I'm not worried about something I've made falling apart - I do usually wash a quilt before sending it on it's way. When we had cats, they usually participated in the process. Not everyone is as fond of cats as I am.
There was one exception to the washing before gifting - I took the king-sized hummer out to my daughter-in-law for her to check it - and there was no way she was going to let it out of her possession! (She had waited a LONG time for it!)