Adopting a cat is a big responsibility. Each cat has its own personality, which comes with unique quirks. You have to know just the right way to pet them, feed them, and entertain them.
Cleaning up after a cat is one of the essential acts a pet owner should learn. While cats are notoriously cleaner than their canine counterparts, you’ll still have to deal with dirty paw prints and messy accidents. Here are four tips for cleaning after a cat that all owners should know.
1) Clean Your Carpet
Cats tend to cause accidents around the house. Kittens or older cats with irritable bowels may not use the litter box properly. In these cases, you can blot your carpet with soda water until the stain is out.
However, not every mess will be a simple clean up. Hiring a professional to clean your carpet every so often can help you eliminate wet carpet smell and other pet-related odors. It will also help get rid of pesky stains that are hard to get out yourself.
2) Change the Litter Often
Everyone who has a kitty knows the litter box is a necessity. If you don’t want to shell out the cash for a self-cleaning litter box, you’ll need to clean it yourself, too. You should scoop your box as often as your cat uses it.
This is as much of a tip for your comfort as it is for your pets. Cats won’t use litter if it’s too dirty, as they’re sanitary animals. Make sure you change the litter completely every couple days as well so the smell of cat urine, and feces doesn’t linger.
3) Vacuum Thoroughly
The vacuum should be the pet owner’s best friend. Cat hair gets everywhere, so being proactive about the vacuuming can prevent it from too much build-up. It’s also essential in case someone in your home or frequent visitors are allergic to your pet.
How much you’ll vacuum should depend on the number of cats you have and the length of each of their fur. Your long-haired kitty probably sheds more at a higher frequency than your short-haired breed.
4) Bathe Them!
You may think you won’t have to groom your kitty because they lick themselves, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting them in the bath every 4-6 weeks is best for getting rid of the dirt in their fur and preventing the fur from being tangled.
Cats are infamous for hating the water. However, you won’t know how your pet feels until you try it. If you begin bathing them from a young age, you can train them to view the bath as a positive thing. You can still get an adult used to a bath when you clean them often as well.
In Conclusion
You may think that dog people get the short end of the stick in terms of pet maintenance. However, cats require their unique kind of maintenance, of which you should be aware. These four tips are here to guide you in the proper way to clean after your precious kitty.
As a final piece of advice, it’s always a good idea to have mats to place around your litter boxes and food and water bowls. Some messy felines like to play with their food or dip their paw in the water bowl and shake it. Invest in a mat, and you’ll protect your floors from spills in the first place and keep everything tidy for you furry friend.