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Cat Central at LovingOurHome.com. The place for people who love and treat their cats like family.

Tips and advice for true blue cat lovers.

 

Must Have Items for Multi-Cat Households

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As a cat caregiver who took over responsibility for my Mother’s cats after she passed, I know how important it is to have the right tools and products to manage them easily and properly. You also want to keep your home clean, comfortable, and smelling nice.

Below, find some of the products I’ve purchased and use in my multi-cat household. You can probably get them all for around $100-$150 total, and they’re worth every penny. Hope this helps!

Must Haves for Multi-Cat Households:

It’s a little unrealistic to think that you can supply your multiple cats with new food and water every single day. After all, you may not even be able to do that for yourself sometimes. These high capacity food bowls and waterers will help give you some relief. Yes, the dog is featured in the photo but they are also useful for feeding and watering multiple cats.

Choose whatever food you feel is right for your cat (because this is a very important decision). A grain free food like this one offered by Wellness is a good pick in my opinion. Consult with your trusted vet to be sure.

A cat Litter Genie is an absolute must if you have multiple cats. The box allows you to trap waste in a secure location, inside of a bag, where you can spray with bug spray or deodorizer to keep the smell in check. You can then empty it once or twice a week. While pet waste bags are provided and can be reordered, you may also choose to use your own biodegradable bags.

When you have to scoop up after 3, 4 or more cats in a day, especially after work and other household duties, who wants to lean over? This standing cat litter scooper makes things much easier.

Cats love to dig just like dogs do. When they are trying to cover up their waste, they will kick the litter everywhere. Find a litter box preferably with an open top that has high sides to prevent litter from getting on your carpet or floor.

Just about any cat litter will do as long as you’re pets like it, but this one is convenient because if you have multiple floors and kitties it is easier to carry one or two bags at a time. Compare that to lugging a 40 lb container up your stairs.

I like to use peppermint spray for litter boxes and other areas in the cat area because it is considered safer than spraying with other pest control products.

Pet freshener for the carpet is a must-have if you have multiple cats.

This cat litter mat captures a lot of the excess litter that comes out of the litter box when your cats are finished doing their business. You can pour the litter back into the box, or dispose of it.

If you prefer a classic cat litter mat, this one will capture the granules and give them a satisfying place to scratch.

Tent beds can be a hit with cats. It’s like a little house within the house.

I have had to transport my cats around on many occasions in my car, whether for vet appointments or road trips. This cat backpack allows you to take them around your neighborhood or to the park or anywhere you wish, like the pet store while ensuring that they are safe and secure.

Products for Multiple Cat Households
Image by luxstorm from Pixabay

The Cat Backpack: Take Your Indoor Cat Outside with You Safely

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I learned about this neat pet cat backpack while browsing social media posts. It makes a lot of sense if you have an indoor cat and want them to experience outside safely every now and then.

The mesh sides and top front allow them to enjoy the fresh air comfortably while being safe inside. Zip it up just as you would a regular backpack. There is a zip up pocket on the side for storing small items, like treats. 
This cat backpack makes it easy to take your kitty on a short hike or walk in the park on a sunny day.

This Cat Backpack Lets You Take Your Indoor Kitty Outside to Experience Mother Nature Up Close

Take your cat on a test run in your backyard first to make sure she/he is comfortable and ok being inside of the backpack.

You might also want to treat your cat with Revolution or your trusted flea treatment if you plan to have a picnic or let her/him out during your outing. 

Cat lovers who visit pet stores that allow pets can feel a little more relaxed bringing them inside when there are dogs around.

If you have kittens or small cats it might be ok for two, but I’d probably recommend one cat at a time.

It’s a well-made, good quality backpack. Another smart solution for cat lovers!

LOH Reviews 

Easy Home Life Hacks

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Managing your life is multi-faceted. There are so many things you have to take care of in the course of a day. On top of that, you also have to keep your home in order, so any tips for how to keep things simple will help. Here are a few easy home life hacks that will help you keep things in order, clean, organized, and well maintained.

