Welcome to the marvelous world of cat parenting hacks! Whether you're a seasoned cat mom or dad or embarking on this delightful journey for the first time, we've got you covered.
Discover ingenious tips and tricks to ensure a purr-fectly happy life for both you and your feline companions. Let's dive into the wonderful world of cat parent hacks!
Don't Use A Deep Food Bowl
It might be tempting to buy a deep food bowl and fill it as full up with food as you can, but actually, deep bowls should be avoided!
Shallow bowls prevent whisker fatigue, ensuring your cat's sensitive facial whiskers aren't cramped. They allow easy access to food, reducing frustration and mess. Choose shallowness for feline contentment and elegant dining experiences!
Long Names Are Harder To Learn
One of the best parts of naming a pet, especially a cat, is that you can name them basically anything you want to, including something long like Sir Wigglesworth Whiskerton The Fifth, Esquire.
But if you actually want your cat to learn their name, keeping it to one or two syllables is best – it's way easier for them to learn.
Use Dry Cereal Containers
Transform your cat's mealtime into a delightful breakfast adventure! Storing dry food in cereal containers is a stroke of genius. These airtight marvels keep kibble fresh, ensuring optimal taste and nutrition for your feline friend. Bid farewell to stale food and welcome a pantry filled with crunchy goodness.
Bon appétit, kitties!
Alternate Their Diet
Embark on a culinary adventure with your whiskered companion! Alternating between wet and dry food provides numerous benefits. Wet food hydrates, aiding urinary tract health, while dry kibbles help maintain dental hygiene.
It adds variety, stimulates their taste buds, and ensures a balanced nutritional intake. Treat your cat to a delectable feast of textures and flavors!
Protect Your Plants With Marbles
A clever secret to safeguard your precious plants lies in the magic of marbles! Placing marbles in the base of your planters creates an obstacle course that deters curious paws.
The smooth, rounded spheres disrupt their digging and prevent soil displacement, keeping your plants intact and your feline friends at bay.
Reward Your Cat For Chasing Lasers
Laser playtime, a feline delight! But remember that cats can get frustrated easily by play that doesn't end with them actually catching what they're chasing!
Try to end the game with a tangible reward. After all the zooming and pouncing, reward your furry friend with a treat or a toy they can catch. It reinforces positive behavior, creates a sense of accomplishment, and strengthens the bond between you and your laser-chasing champ!
Interactive Water Fountains
If you've ever had a cat that didn't drink enough water, an easy solution is available that looks pretty, too!
If you get a fountain instead of a bowl for water, you can encourage them to drink more, and they look nice! Cats are attracted to running water, and having a fountain can entice them to drink more, promoting urinary tract health.
Double-Sided Tape Prevents Scratches
Owning a cat means accepting that your furniture might get a little scratched, but you can keep it to a minimum!
Calling all furniture guardians! Double-sided tape, the unsung hero in the battle against cat scratches. You can place double-sided tape on furniture edges to discourage cats from scratching. Cats dislike the sticky sensation, redirecting their attention to designated scratching posts.
Aluminum Foil Is A Cheap Barrier
Did you know that cats dislike the texture and sound of aluminum foil?
If your cat is doing a lot of unwanted perching or exploring, cover the forbidden territory with this crinkly marvel. Its texture and sound mystify our feline friends, persuading them to retreat from countertops, plants, and other no-go zones. Foil their plans with this simple yet effective barrier!
DIY Scratching Post
If your cats are tearing up your furniture, but you're on a pretty tight budget, this hack is for you!
You can create a budget-friendly scratching post by wrapping sisal rope around a sturdy pole or repurposing an old carpeted scratching post. It saves money while providing an effective scratching outlet.
Toy Rotation
Keep your feline companion forever intrigued by regularly switching out their playthings! Introducing new toys and temporarily stowing away others prevents boredom and maintains excitement. It's like presenting a fresh adventure each time, engaging their curiosity and ensuring endless feline amusement!
By introducing new toys while temporarily removing others, you keep playtime exciting and stimulating.
Frozen Treats For Hot Days
In the scorching heat of summer, behold the frozen feast for your feline friend! Fill ice trays with wet cat food and freeze them to create delightful kitty popsicles.
These icy treats not only provide a refreshing snack but also help keep your beloved furball cool and hydrated on sizzling days. A purr-fect way to beat the heat!
Cat TV
When you're bored, you probably put on your favorite TV shows, right? Now you can do the same for your cats!
Playing videos of birds or fish on a TV or tablet screen can provide visual stimulation and entertainment for indoor cats. It satisfies their hunting instincts, alleviates boredom, and offers a window into the natural world they adore. Let the feline entertainment begin!
Food Puzzle Toys
If your cat is scarfing down their food too fast, it can lead to vomiting and begging for more food before it's time. You can use food puzzle toys to make mealtime more engaging and slow down your cat's eating!
These toys require cats to work for their food, providing mental stimulation and preventing overeating.
