Many people prefer kitties over puppies because felines have a reputation for being cleaner. They know how to tidy up and even have their own “grooming” method.
But while cats are much less prone to making a mess, this doesn’t mean that their fur parents won’t have any cleaning up to do.
If you’ve been living with a cat for a while now, you understand that they still leave footprints, shed fur, and have smelly litter boxes that need to be cleaned. But fret not, for there are ways you can make the task a lot easier.
This article compiles the six best tips for cleaning after your feline housemate and potentially preventing her from making the same mess again.
Train Her to Use the Litter Box
Cat excrement is one of the messes that no one wants to deal with, but absolutely must be handled. Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about deep cleaning your carpet too often because of it if your cat has been trained to use a litter box.
Have a new feline member of the family? Below is a guide you can use for her litter box training:
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- Introduce the litter box ASAP. As soon as she arrives, show your little kitty her litter boxes so she could become familiar with them. Set her down and allow her to sniff and examine the boxes. Remember to keep them in the same place where you first introduced them to her to avoid confusing your cat. Put her in the litter box during key moments. Place your cat in the litter box after meals and upon waking up from a nap, as these are the common times when she needs to go. You should also watch out for signs like crouching or sniffing one area as they indicate that your pet needs to be in her litter box.
- Provide some positive reinforcement. If she uses the litter box on her own, offer her a treat or toy and lots of praises. Rewarding this behavior will motivate her to use the litter box.
- Never punish accidents. While positive reinforcement works, negative reinforcement doesn’t. That said, don’t scold or punish your kitty in case of an “accident.” This will only cause her to feel stressed and anxious, making training her more challenging. This is because cats cannot associate the punishment with the accident, and using such a method would only be counterproductive to what you’re trying to achieve.
- Have a Plan for “Accidents” No matter how well-trained cats are, accidents cannot be avoided. When your furry baby fails to aim for the litter box, it could be that she is marking her territory (yes, cats do that, too) or is objecting to the litter boxes’ location. It could also mean that she may have a bladder issue.
Whatever the case may be, cat pee on the carpet will stink if you don’t deal with it properly. If they detect the areas they’ve marked before, they would likely target those same spots again.
To prevent this from happening, follow these cleaning steps:
- Using a paper towel, blot up as much urine as you can.
- Never use ammonia-based cleaning products. They have a similar scent as cat urine and may urge your kitty to keep marking the spot.
- Use a carpet cleaner or a mixture of dish detergent and water to soak the marked area. Leave for about one to two hours before rinsing with a wet sponge.
- On the following day, spray enzymatic cleaner on the area. Remember to keep your pet away as the cleaner dries.
- Consider using a pheromone product to discourage your cat from marking the same spot again.
Unlike urine, poop is much easier to remove from your carpet. While wearing a glove and armed with paper towels, you can pick it up and throw it where you usually discard the contents of your kitty’s litter boxes.
Don’t forget to rinse the area to get rid of any residue and germs left behind before blotting it dry. You can also apply an enzyme-based stain-and-odor remover for good measure.
Use a Cat Food Mat
Practice Regular Cat Grooming
To reduce your cat’s fur shedding, you’ll want to groom her regularly. The good news is that most cats enjoy getting brushed, so you won’t have to coax her into the activity.
Brushing your feline pal everyday has several benefits, including:
- Removing debris and dust that may have attached to the fur
- Preventing mats, tangles, and hairballs
- Distributing natural skin oils for a healthy fur
- Catching dead fur that would have ended up in your carpets, drapes, and furniture
Vacuum Regularly
While brushing can reduce fur, no amount of grooming can eradicate shedding altogether. This means that you’ll still have to vacuum regularly to keep your house clean.
Of course, the frequency of cleaning will depend on the number of cats you have, their breed (specifically, the length of their hair), and the type of material your drapes, carpets, and furniture are made of.
If someone in the house is allergic to dander and fur, you should consider using a special attachment to the vacuum for a more thorough clean.
Try the Rubber Glove Hack
If a thorough vacuuming is not possible, you can try the rubber glove hack. This trick is perfect for catching cat fur.
Simply wear a dish glove, wet the palm area, and run it over fabric surfaces where your kitty usually stays. The gloves’ static electricity will pull the fur away from the material and gather them in clumps of fur balls.
You can also run a lint roller over the surface to catch any stray hairs the glove may have missed.
Make Cleaning After Your Pet Hassle-Free
Cats may not be as messy as dogs, but they still need you to clean up after them. Make the task easier by trying the tips listed in this article. Who knows? You may even be able to reduce the amount of mess and save you the trouble of cleaning up frequently.
AUTHOR BIO
Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear, and Rogz.