Kitchen Stuff

Bowl Covers

You can find simple bowl covers at your local dollar store that will help preserve your food and leftovers more efficiently than trying to cover it up with a piece of plastic or Reynolds wrap. They are usually divided up in different sizes.

A Slice of Lime Helps Preserve an Open Avocado

You know how an avocado gets really brown and unappetizing when you finally decide to open one and store the rest? You can prevent the browning by placing it in a Ziplock bag with a slice of lime. Be sure to change the slice of lime out every few days.

Put Your Strawberries on Ice

Just about everyone likes strawberries, but they tend to lose their freshness so quickly. One way to revive your strawberries is to add them to a bowl with ice. Put the bowl in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy them. Also, remember that you can always freeze your strawberries and use them in Nutribullet smoothies.

Spritz Your Drain with Antibacterial Spray

They say that besides table tops, the drain is one of the dirtiest places in your household. Keep it disinfected by simply spritzing it every now and again with an antibacterial spray.

Freeze Your Food Trash

I learned this from someone. When you put food in your garbage can, it spoils after a few days and could attract pests. Plus, it smells. Instead, put a bag in your freezer to store food trash before garbage day.

Managing Recyclables

You probably know by now how important it is to properly dispose of recyclables, and many areas offer convenient pick up of recyclables on certain days. During the week, use a separate indoor recycling trash can or a secure trash bag that you can use repeatedly to store items. If the items contain the remnants of food waste, try to find room in your freezer to store them there until recycling day.

Pet Stuff

Invest in a Litter Genie

When I was first introduced to the litter genie, I did not know what its purpose was, and pretty much ignored it. What I really thought I wanted was someone who could just scoop the litter for me! But this simple investment was something I needed all along as a long-time cat owner. It traps the waste in a bag so that you can isolate it and dispose of it easily. You can also use a natural cat spray or bug spray in the trapped waste to keep flies away.

Click here for more tips about managing cats, especially if you have a multiple cat household.

Cats Love to Be Brushed or Combed

If you are a busy person, you might not have too much time to spend playing with your cat. But the time you do spend with them, do something that they will really love. Get a cat brush or comb so that you can give them a gentle massage. They love it. Consider this glove for grooming cats that will make things even easier.

Bathroom Stuff

Bleach It

Even if you are the laziest person when it comes to cleaning up your bathroom, you can cut a lot of corners by simply using bleach. Yes, the bleach cleaners can help. But common regular bleach poured on just about anything will help it get white and clean in a matter of minutes. Then you can spray and scrub the surface down easily.

Mini Washer for Small Laundry Loads

Tired of making runs to the laundromat to get your underwear or t-shirts clean? It’s especially annoying to have to wait around for your load to finish and then dry. Instead, invest in a mini washing machine, which you can keep in your bathroom or bedroom. Add water, and just a bit of detergent (not too much), then let it wash, drain, and spin.

Floor Maintenance

Spin That Mop

If you haven’t already heard of it, put a spinning mop on your to-buy list. A spinning mop allows you to spin the soiled water out of your mop so that you aren’t just transferring dirt around your floor.

Clorox Swiffer

Sometimes you just don’t feel like going through the motions of filling up a mop buckets and cleaning your floor that way. In between moppings, use a Swiffer with Clorox wet mopping cloths to keep things tidy and fully sanitized. It takes about 5 minutes to finish up a room.

Beauty Care

Comb Straightening Iron

If you have a bed of hair that doesn’t want to cooperate, all you want to do is get it to a place where it feels soft and manageable. A straightening comb iron for your hair will help do the job. It works on just about every grade of hair. If you’ve been spending the pandemic not liking the way you look because of haircare issues, isn’t $50 or so worth getting things back into place? Be sure to use a heat protectant spray for hair before using a blow dryer or straightening comb.

Hair Removal Strips

Instead of spending $20 to have your eyebrows waxed or sculpted, spend about $15 and do it yourself week after week. Use facial hair removal strips, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy or online and will probably last for up to a year. Cut each strip into eyebrow shapes, with your desired curvature. Carefully apply them above and below your brows, then pull them off quickly to get the look you want.

