How Often Should I Wash My Cat’s Bed? Vet Approved Tips
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Cats have a reputation for being very clean animals. Unlike dogs, who will happily wander around covered in mud or other unmentionable substances with an odor to match, cats always look sparkly clean and smell just as good. Of all our household pets, our cats are the ones we are most likely to happily snuggle up to at night when we are clean and warm in bed.
So, that begs the question, if they are such clean animals, does their bedding remain equally clean? Do you have to wash their bedding as often as you would wash your dog’s bedding? You may not need to wash a cat’s bedding as often as a dog’s for exactly this reason. For a healthy, clean indoor cat, you will probably have to wash their bed and bedding about every month.
However, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to bed-washing. The actual frequency of bed washing will depend on the cat or cats that use the bed and the humans living in the home. Read on to find out why.
What Determines How Often You Should Wash Your Cat’s Bed?
Cats are all different. Some may shed excessively, while others rarely lose hair. Some also have skin conditions or poor health. You also need to consider the humans in the home. Are there any allergy sufferers? All of these things and others will determine the frequency of your kitty bed-washing schedule.
Here’s a list of circumstances under which it may be necessary to wash your cat’s bed weekly, every two weeks, or perhaps every third week. The more severe the circumstance, the shorter the washing interval will be:
- Kitties with skin conditions such as dermatitis, ringworm, allergies, etc.
- Cats that have or are recovering from contagious diseases such as respiratory problems
- Cats with incontinence may soil their bedding
- Cats that have had and been treated for a high flea or tick load
- Cats that have had internal parasites such as worms
- High-shedding kitties such as the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Persian or Chartreaux
- If there are human allergy sufferers in the house
- If there are any pregnant or immunodeficient human family members
- Outdoor-indoor cats that don’t thoroughly clean themselves before coming indoors (think of those adorable but frustrating, muddy little footprints!)
- Beds that are shared by multiple cats
Can I Wash My Cat’s Bed More Often Than Is Necessary?
Another consideration is your own personal preferences and gut feeling. There may be no marked signs of soiling and dirt, but you may intuitively feel it is time to wash your kitty’s bed. You are probably right because not all “dirt” can be seen with the naked eye. Washing your cat’s bed more frequently than would seem necessary will not cause any harm to your cat, but it may shorten the life span of the bed and bedding, depending on the materials it is made from. Remember always to use a pet and eco-friendly, unscented detergent.
Something to bear in mind is that some cats are more territorial and habitual than others and may become upset if their scent is constantly removed from their bedding. Monitor your cat for signs of anxiety or distress when returning their newly washed bed to them. See how long they take to settle into it or whether they avoid it altogether. You may have to experiment with the frequency of bed washing and detergents before finding a combination that works.
Before You Wash Your Cat’s Bed
Before you start, familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s care instructions, if there are any. All, or parts of it, may be machine washable. Alternatively, you may have to wash it by hand.
Before you wash the bed, remove as much hair, dander, and loose dirt as possible. You can either do this by vacuuming the bed and bedding or by shaking it out over the trash can or in the yard. Don’t shake out bedding near food or water or clean bedding and furniture. A lint roller also works well for removing stubborn hair that won’t shake out.
Tips for Washing & Drying Your Cat’s Bed
- Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning directions.
- If permissible, wash with very hot water. This will kill any undesirable pathogens. If you are hand washing, use rubber gloves so that you can get the water as hot as possible.
- Spot treat any heavily soiled or stained areas before washing. Ensure you use a safe product for your pets and the environment. Enzymatic stain and odor eliminators are natural and great to use.
- Use a pet and environmentally-friendly detergent that is fragrance-free.
- Some pet beds, or parts thereof, can be dried in the dryer. Others need to air dry. Make sure you know which method to use so you don’t damage your cat’s bed.
- It’s important to steer clear of fragranced detergents, even if they are fragranced with natural products like essential oils. Cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, and what smells good to us could be pungent to them.
- Wash your kitty’s bed by itself. The last thing you want is cat hair all over your laundry, even if it is clean!
- Heavily soiled beds or bedding may need to be rewashed.
- Remember to clean your washing machine and dryer’s lint trap after you have washed and dried your cat’s bed.
- You will probably want to clean your washing machine afterward, too. This can be done by running an empty cycle with either a half cup of baking soda or vinegar (never combine these two!).
Our favorite enzyme cleaner for eliminating pet smells and stains is our very own Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray. It makes clean-up a breeze because it permanently removes even the very worst smells and stains (urine, feces, vomit, you name it!) from basically any surface you can imagine.
Tips For Maintaining a Fresh Bed Between Washes
We have busy lives, and bed washing is a time-consuming activity. It could take a while in winter for the bed and bedding to dry. We want to extend the time between washes as it will save time, water, and money. Here are some tips for keeping your kitty’s bed fresh and clean between washes:
- If it’s possible, you may want to consider using a throw or extra blanket over your kitty’s bed. This will be easy to wash regularly, and it will protect the bed from surface soiling. Cats love fleece blankets.
- Shake out your cat’s bed and bedding outside or over the trash can regularly.
- Put your kitty’s bed out in the sun as often as possible. Sunlight can help eliminate certain bacteria and parasites and will also help fluff out their pillows and bedding.
- Vacuum the bed every few days to remove loose dirt and hair. You can also use a lint roller to perform this function.
- If the manufacturer’s label allows, you can also pop the bed in the dryer for a few minutes daily to remove stubborn hair. Remember to clean the lint trap afterward.
- You can spray enzymatic treatments on bed messes in between washes. They will help with odor control and staining, but be advised that they will leave a damp patch that your kitty may not be too pleased with for a while.
- Baking soda is natural, inoffensive, and great at absorbing unpleasant odors. You can sprinkle a tiny bit on the bottom of your cat’s bedding in between washes to keep it smelling fresher.
Conclusion
Clean kitty beds not only look and smell better, but they’re also healthier for your cat and the family. Bed washing is not negotiable and will create a more pleasant environment for all and extend the bed’s lifespan. If the bed becomes too soiled, it may be impossible to clean, and you will have to throw it out and buy a new one. So, in the long run, good hygiene practices may save you money, too!
Featured Image Credit: Yuliya Alekseeva, Shutterstock
