Cat Care Tips: Simplify Your Routine and Enhance Feline Happiness with These 30 Strategies
Stressed kitty owners, rejoice! It's possible to bring harmony to your multi-cat household. Here are our ‘must-have’ items for managing feline stress and conflict:
- Feliway Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser Kit: Invest in this to calm down cats that don't get along. It contains a diffuser head and one vial of Feliway to help cats feel more relaxed and socially accepted. You can find refills on Amazon. Remember to properly introduce new cats, maintaining separation initially and doing smell introductions.
User review: "I can't express enough how much this has changed my and my cats' lives. Merging two households wasn't easy on the cats. One male cat had a hard time moving into a new house with new pets. He had terrible behavior problems and would cause us and the other cats a lot of stress. His bullying led to the other two cats having health problems. He would get into moods where he would chase and attack the others and would not let up. We tried everything the vet suggested to reduce these incidences, but getting Feliway was the only thing that worked. He is a completely different cat now. He is calm and his outbursts rarely happen. He has become a couch cat and has turned into the sweetest boy. The other cats aren't stressed anymore and neither are we. We have three diffusers in the three rooms we have had incidences in. It definitely has more of an affect on the male cats than the female. If you aren't noticing a difference with one diffuser I would suggest getting a second. We couldn't believe that this one product could fix everything, but it did. If he starts to act out again we check the diffusers, and sure enough, one of them will be out." - Kristine Spencer
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
- Double-Layered Litter Mat: A necessary purchase to deal with litter tracking. It has a honeycomb design that catches and traps litter, making it much more manageable to maintain your litter box room. The mat is made out of EVA material that's gentle on cat paws. Consider buying the larger 30-by-24-inch mat for better coverage.
User review: "I've been using this trapper mat for months now, and while it's pretty much impossible to eliminate all litter from your home if you own even one cat, let alone multiple, this mat has made keeping the floor of my litter box room MUCH more manageable. Unlike other mats, where the litter just kind of sits on top and eventually gets kicked elsewhere, this mat is designed so that the litter falls through the holes and stays inside the mat until you're ready to dump it. It's made out of an EVA material that's supposed to be gentle enough for cat paws, and my two kitties don't seem to have a problem walking on it."
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three sizes and two colors).
- Heavy-Duty Litter Box Liners: Prevent your litter box from being torn apart by cats who shred liners. Reviewers say these liners are sturdy enough to withstand the shredding. They're also jumbo-size, fitting most litter boxes.
User review: "I have two indoor cats, and one indoor/outdoor cat split among three litter boxes. These liners hold up for several weeks without ripping, and are scooped daily. My cats love to pee in the corners, so I constantly have to scrub against the corners with the litter scooper and they have yet to rip." - Eric
Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in a pack of five).
- Professional Nail Clippers: Keep your cats' nails trimmed to prevent them from accidentally hurting each other or your furniture. These clippers are designed to cut smoothly, easily, and cleanly with no splintering. Note that trimming your cats' nails requires caution and should be done with care.
User review: "These were way better than expected. Most of my life, I have used human nail clippers for cats. I have tried nail scissors unsuccessfully. We also tried another brand of cat claw trimmers that were guillotine style, but splintered their nails. These cut so smoothly, easily (without needing a lot of pressure), and so cleanly with no splintering at all. Just mad at myself I waited this long to get them. I truly didn't expect such an affordable pair would perform this well." - interiorlulu
Get them from Amazon for $6.98.
- Cat Tree: Provide a shared lounging, sleeping, and play space for all your feline babies. Cats prefer being up high to see everything happening around them, and this gives them another place to climb and scratch that's not your expensive furniture. Plus, you'll never tire of the adorable view of them l lounging on it.
User review: "I've owned this exact cat tree for about a year and a half now and have to say, for the amount of use you (well, your cats) get out of it, it's a steal at this price. My cats (that's them on the right above) are on this thing EVERY day. There are sisal-covered posts along the entire height of it for your cats to scratch, and the rope is just now starting to come apart from the amount of feverish scratching my younger cat, Chicho, has done to it (which, for $70, I'm not mad about). Now, there are some parts of this tree my adult cats simple weren't interested in using: the hammock on the first level, the cubby hole on the second, and the tunnel on the third. Those are absolutely designed for kittens, making this a great tree for cats of all ages. My cats prefer the two top tiers of the tree and the side basket - which my very thick older cat, Sneaky, curls up in for his afternoon naps every single day. I appreciate that this cat tree doesn't take up a ton of space either and fits very well in my NYC apartment. If you've got a couple of kitties and haven't gotten them a dedicated cat tree yet, take this as your sign that it's worth it!"
