Cat hygiene is important to the good health and happiness of your cat. Whether it’s the unenviable task of cleaning around the butt or as a quicker and easier alternative to trying to bathe your cat, cat wipes are available to help with any eventuality.
But, with so many different types from a host of manufacturers, it is important that you choose the appropriate type of wipe and one that is good quality and that will make a good job of the job at hand.
That’s why we’ve compiled reviews of ten of the best cat wipes for all needs. Read on to find which wipe is best for your cat.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Vetnique Furbliss Deodorizing Wipes
Decent price
Contain aloe and vitamin E
Leave your cat smelling pleasant
Check Price
Best Value
Wet Ones Delicate Fresh Scent Wipe
Cheap
Oatmeal soothes skin
Gentle formula suitable for kittens
Check Price
Premium Choice
Paws & Pals Aloe Vera Pet Wipe
Made from bamboo
Contain aloe and witch hazel
Do not contain harsh chemicals, parabens, or fragrance
Check Price
Vetnique Labs Pet Wipes
Designed for use on butts
Can be used on the rest of the body
Aloe vera and vitamin E soothe the skin
Check Price
Burt’s Bees Dander Pet Wipes
Cheap
Biodegradable
Helps control dander
Check Price
The 10 Best Cat Cleaning Wipes (For All Needs)
Although some cats love the experience, bathing a cat can be a real challenge. Even those that enjoy paddling in water bowls and splashing in sinks will run a mile as soon as they see the cat towel come out or you try and coax them into the bathroom. As difficult as cleaning a cat is, you don’t necessarily want them to have the feline scent.
Wipe type: Cleansing
Quantity: 100
Check Price on Chewy
Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Cleansing & Deodorizing Wipes are small moist towels that are easier to use and more comfortable for your cat. They contain aloe and vitamin E to help soothe skin and minimize itchiness, and they have a refreshing scent to leave your cat smelling good. They are reasonably priced and they can be used when traveling, for emergency cleanup, and to keep your cat clean in between bathtimes. They are the best overall cat cleaning wipes that don’t cost the earth.
However, despite the aloe and vitamin E ingredients, these wipes do contain fragrance so owners looking to avoid fragranced wipes in favor of hypoallergenic or scent-free will need an alternative.
Pros
Contain aloe and vitamin E
Leave your cat smelling pleasant
Decent price
Cons
Contains “fragrance”
Wet Ones Delicate Fresh Scent Kitten is one of a range of Wet Ones wipes but while some of the others have a strong, almost pungent, aroma, the kitten wipes are specially formulated for use on kittens so they are more delicate. This means that the aroma is also lighter.
Contain aloe and vitamin E
Leave your cat smelling pleasant
Decent price
- Contain aloe and vitamin E
- Leave your cat smelling pleasant
- Decent price
Contains “fragrance”
- Contains “fragrance”
Wipe type: Cleansing
Quantity: 30
The wipes are a good price, although a pack does only contain 30 so they may need replacing sooner rather than later, but this also prevents the last wipes in the packet from becoming too dry before you have a chance to use them. Wet Ones contain oatmeal, which is good for soothing skin and cleaning coats. The more natural aroma smells good, without being overpowering, and they do a good job of cleaning up litter debris from paws as well as other typical kitten messes.
The pack could do with being a little larger to prevent having to buy more so soon and if you need something strong that really covers up bad smells, the gentle kitten-oriented aroma in these wipes may not prove strong enough. However, they are gentle and cheap, while remaining effective, making them our best cat cleaning wipes for the money.
Pros
Gentle formula suitable for kittens
Cheap
Oatmeal soothes skin
Cons
Packet could be bigger
Not strong enough for pungent aromas
Paws & Pals Unscented Aloe Vera & Witch Hazel Cleaning & Grooming Dog & Cat Wipes are premium wipes made from bamboo, chosen for its sustainability and its soft fibers. The wipes do not contain any parabens, which are potentially harmful to cats, and are free from harsh chemicals, so they won’t irritate your cat’s skin. The wipes do utilize a combination of aloe vera and witch hazel: natural ingredients that are known for their antibacterial and cleansing properties.
