Keeping a clean house if we get a cat?

furryfriend2013

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Ok..So we may get a cat....Since we have been married 8 yrs we have never had an animal besides a guinea pig....My big concern, is I like my house in order and clean...Even though I only do a major cleaning every 2 weeks, my house usually looks spotless, because we only have one daughter, 5 yr old, and we spend most of our time in the family room.....I have all wood floors which I only swifer every 2 weeks, but use dust buster almost daily for spot cleaning.....Im worried about all the hair, and the cleanliness of having cat paws that walk in litter then jumping on my kitchen table, couch, etc....Im not a total germophobe, but I lysol around the house alot, and whenever we come home from outside, we all wash our hands :) Is this familiar to anyone? And how was the adjsutment once you got a cat??? We would be adopting a declawed, 6-8 yr old cat.....Hopefully...

I know they are very clean animals, but I have not had a real pet in years since high school....I am a stay at home mom....
 

ondine

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If you brush your cat daily, there will be less hair to fall out in the house.  It will also help bond you.  Certain types of cats also shed less.

The litter tracking is an issue but there are mats and trays that help with that.  I sweep around my litter boxes daily, so the tracking is not an issue for me.  The litter itself will probably not stick to the cat's feet for long and the cat will most likely clean off any that might.  Keeping the litter box scooped is a good way to make sure only clean litter gets tracked, if it happens at all.

Cats can be trained not to jump on counters and tables if that really bothers you.  Even if they get on counters, they probably leave less germs than the food you leave sitting out.  Cats are really, really clean animals.  A quick swipe with an antibacterial wipe will work.  I've found my cats don't like the smell of the lemony ones, so that usually keeps them off my counters, anyway.

If the idea of a pet's dirt really bothers you, think hard before adopting.  You'd hate to have to adopt a cat and then have to find another home for it because the mess was too much for you.

Thank you for thinking about this ahead of time (and for thinking of adopting an older cat!)
 

goholistic

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So glad to hear you're thinking of getting a kitty! Before I go on, I'd just like to say that any amount of cleaning I do is worth every bit of the love I get from my cats.


I'm a bit of a clean freak myself, and I have three cats. People say when they walk into my house, they don't know I have cats. I keep a lint roller hidden in every room for hair. I'm not thrilled with all the waste that lint rollers make, so I bought a Petmate Pet Hair Magnet for things like couches and dining room chairs. Do you have a Swiffer Vac or just the dry Swiffer? A Swiffer Vac doesn't have enough suction for large granules of cat litter, so you may need to invest in a better stick vac for your hardwood floors. I agree that keeping the litter box scooped and clean helps.

I make a homemade wood floor cleaner that works wonders. I also make my own homemade carpet cleaner. I don't use a whole lot of chemical products for health reasons (for me and the cats).

I don't allow my cats to jump on any furniture or surfaces where I keep food or food accessories (countertops, dining room table, wine rack, etc.). Temporarily putting aluminum foil on surfaces where you don't want the cat to go can help train them. Be reasonable, of course! You don't want aluminum foil all over the house! 
  If you give kitty his/her own space (like a tall kitty tower), then he/she may prefer that over other spaces. My house is "cat proof," meaning I have no window blinds, glass, breakables, plastic, rubberbands, ribbon, string, twist ties, loose wires, cleaning products, or plants within cat reach. Some plants are extremely toxic to cats.
 

Cats really are clean animals and they, too, like clean houses. My parents just have one cat and you'd never know it. But like Ondine said, they do require more work than if you didn't have a cat, so you just have to be willing. Many, if not all, of us here on TCS are willing, and would love to help you through every hurdle and share smiles with you through every happy moment with your new family member.
 

colts2broncos

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I agree with both responses, they are accurate and honest.  All pets, cats included, will always mean additional cleaning.  But cats CAN be trained to a degree.  Start early with a kitten and he/she can learn where her boundaries are, especially if you give her a space that she can own, even shelves on the wall that are hers.  Cats are all about territory, give them their space, as much as possible, to own and she will be happy.  They can be very social and love play and interaction, so prepare for that, you daughter can be a huge part of it, teach her HOW to play with the kitten and there will be a lifetime of love.

