It’s very natural for you to think of baby wipes as an option for your cats, the sensitivity of the skin, is a major and common factor. Though cats are well known for keeping themselves very clean, they spend half of the day grooming themselves.
There are times when it’s not enough, you need something to keep your cats clean and deodorized, but not with the smell of their saliva. Well, baby wipes are not safe for cats, due to so many reasons, allow our article to help you in finding other alternatives.
Are baby wipes safe for cats?
Is Baby Wipe Safe for Cats?
The short answer is no, cats can’t safely use baby wipes. In fact, baby wipes can be toxic for cats. It contains the ingredients soap, detergent, triclosan, and propylene glycol, all are harmful to cats. It can cause irritation to the skin. However, they’re less likely to try to steal it away from under your nose.
Why Baby Wipes Are Harmful to Cats?
So once you got your answer to the question, are baby wipes safe for cats! You might get curious to know why? If they are safe on the extremely sensitive skin of your babies, then why not on our cats? Let’s find out!
Are baby wipes safe for cats, if not, then why? Because of the following ingredients, it has:
1. Soap and Detergent
Are baby wipes safe for cats if they contain soap and detergent? The short answer is no! The main purpose of baby wipes is to clean the dirt and then deodorize the bad odor with a mesmerizing scent.
So soap and detergent are very commonly found in them or to say in any cleaning product.
2. Preservatives That Break Down into Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is poisonous and carcinogenic. So are baby wipes safe for your cats with preservatives that break down into formaldehyde? The short answer is no, the preservatives in baby wipes are terrible for your cat.
3. Lavender
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states the common lavender plant contains linalool and linalyl acetate, these are the two compounds toxic to cats.
Some baby wipes contain the essence of lavender. So are baby wipes safe for cats if they contain lavender? The short answer is no, they are not safe for cats
4. Antibacterial Agent: Triclosan
Are baby wipes safe for cats if they have triclosan in them? No, they are not safe, in fact, it acts as a chemical cleaner that is so harmful to cats. However, this is not a very prominent ingredient in most baby wipes.
5. Propylene Glycol
Cats are very sensitive to propylene glycol, and it can get worst if your cat happens to eat it, If cats or dogs ingest large amounts of propylene glycol, poisoning can occur. So are baby wipes safe for cats if they contain propylene glycol? Again, the answer is no!
6. Parabens
Well, parabens are used in most beauty products such as baby wipes, to increase the shelf-life and prevent bacteria growth. So are baby wipes safe for cats if they contain parabens?
Well no because parabens and their byproducts act as estrogen for cats and in fact other animals.
Your cat might develop a skin allergy if she has very sensitive skin.
What About Aloe Vera?
Well, we are feeling so sad to announce this but, even some parts of aloe vera are harmful to cats. This might make you feel a little surprised that how can aloe Vera which is such a great plant with many uses also found in most beauty products can be harm full for cats?
Most of the baby wipes contain aloe vera for a soothing effect, so are baby wipes safe for cats?
The answer has two sides. Because it contains aloe vera, and if your cat happens to digest it mistakenly It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color in your cat, That’s why it is quite bad.
However, The green and watery center of the aloe plant is safe for cats and dogs, but the outer borders contain a white sap called latex, which is harmful to animals.
This latex is not found in aloe vera products or substances developed for pets, such as aloe vera extract.
So aloe vera can be used safely in wipes, but make sure the wipes you’re using are genuinely pet-friendly!
How Can You Safely Clean Your Cat?
1. Damp Cloth
The damp cloth draws the dust particles in and removes them from the area instead of moving them around. The key to using a damp cloth is using one that is merely damp and not actively wet. The best way to clean your cat is if she has recently entered the house after spending hours in the garden.
2. Paper Towel
A Paper towel is also a useful way for you to clean your cat, though it won’t be as effective as other pet wipes. But the best part about is that it is completely safe for your cat. Your cat will not feel irritated or have any other skin reaction.
3. Pet Wipes
Well, instead of asking the internet, are baby wipes safe for cats! Ask yourself that there must be pet wipes available on the internet! Because there surely are.
Pet wipes are specially formulated for pets. This means that they don’t contain any of the above mentions harmful ingredients.
The sensitive area of your cat’s body part is saved from feeling irritated.
If you want to give your cat a fresh feel, pet wipes are the best option around. Moreover, they are very helpful in eliminating the unpleasant odor coming out of your cat’s body.
4. Traditional Cat Cleaning
Brushing! Brushing your cat is the traditional way of keeping her clean and happy. Brushing your cat’s fur has many advantages.
For example, it reduces the shedding amount, fewer hairballs, and a grooming session for her which is less stressful.
To eliminate tangles from long-haired cats, start with a pin brush. Use a shedding comb or a slicker comb to remove dead hair after you’ve groomed your cat all over with the pin brush.
If your cat’s coat is short, you can brush it with a bristle brush or start with the slicker comb. Grooming your cat with grooming gloves with rubber nubs is also a wonderful idea. Grooming becomes a petting session with these gloves.
5. Dry Shampoo
When your cat is not that dirty to go for a full bath, and not that clean to leave her as it is! At this moment, you got to have a dry shampoo present on your shelf if you already don’t have it.
The best thing about dry shampoo is that they are very quick to use, and consumes very little time. They also help in killing fleas.
All you need to do is take a little amount of dry shampoo in your palm and rub it into your cat’s fur. The last step includes brushing it evenly on your cat. You won’t have to care about, are baby wipes are safe for cats if you got dry shampoo.
You don’t have to worry about your cat digesting it mistakenly, as once it gets dry, it’s safe.
6. Bathing Your Feline
If your cat looks extremely dirty, you should not think are baby wipes are safe for cats! Instead, you need to take this little buddy for a bath, because that’s the only thing she needs right now.
So here we assume that you must be knowing the basic guideline to bathe a cat.
We are stating a few points you should keep in mind for a good bathing session:
- Make everything ready, towels, and cat shampoo, this will help to ease up your cats’ anxiety.
- Make sure to use lukewarm water, it should not be too hot or too cold.
- Your cat’s face, you need to be extra careful about that, don’t directly spray water on it.
- Let your cat dry in an authentic way, you can use the dryer only on occasions.
- If you are new to it, you can seek professional help.
Conclusion
Any human with sensitive skin would think that baby wipes are the best option available around, but you need to think twice when it comes to cleaning your pets with it, especially your cats!
Almost all the ingredients in baby wipes are harmful to cats, and they can cause irritation. These ingredients include Lavender, preservatives that break down into formaldehyde, soap & detergent, triclosan, and propylene glycol. However, you can use pet wipes and dry shampoos.
Are baby wipes safe for cats?
References:
- Detergents are toxic to cats — Pet Poison Helpline
- Human wet wipes are not safe for cats — Rufus & Coco
- Everyday cleaning tips for cat owners — Figo Pet Insurance