When I moved into my new apartment with my kitty cat Mya, I was determined to get my deposit back. The tips in this article are some of the things I've done to help keep my apartment and cat cleaner.
The first thing I did was purchase a food/water bowl mat that is suctioned to the floor. This will prevent water damage on my hardwoods in case she knocks her water bowl over, as well as keep her porcelain bowls from scratching up the floor. The one I have is from Walmart and cost me about $5, which is nothing compared to my $600 deposit and $200 pet deposit.
The second thing I did was purchase a mat that goes directly outside her litter box to catch any litter or other matter that she tracks out. I shake it out into the trash daily and I'm constantly amazed at how much litter it picks up. It keeps her little paws cleaner, and keeps the litter in the rubber mat instead of on my carpet, couch, etc.
The third thing I did seems obvious, but I empty her litter box every day to keep that "cat smell" out of my apartment. I use a lightweight clumping litter with Glade scent and I can never smell anything unless I'm emptying the litter box. I scoop daily and completely replace the litter once a week.
Another helpful tip is to put down a piece of fabric on the furniture your pet frequents. Mya has her favorite spot on the couch so I've placed a $1 kitchen towel over that spot so I can easily throw it in the washer when she sheds/bathes on it. It helps to keep hair off my new sofa, and it helps the couch to not smell like a cat. Additionally, I brush her every other day to remove loose hair and keep her coat healthy.
Mya was spayed when I adopted her, but I would recommend spaying/neutering your cat to keep them from marking in your home. Mya is also declawed on all 4 paws so I don't have to worry about scratched/ripped furniture. However, I would only recommend this if your cat is an indoor only cat like Mya. Otherwise, they would have a serious disadvantage if they were faced with a predator outside your home.
I hope these tips help keep your home and kitty clean!
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Great tips! I went from owning my home to renting, and i want my $1200 deposit back someday! :) I have 2 dogs and 5 cats so it's I am constantly cleaning up after them or watching them to make sure they are not damaging something or peeing on the floor. I recently bought a rubber litter box mat and I, too, am amazed at how much gets tracked outside the litter box. I opted for a cheap/disposable food/water mat.. i recycle my cardboard boxes! I just cut them open so I can lay a flat piece down. It is free, easy, and disposable.
The tips are great except for declawing the cat. Especially all 4 paws.
This is great advice EXCEPT for declawing your cat on all four paws. Declawing a cat frequently causes then a lot of pain. It is equivalent to removing all your fingers at the 1st joint. It often causes arthritis and the pain that comes with it.
Those are all fantastic ideas except declaring a cat. If they are indoor cats, some of which i have taken in as rescue cats and removed, have never made any attempt to claw furniture. They had scratching posts and mats. Sorry, but never in a million years would I ever take away a cats claws. Like removing a person's finger nails.
NEVER declaw your pet!!! imagine having your fingers cut off at the first knuckle. It WILL traumatize your cat. Some states have actually made it illegal to declaw your cat.
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