Can I Use Baby Wipes on My Cat? Facts & FAQ

All cat owners know how much cats love to groom themselves, but there may be times when your feline friend needs a little help getting completely clean, such as cleaning areas that may be hard to reach like the top of the head. So, what to do? Can you help your kitty by using baby wipes to clean these hard-to-reach areas? Unfortunately, you cannot use baby wipes on your cat due to some potentially problematic chemicals.

Read on to learn more about the hazards of using baby wipes on your kitty.

Why Are Baby Wipes Hazardous to Cats?

Baby wipes made for humans have chemicals that can be harmful to your cat. Not only that, but baby wipes made for humans are too acidic, with a much higher pH that is not suitable for your cat’s skin and hair. This is where the danger lies rather than the texture of the moistened wipe itself. If you use a baby wipe and your cat licks it off, your cat will ingest harmful ingredients.

What Chemicals Are Found in Baby Wipes?

For humans, baby wipes are quick, convenient, and safe. For cats, however, they can be toxic and harmful. Here’s a breakdown of the harmful ingredients to watch for.

Citric Acid

Citric acid is potentially harmful to cats. As a cat owner, you may be aware of the hazards of feeding citrus fruits to your cat, such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Citrus fruits can make your cat sick and cause gastrointestinal upset. However, the small amount of citric acid on a baby wipe is unlikely to cause harm as citric acid is used as a natural preservative in cat food.

---

Soaps and Detergents

Baby wipes are formulated to be gentle on a baby’s skin using gentle soaps and detergents. However, for a cat, these gentle soaps and detergents can irritate the skin, as they are not formulated for the more alkaline skin of cats.

---

Triclosan

Triclosan is not found in all baby wipes, but this antibacterial agent is a controversial ingredient due to its potential toxicity concerns vs its effectiveness against bacteria. Many people prefer to avoid triclosan for themselves and their pets. 

---

Propylene Glycol

Cats are particularly sensitive to propylene glycol. In fact, this liquid is no longer used in cat food due to its toxicity. In large doses, it can cause a blood disease called Heinz body anemia.

---

Fragrances

Most baby wipes have some sort of fragrance added for a soothing scent. Lavender is a common scent found in baby wipes that helps soothe an upset baby. However, the fragrance may be too strong and upsetting for your cat. Other scents in the wipes can also cause irritation. Some essential oils, including lavender, are toxic to cats if ingested.

What Are Safe Alternatives to Baby Wipes for Cats? 

To keep your cat healthy and safe when they need cleaning assistance, you can buy safe alternatives to baby wipes. Look for wipes that are specially formulated for cats with all-natural ingredients. Dry shampoo is also a safer alternative. In a pinch, you can use a simple wet cloth or towel to remove dirt and debris from those hard-to-reach areas.

If you're looking for an easy, safe way to clean your pet well-formulated wipes like Hepper's Wash Wipes might be just the thing. These premium wipes are designed to gently and effectively remove the dirt and grime that sticks to your pets's fur. The hypoallergenic formula is infused with soothing, moisturizing ingredients that are safe for all life stages. 

At Pet Keen, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

Final Thoughts

 While baby wipes may seem like a safe and easy method for cleaning your cat, they should be avoided due to the potentially harmful ingredients. Ingredients found in baby wipes are designed for humans and not pets. Therefore, look for wipes made specifically for cats and other pets, or you can even use a wet cloth or paper towel.

---

Featured Image Credit: heller, Shutterstock