Improve your cat’s life and make your life simpler with these interesting life hacks for cat parents. You can gradually create a system that works both for you and your cats. 

Life hacks for cat parents to have a happy and secure life

We have put together some life hacks for cat parents that can help you, and your cat live happier lives, whether you’re bored, strapped for cash, or trying to address some issues.

Water hacks

Although cats don’t naturally drink a lot of water, they need to stay hydrated to avoid bladder and renal issues. To encourage them to drink more water, get them a pet water fountain rather than a water dish. We have tried Goofy Tails Water Fountain for our cats. I must mention that it has helped us deal with the usual cats-not-drinking-enough-water problem while also letting us keep track of how much water they consume. Water fountains are beneficial because germs and microorganisms multiply rapidly in stagnant water. Your cat may intuitively be wary of stagnant cats. Although cats can’t see still water very well, they can hear it, which is why many of them prefer to drink from flowing waterfalls.

Litter box hacks

Raising a cat may be challenging, but it doesn’t always have to be the nauseating scent of the litter box. Your cat’s litter box will benefit from adding some green tea leaves since they will absorb odors while also reducing the growth of microorganisms. Add some baking soda to the bottom of the litter pan as an additional easy hack. Odors will be absorbed by the baking soda.

Kitchen hacks

Simply wrap the area in aluminum foil if you don’t want your cat to scratch your new granite countertop or kitchen table. Cats get irritated by the rustling sound aluminum foil generates when they walk over it. While it may be unattractive now, it won’t last long after your cat realizes this is not a place for strolling. Double-sided tape can also be used to cover the surface. Cats particularly detest the sense of stickiness and get repulsed right away.

Avoid cat hairballs

There are things you can do to reduce the frequency of hairballs, but nothing can be done to avoid them totally. Simply include more fiber in your cat’s food. Fiber reduces shedding and enhances the health of a cat’s coat. Additionally, don’t forget to groom your cat frequently. Your pet will produce fewer hairballs in their stomach if you remove more fur from them. 

Make play more fun

Cats enjoy leaping and climbing on the furniture. They like looking out from these vantage points at the world and all that is happening around them. Installing a series of shelves that serve as stairs up the wall will make your house even more intriguing. Make certain that it appropriately spaced apart them to accommodate a leaping cat. Your cat will have a lot of fun while getting fit physically.

Sisal rope hacks

Put some sisal rope firmly around the legs of your kitchen or dining table if you don’t have space for a scratching post or if you want to shield your furniture from a hyperactive cat. Cats will find it more pleasurable to scratch, and you’ll prevent damage to your furniture.

Get rid of allergies and odors 

The presence of a cat can increase smells, allergies, and hair in the house. Any airborne dust and pet hair may be eliminated by keeping an air filter or purifier in your house. It will also improve the air quality, which is important if you have any allergic visitors.

Pet insurance

People frequently believe they don’t need pet insurance until they actually need it. The bills will probably be far more than you anticipated if your pet becomes ill and you don’t have any insurance. Before it’s too late, make sure you insure your pet. At the time of writing, in India, unfortunately, there is no insurance policy for cats. But insurance companies are trying to get some policies ready, especially for our feline friends, so do check out PolicyBazaar Pet Insurance. While applying for pet insurance, ensure whether the plan is IRDA approved or not, whether third-party liabilities risk is covered or not, and the inclusions and exclusions.  

Catnips

Catnip acts as a sedative when taken and a stimulant when smelt by cats. By placing them in a bag and soaking them overnight, you may also use them to give old toys new life. However, use caution because you could also attract all the cats in the neighborhood. And keep in mind that applying catnip spray on the scratcher will stimulate your cat’s interest if it ignores the spray you use on the scratching post.

Guard your plants

To prevent cats from harming your plants, use popsicle sticks, toothpicks, pinecones, and tiny branches. To fend off any cats, you may simply spray your plant’s leaves with citrus scent or sprinkle some citrus peel on the ground. Cats also detest the smell of vinegar, citronella, pepper, and garlic in homemade repellents.

Get rid of urine odors and stains

Naturally, scents are eliminated by baking soda. Sprinkle some baking soda on the spot where the accident occurred, or even an old pee stain, to clean up any carpet accidents your cat might occasionally have. In order to fully eliminate the odor or stain, let it rest for a few hours to allow for maximum odor absorption. Then, vacuum it up. Even better, you can smear the area with vinegar. Bacteria are easily eliminated by vinegar. You can also try lavender oil to get rid of cat’s urine smell. 

Use goodies to train your cat

Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained. Cats may be trained to perform particular actions with the promise of rewards, despite not being as trainable as dogs. You could teach your cat, for instance, not to jump up on your gorgeous leather couch. Basically, you give them a trigger word, like off, when they climb onto your couch. If they follow your instructions, click the clicker and give them a treat. It works.

The best toys

You can buy your cats some extremely fancy toys, but the majority of cats prefer to play with everyday objects like toilet paper rolls, boxes, crumpled paper, and socks. Your cat will thank you if you give them these things.

Hair removing hacks from your furniture

Put on a pair of rubber gloves and rub your upholstery back and forth to remove cat hair from your carpet or couch. When the hair starts to ball up as a result of this, you may pull it out in one easy clump. Duct tape’s adhesive side can also be applied to the material. The hair will be released when the duct tape is taken off.

Bath time life hack for cat parents

Cats rarely need to be bathed since they are adept at keeping themselves clean. However, if you choose to bathe them, use a sink rather than a bathtub because the smaller size will make washing up simpler. Learn how to bathe cats without getting scratched, read here. 

Unrolling the toilet paper

Is your cat a fanatic toilet paper unroller? Put the newspaper inside the tube by simply tucking it inside. You might even want to use a bulldog clip to secure it. You will save a ton of paper and money once you get used to it, albeit it will take some getting used to. Spray the area around your toilet and the toilet with a citrus-scented spray if your fairy companion keeps unraveling and shredding your toilet paper. Oranges or lemons don’t appeal to cats. This will thus deter them.

Keep ants away

To keep ants away from the food you give your cat, draw a circle around your pet’s bowl with chalk. Ants won’t pass over a certain chemical found in chalk. Put your cat’s dish in a tray, add some water to the tray, and try chalk again if it doesn’t solve your cat’s food problem. Ants cannot swim; hence they cannot navigate the water.

Flat plates

A cat’s digestive tract shouldn’t be strained by overeating. Even cats have been known to vomit their food as a result of it. Place their meal on a flat platter to get around this. This will slow down your cat’s rate of eating. It also has the additional advantage of avoiding “whisker stress,” which happens when a cat’s whiskers rub against the edges of their feeding bowl.

When working, have a box nearby

If your cat constantly interferes with your ability to work at your desk, just set an open box there. Cats enjoy sitting in boxes even more than using your laptop as a seat.

Pheromone diffuser

Change annoys cats. When relocating or adopting a new pet, purchase a pheromone diffuser to aid your cat in adjusting to the new surroundings. Through the use of fake feline facial pheromones, the diffuser soothes your cat.

You may quickly develop your own pet hacks by thinking creatively about how to use everyday objects. Look around your home and consider what you currently have and how your cat could enjoy it or how it might make cat care a bit easier. Just use a little imagination and initiative to come up with your own cat life hacks.