How Clean Are Cats?
April 16, 2026
A Study in Fastidiousness
Susan Cook Henry
At CFA, we know cats, right? And we know that most, if not all, of our readers have at least one cat. Our cats give us hours of time to observe and learn their habits while eating, playing, sleeping, and … grooming. Cats are fastidious by nature – some more than others. Watching a cat wash its face and paws after eating is a study in cleanliness, and, for many of us, a relaxing routine to view.
Self-grooming for cats begins with their tongues, which we also know are in stark contrast to those of dogs. The warm, soft lick of a puppy or a dog feels quite different from that of a kitten’s or cat’s rough tongue, its surface populated with hook-like papillae that feel like sandpaper on our skin. “When papillae are not needed, they lie flat against the tongue, but when it’s time to put them to use, the cat can stand them upright through a muscular reflex.”1 This design becomes a personal fine-tooth comb – flicking over the coat while wetting and polishing the surface of each hair shaft and the skin it can reach. And surfaces that can’t be reached by the tongue itself are given a number of rubs with a damp paw over the eyes and behind the ears.
Built-In Grooming Tools
The tongue helps keep the coat and skin in condition as it “lifts dust, debris, loose hair, and dry skin off the cat’s coat, all of which can irritate the skin and lead to health problems. The act of grooming also improves circulation under the skin, helps regulate temperature, and distributes natural conditioning oils to keep the fur shiny and healthy.”1 Unfortunately, this action also forces loose hair to the back of the throat, where it is ingested and can form hairballs. This is where our help is necessary by gentle grooming with a brush or comb to help loosen and remove fur that is ready to go, especially as winter comes to an end and the hours of daylight increase. Longhaired cats in particular will need extra attention because the tongue can only do so much on long, thick coats. The tongue also serves an important function when eating and is, by design, a rasp-like instrument meant to remove all bits of meat from the bones of prey. Well, that may be true for feral cats … but our treasured indoor felines are quite happy with the delectable diets we provide them!
A cat’s saliva is another key in helping to keep it clean since it contains a number of natural enzymes which help break down food, fight bacteria, control odor, and heal wounds.2 And just because “heal wounds” sounds like a good thing, well, it is … if you are a cat! Some of the bacteria in a cat’s saliva can be dangerous if introduced to human skin through a scratch or a bite. Your cat may enjoy licking your hand or fingers, and that is fine – just be sure you have no broken skin, and wash your hands after the love session is over. The “lick of love” a cherished kitty bestows upon the lucky owner can also substantiate the serious purpose of those remarkable papillae.
Self-Grooming: How Much Is Too Much?
It is not unusual for a cat to spend a decent amount of time grooming itself, especially after meals (or upon an awkward landing – to prove it was completely intentional). But some cats groom themselves more than they need to, which can cause them to “lose fur in strips along their back, belly, or inner legs. The affected areas may be completely bare or have very short stubble.”3 This, in turn, can lead to a variety of other issues, including potential sunburn on overgroomed areas, rashes, and even open wounds. Cats who overgroom tend to pull out more fur than normal, which can lead to excessive hairballs. “If your cat is unable to bring these hairballs up, they may become constipated or develop intestinal blockages from the fur building up in the digestive tract.”3 A visit to a veterinarian may be necessary to determine the cause of overgrooming, which could be the result of anything from allergy or infection to pain or stress, or even “boredom if their daily routine lacks proper enrichment.”3
A variety of solutions can be discussed, including keeping your cat on a definite routine, because they like regular schedules. Keeping your cat active with play is important, not only for exercise but as a distraction from overgrooming. If necessary, anti-anxiety medications or other calming products found online can be helpful, but do discuss their use with your veterinarian.
On A Lighter Note …
There has been some debate about feline cleanliness when it comes to the subject of that bare rosy-pink area beneath the base of a cat’s tail – yep, the anal area – and whether it comes in direct contact with surface areas when a cat sits down. A few years ago, an ambitious sixth-grader took that question head-on and created a science project to find answers, beginning with purpose and hypothesis to evaluating via materials and procedure. Kaeden Griffin put lipstick on the “bumholes” of his cats, Taco (a shorthair boy) and Maya (a girl with a slightly longer, denser coat), and had them sit on a variety of surfaces. His cats had been trained to follow a variety of commands, so when asked to “Sit!” on anything from a floor to paper to furniture to bedding, the cats complied. The results showed that hard surfaces revealed no contact from either cat, though shorthaired Taco did leave “two light smears” on bedding. The conclusion was that, in general, most household surfaces are safe … but beware if you find your shorthaired kitty ensconced in your bed or on a pile of laundry.
And what about those cats with very little or no fur in their nether regions? It appears a definitive study has yet to be done for Sphynx or Rex-coated cats. A solution there is likely to be the occasional “evil butt wipe,” a term expropriated from a good friend, a renowned breeder of Devon Rex!
Sources
- Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP. August 9, 2023, “5 Facts About Cat Tongues,” accessed February 4, 2026: https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/five-facts-about-cat-tongues
- “How Clean Is Cat Saliva? What You Should Know About Your Cat’s Tongue,” accessed February 13, 2026: https://www.pawpots.com/learn/how-clean-is-cat-saliva
- Natalie Stilwell, DVM. January 10, 2025, “Why Cats Overgroom and How You Can Stop It,” accessed February 13, 2026: https://www.petmd.com/cat/general-health/how-tell-if-your-cat-over-grooming