Get it from Amazon for $81.99 (available in five colors).
- ChomChom Pet Hair Roller: Clean your VELVET couch of cat hair with ease. This hold-up-against-the-claws litter box liner tool is a game-changer in keeping your home fur-free.
User review: "Ok. This is the fing GOAT. My boyfriend has a beautiful velvet couch. Not only do we have two cats but it is also a magnet for lint. I was wasting sheets of lint rollers that still took too long to de-lint the couch. Then I bought this thing that looked like volcanic rock but still didn't do it and discarding the lint on that thing was impossible and I ended up just moving the lint around on the couch. I waited a good three weeks for this to arrive, first seeing it on IG. I got it today. I immediately went at it on the couch and it took like three minutes and two times emptying the trap. The inventor deserves a Nobel Peace Prize because I've had fighting fits with my bf over this couch. Now I don't have to cover it up in a cheap sheet.* I have never loved an object so much in my life." - Son He
Get it from Amazon for $28.95.
- Litter Robot: Free yourself from daily litter box duty with this self-cleaning litter box! While it's a significant investment for a litter box, it could well be worth it if regular litter box cleaning is an overwhelming chore for you.
User review: "I've been using the Litter Robot myself for almost a year now, and I'm pretty sure both me and my two cats are way happier for it. After a cat is done using it, the Litter Robot waits a set amount of time until the cat's presence is no longer detected, then begins to rotate, collecting the waste into a bag at the bottom while retaining the clean litter in the barrel. I usually don't detect a smell from it afterward, though once the bag starts to get really full, you might get a subtle reminder that you need to take it out. I only have to take out that bag about once a week, and a flashing light will let you know when it's full."
Get it from Litter Robot for $549 (available in white or gray).
If a Litter Robot is beyond your budget, check out this self-cleaning cat litter box from Amazon that reviewers also recommend.
- Litter Genie Litter Disposal System: This litter disposal system helps you deal with litter in a more manageable way, especially if you live in a multi-story building like a walkup. It locks in odors and prevents you from having to put smelly litter bags in the trash or carry them outside daily.
User review: "This is an excellent product. I bought this because I thought my cat was peeing in one room and couldn't find the exact spot so I bought this. Found the spot and more. Would recommend." - Momof3boys
Get it from Amazon for $19.99. Liner refills are also available from Amazon for $21.75 (about a six-month supply).
- Top-Entry Litter Box: This discreet litter box design is great for multiple rooms as it helps reduce litter tracking and can also keep pets that chase each other away from the box.
User review: "We have three cats and have to manage a silly amount of cat politics. We've learned that having a higher number of litter boxes, and spread to multiple locations, cuts way down on bullying and helps cats to feel safe**, [as they are] instinctively territorial about where they put their scent and feel vulnerable when they're 'in the act.' This cat box helps to be able to have boxes in rooms of the house where a cat box would feel garish, not to mention the litter mess." - Dism
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in four colors and three sizes). Note that a low-entry litter box may be necessary for senior cats with limited mobility.
- UV Black Light Flashlight: Hunt down accident spots more easily with this blacklight. It can reveal tracks of pet urine and shed light on areas that might otherwise be overlooked.
User review: "OMG this is disgusting!!! I bought this because I thought my cat was peeing in one room and couldn't find the exact spot so I bought this. Found the spot and more." - Momof3boys
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
- Odor-Eliminating Spray: Clean up those pesky pet stains and odors with this versatile spray. It removes stains, lifts away smells, and leaves your home fresh and clean.
User review: "I have six elderly cats, and a few of them oftentimes leave smelly pee puddles to register their disdain at whatever cats get 'peed off' about. It's not a litter box problem and, although I've caught one or two of them doing it, I can't blame them all. This product works great on fresh messes as well as dried ones. After blotting up fresh pee pods, I saturate the area with Rocco & Rossi's odor remover and let dry. For dried stinky stuff, I just saturate the area and let it dry. It has a pleasant odor and completely eliminates the ammonia odor. Believe me, I've tried all kinds of products, and this one works the best. I buy gallons now just to have on hand. It's better than smelling that awful pee!" - mona mia
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (available in two sizes).
- Dual-Cabin Pet Carrier: Transport multiple cats easily and safely with this carrier. It's great for vet visits or emergency situations.