Cheap Sock Toy
Cat toys can be expensive, but you can make a cheap substitute at home that they'll like just as much!
Create a simple and inexpensive toy by placing a small bell or jingle ball inside a clean sock, then tying a knot. Cats will enjoy batting it around and pouncing on the moving target.
Calming Scents
Just like us, cats can get stressed out, especially if there's a change in their environment, be it a new cat, a new home, or just a new routine.
Use calming scents like lavender or chamomile in your cat's environment. These scents can have a soothing effect, helping to reduce anxiety and create a calm atmosphere.
Clean Chompers
Dental health is super important for our feline friends, and brushing your kitty's teeth can be super beneficial in the long run!
Get your cat accustomed to toothbrushing by gradually introducing them to the process. Start by letting them lick the toothpaste off your finger, then transition to using a cat toothbrush for improved dental hygiene.
DIY Catnip Spray
Sometimes you want the fun of letting your cat get a whiff of catnip without the mess of stems and seeds to clean up! You can do that by turning catnip into a spray instead!
Create a homemade catnip spray by steeping catnip in water, then spraying it on your cat's toys, scratching posts, or bedding. It enhances their interest and enjoyment.
Higher Food Bowls
Your cat may not show it, but they probably don't like having to bend down to eat! Elevated food bowls offer numerous advantages. They promote better posture, reducing strain on the neck and aiding digestion.
For older or arthritic cats, the raised position eases discomfort. It's a regal dining arrangement that adds a touch of sophistication to their mealtime rituals. Bon appétit, your majesty!
Soft Landing Litterbox
The appeal of cats to a lot of people is that you don't have to train them, especially when it comes to house training! Most cats will instinctively use a litterbox, but that doesn't mean that some cats might not be huge fans of their own.
If your cat is avoiding using their box, try placing a towel down underneath the litter to make a softer landing for your cat's feet!
Paw Massage
Does your cat flip out every time you try to trim their nails? There's actually a pretty sweet way you can get them to calm down about the whole process: paw massages!
Gently massage your cat's paws to get them comfortable with you touching their paws. They'll also start associating you touching their paws with being pet and comforted. This will make it that much easier when you introduce clippers!
Slow Feeder Bowls
If your cat tends to eat too quickly, use a slow feeder bowl to slow down their eating pace. This reduces the risk of vomiting or other digestive issues. Slow feeder bowls feature various obstacles or ridges inside the bowl, which prolong mealtime by slowing down eating speed. It prevents gulping, aids digestion, and helps prevent vomiting or overeating.
It's a paw-some tool for promoting healthy eating habits and adding a fun challenge to mealtime.
Warming Beds
They might be covered in little fur coats, but cats can actually be pretty sensitive to the cold! If your kitty looks cold or is often hiding under blankets, you might want to look into a warming bed for them!
By providing your cat with a cozy, heated bed or a microwavable heating pad during colder months, you offer comfort and warmth, particularly for older cats or those with arthritis.
Catios
Does your cat love the outdoors but isn't allowed outside on their own? Enter the world of the "catio," a haven of feline bliss. Building a catio offers a safe and stimulating environment for your cat to soak up the sun, breathe fresh air, and indulge their natural instincts.
Let them roam in nature while ensuring their safety—a purr-fect paradise!
Emergency Basket
You might have an emergency kit for yourself just in case, but have you ever thought about the furry members of your family in a crisis?
Create an emergency kit for your cat, including their medical records, food, water, medications, and comfort items — this way, you can be prepared for unforeseen events like natural disasters or evacuation.
Scent Exchange
It can be tough introducing two cats to each other, especially if you don't have a lot of space to keep them separated!
You can swap bedding or toys between multiple cats to help them get familiar with each other's scents. This facilitates a smoother introduction when introducing new cats into the household.
Hide-And-Seek
Cats, just like us, can pretty easily get bored if their daily routine doesn't ever change! You can make a meal or snack time that much more interesting for them.
Use treat-dispensing toys or puzzle feeders to make mealtime more engaging. Hiding small portions of food around the house stimulates your cat's natural hunting instincts.
A Nighttime Routine
Does your cat go especially crazy at night when you're trying to get ready to go to sleep?
Establish a calming nighttime routine to help your cat wind down before bed. Engage in quiet play sessions, offer a bedtime snack, and provide a cozy sleeping area for a restful night's sleep.
Build Upwards
When looking to make additions to your home for your cat, look up! Building upwards provides vital opportunities for cats to explore, perch, and observe their kingdom. Shelves, cat trees, and elevated perches fulfill their innate desire to climb and survey their surroundings.
It enriches their environment, promotes exercise, and offers a majestic vantage point for their majestic souls.
Give Your Cat Their Own Computer
Secure your workstation and keep your feline friend entertained with a clever trick! Set up a decoy computer for your curious companion, complete with a screensaver displaying captivating fish or birds.
This diverting tactic entices them away from your actual computer, preserving your productivity while granting them a delightful digital playground.
