if you got your cat as a kitten, it's much easier to train various behaviors, especially bathing and drying, since it helps reduce anxiety and pressure for the cat.
• Give rewards regularly -- when it comes to difficult behaviors like drying or other training, giving rewards helps them understand that this behavior is the right thing to do, and it gets easier the next time.
• Wrap them in a towel first -- wrapping your cat in a towel after their bath helps absorb water so it doesn't drip all over the house. You should start blow-drying on the lowest speed and quietest setting first, so as not to startle your cat while they're still wrapped in the towel. Once you notice your cat adjusting to the louder sound, gradually remove the towel and dry both the outer and inner coat completely.

Recommended Shampoos for Bathing Dogs and Cats

Besides improving your cat's bathing routine, using quality products can also clearly improve coat and skin health -- especially for cats with sensitive skin, who may not have a fungal problem but often run into issues with various products, such as deodorizing sprays, shampoos, or even cat litter that may contain chemicals.

Today we're introducing 3 cat cleaning products that are gentle and suitable for every type and breed of cat.

1. MALASEB MEDICATED FOAM -- an antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-yeast shampoo. This is a semi-medicated shampoo for skin conditions that can address itching, dandruff-like flaking, or issues with body odor and overly oily skin.
2. Nano Mousse Dry Bath Mousse -- a nourishing nano-mousse formula that helps reduce odor, no-rinse and easy to use and clean, powered by nano particles containing lanolin oil, pro-vitamin B5, and vitamin E, alcohol-free.
3. Anti-itch for Sensitive Skin Shampoo Dr.Choice -- a gentle formula made from natural extracts of turmeric, Acanthus ebracteatus, and Clinacanthus nutans. It's also paraben-free (parabens can be carcinogenic), and even though it's made from natural extracts, it has a long-lasting, relaxing scent. The shampoo also contains hair-root nourishing ingredients that keep the coat strong, shiny, and less prone to shedding.

In addition, Dr.Choice products have been used in real practice for bathing and grooming pets at Thonglor Pet Hospital for over 30 years.

Bathing and Grooming Services at Thonglor Pet Hospital

If you're an animal lover who doesn't have much time, or isn't skilled enough at bathing your pet, our Thonglor Pet Hospital offers bathing and grooming services open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with attention to every detail -- from the process and techniques to cleanliness and the products used for every type of pet.

For cats, we have a dedicated grooming specialist to take care of your cat from head to tail. Our service steps include:

• Nail Trimming -- a general external health check, and to prevent injury during bathing and grooming.
• Ear Cleaning -- checking for any abnormalities both outside and inside the ear canal, then gently wiping the outer ear with a gentle ear-cleaning solution.
• Paw Pad Fur Trimming -- using clippers to trim the fur around the paw pads, so your cat can walk more comfortably, and to reduce germ buildup in this area, which cats especially like to lick.
• Coat Trimming -- if the coat is long or out of shape, our groomer will trim the coat starting from the head down, to remove dead or dirty old fur and let new, healthier, more beautiful fur grow in its place.
• Bathing -- bathing with a gentle, natural-extract shampoo formula, by an expert groomer who understands cat behavior well and is familiar with every nook and cranny of a cat's body.
• Blow-Drying -- drying with a high-powered but quiet blower, so your cat won't be easily startled, while still being able to dry both the outer and inner coat completely for cats with thick fur.

Treating Cat Fungus with Thonglor Pet Hospital

Bathing and drying is an important activity for cats, because neglecting bathing for a long time, or bathing ineffectively, can make your cat prone to illness. So we recommend Thonglor Pet Hospital, a leading animal hospital open 24 hours a day.

We're ready to provide bathing and coat trimming services, along with cat spaying/neutering services for pets of all sizes and breeds, with a team of specialist veterinarians, along with clean, sterile equipment and facilities of international quality, open to care for your pet 24 hours a day. Because we believe every illness deserves timely treatment, every problem your pet faces is our problem too. Trust us to care for your pet at Thonglor Pet Hospital