User review: "Like most reviewers here, I purchased after a bad experience with evacuating my two cats during a fire alarm. I needed something I could carry easily and get both of them in, bonus points if I could store it compactly. They are both 13-14 pounds and from nose to butt about 16 inches long. I took this bag for a test drive and yes they were pretty cramped but there's really no way to make the bag larger and still be carried by a small person (as a small person it's difficult not to tip over with it as is). Put this to the test with a fire alarm in my building this week. I laid the pack on its back so the two front windows were facing up, dragged the babies from their hiding places and dropped them right in. It was shockingly painless compared to getting them into hard plastic carriers (they usually grab onto the metal doors and resist going in but with this there was nothing to grab until they were in it, because of the flexible material). We were the first ones out of the building. Turned out it was a small, real fire in another unit this time and no one was hurt but now I feel 100% sure they will be safe. Bonus: None of the dozens of dogs also evacuated noticed them in backpack form and left them alone, and I got lots of compliments!" - Elizabeth Doughty
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two sizes).
- Robotic Vacuum: Keep your home free of cat fur and litter by using a robotic vacuum. Your cats will likely prefer it to a loud, traditional vacuum, and you can focus on other things while it does its job.
User review: "First of all, I LOVE this vacuum. We have a smaller, single-level house with mainly tile floors and low pile carpet... and three indoor/outdoor cats. I hate vacuuming. The cats hated me vacuuming. The Eufy has solved both our issues. I hit the button in the morning or evening, and the little guy trundles around bouncing off corners and chair legs and the occasional cat butt, and by the time it's done the floor is debris-free. I will say, it's far better at picking up hay bits and sand and cat fur than I expected. It does occasionally catch a stray cord, and it has gotten stuck on the rug with fringed edges a time or two, but for the most part it's really low maintenance and MUCH quieter than I was expecting. The cats, after an initial period of stalking it around the house, mainly ignore it entirely." - SunnySD
Get it from Amazon for $199.99 (available in two colors).
- Air Purifier: Improve your indoor air quality with this air purifier. It helps reduce allergens, pet dander, and odors while you go about your day. Just remember to replace the filter every six to eight months!
User review: "Several years ago I saw this product in a review on a cat veterinarian's website. I had tried many different brands and types of cat litter - clay, paper, corn, etc. - because I wanted to find one with minimal dust. I ordered a bag and have never purchased another brand since. I have found this litter works for multiple cats equally as well. No perfume smell, little to no dust, reduced tracking, clumps well, longer time between changes, and has great odor control." - mydogtate
Get it from Amazon for $89.99 (available in black or white and in a two-pack).
- Food Storage Containers: Stock up on cat food using these airtight, stackable containers. They keep your food fresh for longer and prevent cats from tearing open food bags.
User review: "Several years ago I saw this litter in a review on a cat veterinarian's website. I had tried many different brands and types of cat litter - clay, paper, corn, etc. - because I wanted to find one with minimal dust. I ordered a bag and have never purchased another brand since. I have found this litter works for multiple cats equally as well. No perfume smell, little to no dust, reduced tracking, clumps well, longer time between changes, and has great odor control." - mydogtate
Get it from Amazon for $31.44 (available in eight colors).
- Dr. Elsey's Preccookie Delicate Litter: Keep your litter box fresh and clean with this clumping litter. It's low-dust, low-tracking, and has excellent odor control. You can set up a Subscribe & Save on Amazon if you're constantly running out of litter.
User review: "According to Amazon, I have ordered this stuff 46 times going all the way back to 2017, and I swear by it. First of all, the convenience of putting a 40-pound bag on subscription and having it straight to your door can't be understated. As someone who lives in New York without a car, I don't really have another choice, but even if you can drive to the pet store and buy litter, this is way easier, especially when you're caring for a large number of cats. People have all sorts of opinions on the "best" type of litter to use with your cat, but a good clumping, low-dust, low-tracking formula is one you can't go wrong with, and Dr. Elsey's checks all those boxes. It does a solid job of covering the odor (as long as you're scooping regularly), and paired with a good trapper mat to catch what your cats track out as they exit, you won't end up with it all over your house."
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five sizes and five scents).
- Soft Catnip-Infused Felt Balls: Keep your cats entertained with these fun catnip-infused felt balls. They come with a charging tin, so you can freshen up the catnip whenever your cats start to lose interest.
User review: "Fast shipping, seller was super thoughtful and attentive, and most important of all our kitties are obsessed with these balls! Even my shyer one is running around with these having an absolute blast even without my tossing them around. It's also wearing her out which is quite hard to do. Highly recommend!" - Ketti Schulenberg
Get a set from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $7.22 (available in three styles and with refills).
- Clear Toy Blocker: Keep your home tidy by corralling your cats' toys and balls. It's also a great way to discourage your cats from hiding under furniture and helps with litter tracking.
