Pretty sure it's not a great ideal to get them wet but my motto is drive em like ya stole em they seem to last longer lol.
Well the issue is getting at it to clean it, but yup, cleaning the filter (which would let your cat through) is a good start. My unit is 10 years old and never shuts off, the blower has been cleaned once but filters and coil are cleaned quite often .... Well that's a lie lol....not to often, no time, fixing other people's lol.
Hard? Remove covers and blow out along with the cleaning sprays! That's all my neighbor does. I help him with it once in a while, when his back is acting up!......Window rattlers should be cleaned the same way every 6 months! The reduction of efficiency by running a dirty unit is bigger then you think!
No it's not re effiency, trust me I know lol. Subcooling is reduced, causing excessive flash gas at metering device, super heat could be reduced causing liquid to enter compressor, bad things happen to valves when trying to compress liquids..... Yup I know lol. And yes cleaning them is a pain in the ass!! Some are easier but not many. Taking the cover off to access coil is a chore unto itself. Then you still need to get at the blower wheel which usually means removing it and motor. But yes keeping them clean from the start is key before crud builds up. Letting the blades fill with dirt will let the motor over amp as well. But yup trust me, takin about a 1000 apart and nope not fun lol.