Gentle formula suitable for kittens
Cheap
Oatmeal soothes skin
- Gentle formula suitable for kittens
- Cheap
- Oatmeal soothes skin
Packet could be bigger
Not strong enough for pungent aromas
- Packet could be bigger
- Not strong enough for pungent aromas
Wipe type: Cleansing
Quantity: 120
In fact, the ingredients are sensitive enough that these wipes can be used on your cat multiple times a day, so they are suitable for emergency clean up even if you have a cat that likes to roll around in mud puddles.
Although Paws & Pals claims that these have more moisture than competing wipes, they are still quite dry and if you have an especially large or dirty cat, you may have to use two wipes per clean. The wipes are expensive, but they are good for sensitive cats, and they are made from sustainable materials so are eco-friendly, too.
Pros
Contain aloe and witch hazel
Do not contain harsh chemicals, parabens, or fragrance
Made from bamboo
Cons
Expensive
Not as moist as claimed
It certainly isn’t the reason that most people buy cats, and is one of the least glamorous of pet ownership tasks, but it is essential. Whether you have a long-haired breed that gets debris caught around its butt after using the litter tray, or your cat is suffering an anal gland infection, cleaning around the butt is important.
Contain aloe and witch hazel
Do not contain harsh chemicals, parabens, or fragrance
Made from bamboo
- Contain aloe and witch hazel
- Do not contain harsh chemicals, parabens, or fragrance
- Made from bamboo
Expensive
Not as moist as claimed
- Expensive
- Not as moist as claimed
Wipe type: Anal wipes
Quantity: 75
Vetnique Labs Glanded Wipes are designed for the very purpose and Vetnique claims that they are mild enough to be used in sensitive areas but strong enough to get rid of stubborn dirt in the area. These wipes can also be used on other areas of the body to help remove other stains and dirt or for a general clean and wipe down. The wipes not only clean, but, thanks to the DeoPlex enzyme, they eliminate bad smells that also tend to persist. They use aloe vera, vitamin E, and conditioners to help soothe the area and ensure that the skin and coat continue to look good and healthy.
The wipes are quite dry and the dispensing packaging is very difficult to open without breaking it, which means that they are liable to dry out more.
Pros
Designed for use on butts
Aloe vera and vitamin E soothe the skin
Can be used on the rest of the body
Cons
Dry
Packaging is difficult to open cleanly
Burt’s Bees Dander Reducing Wipes use colloidal oat flour and aloe vera to moisturize dry skin and, therefore, help reduce the dander produced by your cat. Dander is flakes of skin from the cat that are found in the coat. It is similar to dandruff and can be as much of a problem. Ideally, you should first try to identify the reason that your cat’s skin is flaking.
Designed for use on butts
Aloe vera and vitamin E soothe the skin
Can be used on the rest of the body
- Designed for use on butts
- Aloe vera and vitamin E soothe the skin
- Can be used on the rest of the body
Dry
Packaging is difficult to open cleanly
- Dry
- Packaging is difficult to open cleanly
Wipe type: Dander reducing wipes
Quantity: 50
One possible cause of flaky skin is an allergic reaction to an environmental or even food-based source. If your cat does suffer allergies, it is wise to ensure that you do not use parabens, fragrances, or harsh chemicals when cleaning them. Burt’s Bees uses natural ingredients and a formula that is perfectly balanced for cats’ skin and coats. The wipes are cheap and are 100% biodegradable. They work on most cats, although an underlying health condition could make it impossible to clear up dander with wipes alone. They do have a strong smell, though, and it can be difficult to wipe a cat if it is deterred by the aroma.
Pros
Cheap
Biodegradable
Helps control dander
Cons
Strong smell
Wipes may not be enough for all causes of dander
Irritated skin can be horrible, and it is very difficult to convince a cat not to scratch a patch of skin that is itchy and flaky. Whatever the cause of the bad skin, an antiseptic helps ensure that the area doesn’t become infected while an antifungal can help clear up any fungal infection that might have taken hold or even caused the irritation in the first place.
