Your cat has claimed the couch blanket, the clean towels and probably your pillow. So what's your detergent leaving on them?

Quick answer: no detergent is safe for a cat to eat. For washing, choose fragrance-free with no essential oils, use the normal dose and store it where paws can't reach.

Why cats are different

Veterinary sources note cats lack certain liver enzymes, making them more sensitive to some essential oils and aromatic compounds.^† And cats groom constantly, so what's on their bedding can end up in their mouths.

They're tiny, fluffy perfectionists. Their laundry should be simple.

What to watch for

• Essential oils. Tea tree, eucalyptus, citrus, peppermint, pine and lavender are commonly cautioned against for cats.^†
• Strong fragrance that lingers where they sleep.
• Residue from too much detergent.
• Reachable products that curious cats bat at or chew.

Cat-home laundry habits

1. Go fragrance-free and check for essential oils by plant name.
2. One sheet per normal load, plus an extra rinse for bedding if you like.
3. Store detergent closed, in a cupboard they can't open.
4. Wash cat bedding separately to keep hair contained.
5. Dry bedding fully before it goes back.

How Just 7 fits

No fragrance and no essential oils of any kind. Mild, sugar-based glucoside cleaners and nothing from animals. We made it with cats in mind.^†

If your cat chews a sheet

Take it away, check their mouth and call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away, even if they seem fine. Keep the box handy to read out the ingredients.^†

FAQ

Is laundry detergent toxic to cats? No detergent is safe to eat. On washed, rinsed fabric, fragrance-free with no essential oils is a sensible pick for cat homes.

Is lavender detergent OK for cats? Lavender oil is one veterinary sources caution about for cats.^† We leave it out.

Can I use regular detergent on my cat's bed? Choose fragrance-free, use the normal dose and rinse well.

Unscented vs fragrance-free? Not always the same. Unscented can include masking fragrance (read it).