Cats: Nature's Cleanest Pets

Cats are widely considered to be clean animals, spending countless hours grooming themselves. The average cat spends a significant portion of its day cleaning its fur, removing grease, dirt, and debris. Their barbed tongues have multiple purposes, including removing dead or loose fur, reducing their scent, controlling body temperature, and increasing circulation. Cats also bury their waste, which is a survival instinct to remain invisible to predators. While cats are generally fastidious self-cleaners, they may require assistance with cleaning their inner ears as they are difficult to reach. Additionally, older cats or those with mobility issues may need help with grooming. Overall, cats are known for their personal hygiene and are easily litter-trained, contributing to their reputation as clean animals.

Cats are clean because they groom themselves

Cats are well-known for their cleanliness, and this is largely due to their meticulous grooming habits. They are often described as immaculate creatures, spending a significant amount of their time—up to 50% of their waking hours—grooming themselves. This dedication to personal hygiene is driven by their instinct for survival as mesopredators. By staying clean and scent-free, cats reduce their chances of being detected by predators.

The barbed structure of a cat's tongue serves multiple purposes in maintaining cleanliness. It helps remove dead or loose fur, improving skin circulation and facilitating the growth of new hair. Additionally, it strips away food scents from their whiskers and fur, further reducing the risk of attracting predators. The act of grooming also helps control body temperature and keeps their coat free from fleas and other parasites.

Cats are known to be particular about their hygiene, and they will go to great lengths to keep themselves clean. They regularly groom their fur with sterile saliva, ensuring it remains unscented. This process of self-cleaning is so effective that cats rarely need to be bathed, unless they have encountered something unhealthy or unpleasant like a skunk.

The cleanliness of cats extends beyond just their physical appearance. They are also known for their litter box habits, burying their waste to hide any signs of their presence from potential predators. This behaviour demonstrates their strong instinct for hygiene and self-care.

In summary, cats are clean animals, and their reputation for cleanliness is well-deserved. Their dedication to grooming and self-care is not just for appearance but also serves a vital survival purpose. Through their meticulous grooming habits, cats ensure they remain scent-free and less detectable by predators. This natural instinct for cleanliness is what makes cats such fastidious self-cleaners.

Cats' saliva is a cleaning agent

Cats are well-known for their self-grooming habits, spending a significant portion of their time awake cleaning themselves with their unique tongues. While cat saliva is not anti-bacterial, it does contain several proteins and enzymes that act as natural antibacterial agents, including lactoferrin and nitrate. These compounds, found in the saliva of many animals, provide protection against bacteria and fungi.

Lactoferrin, for example, can bind to iron, preventing bacteria from using it as a nutrient. Meanwhile, nitrates break down into nitric oxide upon contact with skin, inhibiting bacterial growth. This is why cats spend a lot of time—up to a quarter to half of their waking hours—grooming themselves. By applying saliva to their fur, cats can eliminate harmful bacteria and keep their coats smooth and healthy.

The small spines on a cat's tongue, known as papillae, play a crucial role in this process. Made of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails, these spines are sharp and curved, with hollow tips. This design enables them to efficiently collect and distribute saliva onto the cat's fur during licking. The papillae act like a comb, lifting dust, loose hair, dead skin, and other debris with each lick. The spines are all oriented in the same direction, making it easier to remove trapped or knotted fur.

Additionally, the antibacterial properties of cat saliva are not solely limited to their own wounds. Research has shown that cat saliva can kill certain types of bacteria responsible for causing gum disease in humans. However, it is important to note that cat saliva can also harbour harmful bacteria and pathogens that can be transmitted to other cats and humans, potentially causing various infections and diseases.

In summary, while cat saliva does possess some cleaning properties, it is not entirely "clean" by human standards. It is advisable to maintain good hygiene practices when interacting with cats to minimise the risk of potential infections.

Cats bury their waste

Cats are well-known for their cleanliness, and burying their waste is a natural part of their hygiene habits. While it may seem like a simple act of cleanliness, there are several reasons behind this behaviour. Firstly, it is an instinctual behaviour that stems from their territorial nature. Cats use urine and faeces to mark their territory, and burying their waste is a way to hide their scent from other cats. In the wild, smaller and weaker cats will bury their waste to avoid challenging more dominant cats.

Additionally, burying waste helps cats stay concealed from both predators and prey. By hiding their waste, cats reduce the chances of being detected by larger predators that may view them as a potential meal. It also prevents prey species from catching wind of their scent, ensuring the cat remains a stealthy hunter. This behaviour is not just limited to wild cats, as even domesticated indoor cats exhibit these self-preservation instincts.

The act of burying waste also stems from a cat's natural instincts to protect themselves and their young. By concealing their waste, cats avoid attracting unwanted attention from predators to their nest of kittens. This behaviour is also a sign of recognition of their owners as the dominant "cat" in the house. When a cat chooses not to use a litter box, it may be a sign of illness or a display of dominance over their human companions.