Cheap
Biodegradable
Helps control dander
- Cheap
- Biodegradable
- Helps control dander
Strong smell
Wipes may not be enough for all causes of dander
- Strong smell
- Wipes may not be enough for all causes of dander
Wipe type: Antifungal
Quantity: 30
Duoxo S3 PYO Antiseptic Antifungal Dog & Cat Wipes are a convenient way to apply antiseptic. No need to rub cream in the area and it is easier to convince a cat to sit while being gently wiped rather than having its skin poked and pushed. The Duo
xo contains ophytrium which not only soothes but helps rebuild the skin barrier so that it can protect against infection. The ingredients do not include any sulfates, parabens, or soaps, so they are good for sensitive kitties and they won’t cause further irritation in an already painful spot.
The wipes are expensive, however, but they are also reasonably moist so they are easier to apply and you can get plenty of the antiseptic on the affected area.
Pros
Antiseptic fights infection
Ophytrium strengthens the skin
Decent moisture level
Cons
Expensive
Not many in a pack
Cleaning your cat’s ears is a challenge. Even if your cat will sit still for most things, having your fingers inside their ears is an unpleasant and alien experience. Even the most imid cat might turn tail and run. Therefore, anything that makes the process easier is worthwhile.
Antiseptic fights infection
Ophytrium strengthens the skin
Decent moisture level
- Antiseptic fights infection
- Ophytrium strengthens the skin
- Decent moisture level
Expensive
Not many in a pack
- Expensive
- Not many in a pack
Wipe type: Ear wipe
Quantity: 100
Vetnique Labs Oticbliss Advanced Cleaning Ear Wipes are designed for cleaning in and around the ears. They soften ear wax and clean inside the ear. They can also soothe the area: if a cat has painful or uncomfortable ears, their first instinct is to scratch to try and remove any blockage or other cause of the pain, often exacerbating the issue, rather than fixing it. The formula contains aloe vera and vitamin E, both of which soothe irritated skin and act as an antibacterial agent.
The wipes are modestly priced and have proven effective but they have a strong smell that might put some cats and even owners off.
Pros
Clean ears and soften ear wax
Soothe irritated skin
Robust wipes that are difficult to tear
Cons
Strong smell
Tear staining might be more common in dogs but it can also be a problem in some breeds of cat, while allergy sufferers are particularly prone to the telltale staining under the eyes. Another problem often caused by allergies is a collection of debris.
Clean ears and soften ear wax
Soothe irritated skin
Robust wipes that are difficult to tear
- Clean ears and soften ear wax
- Soothe irritated skin
- Robust wipes that are difficult to tear
Strong smell
- Strong smell
Wipe type: Eye wipes
Quantity: 50
Optixcare Dog & Cat Eye Cleaning Wipes are formulated using ingredients like chamomile that help to prevent irritations around the eyes while also clearing away tear stains and softening debris. Using the wipes is easy: simply wipe from the base of the eye down the cheek and remove any debris. Because these are moderately priced wipes that come in a handy accessible pack, they are suitable for travel as well as for putting in the cupboard ready for next allergy season. They are effective at softening buildup and cleaning tears and they have a mild scent that shouldn’t be too offputting for your cat.
However, they can dry out quickly so problematic eyes might require two wipes or the addition of some warm water before you’ve finished.
Pros
Soften debris buildup around the eye
Clean tear stains from the eye
Mild scent
Cons
Quite dry so need freshening up
Deodorizing wipes are used primarily to cover up or combat bad smells. They can be useful if your cat has a tendency to wee or poop on itself in the litter tray or enjoys rolling in mud and other substances while outdoors, but they can also prove a handy tool to freshen up your cat in between baths.
Soften debris buildup around the eye
Clean tear stains from the eye
Mild scent
- Soften debris buildup around the eye
- Clean tear stains from the eye
- Mild scent
Quite dry so need freshening up
- Quite dry so need freshening up
Wipe type: Deodorizing
Quantity: 100
Pogi’s Pet Supplies Deodorizing Wipes For Dogs & Cats use natural ingredients to create fresh-smelling wipes. The formula includes aloe, vitamin E, and Hawaiian Awapuhi, and while the smell might be natural, and the wipes hypoallergenic, they do have a strong smell.