User review: "A must-have for ALL pet owners. This contraption is genius and will save cat (and dog) owners insane amounts of time and frustration retrieving toys. We used this beneath our oven and it works PERFECTLY. Cat can't destroy it (the way she shredded the foam insulation we had stuffed under there before) and we no longer have to get the yardstick out when literally all of her toys are 'gone.' Yes, this is a challenge to install, but 100% worth it. I've found the regular setup is plenty sturdy without mounting." - Allison Goldstein
Get it from Amazon for $13.98 (available in three sizes).
- Suction Cup Cat Hammock: Give your cats a place to lounge and play while keeping them contained. It can hold up to 50 pounds of weight and is chew-proof.
User review: "Fantastic product. My cat just loves this cat bed. Suction is powerful and the cable is strong and chew-proof. No holes or sticky stuff to attach a great seat for kitty." - F. Smith
Get it from Amazon for $21.99.
- Pet Gate: Keep an area exclusive for cats by using this pet gate. It's great for stopping cats from going into areas where bigger animals may not be allowed, or for safely introducing a new cat.
User review: "I would give 10 stars if I could. The owner went out of her way to make sure the pet door would fit my window by fabricating a custom cut for me. The end result is purrfect for my kits as they can now access their catio when they want. And they LOVE it!" - French Kiss Ribbons
Get it from Pop-Up Pet Door on Etsy for $45.99 (available in two sizes or customized for your window). A transparent flap is available separately for $17 .
- Custom Velvet Collar: Ensure your cats are easily identifiable in case of a loss or emergency. These collars are engraved with your cat's name and your phone number.
User review: "Beautiful! Now have one of these for three of our cats, and they all are even better than we hoped. Faster delivery than expected as well! Very satisfied with this purchase." - Noel Rowland
Get it from Petshine on Etsy for $15 (available in two sizes, seven colors, and with or without a matching bow).
- Ripple Rug Interactive Play Mat: Encourage your cats to play together on this interactive play mat. It has multiple spaces for them to explore, scratch, pounce, and hide.
User review: "Straight out of the box, all five of my cats took to it, RIGHT AWAY! If only I was the genius who would have thought of this product, but I'm ecstatic nonetheless. I have a very timid cat who gets pushed out of everything, as you can see in the group picture (above, left); but later, she got to investigate and played for a good half hour! I am so completely pleased. When she attacks the holes and hears the hook and loop pull, she freaks out and runs circles around it for her next attack. You won't be let down. This is the best entertainment ever, especially for the cat lady and cat dad involved. We hurt from laughing. JUST BUY IT!" - Katie
Get it from Amazon for $44.
- Grooming Cat Toy: Keep your cats entertained when you can't provide constant attention with this self-grooming cat toy.
User review: "My cats absolutely love this thing! When I was putting it together, my 20-pound tabby immediately went inside the tube, and did not come out for over an hour! It was easy to put together (even with a 20-pound cat inside lol). But, this entire thing set up is about 3 feet long. It is HUGE. Make sure you have room!! The material is surprisingly soft, outside and inside the tunnel. And the light coloring allows light to filter through, which my cats like (I had a black tunnel that neither of them would go into). My smaller 10-pound tabby (black nose) LOVES to run around the house, and now he has added running a few laps inside this tunnel to his run lol. Both cats play in this ALL THE TIME. Both on the inside chasing each other, or one on the inside and one outside batting at each other. They use the tunnel as a good napping spot, and also a spot to hide from the vacuum or guests they aren't sure of. This has gotten soooooo much use from both cats. I would highly recommend this!!" - Trebeca
Get it from Amazon for $5.50.
- Cactus Water Fountain: Encourage your cats to drink more water with this stylish cactus water fountain. It's also stain-resistant and low maintenance.
User review: "I've been using this cactus water fountain for months now and absolutely love it. I've used the cheap plastic kind in the past and noticed that 1) they get dirty fast and are annoying to clean, and 2) cats can knock them over or push them around. This ceramic fountain has solved all my problems, and the best part is that both of my cats actually love drinking out of it! It's hefty and doesn't shift around as they are trying to drink, and there's been no attempts to dismantle it either. It gives off a good flow from either side of the cactus in the middle, and my cats either like to nibble on that or drink around the hole the water flows into. This fountain is also super quiet, though you'll notice it making a bit of a noise when the water gets low (which helps remind you to clean it out and put in fresh water), and it shuts off entirely when out of water for safety. Ample hydration is so important for cats, especially if they're mostly on a dry food diet, so it's worth it to invest in a proper watering fountain that's built to last. And this one is."
