40 Little-Known Hacks Actual Cat Owners Swear By

Are you a cat owner? Dealing with the unique challenges of these enigmatic creatures, from earning their trust to managing their needs, can be akin to having an additional child. Our easy, quick, and budget-friendly cat hacks aim to make your life as a cat parent a little simpler, whether you’re planning to adopt or already have feline companions.

Prevent Your Cat from Scratching Furniture

Cats often scratch furniture, causing damage. Instead of investing in expensive pieces, consider using our effective DIY Cat Deterrent Spray. Mix water, pet-safe essential oils (neem, lavender), and dish liquid in a spray bottle. The fragrance is unpleasant for cats and can discourage them from scratching your furniture.

Eliminating Litter Box Odor

Dealing with litter box maintenance can be tedious, especially when battling persistent odors. The good news is that you don’t need to splurge on expensive products. A simple and cost-effective solution is to add a layer of baking soda to the bottom of the litter box. This easily tackles unpleasant odors, providing an affordable alternative to commercial options.

Crafting a DIY Flea Trap

To create a simple and effective Flea Trap for areas infested with fleas due to your cat, place a lit candle in the most affected spots overnight. The light attracts fleas, and the hot wax traps and eliminates them. This easy trick requires minimal effort and provides an efficient solution for handling flea infestations in your home.

‘Cat Weed’ You Can Grow Yourself

Catnip, a natural herb from the mint family, induces a euphoric reaction in cats when they lick or interact with it. You can buy dried catnip, but it’s also easy to grow at home. For optimal growth, catnip requires full sun and thrives in well-drained soil—keep the soil lightly damp but not overly saturated. Whether purchased or homegrown, catnip provides feline enjoyment with its enticing effects.

Calm a Nervous Cat

Cats heavily rely on their keen sense of smell to navigate and adapt to their surroundings. A cat’s fantastic sense of smell can greatly impact its mood. When introducing a new cat to a challenging environment, consider familiarizing it with comforting odors.

A pheromone diffuser is a tool that chemically replicates a cat’s natural pheromones, creating a sense of familiarity in a new environment and aiding a nervous cat in calming down. This odorless solution ensures that humans and other pets won’t detect it, making it a discreet yet effective way to soothe a tense kitty.

Train Your Cat to Like the Cat Carrier

“The best way to imprison someone is to never let them know they’re imprisoned” may sound weighty, especially when it comes to getting your cat comfortable with a cat carrier. Cats often dislike confined spaces, but a simple way to change that is by leaving the carrier out for them to explore. This way, when it’s time for a trip, your cat will be more at ease in a familiar carrier, making the experience less stressful for both of you.

The Magic of an Empty Cardboard Box

If your cat frequently interrupts your work, it’s likely feeling bored. A simple solution is to offer an empty cardboard box. Cats find something intriguing and entertaining about these boxes, keeping them occupied while you focus on your tasks. Provide your cat with a “Chill Box,” and you can enjoy improved productivity without constant interruptions.

Window Screen Tape Is A Cat Owner’s Necessity

Persistent scratching habits can lead to damage, like a torn screen door, but concealing the harm is straightforward. Utilize window screen tape to fix the sizable hole left by your cat. This affordable and effective solution helps cover up the damage caused by your cat’s hyperactivity, offering a practical way to address the issue.

Stop Your Cat From Catching & Killing Birds

If you’re tired of your cat presenting you with “gifts” in the form of dead birds and mice, consider a simple solution. Attach a collar with a small bell to your cat. This not only alerts the prey when your cat is near, giving them a chance to escape, but it also helps you keep track of your cat’s movements in and out of the house. It’s a practical way to minimize your cat’s impact on local wildlife, and the doves will appreciate it too.

Make Cat Food Easy to Serve

Tired of digging for cat food daily? Simplify the process by using a large pitcher to store cat food. Fill it up, and whenever it’s mealtime, pour out the cat food easily without the hassle of digging into the container. Just ensure the lid is secure and not made of glass for convenience and efficiency. Save yourself time and effort with this straightforward feeding hack for your cat.

Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?

Regardless of the type of pet you have, it’s wise to consider pet insurance. Veterinary bills can be expensive, and having coverage ensures that your furry friend’s emergencies won’t break the bank. Many insurance agencies offer specialized plans for pets, providing financial protection in unforeseen circumstances. While you hope you never have to use it, having pet insurance in place can provide peace of mind and control in case of unexpected situations.

Wash Your Cat Without Getting Clawed

Avoid the risk of being scratched while bathing your cat by following these tips. If your cat dislikes water, opt for a gentle approach and avoid forcing them into a bath. Enlist the help of a family member or friend if possible, as four hands are better than two when dealing with a feline in water. Utilize cat-friendly products and take the time to ease your cat through the entire bathing process for a more cooperative experience.

Vacuuming Cat Fur

Many pet owners mistakenly use compressed air to clean cat fur from electronic devices or small corners in the house. However, the concentrated air burst tends to scatter the fur, making the cleaning process more challenging. A more effective approach is to vacuum the fur directly, preventing any post-cleaning complications and allowing you to quickly eliminate tangled hair from hidden corners. For a consistently clean home, consider repeating this process daily.

Simple DIY Cat Window Perch

If your cat enjoys observing the world from the window like the neighborhood gossip, consider making a cozy window basket perch for them. Hang it by the window using sturdy decorative ropes or utilize two shelf brackets and a thin plywood piece to support the basket’s weight and your cat. This homemade hangout spot is sure to be a favorite for your adventurous feline.

DIY Cat Hammock

It’s no surprise when your cat expresses love for a hammock. While making a human-sized one might be a challenge, creating a cat hammock is easy! Utilize a flexible piece of cloth, Velcro straps, and a chair or table in the room to craft the perfect napping spot for your pet. Ensure there are no delicate or fragile objects nearby for the safety and enjoyment of your feline friend.

Make an Indoor Grass Lounge

Creating a grass bed for your cat is simple and offers a self-growing bed alternative that your cat may prefer over an expensive cushion. Opt for natural grass, not plastic, for an authentic feel. Explore cat-friendly plants to incorporate, allowing your cat to enjoy a little snack. This cost-effective and natural approach is generally preferred by cats, providing them with a comfortable and enjoyable resting place.

Cat Loves Staring Out the Window?

If your cat is an introvert who enjoys observing the world from a window perch, consider making it even more comfortable by arranging cozy pillows and blankets. This simple addition not only keeps your kitty well-rested but also provides you with extra moments of peace around the house while your cat naps. It’s a win-win situation, offering comfort for your cat and tranquility for you. If only our cats could reciprocate the favor!

DIY Kitty Litter Box Solution

An absolute lifesaver in managing kitty litter is a DIY sift that can be easily crafted using household items. Punch holes in a smaller box or tin tray and place it inside a larger litter box. After your cat does its business, you can sift through the litter, leaving only the disposable items behind. This simple and effective solution eliminates the hassle of playing a “treasure hunt” in the litter box and makes the cleanup process much easier.

A Tip To Keep a Cat Out of a Specific Room

For a simple DIY solution to keep your cat away from specific areas in your house, use tin foil and/or sticky tape to create deterrent barricades. Cover random areas of the room with these materials. Cats typically dislike the crinkly noise of foil and the sensation of objects sticking to their paws or fur. By incorporating these elements, you’re more likely to discourage your cat from entering or spending time in those designated areas.

Expert Tips for Grooming

Managing your cat’s shedding and grooming routine can be challenging. Rather than struggling with daily brushing, make some minor adjustments around the house and let your cat do most of the work. Install brushes in hallways, doors, and walls where your cat can easily brush itself as it passes by. This not only saves you manual labor but also aligns with the cat’s natural behavior, making the grooming process more enjoyable for both of you.