Use these easy home life hacks to make your daily tasks easier. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to get things in order.

How I’ve Learned to Manage 8 Cats Without Losing It (Too Much LOL)

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After my mother passed recently, I took responsibility for her four cats—even though I already had four of my own. I did so because the other siblings wanted to just throw them in a shelter, even though a couple of the cats were in the family for close to 20 years. Those siblings are not animal lovers and refused to help with any of the cats. (Sometimes I think some humans should be thrown in cages or shelters instead; the ones who just have no compassion.)

In any case, managing eight cats is definitely not easy, especially on my own. They have different personalities, quirks, and annoyances. At first when taking them in, I became discouraged and overwhelmed by it all.

Thankfully I have several bedrooms. So I set them up in their own rooms and made them as comfortable as possible. It took time for me to get used to the idea of managing so many cats on a daily basis. I also had to learn to keep things in the proper perspective so that I could keep my head on straight and continue with a normal semblance of a life.

If you are in a similar situation, caring for multiple cats, here are a few tips for how to manage them while keeping yourself mentally balanced.

1) Put Cat Cleanup Time into Perspective

Recognize that clean-up for cats only takes about 10-15 minutes per day. Then you have the rest of the day to yourself. Close to 24 hours! When you put it in that perspective, it doesn’t seem so stressful. Invest in a long handled litter scooper so that you don’t have to bend over, trust me on this one.

2) Make a Once Per Month Errand Run for Cat Supplies

Get enough supplies (cat food and litter) to last you for the month so that you only have to make one trip each month. Keep everything stacked in one convenient place. I usually get about two and a half bags of food and two packs of litter. I like to buy litter that comes in individual packs so that I can keep small bags in each cat room. They are easier to carry than lugging one 38-40 pound pail around.

3) Don’t Feel Bad About Having to Put the Cats in a Room

I used to allow a bunch of cats to run around my house and they would drive me batty! Constantly meowing at me, running around my feet, begging for my food, and sleeping on top of me. They can be very comfortable in a room as long as you keep them supplied and make sure the room is temperate in the summer and winter. If you feel guilty, consider the fact that cats at shelters have to live in kennels and don’t have much room to move around. A special cat room with towers and toys is like a mansion compared to that, plus it helps them calm down.

4) Invest in Medium to Large Cat Feeders and Waterers

Choose cat feeders and waterers depending on how many cats you have. Ideally, they will provide them with food and water for up to a week before needing a refill. This helps minimize your need to keep filling up bowls each day.

5) Remember that Cats Are Very Self-Sufficient

Know that cats are very self-sufficient and can be fine on their own for three to four days if necessary as long as you leave them plenty of litter in a big box, food, and water. So, if you need to skip a day of cat cleanup for a mental health day, or to take a weekend trip for self-care, do not hesitate to do so.

6) Avoid Spoiling Your Cats

You have to stick to a routine with cats. They are creatures of habit and will eventually adjust to the routine. But if you break it to cater to them, they will start to want things that way all of the time. They can be very demanding and will start to think they are in charge. For example, I allowed one of my cats to sleep on the bed in my room for a few nights and he started to take over my space, waking me up at night. When I finally had to put him back in his space (in this case the living room) he started yowling and scratching at my bedroom door. Hold firm and get them back into their routine—it usually takes a few days for them to readjust. If you have a particularly insistent cat, there are motion activated sprayers that will discourage the behavior.

7) Invest in Litter Genies to Place Next to Each Litter Box

Litter Genies are handy contraptions that trap litter waste so that you can easily dispose of it after a few days. Not only that, it keeps the litter smell under control. I also spray the litter waste with a bit of bug spray before releasing it into the bag. If you don’t want to keep buying the refill bags, you can use old grocery bags or go environmentally friendly with biodegradable pet waste bags.

8) Keep a Supply of Nature’s Care Peppermint Spray

You can spritz your cats’ litter boxes with this peppermint spray every now and again to minimize the smell of cat waste and keep the box clean. It’s also a safe alternative to regular bug spray, so usually okay around pets. Use in moderation until you’re sure. Use it to spray around cat areas and open windows.