The wipes themselves are made from bamboo, which is ethically sourced and completely biodegradable, and while they do have a clear smell and a decent moisture level, they are smaller than expected. The packaging has a tight opening, too, which makes it difficult to just get one wipe at a time.
Pros
Made from biodegradable bamboo
Hypoallergenic
Strong, natural scent
Cons
Hard to get the wipes out
Could be bigger
There are cat wipes for virtually every part of the body and to fulfill almost all requirements, including tooth wipes. Petkin Fresh Mint Dog & Cat Plaque Tooth Wipes are designed to get rid of daily plaque build-up and are easy to use, as long as your cat accepts you putting a wipe in its mouth.
Made from biodegradable bamboo
Hypoallergenic
Strong, natural scent
- Made from biodegradable bamboo
- Hypoallergenic
- Strong, natural scent
Hard to get the wipes out
Could be bigger
- Hard to get the wipes out
- Could be bigger
Wipe type: Tooth wipes
Quantity: 40
They are made with natural ingredients, including baking soda for its abrasive and whitening properties, and mint for its breath control. The wipes are moist so they will wipe over the teeth easily, and they are sized so that you can cover your finger with them. There’s no need for water or rinsing. While they might not have the same effect as the motion of brushing a toothbrush, some cats simply won’t accept a brush in their mouth. These wipes are a good option for those cats, in between vet cleans, and they can also be useful between brushes to help freshen up smelly breath.
Although the wipes do contain mint, they have a somewhat floral smell that some cats won’t appreciate. They are a good size, though, and hold up well to their intended use.
Pros
Clean teeth without the hassle of brushing
Mint scented to combat bad breath
Strong and moist enough for intended use
Cons
Strong floral aroma
Some cats won’t accept a wipe in their mouth
Clean teeth without the hassle of brushing
Mint scented to combat bad breath
Strong and moist enough for intended use
- Clean teeth without the hassle of brushing
- Mint scented to combat bad breath
- Strong and moist enough for intended use
Strong floral aroma
Some cats won’t accept a wipe in their mouth
- Strong floral aroma
- Some cats won’t accept a wipe in their mouth
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Cleaning Wipe (For All Needs)
When buying cat wipes, you first need to ensure that it meets the desired purpose, but there are other factors to consider, too.
Wipe Type
The first factor is the type of wipe or its intended purpose. There are wipes for an ever-increasing range of purposes, including:
Butt Wipes
Some cats get bits of poop, litter, and other debris caught in the hair around their butts after using their litter trays. Long-haired cats are especially prone to this. Other cats can suffer discharge from their anal glands. In either case, the area needs cleaning, freshening up, and can often do with some soothing because your cat is likely to have scratched and licked it. Butt wipes should have a decent smell, to get rid of the butt aroma, and they should be cleansing and sympathetic to your cat.
Ear Wipes
Ear wipes are used for cleaning in and around the ear. They are typically used on cats that suffer from wax build-up because the liquid from the wipe aids by moistening the wax. The wipes are usually formulated so that they remove dry debris and buildup around the ear passage too. These do not have to be as big as body wipes, but they should be good for sensitive cats.
Eye Wipes
Although dogs are more prone to tear stains, cats can suffer, too. It might be a sign that your cat has had an allergic reaction or is suffering sensitivity to some environmental factor, or it could be a symptom of owning certain cat breeds. The eye wipe needs to be sensitive because no matter how careful you are, there is always a risk of some of the liquid getting in the cat’s eye. Like ear wipes, these wipes do not need to be too large, but there are some that promise to clean other areas of the cat and not just the eyes.
Antiseptic Wipes
If your cat has an open sore, for example, because it has scratched a patch of irritated and dry skin too much, it is a potential infection site. Antiseptic can help prevent and combat mild infection, but it isn’t easy to apply antiseptic to a wriggling cat. With an antiseptic wipe, you can usually apply it covertly just as though you were stroking and loving the cat. These wipes tend to have a specific purpose, rather than general use, but will usually include ingredients designed to help clear up dry skin and soothe the irritated and inflamed area.