DIY Cat Scratcher

Training your cat to stop scratching your furniture can be a challenge, given their natural instincts. Instead of attempting to suppress their scratching urges entirely, provide an alternative by dedicating a specific area for scratching. Recycle old doormats or blankets as scratchers to repurpose them and save money. You can attach the doormat to a wall using glue, creating an effective and budget-friendly scratching post for your cat. This way, you redirect their behavior to a more suitable outlet while preserving your precious furniture.

Tips for Calming Your Cat

Cat parents working from home during Covid lockdowns faced challenges with cats disrupting their work. Large screens emitting curious lights often attract cats and hinder productivity. A countermeasure is to provide your cat with its own toy laptop, creating a distraction. While your cat is busy “working” on their toy, you can attend meetings and meet deadlines without constant interruptions. This playful solution helps maintain a more peaceful work environment for both you and your feline companion.

Keep Your Couch Fur-Free

Dealing with the constant fur shedding from your cat can be challenging, but here’s a fantastic hack to make cleaning furniture easier. Instead of exerting unnecessary effort, use a pair of rubber gloves to wipe off the fur from the couch. You’ll be surprised at how easily the fur adheres to the gloves, making the cleanup process much more efficient and effective.

Protect Your Furniture from Cat Damage

If your cat persists in scratching new furniture despite a designated scratching area, consider wrapping your furniture legs with twine. This not only provides protection by absorbing the damage from your cat’s paws but can also add a decorative touch. Experiment with different twine colors to match your furniture. If your cat continues scratching, consider spraying a deterrent on the twine to discourage the behavior and preserve your furniture.

Most Effective Way to Remove Cat Fur

For experienced cat owners dealing with significant cat shedding, a lint roller is often a must-have. However, there’s an even better alternative: dryer sheets. If you don’t have any lying around, consider investing in them. Rubbing dryer sheets directly over fur-infested clothing not only efficiently removes the fur but also imparts a pleasant scent to your clothes. It’s a practical and aromatic solution for managing cat fur on your belongings.

Cats Don’t Know the Price

You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy pet toys. Cats don’t distinguish between expensive and random household objects. Offering them a simple item, like a rubber ducky, can be just as entertaining for them. Ensure the chosen toy is safe and not a choking hazard for your kitty, and you’ll find that they can derive just as much joy from budget-friendly options as from pricier toys.

Mastering Claw Management

It’s crucial for every cat owner to keep their cat’s nails trimmed for personal safety. Hyperactive cats, even when not being violent, may unintentionally scratch, leading to injuries. Prioritizing and taking responsibility for ensuring your cat practices appropriate claw control is essential. Implementing countermeasures when their clawing behavior gets out of hand is a key aspect of maintaining a safe and harmonious environment for both the cat and its owner.

Large Cat in a Small Apartment

Living in a small apartment while adopting one or more cats can pose challenges when it comes to positioning their litter box. Placing it in the living room or near the dining area might be undesirable. A solution is to invest in a large decorative box that can serve as a discreet and stylish litter box. Choose one that is spacious enough for your cat to use comfortably while also complementing your home decor. If the material of the box has the added benefit of suppressing foul odors, you’ve found an ideal combination for both functionality and aesthetics.

Goodbye to Buying Cat Litter Scoops

Save money on cat litter scoops with a simple and eco-friendly hack. Instead of buying a new scoop, repurpose an empty milk jug into a functional and cost-effective tool. This way, you can reuse the jug and avoid spending on expensive kitty litter devices. If you prefer almond milk, consider reaching out to a friend who uses dairy milk to obtain an empty jug for your DIY litter scoop. It’s a practical and budget-friendly solution for cat owners.

DIY Cat Toy

If your cat seems bored with its toys, try this simple and entertaining DIY activity. Place a bowl of water on a wide towel, add two or three ping pong balls, and set your phone to record a video. When your cat paws at the balls in the water, it creates splashes and rapid, wavy motions that can captivate and amuse your feline friend. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to provide enrichment and entertainment for your cat.