9) Give Them a Comfy Place to Curl Up

If you don’t know by now, most cats will tend to find a special spot to relax and sleep. It might be a chair, a mat on the floor, or a cat bed. Make sure you give them options. And in warmer weather, open a window so that they can sun bathe and feel a breeze. You might want to invest in a cat window seat.

10) Indoor, Outdoor Cats

If you decide you want to let your cats roam outside, make sure you treat them with a reliable, safe, flea and tick treatment. Revolution is an option to explore — you can get a box when you take your cat to a Petco (Vetco) or PetSmart veterinary visit on the weekends.

11) Make Sure Your Cats Are All Neutered or Spayed

Unless you want a whole new litter of cats to take care of, make sure that all of your cats are spayed or neutered. There are low cost spay and neuter clinics where you can get this service and shots for about $50 or $60.

12) Define Your Own Sanctuary

Though you have decided to care for a lot of cats, you still have to find time for self-care. Find a place in your home, whether it’s your bedroom or a small home office where there are “no cats allowed.” And be strict with that. This is where you go to get peace, rest, do yoga, or get work done.

13) See if You Qualify for a Small CareCredit Balance

One of the things a lot of pet owners worry about is vet bills. A CareCredit card will allow you to take your cat to most vets for an exam, cover the expenses (including blood tests and meds) up front then pay small installments each month. If you pay the balance within a certain amount of time, sometimes there is no interest.

14) Show Them a Bit of Love When You Can

One of my more demanding older cats has a tendency to follow me around, beg for food, and generally try to coerce me into doing his bidding throughout the day. On occasion, I’ll pick him up and just kiss him on the head. He seems contented for a while and just curls up and goes to sleep. Be patient with them — they just want attention and a little love like you and me.

If you’re in a similar situation as I am, managing multiple cats, hopefully these tips will help you. Know that what you’re doing is admirable and it’s possible to get into a comfortable routine for yourself. Remember YOU matter first, because when you’re doing well, you set a good tone for your home.

Louise

When a Cat Can’t Pee: My Experience with Urinary Blockage in a Beloved Cat

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My stressful and unfortunate experience trying to save my beloved male cat who had a urinary blockage.

 

I guess I’m writing this post for four main reasons:
  • To comfort anyone who’s going through a similar issue with a beloved pet, and maybe help you make a difficult decision without exhausting your resources.
  • To warn pet owners about the tactics of vets who stay in business by taking advantage of pet owners who are in a vulnerable position (guilt tactics).
  • Because I need to tell someone (still grieving).
  • To pay homage to one of the most well behaved and loving cats I’ve ever known.
I first met Angelo when he was just a couple of weeks old. I kept hearing this tiny mewing sound, but I thought it was my imagination or my television program at first. I kept muting the TV to isolate the sound, until I finally went outside to see where it was coming from.

 

There was this tiny black fluffy cat with its head sticking out of a pipe, crying out for help. When I tried to pull him out, he gave a small hiss, that instinctual thing that even baby cats have. Finally I was able to pry the pipe open with tools and release him. He stumbled and his mom, who was waiting nearby, quickly scooped him up and carried him away.

 

Months later we saw him, now a toddler cat, walking around the backyard scavenging for food with his sisters. Someone gave him a piece of food, which happened to be Italian. She named him Angelo, and we decided to adopt him since he was so friendly. I ultimately ended up being responsible for his care.
Though a little skittish at times, he warmed up to our family. He was very strong and rambunctious, playing with the other cats in the house. He fit right in with them from the start. He also went to the window often to see his mother outside. He was very peaceful and pensive. He loved to lay by me and watch my laptop screen as I worked. He’s the only cat who I’ve ever seen watch television programs as if he knew what was going on.

 

Four Years Old
One day I noticed that Angelo (about four years old at the time) was spending an inordinate amount of time sitting in the litter box. After 24 hours, I realized that this was a recurring thing. He would release a few drops of liquid, but not enough to empty his bladder.

