Living with a cat, dog, guinea pig, parrot, or any other pet is wonderful. It's love, support, fluffy hugs (or audacious encroachments on your pillow). But there’s a nuance: in a home with a pet, perfect cleanliness is not a goal, but a lifestyle that needs to be learned and maintained. Without fanaticism, without tears, but with a system. As experienced cat owners, with friends who are also cat owners, we want to share some of our own cases of maintaining cleanliness.
Let's start with the litter box issue
A cat litter box is what a bathroom is for us. No matter where it is located in the home (we had it in the hallway, in the bathroom, and friends had it on the porch), it can turn the place into a fragrant greenhouse… or not. It all depends on the litter. We have tried the following options for our ginger-tailed friends:
bentonite litters (there used to be a great one called “Bars”): they hold odors well and are easy to clean. Downsides: sometimes they get tracked all over the house.
silica gel: a fairly modern option, absorbs moisture well, changes less frequently, but not all cats like it. And it’s a bit pricey.
wood or corn pellets – natural, eco-friendly, but they don’t always cover up the smell. Provided that the litter box isn’t cleaned daily. But this is the cheapest option, so we have stuck with it.
It’s also important to change the litter on time, sometimes several times a day (cats have physiological needs to go both small and big every day) and to clean the box itself (once a week – it’s not the end of the world!), as it also gets dirty. We wash the toilet during cleaning, right? Also, once a week, it’s worth replacing all the litter, as you can always miss some contamination.And we also recommend getting a convenient scoop for sifting the litter. This tool can significantly simplify life and cleaning. And most importantly - you should choose a litter box that suits both you and your furry friend. Ideas and options can be found at zoocomplex.com.ua – this is a store that will make life more comfortable for both you and your furry friends. For cats, dogs, rodents, reptiles, and fish… In short, click on the link and happiness will come to you ;)
Fur: the struggle is endless, but not in vain
Even if your pet is hairless, like a Sphynx, it will still leave something of its own around the house: a scale, a crumb, dignity. In this case, it’s worth having a set of cleaning tools:
lint rollers (the sticky ones) – should always be within reach
rubber brushes or gloves for collecting fur from furniture – especially effective on soft sofas and carpets
a vacuum cleaner with a "turbo brush" attachment – if you want to do it "once and beautifully". Or if you love carpet or carpeted flooring
a robot vacuum cleaner (yes, we are lazy, and it significantly eases the collection of fur that cats leave on the floor). It should be run at least every other day on cleaning mode, and once every 3-4 days additionally on wet cleaning mode.
optionally - an air purifier, if you are prone to allergies (hello to our friends with BA, who have 7 cats. Or maybe they live with them? Cats are authoritative creatures)
Life hack: damp rubber gloves – put them on, run them over the furniture, and the fur collects into one ball (which can be sewn onto a cat house or made into a voodoo doll of the neighbor who drills the wall on Sunday morning).
How to reduce odor and shedding
Odor is the result of two things: an unclean litter box and poor nutrition. Regular cleaning, airing out, plus quality food — and the air in the room becomes suitable for humans again.
Regarding shedding:
regular brushing: at least once a week, but honestly and with love.
accept that seasonal shedding is not a disaster, you just need to get through this period.
consider vitamins for skin and fur, but better – after consulting with a veterinarian.
Cleaning products: choosing non-toxic
We avoid products with strong scents, as animals' sense of smell is 100 times more sensitive than ours, the leather bags. For cleaning, we choose alcohol-free antibacterial wipes. And don't forget to regularly wash bowls, toys, and bedding. It's like with our sheets: better not to think about what lives on them, just wash them.
As a conclusion
Cleanliness in a home with a pet is a reality. It’s just a bit... fluffy. With whiskers. And periodically with a nose in the bowl. You love your furry friends as much as they love you (but with cats, that’s not so certain). So let the home be clean, so everyone can live easier. And for convenience – some things can always be found in the online store Zoocomplex.