The litter around the litter box is something cat lovers just deal with, I have 6 cats and litter boxes at both ends of the house.  It's a bit of extra work but the payoff is huge.  Not to disrespect dogs but cats, I feel are better pats.  No going in and out and bringing mud, snow, etc into the house, no freezing as you let them out or take them for walks, they can be alone all day without pooping in the house, can be left at home all day and not knock you on your butt when you get home, they shed less, and are SO much quieter.  Google cats that shed the least, you'll likely get Sphinz cats which are hairless but there are other options.

Finally, I love it that someone thought about these details before upheaving a cats life but getting her then sending her back.  Good for you, and if you DO get one, please post pics so we can ooh and ahh over it :)
 

paws4life

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Im just going to write my responce in point form or you will be reading for a long time... I have 4 cats and this is what I woud suggest if you do get a cat being the super clean way you are... :)

 

1. I like my house in order and clean

- So do cats so I would say that a cat would be your best fit.

- You say the cats an adult so they will already be mature and clean.

- The cat will probally spend most of its time in a room or two or in windows.

 

2. I have all wood floors which I only swifer every 2 weeks, but use dust buster almost daily for spot cleaning.

- Thats a bonus as there is no carpet.. You may find you need to do extra spot cleaning but if your doing it daily already there wont be much of a diffrence... If you have cloth couches you will need something to remove the fur... if leather you dont see it on there...

-You may need to do a deep sweep weekly with 1 cat. Ive never had just 1 but I need to do mine every other with 3 Long haired and 1 short for people not to noitce/clean...

-If you cat likes windows and you use curtians you may find them needing a montly washing.

 

3. Im worried about all the hair

-If you brush the cat daily/other day the fur wont be to bad but you will notice it. Its just part of having a cat own you :p

 

4. the cleanliness of having cat paws that walk in litter then jumping on my kitchen table, couch, etc.

-They are so clean your proabally not going to find excess litter other then around the box... My long haires sometimes carry it but they have very long fur inbetween their toes. Its neven been extreme like a couch full of litter.

-I cant give advice on the counter as I let the cats go anywere really... I wipe should clean it though as they are very clean animals.

-Litter around the box is going to happen so if its deal breaker then you may not be ready for a cat.

 

Litter Advice.

I would suggest you use clumping litter thats sented and clean it daily by scooping the clumps and then adding a cup or so of fresh litter on the top. You can purchase litter smellies also and matts... I think you would need a litter box that has a top with vents and also a swinging door so they dont kick out as bad. The vent can also have a pet friendly smelly put in it. For litter storage I would suggest you get a plastic bin with a clip on lid so that the bag cant be spilled it also looks nicer... I have two. A clean and a dirty to help keep in smell and avoide spills... Once A week do a complete empty or twice weekly and wash the bin and the scoop before replacing the new litter.... I also keep my cat food in a small bin so it doesnt get knocked over....

Sctatching furnature


Make sure the cat has a cat tree, pole or house so that they can scratch on it or you may have some marked up furnature.... If the cat still has its claws and you should clip their nais so they are not long..
 

mservant

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Welcome. It's lovely to hear you are thinking about sharing your home with an adult cat. Again, I share comments already made but add the following.

I too let my cat go everywhere as  think it helps him feel safe in the home and hopefully reduces the risk of any anxiety or territory marking behaviours that might cause undesirable 'messes'. I have never had any such incidences to date so am assuming my strategy has worked.

Read the 101 things that can harm your cat, and advice on chemical and cleaning products that can harm / poison your cat. You may find that some products you use around your home would not be suitable. The dust buster and swiffing sound great as chemical free. Water dampened micro fibre clothes are another good addition and work wonders for the fur oils that gradually build up around door corners and edges of furnishing/walls over time as well as the day to day house dust and dander.

Some fabric surfaces are more inclined to accidentally groom fur off your cat and need to be brushed or hoovered more regularly. These surfaces also tend to accidentally get snagged in their claws so think about what you have in your home and if changing it might make it less prone to damage.