 

I looked up this issue online, and “urinary blockage in male cats” is what came up time and time again. They said it could be related to a sudden diet change. I had been giving him Petsmart’s Good Natured grain-free dry food for years without a problem, then they suddenly decided to discontinue it without warning customers (great idea Petsmart, thanks). So about a month before Angelo started to have litter box issues, I bought a different food called Simply Nourish grain-free. I don’t know for sure if this food was the cause of his blockage, but I immediately stopped feeding it to all of my cats when he started having problems and gave them Rachael Ray’s Nutrish grain free instead.

 

A couple of days after I started doing research into the problem, he threw up his entire lunch, and that prompted me to take him to the vet. The first vet I found was very urgent, telling me that he had a blockage and needed a catheterization, which is a procedure where a tube is inserted into the urethra to clear the tiny crystals and blood from the bladder manually. They give the cat fluids at the same time to flush out the bladder. The first quote they gave me was about $1,700.

 

I am a working class single person. I probably don’t spend that kind of money on groceries for an entire year. When I stressed my financial constraints, they told me that they could set something up where he would be catheterized for a few hours and I would take him home the same day with fluids for about $500. That wasn’t including the cost of the exam and medications. Doing fluids at home after such a short catheterization period is pretty risky–there’s a high risk that the cat will reblock again and you would have just lost $500, just like that. You’re better off tossing five $100 bills in the wind. Ideally the cat should have the catheter in for at least 24-48 hours.

 

I ended up spending about $100 at the first vet, just so that they could tell me what I had already researched online. They seemed to be pressing me too much, so I decided to look at other vets and see if I could get a better treatment plan at a reasonable price. I found one that had relatively good reviews that had been deemed an “affordable vet,” if there is such a thing. They told me a similar story, except they would keep my Angelo overnight with fluids and observe him for about $600. This didn’t include tests and X-rays. I took a minute to count up my coins, money that I really needed to take care of other financial needs, and took a chance.

 

After a two-night stay (I paid an additional $100 for the extra night — current vet bill total $800) I took Angelo home. They said his urine was running clear again. He was urinating here and there at home, and I was watching him like a hawk. After several visits to the litter box in a 30 minute span he had emptied his bladder and was comfortable. I bought him an expensive dust-free litter (Arm & Hammer Clump and Seal) and fed him mostly wet food (grain-free) and was ecstatic when he released a lot of urine on a cat bed.

 

“Pee anywhere you want baby, I don’t care,” I told him, and sincerely meant it at that point. Anything to keep his bladder empty.

 

It went on like this for over a month, and with each urination I felt more relaxed thinking that he was out of the woods. I was constantly stressed while at work and lost about 10 pounds due to lack of appetite. The last thing I wanted to do what sit at my desk for hours while thinking about whether he was going to the bathroom at home.

 

I remember one time I heard him streaming urine and jumped for joy. This was the kind of thing that made me happy each day.

 

But then one day he started spending too much time in the box again. Then I saw a huge glob of throw up next to the litter. I frantically took him back to the last vet that had treated him.

 

This time, I dealt with a different vet who I didn’t particularly feel comfortable with. He gave me cost-efficient options that the other vet did not, including taking him home with fluid therapy. I would have to insert a needle under his skin myself and monitor him. He also didn’t think that the medications I was prescribed before, Prazosin to relax the0 urethra, and Prednisone for pain, were necessary.

 

I wonder if that could have made all the difference, to just have my cat on the Prazosin continuously. Much like regular doctors, vets don’t always know it all. I also wonder if I should have put him on the expensive prescription wet food they recommended (Royal Canin SO), which cost about $3 per can. Instead I gave him Wellness grain-free wet food. He seemed fine on that for a while.

 

I decided to pay the money to have my cat stay over again for at least one night and be catheterized. The additional cost was $500. I spent at least 15 minutes going over the bill with them to see what I could afford. They called me the next day and said he was doing fine but they really wanted to keep him at least another day (another $100+ — current vet bill total ~$1400). I agreed reluctantly after I was approved for a small CareOne Credit line. I agreed to the additional night, feeling confident that he would be alright.