Lastly, cats are particular about their toileting habits due to their vulnerability during this activity. They seek a safe and private location to do their business, often steering clear of areas near their food and water sources to avoid contamination. This preference for a secluded and hygienic toileting environment further reinforces their waste-burying behaviour.

Cats need help cleaning their ears

Cats are well-known for their self-grooming habits, but there is one area they need help with: their ears. While cats are generally clean animals, ear cleaning is an important part of your cat's hygiene routine, as they cannot clean their ears themselves. Here are some tips to help you keep your cat's ears clean and healthy:

Signs Your Cat Needs Ear Cleaning:

Firstly, it's essential to understand when your cat needs an ear cleaning. Some signs that indicate your cat's ears need attention include:

• Ear scratching: Frequent ear scratching, along with loss of fur around the ears, tearing at the edges, bleeding, or scabs, can indicate a need for ear cleaning.
• Earwax buildup: The insides of healthy cat ears are usually pink. If you notice a black, splotchy appearance, it may be due to excessive earwax. Ear mites are a common cause of earwax overproduction in cats.
• Infection: Look out for redness, discharge, or a persistent odour. If your cat is shaking its head or rubbing its ears on the floor, it may indicate an infection.

Choosing the Right Cleaner:

When it comes to choosing an ear cleaner, it is highly recommended to use a good-quality ear cleaning solution specifically formulated for cats. Avoid using cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as these can irritate the delicate ear canal, especially if it is inflamed or ulcerated. Instead, opt for cleaners with antibacterial or antifungal properties to help prevent infections. Consult your veterinarian for advice on choosing the most suitable ear cleaning solution for your cat.

Supplies Needed:

Ear cleaning doesn't require any special equipment. Along with the ear cleaning solution, you will need cotton balls or gauze to wipe away debris and clean the outer parts of the ear. You may also want to have some treats on hand to reward your cat after the cleaning session.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Cat's Ears:

• Position yourself comfortably and place your cat on your lap. If your cat is resistant or anxious, wrapping them securely in a towel can help keep them calm.
• Gently grasp the tip of the ear flap (known as the pinna) and pull it back slightly to expose and straighten the ear canal.
• With one hand, hold the ear flap gently but firmly. With the other hand, hold the ear cleaning solution bottle.
• Squeeze a sufficient amount of the cleaning solution into your cat's ear canal. It's okay if some spill out. Ensure the bottle tip doesn't come into direct contact with the ear to avoid spreading bacteria or yeast.
• Massage the base of the ear below the opening for about 30 seconds. This helps distribute the cleaning solution and break up any debris in the ear canal.
• Using cotton balls or gauze, carefully wipe away any debris from the inner part of the ear flap and the upper ear canal.
• Allow your cat to shake its head to remove any remaining solution and debris from the ear canal.
• Once again, hold the ear flap and use cotton balls or gauze to remove any remaining debris and solution from the outer opening of the ear canal. Be careful to not insert anything, including your finger, too far into the ear canal.
• Praise your cat and offer treats to make the experience positive and rewarding.

Important Considerations:

• Always inspect your cat's ears for any signs of infection, inflammation, or injury before cleaning. If you notice any abnormalities, consult your veterinarian for advice.
• Be gentle and speak to your cat in a soft, soothing voice during the ear cleaning process.
• Avoid using cotton-tipped applicators (Q-tips) as they can damage the ear canal and eardrum and push debris further into the canal.
• Consult your veterinarian to determine how often your cat's ears should be cleaned. Over-cleaning can irritate the ear canal and lead to infections.
• If your cat appears to be in pain during the cleaning process, stop immediately and seek veterinary advice.

Cats need help maintaining oral cleanliness

Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits, but they often need help maintaining oral cleanliness. While they may be able to keep their coats clean and tangle-free, their teeth are a different story.

Dental disease is one of the most common conditions affecting domestic cats, with up to 90% of cats experiencing periodontal issues by the age of four. This is partly due to the accumulation of bacteria, food debris, and plaque on their teeth, which can lead to gingivitis and other gum problems if not removed regularly.

Cats in the wild would naturally clean their teeth by chewing on bones or grass, but domestic cats often don't have access to these items. As a result, plaque can build up on their teeth, leading to inflammation and infection of the gums. This can cause pain and make it difficult for cats to eat or drink. In severe cases, tooth extraction may be necessary to alleviate the pain.

To prevent dental issues, it is important to establish a good oral hygiene routine for your cat from an early age. This includes regular brushing with a cat-safe toothpaste, as well as annual veterinary dental cleanings. Cat owners should also be mindful of the type of food and treats they give their cats, as hard food and treats can help scrape plaque and biofilm off the teeth.

Additionally, it is crucial to be aware of the signs of dental disease in cats, such as bleeding in the mouth, discolored or chipped teeth, and swelling of the face under the eye. If left untreated, dental disease can lead to serious systemic conditions, including kidney, liver, and heart disease.

By providing proper oral care and maintenance, cat owners can help ensure their feline friends maintain good oral health and avoid painful dental issues.

Frequently asked questions