One of the most difficult challenges that pet owners encounter, particularly when living in a tiny area or a city flat, is keeping their home tidy. Unfortunately, living with your beloved cats might result in undesirable odours and ugly evidence that you are a pet parent, which is not always appreciated by people who stop by to visit.
I take great delight when someone walks into my flat and doesn’t realise I have a cat until Manny introduces himself. As much as I like my fluffy kitten, it’s reassuring to know that I can enjoy his companionship with others without feeling self-conscious about the odours, fur, and stains that may accompany indoor pets.
Here are six tips for keeping your house clean, big or little, that I can no longer keep to myself. If you follow my lead, you will be able to maintain your home appearing clean and feeling fresh at all times of the day.
1. Literally stop litter in its tracks!
You will always need to monitor the tracking of cat litter for a clean house, regardless of the kind of litter box your cat uses. However, there are methods to lessen the quantity of trash that escapes the box.
Were you aware that a cat litter mat existed? People do exist, and believe me when I say that they are highly productive. The All-Absorb kitty litter mat is what I use. Since it’s the same grey as Manny’s litter, I can use it to subtly catch his litter in case I forget to hoover the area before hosting guests.
2. Use Odour Eliminating Products to Mask Smells:
The secret to covering up smells is to attack them head-on as soon as you become aware of them. Determining the source of the odour is the only method to eliminate it.
Manny has been spotted going to the living room carpet after going to the litter box and bringing some of his belongings with him. Even after the stain has been removed, there is still concern about the unseen but unmistakable stench. I keep the Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh carpet odour remover powder hidden for just such occasions. I just scatter some salt over the crime scene, let it sit for a half hour or so, and then hoover away. In my home, it’s almost a miraculous product.
I also burn a Pet Odour Exterminator candle when I have company so that my tiny area smells peaceful and welcoming right away. It also makes it easier for my guests to forget that my cat and I share a restroom! If your room is vast, think about lighting many candles in various rooms to fill the space with light. (Just watch over your cat to make sure he stays away from the candle or put it somewhere he can’t get it.)
3. Cover the Litter Box:
An uncovered litter box might give the impression that the area is unclean. Personally, I don’t want to have to see where my cat discharges himself, and I think guests would like not to be aware of it as well.
Putting an unattractive cat litter box within an existing piece of furniture is one of the greatest methods to hide it. Online guides abound that walk you through the process of converting an ordinary end table into a secret litter box.
You can buy a litter box cover made to look like a piece of regular furniture if you don’t have the time or desire to work on a project (I know you don’t!). Because Manny’s cabinet-style litter box cover from Merry Products fits my bathroom wonderfully and acts as a little decorative table, I’m a major fan.
4. Place the bag in the litter box rather than the trash box:
Spooned into a plastic shopping bag that I save from my weekly grocery store travels, kitty litter can be disposed of promptly and mess-free. This is one of my best kept secrets. I like to scoop the litter into these bags rather than just pour it into my garbage can from the litter box for two reasons.
Initially, these plastic bags serve as a barrier against leaks and the odour of garbage. When you sweep litter into the garbage without using a bag, it can quickly develop an unpleasant odour. Using a plastic bag to block the stench would be beneficial, depending on how frequently you take out the garbage. I know from experience that “wet” litter can also soak through those garbage bags really rapidly. I reduce the possibility of it leaking significantly and stinking by first placing the litter into the plastic bag before throwing it in the garbage.
Second, for quick, little “kitty visits,” plastic bags work well. When I finally feel like I have a clean house and am expecting guests, Manny always chooses to go to the litter box right before they get here. It seems like he’s doing it deliberately to irritate me! Fortunately, I can quickly and easily scoop his tiny, last-minute litter deposit into a plastic bag and dispose of it in the garbage.
5. Regular Grooming Sessions Can Help Reduce Pet Hair Tumbleweeds:
I brush Manny’s undercarriage, which may become a bit matted without appropriate care, and help remove any loose hair at least once a week using the Hartz Groomer’s Best combination brush. I like that there are two types of bristles on this double-sided brush.
One side is ideal for gradually loosening knots and resembles a regular hairbrush that you might use yourself. After the tangles are gone, I use the other side, which resembles a gentle horse brush, to smooth down Manny’s fur.
Twice a year, Manny receives professional grooming and a wash when I see that his hair requires more care than I can provide.
You May Also Like:
Also Read: Why Regular Vet Visits are Crucial for Your Pet’s Health and Happiness
Also Read: How To Keep Your Companion’s Coat, Skin, and Hygiene in Check