Q&A for How to Clean Your Cat When He Can't Do It Himself

It's always best to chose a product that states it's suitable for both dogs and cats. Bear in mind cat skin is different than both human and dog skin, and very sensitive. For sure avoid using wipes that are scented or contain alcohol. Not all wipes suitable for dogs are safe for cats, such as those containing tea tree oil, so if in doubt, just use cotton wool soaked in warm water.

Ideally, look for pet or cat wipes. Remember you are in effect wiping chemicals over the cat's fur. When cats groom, they then ingest those chemicals, which may have the potential to cause illness. For sure avoid using wipes that are fragranced (after all you, wouldn't drink perfume) or contain alcohol, which is very drying.

Cats spend 20-50% of their time awake grooming. They sleep for around 12-16 hours a day. This means a typical cat dedicates around 2 to 3 hours each day solely to licking and washing.

While Dawn is considered a mild detergent, I would avoid using it on cats. One of the product's strengths is that it's great at stripping away grease. While this is desirable on dirty dishes, it's not good for feline skin. You may get away with using it once but, if you use it frequently, it will cause excessive drying of the skin and coat.

Brushing and combing are good at removing dry contaminants from the coat, such as pollen, dust, or grit. If there is a sticky knot, then slide a comb below the knot to protect the skin and clip the tangle away. For a dirty bottom or smelly area, try using unscented baby wipes to clean the area, then dry it well afterwords with disposable paper towels.