My cats are my finest and worst roommates. They break my stuff, wake me up at odd hours of the evening, and climb throughout my laptop once I’m making an attempt to work. However in addition they curl up with me when it’s chilly out, greet me once I stroll by the entrance door, and usually make northeastern winters bearable. It is a trade-off.
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I stay in a three-cat family, which implies—as you may think—that the kitties are just about in cost and I ensure that they’ve all the pieces they want. A few of my favourite cat merchandise have stayed constant since I adopted my oldest boy—however others have gained a particular place in my coronary heart, as I’ve discovered higher strategies of coping with litter, mealtime, and feline social dynamics. Listed here are 10 of my all-time favourite merchandise that make dwelling a multi-cat life simpler.
1. A Litter Genie to make your life simpler
I can’t say sufficient good issues concerning the Litter Genie. Perhaps I’m only a wimp in relation to litter smells, however I can’t stand dwelling in a home that smells like cat pee. Ideally, I’d additionally wish to keep away from taking the trash out each single day. So how does an enormous child like me stay in a multi-cat house? The Litter Genie.
It’s a easy contraption, however a superb one. The Litter Genie is a liter disposal system that is loaded with a refillable roll of plastic baggage, that are then double-sealed off with two plastic lids. You scoop the used litter into the Genie and it holds for a surprisingly very long time (I discover it must be modified about as soon as every week). Now, all these disagreeable smells keep sealed away.
2. A cat tree—or a number of
My cats are climbers. That is okay when it means they need to hang around on prime of my dresser—however not so nice after they’re making an attempt to scale the TV set or begin scrambling throughout the kitchen counter.
Cats don’t have a tendency to reply effectively to self-discipline, so usually the easiest way to vary their conduct is by offering a extra interesting different. A cat tree may not cease your kitties from leaping onto the counters, however it would no less than give them a extra interesting perch. I’ve two cat bushes: one in the lounge and one within the kitchen. These are the 2 locations the place I spend most of my time, which means it’s the place my cats have a tendency to hang around. I like that this cat tree by Frisco is substantial, however not too enormous to nonetheless match within the nook of a kitchen.
3. The world’s most dependable cat toy
Cats are notoriously choosy creatures. It’s powerful to foretell which toys will likely be keepers, and which of them will wind up deserted underneath the sofa. My cats can not often agree on what toys are essentially the most enjoyable, however there’s one exception—this laser pointer.
Principally, any time I want my cats to remain occupied for ten minutes with out knocking over a vase, the laser pointer is my go-to. I really like that this one is rechargeable, so I don’t have to fret about shopping for batteries both. I’ve additionally tried an automated laser pointer that operates with out human involvement, however after too many incidents of my cats making an attempt to chase that laser up the aspect of my laptop monitor, I’ve concluded that handbook is finest.
4. A gravity feeder to ensure they at all times have contemporary water
You need to ensure that your cats have a relentless provide of contemporary water—particularly you probably have male cats, who’re significantly vulnerable to getting urinary tract infections when dehydrated. Not nice. Cats don’t like scuzzy water any greater than people do, so it’s essential to ensure their water supply is clear, contemporary, and full. The easiest way I’ve discovered to perform that is with a gravity waterer.
This gravity watering bowl from Frisco is easy, sturdy, and simple to wash. I exploit the medium measurement for my cats, however I favor to solely fill the tank midway since I wash it frequently. Whereas gravity feeders don’t work for me (I want to have the ability to management my cats’ portion sizes), it’s a reduction to know that they at all times have a supply of water and that they cannot knock over their water bowl whereas I’m out of the home.
5. A litter mat to maintain issues tidy
Preserving the litter scenario underneath management might be the best battle of my multi-cat life. Proper after the Litter Genie, this litter mat is my second-greatest hero. The fabric is designed to seize maintain of the stray items of litter in your kitty’s ft, stopping them from monitoring it all around the home and into your mattress (gross!). It’s made with artificial supplies, which means I can simply hose it down when it will get nasty. I’ve sliced it earlier than to suit awkwardly-shaped corners and I particularly love that the fabric does not unravel when lower.