 

Assuming Makes an.. Well You Know the Rest
The next day around the afternoon they said his pee was running clear and he was doing well. After work I was all set to go home and pick him up early in the morning when I received a phone call from the vet. He had blocked again. I was devastated–I should have known better than to assume anything too early. He told me that I had to decide what to do within 2 hours.

 

The late night vet was very short with me and I didn’t feel comfortable with her. She wanted me to come there and have him euthanized. Nice way to show compassion while you’re basically telling someone that they are going to lose their pet after spending $1,400. Still out of desperation I asked her to try another catheterization procedure. It would cost another $200+.

 

The rude late night vet called about an hour later and told me she tried but wasn’t able to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t even bother to give him anesthesia first, I should have just picked him up that night. The next morning the original vet who had treated Angelo called me and told me that she could try the procedure again but it would cost me yet another $200 just to try and another night’s stay in the hospital.

 

I was in disbelief. They had charged me the $200 for a catheterization procedure even though they weren’t successful. The vet who originally treated Angelo, who I had trusted to a degree, refused to relent on any of the charges saying “I have my salary and you have yours.” I had no choice at that point but to pick up my cat. These people would have taken all of my money if they could have.

 

When I went to pick Angelo up, the doctor didn’t even have the decency to come out to meet me to speak to me about what had gone on. I had to deal with veterinary assistants who weren’t that familiar with the case. At that point, I was pretty much done and just took my cat home. I paid an extra $15 on prescription Royal Canin foods, hoping that might work. I was told that the vet would call me later that day, but I am still waiting for that call.

 

As a last-ditch effort, I took Angelo back to my hometown vet who was over 3 hours away. After spending all that money I turned around and spent more to travel. I allowed Angelo to go outside with his real mother (who we still take care of) and enjoy nature, thinking that might help. I went around to vets that were open on that day, which was a Sunday, just to see if there was anything they could do. They were very cold and unhelpful. I was able to make it to Monday morning to see my preferred vet who always works with me on costs, though I was biting my nails all night long. He presented me with a 1st case and 2nd case option: attempt catheterization again and take him home, or drain his bladder while under anesthesia using a needle. The total cost would be $273 . I left feeling hopeful that one would work, and went home to rest. I exhausted my CareOne Credit balance to afford it.

 

Angelo’s Last Moments
When I woke up I had several missed calls from the vet. I was sitting on the toilet (how ironic) when he told me that my Angelo had suddenly passed away. He couldn’t be catheterized but his bladder had been emptied. When back in his cage, he crashed, probably overwhelmed by all of the treatments, medication, and discomfort. My vet said it may have been kidney failure. There was a major blockage. He had been in pain.

 

When I heard that I was so angry — mostly with myself.

 

I was overcome with emotion and, again, just went to pick him up. They handed him to me in a large cardboard box. I didn’t even have a chance to hold him as he passed away. I took him out of the box and laid him on my lap as we drove home together. Using the same blanket I had held him in countless times as I administered medications, I wrapped him up, hugged him, and eventually laid him to rest.

 

In retrospect, I would have never put him through all of those treatments. I wanted him here for me, but was not considering what I was putting him through by holding on for too long. I ended up spending in excess of $1,800 and I still lost him.

 

And I still have to pay off the CareOne Credit balance. Sigh. That’s life, I guess.

 

Another thing I learned from this experience. We love our pets and we want them here for as long as possible, but at some point we have to let them go and let them be at peace. I may still be hurting about the loss of Angelo, but he’s certainly not. He’s free from his mortal coil. And I should have acted sooner to give him that release.

 

I have more cats to care for. When it’s their time, I’ll just hold them close, talk/sing to them, and give them the comfort they need in their last moments.

 

More Lessons
I also know now, without a doubt, from this experience that many American veterinary practices thrive because they manage to drain desperate pet owners dry at their most vulnerable moments. It’s damned good to be a vet! That’s probably why there’s one on just about every corner.

 

I also learned that as much as I may love my pets, I simply am not well off enough to spend over $1,500 for a vet bill. If the total treatment cost would exceed $250, I would have to make a difficult decision quickly, giving the pet release if she or he is in pain. Of course that would be different if I had a six-figure income, but as that vet told me “I have my salary, and she has hers.”

