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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Can I wash her little paws...? And what is safe?

77 replies

BulletFox · 16/12/2017 17:49

We've just made the transition from her being an outdoor cat to indoor.

She's coping really well. But I did wonder about attempting to wash her little paws every day though I'm not sure what would be a safe washing agent and how she'd react.

Could be kitty claws at the ready!

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 16/12/2017 18:19

You could try her with a cat tree, if you have room for one. Also, get two litter trays, as they often like to poo in one and wee in the other.

Want2beme · 16/12/2017 20:16

One of my cats was a very messy litter tray user and I often had to clean his paws, bless him. You could put some newspaper or similar around the litter tray for her to step onto, if she's stepping in her mess in the tray.

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 21:02

Want2beme yeah she is a scrabbler.

I was completely horrified when we first got her and she pawed so vigorously at the litter tray that it went flying and kitty poo splattered against the door.

What is safe to wash little paws with though?

OP posts:
Want2beme · 16/12/2017 21:21

I used to use non scented wipes. A cloth and warm water is ok as well. Is used to have to wipe his bottom and very fluffy tail as well. He was a very messy boy. By the way, he lived to the age of 20!

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 21:22

Thanks Want2beme, I'll get something tomorrow

OP posts:
EgremontRusset · 16/12/2017 21:23

Just water should be enough, to wipe on a damp cotton wool pad, if she has lots of poo between her foot pads and you don’t want her eating it. But remember they lick their bums and don’t get ill from it so I reckon she’ll be fine unless she has diarrhoea.

Wolfiefan · 16/12/2017 21:24

If the tray is big enough and cleaned out often enough you really shouldn't need to do this.

ocelot41 · 16/12/2017 21:24

Why do you need to wipe your cats paws? Is your cat prone to treading in poo and walking all over the house? If not,bit sounds really excessive - I doubt s/he will like it. Is cleanliness a bit of an issue for you OP?

ScreamingValenta · 16/12/2017 21:26

You can buy 'pet wipes' from Pets at Home - I've used them on the dog but they're suitable for cats too.

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 21:28

ocelot no I'm a complete slob Grin

I just need to make sure she's safe and happy and that the flat is clean. So wondered about washing her paws as she's an indoors cat now for the first time in her life.

This could end badly with me ending up in A&E covered in blood, I'll find out tomorrow:)

OP posts:
MrsGrindah · 16/12/2017 21:29

Don’t know the answer but I feel we need a photo .....

kateclarke · 16/12/2017 21:31

OMG I’m dying at wellies and I haven’t even got a cat

onlyonaTuesday · 16/12/2017 21:32

We had to wash the cat once when he came home covered in oil.
He was fine, I however needed stitches and a tetanus after we had cleaned him.

Wolfiefan · 16/12/2017 21:39

Cats don't generally need any washing at all. You risk her reacting to any product you use. Unless she's actually covering herself in poo then you should really leave well alone.
She will be safe and happy without washing.

Fiona1984 · 16/12/2017 21:52

I've washed my kitten's feet a few times, just with warm water. When I first got him he had some stomach issues and often ended up with poopy feet. Rather than him track it through the house, i run a little water in the bath, stand him in it and gently rub his feet.
Had to do it again today, I think he licked some leftover food in the kitchen. He's getting less and less keen on baths as he grows. He did give me a kiss when I took him out though, so I think he forgave me :)

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 21:57

Fiona, a happy outcome!

I don't know how mine will take to it so will investigate tomorrow...very gently...

Cat kiss means you're forgiven.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 16/12/2017 22:10

Really can't see the point. Doubt your cat will be impressed.

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/12/2017 22:10

A clean trays cleaner than soil in this country. Damp soil is feotid.

Autocorrect wants to write fetid Grin

Weedsnseeds1 · 16/12/2017 23:25

Cats are pretty much self cleaning in my experience.
Something like water based baby wipes might do the trick?
But remember cat bites and scratches can get infected very easily and you really should seek medical advice asap if you get seriously mauled.

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 23:31

Umm...well we've only just moved and the transition hasn't been easy for her let alone me.

Weeds I'll phone a vet on Monday and seek advice and might tentatively attempt a tepid water wash tomorrow (and avoid little claws)

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/12/2017 23:33

Leave her paws alone unless she has stepped in her poo.

OtterInDisgrace · 16/12/2017 23:41

Please, please, PLEASE do not wash her paws as part of some daily ritual. Cats are very clean animals and she will clean her own feet when she is grooming.

If you introduce any kind of cleaning product she will be licking that off on a daily basis and you could very well upset her insides, leading to all sorts of problems.

Unless her feet are caked in shit - and we’re talking very occasionally here! - absolutely no intervention from you is necessary.

I’m trying to be helpful but am quite horrified at you thinking this might be necessary.

OlennasWimple · 16/12/2017 23:50

Don't joke about the boots...!

Get a mat to go under the litter tray to catch most of the flying litter and to give her something to step onto and shed any excessive litter / other stuff that might be on her paws

On the handful of occasions where we have had to clean a cat's paw, a clean flannel wetted with tepid water has done the job in all but one occasion, when a scent free baby wipe had to be deployed. But we are talking about 5-6 times over 14 years of owning two cats - it's really not a frequent occurence

I wouldn't worry about poo in the courtyard either - cats prefer to do their business somewhere private and (ideally) somewhere they can dig. It's unlikely that she will be relaxed enough to poo in the middle of a public, paved area.

Original poster
BulletFox · 16/12/2017 23:51

Otter I just wondered...she's not used to being indoors and I certainly wouldn't launch at her clutching bleach/dettol.

I'll check with vet Monday although I'll try warm water wash tomorrow (no detergent) and see how she reacts

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 16/12/2017 23:54

But why, just why would you need to?? Leave her paws alone