Tip for Cat Owners and Baby Parents

If you make the mistake of leaving a noisy cat toy within your cat’s reach before bedtime, be prepared for potential midnight shenanigans. Cats, like babies, may feel the urge to play in the middle of the night, disrupting your sleep. To avoid this, hide noisy cat toys and leave ones that will silently pacify your cat. This strategy increases the likelihood of a peaceful night’s sleep without the disruption caused by nocturnal playtime.

Using Shallow Food Trays

If you’re tired of finding cat food scattered everywhere, consider getting a shallower food tray for your cat. This quick fix not only encourages your cat to eat more slowly, reducing the mess on the floor, but it also helps prevent overeating and vomiting. Investing in a shallower food tray can save you time that would otherwise be spent on cleaning up scattered food, making mealtime a tidier and more efficient experience for both you and your cat.

A Hack for Preventing Your Cat From Getting Lost

Training your pet cat to come when called may seem like a basic trick, but it goes beyond simple cat training—it can potentially save your cat’s life. Cats are known to wander off and get lost, and a cat that responds to your call can be recalled quickly, increasing the chances of finding them faster if they ever go missing. This basic training can be a crucial and practical skill to ensure the safety of your curious feline friend.

Transform IKEA Doll Beds into Cat Bunk Beds

The concept of “Cat Bunk Beds” was shared by a Redditor, resembling bunk beds commonly seen in dorms but designed specifically for cats. This creative idea not only adds a fun element but also saves space. The best part is that you don’t need to buy one; it’s a DIY project that can be crafted with a few pieces of wood. An alternative suggestion is repurposing an old IKEA doll bed into a cat bunk bed, making it a cost-effective and inventive solution for your feline companions.

Safeguarding Your Houseplants

If you love both cats and gardening but find mischievous felines causing havoc with your plants, there’s a simple solution. To deter cats from your precious plants, try placing citrus peels in the vicinity, as cats dislike the scent. Even a hint of citrus is often enough to keep them away from that area. While cats may find the smell unpleasant, many humans appreciate the citrusy fragrance, making it a win-win solution for both you and your garden.

End Nighttime Disturbments

To prevent being woken up by a hyperactive cat in the middle of the night, spend at least 15 minutes playing with them before bedtime. Engage in interactive play to give your cat a good workout, helping them expend excess energy and feel tired and sleepy. This routine can contribute to a more peaceful bedtime for your cat, allowing you to enjoy a sound sleep without disruptions. It’s a simple yet effective way to promote a more restful night for both you and your feline companion.

Bath Your Cat Without Traumatizing Them

Many cats dislike water, making bathing a potential challenge for both the cat and the owner. To make the experience less intimidating, avoid using large tubs for bathing. Instead, opt for a smaller container like a baby tub or a basin. The reduced water volume is less likely to frighten the cat, making the bathing process more manageable and less stressful for both you and your feline friend.

Cat Grass They Can Eat

If your cat has a penchant for nibbling on house plants, consider providing them with cat grass. Cat grass is specifically designed for feline consumption and is easy to grow indoors. You can cultivate it at home, giving your cat a designated plant to munch on without causing harm to your other plants. This not only satisfies your cat’s natural desire to eat grass but also helps prevent them from nibbling on potentially toxic house plants. It’s a simple and cat-friendly solution to address their plant-eating instincts.

DIY Cat Food Tray

If you’re tired of finding bits of cat food scattered all over the floor, consider placing your cat’s food bowl on a large tray. This not only adds a sense of organization but also allows any spilled food to be easily collected later. Rather than sweeping it away as dirt, you can feed it to your cat again, minimizing waste. This practical solution not only keeps the feeding area tidy but also helps you make the most of the cat food, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Amuse Your Cat with This IKEA Hack

If you’re considering renovating your house to create a more cat-friendly environment, here’s a clever hack for an amusement park for your feline friend. All you need are a Lack shelf, two decorative brackets, and an Ådum shag carpet. Cover the shelf with the carpet, creating a comfortable surface for your cat to loiter around. Not only does it serve as a cozy spot for your cat, but it also adds a decorative touch to your home. It’s a win-win solution for both you and your feline companion.

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