Get it from Happy & Polly for $89.99.
- Cat Tunnel Bed: Give your cats a cozy place to lounge, nap, and hide. It has a plush cat bed in the middle for additional comfort.
User review: "My cats absolutely love this thing! When I was putting it together, my 20-pound tabby immediately went inside the tube, and did not come out for over an hour! It was easy to put together (even with a 20-pound cat inside lol). But, this entire thing set up is about 3 feet long. It is HUGE. Make sure you have room!! The material is surprisingly soft, outside and inside the tunnel. And the light coloring allows light to filter through, which my cats like (I had a black tunnel that neither of them would go into). My smaller 10-pound tabby (black nose) LOVES to run around the house, and now he has added running a few laps inside this tunnel to his run lol. Both cats play in this ALL THE TIME. Both on the inside chasing each other, or one on the inside and one outside batting at each other. They use the tunnel as a good napping spot, and also a spot to hide from the vacuum or guests they aren't sure of. This has gotten soooooo much use from both cats. I would highly recommend this!!" - Trebeca
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in two patterns).
- Pom-Pom Cat Bed: Give your cats a fun, cozy place to lounge and nap. This bed is easy to clean and comes with a cushioned pad for added comfort.
User review: "This is hands-down the most adorable cat bed ever! They love it. They barely waited on me to finish before they crawled in. I'm in love! It easily fits my 20-pound girl PLUS two other normal-sized kitties inside." - Beevil
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three styles).
- Catnip Alternative Variety Box: Discover which catnip alternative your cats love the most with this variety box. It includes toys infused with catnip, silvervine, valerian root, and an all-natural blend of catnip flowers.
User review: "I have three cats. One I knew would like everything, but the other two don't really go for catnip - until the Meowy Janes box showed up. They all love everything in the box, including the packaging lol, and I am kicking myself I didn't get more kick toys! Guess I'll be back for more! Thank you so much!!! Also, shipping was SO FAST." - Jocelyn Freeman
Get it from Meowy Janes on Etsy for $29.95 (available with up to four refillable toys). They sell everything separately in their shop too, so once you figure out what your cats like, you can always order more of that specific item!
- Catnip Wall Mount: Attach this catnip wall mount to a wall or window for your cats to enjoy. It has four different flavored balls to keep your cats entertained.
User review: "My cats absolutely LOVE this toy! I really like that it adheres to wherever you want to put it, PLUS it is a no mess catnip/treat option for your furry babies! I bought two and WILL be getting more soon, I love them that much! HIGHLY recommend this product and this seller!!!!! Seller is also really sweet and is quick to respond to emails should you have any questions! You don't find customer service like this anymore, THE BEST!!!" - Pumphrey
Get it from Amazon for $10.99 (available in two styles).
- Catio: Give your cats a safe place to enjoy fresh air and exercise with this catio. It's made of durable materials and is easy to assemble.
User review: "Our two cats love their catio! I installed it next to a window and modified the screen so they could move in and out when they wanted. They spend hours out there watching birds and enjoying the outdoors. Assembly was simple and the instructions were easy to understand. I did need some minor help from my wife for a few steps but otherwise it was a one-man job. It is sturdy and seems quite weatherproof. Good purchase." - Bart A.
Get it from Amazon for $436.99.
Remember, communication and patience are key when introducing new cats to your household. Always introduce cats slowly, keeping them separate initially and monitoring their interactions closely. A safe and comfortable environment for all cats is essential to maintaining harmony in a multi-cat household.
- ['Market-Amazon-Majority'] The majority of pet owners have expressed their gratitude towards the market-priority post for offering cat-related products, such as the Feliway Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser Kit found on Amazon.
- ['Market-Faux-Sprint', 'Enzymes', 'Register'] For those residing in multi-story buildings, the Litter Genie Litter Disposal System could be a game-changer, making dealing with litter a more manageable task, thanks to its odor-eliminating enzymes.
- ['Buzzfeed', 'Comtent', 'Calming'] Buzzfeed content has featured multiple user reviews praising the calming effects of Feliway Diffusers, which are often registered as a must-have item for managing feline stress and conflict.
- ['Shopping-Pets', 'Diffusers', 'Enzymes'] When shopping for pet supplies, don't forget to consider diffusers or enzyme-based products like the Litter Genie, which can help improve your home's air quality and reduce unpleasant odors.
- ['Market-Priority-Post', 'Double-Layered Litter Mat', 'Register'] Registering for double-layered litter mats on the market-priority post could be a top priority for stressed kitty owners, ensuring a more manageable litter box room in their multi-cat household.