6. A number of cat carriers that fold up simply
Getting my cats into their carriers doesn’t are usually the world’s most joyful expertise—however because of snug carriers that they’ve every lined of their fur and scent, it’s not too painful anymore. I like these collapsible cloth carriers from Sherpa, which save area and have a tendency to elicit much less hostility from my kitties. They fold up simply, and so they really feel extra inviting in comparison with carriers made from exhausting plastic. My cats will most likely by no means come operating to get zipped right into a service, however no less than I do know this one feels acquainted and protected, and is straightforward for me to wash.
7. A chilled pheromone diffuser
I hope that you simply by no means end up in a home with cats that refuse to get alongside, however generally it occurs. I’ve had the unlucky expertise of a cat introduction gone poorly—resulting in a remedial separation and, ultimately, a reintroduction. There are, fortunately, a number of merchandise that may ease kitty social tensions, and this pheromone spray is likely one of the hottest.
Pheromone diffusers are supposed to calm your cat, signaling that all the pieces is okay and so they can loosen up. Consider it as feline aromatherapy. This may be useful for a lot of anxious cats, and may even cut back stress-produced behaviors like spraying and biting. Identical to just about each cat product in existence, the efficacy of this spray varies from cat to cat. There’s no assure, however should you’re seeking to introduce cats for the primary time, it’s a software price understanding about.
8. Catnip or catnip alternate options
Much like pheromone diffusers, catnip impacts completely different cats in another way. Some cats may barely blink an eye fixed, whereas others resolve there’s nothing extra necessary than rubbing their complete our bodies by the stuff. If catnip does work in your cats, it may be very nice to have available. It’s one of the vital dependable types of leisure you possibly can provide to a vulnerable kitty, encouraging train and play. In case your cats are struggling by a social standoff, it could actually additionally work as a chilled help and rigidity diffuser.
Even when your cats aren’t massive followers, it may be price exploring a couple of alternate options. My cat who couldn’t care much less about catnip loves silver vine—a protected and highly effective catnip different that grows in Japan and China. When you’re excited by making an attempt each catnip and silver vine, you possibly can hedge your bets and check out a mix of each.
9. An enormous meals storage container
Realizing my youngest kitty, if I left her meals anyplace accessible, it will be strewn throughout the kitchen flooring in about 5 minutes. Even should you don’t stay with a food-motivated kitty, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to maintain any dry meals tightly sealed away. This huge storage container retains meals contemporary, which is each tastier and safer in your kitty—in any other case, meals may go stale or be vulnerable to moisture and mould.
These plastic bins have executed the trick for me. They snap shut, so nobody with out opposable thumbs is getting in, which means no additional snacks for my cat or any family pests that may be lurking. It’s additionally wheeled, so I can simply drag it out of the darkish pantry when it’s time for a refill.
10. A spill-proof water bottle
No, it’s not strictly a cat product, however hear me out—my well-sealed water bottle is likely one of the requirements of my cat-centered life. My older cat’s absolute favourite toy is a full glass of water. Dipping his paw into it, taking a sip, knocking it over. So far as he’s involved, I ought to surrender on the catnip mice and let him go ham with the water.
Like all quirky cat conduct, it’s an uphill battle to get my cat to vary. It’s truthfully simpler to vary my very own conduct than my cat’s (sure, I understand how pathetic that sounds—however I instructed you they have been those in cost). If I don’t need him making messes and getting my water glass disgusting, I’m higher off ingesting from a cat-proof bottle. Our favourite water bottle by Brita is extremely effectively insulated and comes outfitted with a straw, which means it each maintains your drink’s temperature and seals tightly sufficient that it received’t spill when knocked off the kitchen desk. Disappointing to my cat, however a win for me.