How Often Should You Care for Cat Toys?

When it comes to cleaning cat toys, fitting it into your schedule once a month should usually suffice. There are exceptions, of course. Many cats love to carry their toys and drop them in some... well... unsavory places - say, the litter box, water bowls, the toilet - and on those occasions, you should certainly step out of your cleaning routine. That said, though, be sure to regularly check for wear-and-tear. If seams are coming loose or parts are falling off, you may want to make some minor repairs or, in extreme cases, toss the whole thing out and replace it.

When Should I Throw Out the Toy?

As I said before, there are instances when you can do some repair work, and that might be a desirable thing to do if this particular toy is a favorite. However, if the guts of your cat's favorite plushy toy simply cannot be sewn back into place, time for a new one. If your hard or plastic play things are heavily scratched and attracting all sorts of bacteria, they'll have to go. If the feathers have become brittle or bald, or other small, swallowable things are starting to fall off, there's no good reason to keep that toy around! And if the whole thing is caked in unwashable grime... you can feel pretty all right about giving it the heave-ho.

How to Care for Soft Cat Toys

Soft cat toys can include plushy kickers, dangling ropes, and fabric catnip toys. The plushy and roped varieties are among the easiest toys to care for. You can easily wash the whole thing by hand with warm water and soap. If that's not your thing, you can also throw them into a fabric bag or knotted pillow case, then run them through the washing machine. With either option, be sure to use pet-friendly, unscented detergents.

Catnip toys can be a little trickier to care for than their plush and rope-style counterparts. If they come with a removable sack of catnip, no problem. Just pop those suckers out and pick your favorite option; however, if the catnip is sewn directly into the toys, then they are definitely "hand wash only." When hand washing a catnip toy, it is best to avoid using any variety of soap or detergent, as these cleaning agents can seep into the dried herb, thus causing some undesirable side effects to your feline. Even if the soap doesn't sink in, it can strip away all of the beneficial properties, thus rendering the whole thing, well... useless.

After the toys are all cleaned up, you are left with two options: air drying or machine drying. Machine drying is infinitely quicker, but you run the risk of warping your little buddy's little buddy. Air drying takes some time, but things are more likely to stay intact. If you choose the machine option, be sure to avoid using dryer sheets, as they give off too strong a smell, and some varieties are laden with chemicals. Sewn in cat nip toys should always be air dried as, again, the heat from your dryer may render the herb inert. As for rope toys, I would definitely recommend air drying, but if you need your toy sooner rather than later, machine drying is still an option. Just be sure that your laundry bag or pillow case is secure, as the rapid tumbling may cause the whole thing to go to pieces otherwise.

How to Care for Hard Cat Toys

Hard cat toys include anything made with plastic or rubber, such as feeder toys, jingly balls, or puzzles. Your first step to this cleaning process is taking a soft sponge - be sure not to use that hard green scrubber pad, as it can create teensy, tiny scratches that will attract all sorts of bacteria - soak it in plain water, and wipe away any debris. Next, fill your sink, tub, or a large bucket with one part water, one part white vinegar, place your toys into the solution, then let them soak for 10-30 minutes. Rinse, then air dry.

There is some debate as to whether or not you can run your hard cat toys through a dishwasher. The only good answer to this is to check with the toy manufacturer. In some cases, the practice may be perfectly fine, in others, not so much - for instance, the heat might warp the toy, or small parts may break off and cause damage to both the toy and your dishwasher. If you do get the all clear from the manufacturer, be sure that the toy is securely in place, turn off the heated dry option, and avoid using any sort of detergent.

How to Care for Cat Trees and Posts

These furniture-like cat toys can turn into a frightful mess after months of use, so it's a good idea to start a regular cleaning routine right from the start. For a general monthly clean up, take down any removable bedding, and wash it as you would a plushy toy. Next, vacuum everything thoroughly, including any carpeting, fur, posts, crevices, etc. Finally, put everything back into place.

Although the cleanup I outlined above should do just fine, there are times when you'll need to do a deep clean. In those cases, go ahead and remove and wash bedding, and vacuum as you normally would. Instead of putting everything back, though, make up a bucket of warm water with just a drop of pet-friendly - preferably unscented - soap. Use a scrub brush to scrub any carpeted surfaces. Rinse out your brush and bucket, refill with clean water, then give those carpets another go! Repeat that last process several times to ensure that you have removed any remaining soap and dirt. Finally, let the whole mess dry, then put your bedding back into place.

If your post has perches with fur, you can use the same deep cleaning process, but nix the scrub brush, as it may be a little too aggressive for the delicate fabric. Instead, opt for a well-rung sponge! You can also use this method to carefully wipe away any dirt that may have accumulated on sisal rope - just make sure that you don't saturate it, and follow up with a fan or hairdryer to help speed up the drying process.

Conclusion

You know how important it is to keep your cat's litter box and food bowls clean - after all, you want to keep him healthy and vibrant for years to come - but it's easy to forget that their toys need attention, too. Now that you know how to care for cat toys, I have no doubt that it will become a part of your regular kitty-maintenance routine!