Dander Control Wipes
Dander is a collection of dead skin that collects in your cat’s fur and looks a lot like dandruff. It is unsightly and it can be a sign that your cat is suffering from dry skin or a condition like dermatitis. Try to find the source first, but you can also use dander control wipes that clear away existing dander and then moisturize the skin. This moisturization can be enough to help alleviate a skin condition and provide relief.
Tooth Wipes
Tooth wipes are not as commonplace as other types of cat wipes but they do exist. These are different from the rest of the list because they specifically replace the brushing and cleaning of teeth. They normally include mint or another aroma that eradicates and covers the smell of bad breath, and the wiping action combined with an ingredient like bicarbonate of soda also helps get rid of plaque that has built up over the day. Brushing remains a more effective means of managing your cat’s oral and dental hygiene, but where that isn’t an option, a tooth wipe is a convenient alternative.
Cleansing And Deodorizing Wipes
Cleansing and deodorizing wipes are designed to clean the coat, offer some soothing of irritable skin, and replace the smell of cat with something fresher. Some cats rarely need freshening up while others tend to roll in unidentified dirt or even pee on themselves in the litter tray. Deodorizing wipes can do a good job of getting rid of some of that smell.
Wipe Size
One thing you need to consider is the size of the wipes. When buying ear and tooth wipes, size isn’t that important because cats’ ears and mouths are relatively small. If you are buying anal wipes, bear in mind they can have a lot of work to do. If the wipe is small, you will likely need multiple wipes to finish the job, making small wipes inconvenient and more expensive. On the other hand, you don’t want a wipe that is too big or you won’t use most of it.
Moisture
Moisture is also important. All of these wipes include some form of ingredient that needs to be transmitted from the wipe to the cat. This is best done when it is in a liquid or other transmissible state. The moister the wipe, the more of the ingredients it is likely to have. Moistness is also important because a moist wipe is easier to use, runs more smoothly across the cat’s coat, and is less likely to cause or exacerbate irritable skin conditions.
Scent
Some forms of cat wipes are meant to be scented. There would be little point in a deodorizing wipe that didn’t impart an aroma, for example. Others carry the natural scent of their primary ingredients, which in the case of antiseptic and even some cleansing wipes, can be quite a chemical smell. If you see that a wipe is “unscented”, this doesn’t mean that it has no smell at all, it means that no perfume has been added to enhance or change the smell of the product.
Hypoallergenic
Cats with dander and dry skin may be suffering from an allergic reaction. At the very least, allergens and toxins are likely to make the problem worse. Hypoallergenic cat wipes aim to combat this problem by eschewing the use of allergens and foregoing the inclusion of parabens, sulfates, and artificial fragrances. They should also be free of known allergens so that they are very unlikely to cause discomfort or any reaction from your cat.
Wipe Quantity
Check the number of wipes in a pack while comparing prices. Some wipes come in packs of 100 and others only contain 30. Consider how many you will need and remember that no matter how good the packaging and the seal are, once a packet is open, the wipes will dry out sooner than if the packet remains unopened. If you will only use one wipe every few weeks, try to avoid buying a pack of 100.
Conclusion
Cat wipes serve a host of different purposes from cleaning the butt to cleaning teeth and freshening up breath. General, cleansing wipes are also popular because they can forego the need to bathe a cat, at least for the time being. With there being so many different types of wipe, it is difficult to declare which is the best overall, but we did find that the Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Wipes Cleansing & Deodorizing are good general-purpose cleaning wipes that dn’t cost too much. If you are on an even tighter budget, or just need something for emergency use, the Wet Ones Delicate Fresh Scent Kitten wipes are cheap and come in a smaller pack, so you won’t waste as many if they dry out. They are also sensitive enough that they can be used on kittens as well as cats with sensitive skin and coats.
Related read:
- 10 Best Dog Wipes – Reviews & Top Picks!
- How Do Cats Clean Themselves? Grooming Behavior Explained
Featured Image Credit: NONGASIMO, Shutterstock
