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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

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

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!)