Pet Parent Essentials: Cat Edition

A litter box and cat litter are essential for a happy home. A good guideline is to have one litter box per cat. Be sure to clean these thoroughly at least once a day to avoid issues. If you find your schedule or level of motivation can’t accommodate daily cleanings, check out a self-cleaning litter box or litter robots. These devices take the work out of cat-box cleaning, so you have more time to spend with your new pet.

Did you know that cats sleep for nearly 2/3 of their lives? That’s why a comfy bed or outdoor cat house makes the essentials list. You may have to move the bed a few times before your cat claims it. Just keep in mind that height, like that from an elevated pet bed, and sunlight seem to be popular elements for catnaps.

High-quality cat food and treats are sure to make your new cat feel right at home. Just don’t forget the extras. Food and water bowls, covers for cat food cans, and pet food placemats will help create a feeding zone perfect for your feline friend.

Collars aren’t just for dogs. A reflective cat collar can help keep your kitty safe when it wanders outdoors. And don’t forget to add an identification tag with your contact information and your cat’s rabies vaccination number.

Pet toys make it fun for your cat to get moving. Whether it’s a fuzzy ball or a feathery wand, the right toys can stimulate your cat’s natural predatory instincts and encourage running, jumping and flipping in the air. Not only is this type of engagement good for your kitty, but the quality time will also help the two of you create a bond that lasts.

Aside from saving your furniture, a cat scratching post is a stress reliever and overall must-own for a happy cat. That’s why both posts and cat towers or cat trees, which combine the pleasure of scratching, napping and climbing, make the essentials list.

Unlike their canine companions, not every cat wants to be on the go. Although, sometimes, it’s a necessary part of pet parenting. Whether you’re headed to the veterinarian or out of town for the holidays, travel supplies — including crates, pet carriers, harnesses and leashes — will keep your cat safe and content when travelling.

Sometimes, accidents happen. That’s why every pet parent should have a few key cleaning supplies on hand. You’ll want something to protect your furniture, a reliable carpet or rug cleanser, as well as something to clean and disinfect hard floors. Let’s be honest, there’s no end to life’s little oopsies when you own a cat. After all, it’s not just hairballs; sometimes it’s a well-placed paw on an unmonitored coffee mug.

If you have a pet, chances are you’re going to have to deal with pet hair on furniture, floors and clothes. Thankfully, removing hair from your furniture isn’t a difficult problem. There are several methods you can use to clean your furnishings.

Using a cordless vacuum or vacuum attachment is the most common method for removing pet hair. Some handhelds are specifically designed for that very purpose. Go over your couch or chair in different directions to remove as much as possible. Take care to keep the brush attachment from clogging with pet hair, which can reduce its efficiency.

Lint rollers and cleaning rollers are simple and effective tools for ridding furniture of pet hair. The sticky sheets on the lint rollers collect hair and, when full, are easily removed to be thrown away. Cleaning rollers use differing methods, like a permanent sticky roller that rinses clean or fabric that collects the hair. One caveat is that due to their bulky size, rollers may not be able to get into corners and edges for a thorough cleaning.

There are also a variety of rubber bristle brushes and lint combs available to de-fur your furniture. A couple of methods that use household items are rubber gloves and sponges. Simply wet the glove or sponge and rub it across your upholstery, collecting hair as you go. Then, rinse the hair off. You can also use duct tape in a pinch to clean up pet hair.

Keeping your pets properly groomed will help reduce shedding. A weekly brushing will be beneficial to both you and your pet.