Think carefully about the type of cat you get - not just long or short hair. Some breeds need much more grooming and will continuously shed fur while others hold on to their coats much more efficiently. I looked on line first to see which breeds were best for allergies and shedding and it's not just the sphynx which only have the slight dusting of coat and need extra skin  and temperature care. General moggies vary too - have a good stroke when you meet cats for the first few times and see if their fur flies off!!  Hold them and see how much of their little furry selves they leave with you as a memento. 
  (If come away from snuggles with my Russian boy I come away fur free other than the hottest summer days).

Look in to types of litter carefully, there are good threads on this site that give lots of information and things to consider. I use a low odour dust free variety and choose to deal with the additional tracking I get from that particular brand.

I'm sure there are lots of other things but plenty of site users to chip in.  
 
 


I am not always the cleanest and tidiest of house mates - though not messy - and have to say my cat makes me keep my home tidier than I would if left to my own devices!  He tells me (and any unsuspecting, badly behaved guests!) to clear away all dirty dishes as they don't smell of his flood, hoover up crumbs and other messes from the floor that are annoying his sensitive little paws, make the beds so he can run around on them, keep his litter spotlessly clean, and generally keep 'his home' just as he wants it. He wants his home clean and tidy. 
 

peaches08

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I make a homemade wood floor cleaner that works wonders. I also make my own homemade carpet cleaner. I don't use a whole lot of chemical products for health reasons (for me and the cats).
I would love to have these recipes!

For the OP, I think that adopting an older cat is a great idea. I agree with others that an older cat will usually be more patient.
 

misty8723

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I would love to have these recipes!

For the OP, I think that adopting an older cat is a great idea. I agree with others that an older cat will usually be more patient.
I would like those recipes too - especially the one for carpet cleaners.  I've been looking for something without chemicals.

My biggest problem with cleaning is worry what might be harmful to the cats.
 

goholistic

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Okay, okay! 


I can start a new thread on this topic rather than hijacking this thread. 


But I won't be able to get to it until tonight after I get home from work and have a pizza dinner with my SO.


Stay tuned!

Furryfriend2013, do you have any other specific questions? I do find that disinfecting wipes are a nice, handy grab-n-go solution for small messes that need to be wiped up quickly. I particularly like them for a quick wipedown of the litter boxes and for painted windowsills.
 

blueyedgirl5946

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You have had some great response here., I hope you will open your home to a cat. I just wanted to add, when cats stay inside all the time, they never get the full fur coat that outside cats do. I think that is because they don't need it to stay warm. At least this was my experience when my cats were living inside. I had carpet all over except for dining room and kitchen. I cleaned the carpets three to five times weekly. Hair on the sofa was never a problem as they just didn't shed that much when they lived inside.
 

mservant

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You have had some great response here., I hope you will open your home to a cat. I just wanted to add, when cats stay inside all the time, they never get the full fur coat that outside cats do. I think that is because they don't need it to stay warm. At least this was my experience when my cats were living inside. I had carpet all over except for dining room and kitchen. I cleaned the carpets three to five times weekly. Hair on the sofa was never a problem as they just didn't shed that much when they lived inside.
I should have been so lucky with the 2 tabbies I used to have: they always lived indoors and all I needed to do was breath on them and clouds of fur would fly....
  And of course, because they don't go out  - ALL the fur they loose in in your home:(    That's why I checked out which breeds might be best before I got my current cat and also suggest above picking up any cat you're considering and checking how much it sheds BEFORE you get it!  It's worth the extra cleaning, honest!  
 
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furryfriend2013

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Oh my goodness!! Thanks for all the responses...Just seeing all of these now..I will respond and read all of these after dinner tonight :) Thanks so much for being so helpful!!!!!!

Great to know I have someone to get advice from :)
 
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furryfriend2013

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Okay, okay! 


I can start a new thread on this topic rather than hijacking this thread. 


But I won't be able to get to it until tonight after I get home from work and have a pizza dinner with my SO.


Stay tuned!

Furryfriend2013, do you have any other specific questions? I do find that disinfecting wipes are a nice, handy grab-n-go solution for small messes that need to be wiped up quickly. I particularly like them for a quick wipedown of the litter boxes and for painted windowsills.
As far as the disinfecting wipes, I was concerned they might be too harsh to clean the litter box, liek the clorax ones...Which ones do you use? Not that important since I dont have a cat yet, but i have researched so much on cats, I should Own at least one soon...LOL ....
 

ondine

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Whenever I clean out the litter boxes, I empty them completely and take them outside on a sunny day.  I spray them with Clorox Clean Up and rinse with the hose.  Then I let them bake in the sun for a couple of hours.  I have four boxes and do them two at a time.   I do this maybe every five months or so.  If the boxes get dirty in the meantime, I wipe them down with a wet paper towel only.  I scoop so often, I usually only need this to keep the dust down, though.

