Do I need to bathe my cat?

Most cats never need a bath. They groom themselves thoroughly and the act of bathing them is stressful for the cat and tricky for the human. The exceptions: long-haired cats whose owner can’t keep up with brushing and the coat develops mats, senior or overweight cats who can’t reach their back half anymore, hairless breeds (Sphynx) who accumulate skin oils that need washing out, and cats with specific medical conditions where the vet has prescribed a medicated bath. For a normal short-haired adult cat eating a balanced diet, brushing is enough.

When to call a vet: if your cat suddenly looks unkempt or greasy when she used to groom normally, that’s a flag (illness, pain, depression). Vet first, bath second.