How to clean a cat?

For centuries cats have intrigued many civilisations, they've been revered to god-like status and had statues built in their honour. Today, these endearing creatures make superb companions because as pets go, our feline friends tend to keep themselves looking good with constant grooming sessions.

However, although cats keep themselves nice and clean, they do tend to create a bit of mess around them. There's the cat litter trays and feeding areas that tend to be the worst and which you may find you are having to constantly clean up. The tips below offer some sound advice on how to make life easier on yourself when it comes to cleaning up after kitty!

1. Deciding Where to Place the Litter Tray

No matter how good a litter tray you decide to invest in, cats have a wonderful habit of making a bit of a mess around it. They dig at the litter and kick it out, they also tread bits of it out onto the floor and then around the home. It's one area that always needs to be constantly cleaned which is why you need to choose where you put your cat's litter tray very carefully.

It's never a very good idea to have litter trays on any carpeted areas, instead they should be placed on hardwood or linoleum floors which makes it much easier to scoop up any mess your cat makes outside their litter trays without having to take out the vacuum cleaner every time.

It's also a really good idea to place a mat just outside the entrance of the litter tray which helps prevent your pet from tracking any litter that's trapped in their paws throughout the house. It's far easier to shake the mat clean outside than it is to constantly vacuum the house.

2. Use Cat Blankets to Protect Furniture

Cats love snuggling up in nice cosy spots around the house. They also love dozing off in a nice comfy chair which presents the problem of having to constantly wipe off any cat hairs they leave behind. One good solution is to invest in some lovely warm cat blankets for your pet. Placing the blanket on their favourite chair or sofa will help reduce the amount of hair they leave behind which cuts down on the work you have to do to keep your furniture fur-free!

It's far easier to throw the blanket in the washing machine than it is to constantly vacuum your furniture. Just by passing a lint roller over the blanket every day will keep things nice, tidy and clean so that anyone sitting on a chair doesn't pick up hair on their clothing.

A very good idea to save any wear and tear on your washing machine, is to put any blankets or clothing that may have a lot of cat hair on them in the dryer together with a dryer sheet before you put them in the washing machine. This way, all the loose hair gets caught up in the dryer sheet which makes it easier on washing machines.

3. Place a Mat Under Food and Water Bowls

Cats can be pretty messy when they eat although they are much cleaner when it comes to drinking water than dogs generally are. They do tend to make a mess when they eat though, leaving bits of uneaten food around their bowls. By placing a mat under bowls and water dishes, it makes things a lot easier to clean up and the great thing about mats these days is you find ones which are machine washable and very inexpensive.

4. Essential Cleaning Tools for Cat Owners

There are certain tools that all cat owners should invest in to make life easier cleaning up after their kitties, which includes the following:

• A good quality lint brush
• Dryer sheets
• A hand-held vacuum cleaner

All of these tools make it much easier to get rid of any hair a cat leaves behind without having to constantly pull out the vacuum cleaner to do so. Another great trick is to wear rubber kitchen gloves and using a damp cloth or sprayer to dampen the furniture, then wiping your hands over it, which picks up all the loose hair really well leaving your furniture wonderfully fur-free.

5. Groom Your Cat Regularly

Although short-haired cats don't need grooming as often as those with long flowing coats, they still need to be brushed on a regular basis. The more you groom your cat, the less hair there will be to vacuum and clean up around the house. The bonus of course is that the one-to-one grooming session you give your cat will strengthen the bond you have formed with them, and your feline friend will love all the attention you give them.

6. Clean Cat Messes Safely and Effectively

Always wear gloves when handling cat messes like urine, faeces or vomit to avoid parasites and contamination. For cat urine or spray, blot the mess immediately with paper towels, then soak the area with cold water and blot until the yellow stain is gone. Applying an ammonia-based cleaner and letting it sit for 10 minutes helps discourage your cat from re-marking the spot.

For cat vomit, scrape up the mess with paper towels, then blot with cold water to remove residue. For faeces, pick it up while wearing gloves and dispose of it with litter. Then clean the area with an enzyme-based cleaner to eliminate odours and prevent repeat marking.

Using pet-safe enzymatic cleaners ensures thorough cleaning and creates a healthier environment for your cat, as these break down organic stains and odours effectively.

7. Remove Cat Hair Regularly

Regularly vacuum areas your cat frequents using a vacuum designed for pet hair or a robot vacuum for convenience. Use lint rollers or pet hair removers on furniture, stairs and bedding to catch fur that vacuuming misses.

Brushing your cat regularly to reduce shedding not only helps keep your home tidier but also prevents mats and tangles in your cat's coat. This makes grooming more enjoyable and healthier for your pet.

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Final thoughts on how to clean a cat

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the constant cleaning that comes with cat ownership, but using these tips will make the task more manageable. Careful placement of litter trays, using mats and blankets, investing in the right tools, regular grooming, and safe cleaning methods all contribute to a fresher, cleaner home. Above all, regular grooming supports your cat’s wellbeing and strengthens your bond, making the cleaning less of a chore and more of a shared care routine.