Did you know that there are scientifically proven health benefits to owning a cat?
It’s true. Owning a cat has shown to lower one’s risk of heart disease, improve sleep, reduce allergies, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Plus, let’s not forget that cats are cute and cuddly and just oh-so lovable.
But, with all the positives that come with owning a cat, there are some negatives. One of the biggest ones being that cats can be a bit messy and smelly at times.
If you live in a multiple cat house, then you know exactly what we’re talking about.
But, the good news is that a clean house and a happy cat can co-exist, it will just take a little bit of extra effort on your part.
Check out this guide to learn how to keep a multiple cat household clean.
1. Say Goodbye to Carpet
We realize that this may not be possible for everyone, but if you have the money to do some renovating, get rid of all the carpet in your home and switch to hardwood or laminate floors- that’s right, all the carpet.
Cleaning cat hair and debris off of carpet is almost impossible. Plus, most carpet is made from plastic, and plastic absorbs odors like no other.
Hardwood and laminate flooring are much easier to clean, and they don’t hold onto odors the same way that carpet does.
2. Brush Your Cats On a Regular Basis
Brushing your cats on a regular basis does more than just keep your cat’s fur looking sleek.
We all know that cat hair can get everywhere, and there never seems to be any end to it. The best way to keep cat hair under control is to brush it on a regular basis.
Sure, cats groom themselves all the time, however, the hair they shed grooming will likely end up on your floors and on your furniture.
Hair that you capture brushing your cats means less hair on your furniture and on your floors.
Plus, brushing your cat means fewer hairballs that can cause constipation when they accidentally ingest them.
3. Choose Cat-Friendly Furniture
Cat-friendly furniture is pretty much the same as kid-friendly furniture, in that it must be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear.
It’s best to choose furniture that is made from tightly-woven fabrics.
Another option is to cover your furniture with throw pillows and blankets that can be washed frequently. If your cats love napping on the couch, these items can serve as a barrier.
Then, when company comes over, you can quickly toss the blanket aside so your guests don’t have to worry about sitting on cat hair-covered furniture.
4. Contain the Litter Box
The biggest issue with a multiple cat house is perhaps the smell. Covering up the odor of cat urine can feel like a nearly impossible task sometimes.
However, there are some things you can do to diminish cat odors in your home.
For one thing, you should make sure that you keep your litter box in a contained environment. A bedroom closet, a bathroom that’s rarely used, or a hallway closet are all good places to keep cat litter boxes.
And, you want to make sure the spot you choose is far away from the kitchen. Also, try to avoid any space that has a carpeted floor, as carpet can trap dirt and smells much more easily.
If you can’t avoid putting the litter boxes on the carpet, then place towels underneath the litter boxes.
In addition to keeping the litter boxes in a contained space, you should scoop out the litter box once per day. If you have two or more cats, you’ll want to scoop out the litter box twice per day.
And, you should plan to fully clean out the litter box once every two weeks and replace the litter box once per year. This will significantly help to reduce the smell.
Lastly, you should invest in an air purifier for cat urine odor to help clean out the smell.
5. Vacuum Frequently
Vacuuming is perhaps one of the most effective and easiest ways to keep a multiple cat household clean.
How often you clean your floors will depend on your lifestyle. The following criteria should give you a rough idea of how often you should clean:
- If you have kids and a cat, you should vacuum highly-trafficked areas once or twice a week and do a deep carpet cleaning once per year
- If you have pets and you smoke indoors, you should vacuum two to four times per week and do a deep cleaning every 3 to 6 months
- If you have a large family and multiple pets in your home, you should vacuum on a daily basis and do a deep cleaning every 3 months
Also, make sure the carpet cleaner you choose is formulated to clean pet odors out of carpets.
6. Place Food and Water Strategically
While cats love to keep their fur clean, they can get a little messy when it comes to eating and drinking.
Therefore, it’s best to keep your cat’s water and food out of the kitchen, and instead place it in a designated area of the home.
Also, it’s a good idea to place a feeding mat or towel under the bowl so that if your cats do spill, cleaning up will be a lot easier.
If you’re super busy, you may also want to consider purchasing an automatic pet feeder and a water fountain. Automating these functions will not only save you time, but they will also save you from having to clean up your cats’ messes.
Keeping Your Mulitple Cat House Clean: Wrap Up
As you can see, there’s a lot you need to do to keep a multiple cat house clean.
But, it’s definitely worth it for all the love and attention your cats give you in return.
Make sure to check back in with our blog for more tips on how to keep your home clean and fresh.