As unfortunate as it might be, we have to wash our pets’ things just like we wash our own. Just like humans, pets produce oils and shed hair and dead skin, meaning that the things they use regularly need to be cleaned. Otherwise, they start to smell, and that’s no fun.
Orange cat sleeping in a cat bed. Image via Shutterstock / Maliflower73
Just because we have to do it, however, does not mean they have to like it. In fact, most pets really like their dirty beds: they like their smell. It’s how they know it belongs to them, and without it, they can feel a little out of place. You can trust that they’re going to be as dramatic as possible about it, too.
One cat takes this to the next level. When it’s bed-washing day for him, he acts like he’s lost everything he had. Now, he just looks like a little homeless kitty you see in the sad commercials. It’s just so much drama:
Kai the cat is easily one of the funniest cats ever. Like, yes, she’s washing your bed. Is there anywhere else you could go to lie down? Yes. This is a house full of cozy furniture… And he chooses to rest his tail on some dirty slippers. Talk about overkill!
The way he’s sitting is really what gets me. He’s crossing his paws over his body as if he’s trying to keep himself modest. You’d think she literally stole the fur off his back to make a coat! Don’t worry, though: once she finishes washing his bed, it’ll be all good again.
Related: Cat Who Looks Like Toby From ‘The Office’ Is the Sweetest Boy
Until the next time she has to wash his stinky bed, of course. Then it restarts. Also, they’ll have beef for a while after: his fresh bed doesn’t stink like it used to. It’ll take him a while to build that back up!
In fact, she followed it up with a video of him and his bed being reunited. It’s just like she anticipated:
The side eye is everything. Heaven forbid his mom wants him to have a clean place to sleep and lounge!
Cat Beds Need Frequent Cleanings
A lot of people don’t necessarily think of cats as “dirty” like dogs are, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that most cats don’t go outside. We don’t think they have as much opportunity to get “dirty.”
However, even if your cat has never stepped one paw outside, you should still be spot-cleaning their bed every day, and then washing the whole thing once a month. Most cat beds are machine washable, at least for the cover, but always double check the care tag. You should also be cleaning their cat trees regularly!
Poor Kai, though. Bed washing day is the toughest day of them all!
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Dec 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.