Cat Brush

Having cats in the house usually means having cat hair everywhere. When Charlie was our only cat we were spoiled - he has short hair and spends most of his time outside. With Nola and Brogan in the mix we end up with cat hair on all the furniture. A few years ago my husband was annoyed by our sad little vacuum that did little to clean cat hair out of the carpet. He used a cat brush that we normally brush the cats with to brush the carpet. It worked wonders! Since then we have always used a cat brush for extra cleaning on the main areas of carpets. We currently have no carpeting, but I continue to use the cat brush on stubborn furniture. It also works on curtains. I usually go over things once with the brush and once with the lint roller. I try to do this daily, which really keeps the cat hair buildup minimal!

Pine Fresh Cat

You know how it goes with cats (or dogs, or any other animal that plays outside) - they like to roll in the dirt. And the mud. And the gravel. And the litterbox. Normally the last thing I want is to let a cat in the house who has just rolled all over the ground and will track dirt and odor through the house. Well, my rolliest (hmmm...probably not a word) cat recently started rolling under the pine tree, in the pine needles. I love it! The needles get most of the dirt out of his fur and he comes back home smelling pine fresh!

Quick Cat Training

Having indoor/outdoor cats can sometimes be a hassle, particularly when you need the cats back in the house at night or before you leave on vacation. I don't know about your cats, but mine will look at me from across the yard and show no interest in returning to the house. If I try to bring them in they think I'm playing a game and they run just far enough away to be out of reach, wait for me to catch up, and run some more. I've found that treat bags work wonders. Most cats love the occasional treat and bags like Friskies make a distinct sound when crumpled. If my cats hear the sound they come running and can easily be lured in the house for one measly treat. This is a great alternative to the old opening-a-can trick because you can use the same treat bag again and again!

I Moved the Cat Food!

Several weeks ago we rearranged our kitchen. I put the cat food in the spot that seemed best suited for it. After about three days I realized that if I moved the food to the other side of the room is would work better in the layout of the kitchen. I moved the food and showed each cat individually where to find it. Of course for several days they would sit in the old spot and meow as though I had stopped feeding them. I realize that cats sometimes have trouble adapting to new situations. I figured it wouldn't be long before they remembered where the new food was. Well, they do remember. They eat the food where it is now, go sit in the old place, and meow and look sad. Apparently they liked it better where it used to be!

Cats and Pianos

This post actually applies to any wooden furniture your cats aren't allowed on but sneak on while you're sleeping. You can imagine when, several days after buying a new piano, I found a small scratch in it that wasn't there before. The cats had learned not to jump up on the piano, but apparently after we went to sleep each night it was party central. The nice piano tuner buffed out the scratch for me and I tried a variety of gimmicks to keep the cats off the keyboard. (Just for the record, the worst idea I tried was a slipcover. This was more inviting than the piano itself and each morning I found the cats happily napping on it.) Here's my solution:

Drawer Liners

You know, those rolls of liner that come in a variety of sizes and pretty patterns? Just cut the liner to fit the piano (I just use it on the sloping keyboard area) and put it on whenever you're not playing the instrument. Even if the cats jump up on it there won't be any scratches and the liner won't slip off.

Moving Tip: Cats

Moving with cats, either locally or cross-country, can be a hassle. They're not used to cars, don't like being forced into carriers, and often have trouble adapting to new environments. Here a few tips I've picked up after several local moves and several cross-country moves.

• Cat Carriers - If possible, pick a cat carrier that allows your cat to comfortably turn around. If you have multiple cats it can be comforting to them to travel in the same carrier. A good place to start looking for carriers is any place that sells items meant for show cats. There are many sizes and styles to choose from and comfort for the cat seems to be more of a factor than it is with traditional plastic carriers.
• Food and Litterboxes on the Road - The first time I moved with a cat I was much too worried about these issues. The truth is, most cats are too scared by the move to eat or use the litterbox. When traveling cross-country I suggest placing a small, rectangular tupperware with litter in it in the carrier. The cats probably won't use it, but at least they have the option. Don't worry about leaving food in the carrier - just offer it to them when you stop for breaks.
  
• Water on the Road - Do keep a container of water in the carrier. Cats are more likely to keep themselves hydrated than full. A method that works for me is to use adhesive velcro on the bottom of a plastic water bowl. I put a piece of velcro on the floor of the cat carrier as well. I can fill the bowl with water and velcro it in so very little water spills. When the bowl needs to be refilled you can just unvelcro the bowl and refill it.
• Hotels - Many hotels allow cats to stay for a small fee. This isn't too much of a problem - just bring in your carrier with the bowl of water and litterbox inside. Provide a bowl of food and your cats should be okay. You may want to look the hotel room over before taking the cats out of the car. Many hotel beds are easy for cats to hide under and hard for people to move to get the cats out. Block any easy access points with luggage or pillows and you'll have an easier time finding the cats in the morning!
• Familiarizing the Cats with the New House - The most important thing to show your cat in your new house is the litterbox. Many cats become disoriented, resulting in unpleasant messes for you! If possible, set up the litterbox before bringing the cats into the house. Let the cats sniff around on their own, but make sure they find the litterbox. If they don't notice it, take them on a little tour! (Helpful hint - use the same litter they've had in the past. New litter can also throw them off, resulting in more unpleasant messes!) After you know the litterbox has been introduced, show them the food and water bowls. This part of familiarization should be easy. If you already have your old furniture in the house your cats should find their favorite chairs or shelves and settle in comfortably. If you're still moving the furniture in the adjustment period might take a little longer.
• Identification - Always put collars and ID tags on cats when moving with them, even if they are indoor cats and normally don't wear collars. A disoriented cat might run out of the house and you'll want your new neighbors to know where he or she lives!

Most of these cat tips work with other pets as well. The bottom line is, moving is stressful enough without any pets. Planning ahead makes a huge difference.