 

Some vets will also try to guilt trip you and make you feel like you are a bad pet parent if you do not lay out the money. They suggest that maybe you should give the pet you’ve loved and cared for for years up to a charitable organization.

 

One of the vets even suggested that I crowdfund the cost of their services. No veterinary doctor, how about you charge on a sliding scale and consider financial hardship cases if you really care about animals?

 

All in all, I’m still very bothered by this situation, even though I know Angelo is free from this often cruel world and deep down I know that I did my best to save him.

 

I try to imagine him playing, jumping, and chasing butterflies in a field, soaking up the sunshine. In a better place.

 

Ti amo Angelo!

 

Dedicated to Angelo Spumoni Cannoli (MLM)

 

Angelo (left) with his buddy.

 

Posted by Jas

How to Keep Cats Extra Cool on a Hot Summer Day

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I’m extra protective over my cats, and I often go the extra mile to make sure that they’re comfortable. So when the summer time arrives, bringing 80+ degree days with it, I will take extra steps to make sure my babies are cool in every way possible.

When people get hot, we can sweat to cool down, grab a glass of ice water, or go to into an AC cooled store. Cats (and dogs) don’t have the same luxuries, so it’s up to us to help them stay cool. Here are a few tips for how to keep cats extra cool in the summer if you’re not able to afford central air or can’t leave a window AC unit on all day.

* Note: If you live in an area where the temperatures exceed 100 degrees regularly (hello Arizona), I definitely do not recommend ever leaving a pet inside without a proper cooling unit.

Avoid Cutting a Cat’s Hair Too Low

Some people groom their cats in the summer time as a way of keeping them cool, but after doing some research I found that leaving some hair on cats can actually help them stay cooler. So instead of shaving your kitty bald in the summer, ask your groomer to do a cut that will allow your cat to preserve some of his or her “air conditioning” fur.

Ice Water Bowl

One of the best ways to keep your cat cool is to ensure that he or she has plenty of really cold water throughout the day. If you must leave for more than a few hours, put a bowl of water in your freezer the night before and then set it out the next day. This will allow for the ice to slowly melt and stay cold for as long as possible. If your cat has an issue with knocking over his or her water bowl, see this post.

Pet Cooling Mats

I recently found a new innovation for cats and dogs that keeps them extra cool—a pet cooling mat. Your cat lays on it and experiences a cooling sensation for a few hours. This pet mat doesn’t require any electricity or a battery pack, which is a major plus. It contains a special gel that begins “recharging” as soon as your cat gets up. If you have two of them in your home, that should cover an entire summer day.

Window Fan

Cats just love to sit near open windows, no matter how hot it is outside. One way that you can keep them cool while being energy efficient is to buy a standard twin window fan. Your kitty will likely sit next to the fan and nap the afternoon away.

Turn Off the Lights…

During the day in the summertime, turn off all of the lights in your apartment or house. Open the blinds slightly instead to let some natural light into your home, or use heat blocking sheer curtains. Light bulbs often let off a lot of heat that can increase the temperature in a room by a few degrees. If you must leave a light on, make sure it’s an energy saving bulb.

Try a Mini Dehumidifier

Sometimes taking the hot muggy moisture out of the air can make a room feel cooler and more bearable. If you’re trying to save money and minimize energy usage, get a small energy efficient dehumidifier that can trap some of the moisture in one of the rooms of your house. Make sure you buy one that shuts off automatically when the water tank fills up.

Cats Instinctively Know How to Stay Cool

Cats have a biological instinct to manage their temperature and stay cool, even on hot summer days. They lick their fur, reduce activity, and find cool spots. Just keep an eye on them on the weekends when you’re home in the early morning and afternoon to see how they do on a really warm day without an AC on.

Whenever you’re able, consider buying a small, energy efficient window AC or portable AC and leave it on in one room of your house where your cats can go to enjoy some cool air.

Posted by Jade

 

Images courtesy of Amazon and Pixabay (buy someone a coffee!)