How Often Should You Wash a Cat's Bed: Vet-Reviewed Tips & Tricks
In this article
Just like you should wash your bedding every week or two, the same is true for your cat's bedding. Ideally, you'll want to wash it once a week, but if they don't spend all that much time using it, you might be fine with washing it once every 2 weeks.
Taking the time to wash their bedding will keep it smelling nice and fresh, and it can help keep your cat healthy. Just like you enjoy climbing into a bed with fresh, clean sheets, your cat likely will too!
Product Recommendation
When cleaning your pet's bedding, it's essential to use the right cleaning products that are both pet-friendly and effective at removing stains, odors, and bacteria. An enzyme-based cleaner is a particularly good option for spot-cleaning, especially for urine stains and odors.
Did you know there's an enzyme cleaner that does it all? The Hepper Advanced Bio-Enzyme Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Spray permanently removes the very worst smells and stains (truly, everything you can imagine!), and they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! Click here to get yourself a bottle.
- ADVANCED ENZYMATIC CLEANER - Penetrates the most stubborn smells and stains at the deepest molecular levels to dissolve any pet mess you encounter and lift it away at the source.
- FOR ANY MESS, ON ANY SURFACE - This pet odor eliminator cleans your carpets, floors, furniture, fabrics, and more. Whether it's urine, feces, vomit, or drool, you can erase all foul spots and smells!
- FRESH, NATURAL ODOR - Our unique formulation doesn't rely on dangerous or unpleasant chemical fragrances to get the job done. We eradicate smells and stains, not just cover them up.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding products of this cool cat company!
Why You Should Wash Your Cat's Bed
Just like you need to wash your bedding to keep it clean and smelling fresh, the same is true for your cat's bedding. But the truth is that there are multiple reasons you need to frequently and consistently wash your cat's bedding.
These reasons include:
It doesn't take all that much work to clean your cat's bed, so add it to your list of biweekly chores, and stick with it.
How to Wash Your Cat's Bed
Now that you know all about how often and why you need to wash your cat's bed, all that's left is for you to figure out how to do it. The good news is that it's a pretty straightforward process, and we'll walk you through everything you need to know here.
1. Remove the Cover
If your cat bed has a cover, start by removing that. You don't need to wash the entire bed; you just need to wash the cover your cat is actively using. Of course, once you remove the cover, you need to move the cat bed to a place your cat can't use until you finish.
If your cat bed doesn't have a cover, you can skip this step, but you'll need to be more careful when spot-treating, washing, and drying it.
2. Spot Treat
If the cat bed has noticeable spots with stains, dirt, or grime, it's best to spot-treat it before moving on to the next step. Follow the directions for the spot cleaner you're using, and ensure that it's not going to react adversely with the cat bed. You can always go over it with the vacuum hose a few times!
3. Wash and Dry
Before washing the cat bed, take the time to read the label and follow all the directions. If the label doesn't have directions or if you can't find them for any reason, stick with an unscented detergent specifically for pets.
Either wash the bed by hand or on a cold cycle on the lowest available setting. From there, only use a dryer on the lowest possible setting if you're sure it won't damage the bed. Otherwise, you'll need to air-dry the cat bed.
If you are using a dryer, we recommend using an unscented dryer sheet to help remove static and pick up any leftover pet hairs. Of course, always clean out the lint trap in the dryer after each use.
Final Thoughts
It's something many pet owners overlook and neglect, but taking the time to wash your cat's bedding every week or two goes a long way in keeping them happy, healthy, and smelling great. Even better, it really doesn't take all that long, so once you get into the routine, it's not that hard to keep up with!
Sources
Featured Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock
Expert cat care, straight to your inbox
Vet-reviewed advice, behavior tips, and the best of Catster. Free, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Adam is a seasoned freelance writer and passionate animal lover who has dedicated years to rescuing countless animals. With a decade of experience as a freelance writer and an even longer history of animal rescue, he has honed his skills in both fields. Adam is also a proud father of three and thrives on challenges and new adventures.
Join the conversation
Ask a question, share your story, or send private feedback.