I use BJs antibacterial wipes for my countertops.  But I always wipe them again with a fresh damp cloth or wet paper towel.  I'm lucky that only one cat gets on the counter.

I do use the wipes sparingly.  I really think we overuse antibacterial products and antibiotics.  Clorox is my germ poison of choice but I do not like the wipes.  They seem too strong.
 

paws4life

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I use a Lysol spray once a month and really let them dry and the smell pass and every week I empty and wash with sunlight and dry them with a towel.
 

goholistic

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I use the disinfecting wipes sparingly, also, and let the surface dry completely before letting the cats go near it.

If you have the ability to clean and hose out the litter box outside and let it dry in the sun, that is perfect. I, unfortunately, live in a two-story condo and do not have my own yard or grounds to do such. I use litter box liners to keep the boxes as clean as possible. Sometimes there are little pinholes in the bag from their claws, which drops dirty litter into the box, so I have to give the box a good wipe down and let it air dry before putting a new liner in it.
 

paws4life

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I agree with the holding of the new cat. Some short hairs shed like crazy some don't. My mothers cat is insane he sits on me and its like he decided to shed his coat on me. I can pick up my long hairs and have next to nothing.
 

angels mommy

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Ok..So we may get a cat....Since we have been married 8 yrs we have never had an animal besides a guinea pig....My big concern, is I like my house in order and clean...Even though I only do a major cleaning every 2 weeks, my house usually looks spotless, because we only have one daughter, 5 yr old, and we spend most of our time in the family room.....I have all wood floors which I only swifer every 2 weeks, but use dust buster almost daily for spot cleaning.....Im worried about all the hair, and the cleanliness of having cat paws that walk in litter then jumping on my kitchen table, couch, etc....Im not a total germophobe, but I lysol around the house alot, and whenever we come home from outside, we all wash our hands :) Is this familiar to anyone? And how was the adjsutment once you got a cat??? We would be adopting a declawed, 6-8 yr old cat.....Hopefully...

I know they are very clean animals, but I have not had a real pet in years since high school....I am a stay at home mom....
I agree with what everyone else has said. I also use natural cleaning products for the same reason. I use a white vinegar, lemon & water spray for a multi purpose cleaner. In the bathroom, that sprayed w/ some baking soda sprinkled over works great. Shines things right up!  I empty & clean the litter box every 2 wks. I am in an apt. so I just rinse it out w/ very hot water w/ the handheld in the shower, and spray it down w/ the above spray, or a bleach & water spray. Let set for 15 min. or so, then spray off w/ hot water again & towel dry.

OH, on the litter issue. I keep a hand vac. near the litter box. After each use, I just sweep up, then vac. it up. I don't even use a dust pan anymore. The hand vac. gets it all better! (I'm a "neat freak" too, .....& I started a house cleaning business).

I also wanted to bring attention to the one thing no one has seemed to comment on. I hope when you said you would be adopting a declawed cat, I hope that meant that you already picked one out who happened to be declawed. This site does not support declawing. It's illegal in most states now. It's a very cruel practice. If you are not familiar, it is the equivalent to us having our fingers amputated at the first joint, & can cause the cat pain & problems for the rest of it's life. (like not using the litter box, because it hurts it's paws)  That would only create behavioral &/or litter box problems as a result. SO, I hope you knew all of that & were refereeing to a cat that was already declawed to begin with. (If so, sorry for all that, not trying to be rude. Just want you to know this info, if you didn't already). You can also find threads addressing this issue on the site.

I do wish you luck w/ everything.
  Everyone has given great suggestions.
 

smitten4kittens

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I like to lay little blankets down where my cats sleep the most. They keep a lot of the shed hair in one spot and I just wash them regularly. Okay...I also do it because it's so cute to see a cat sleeping on a baby blanket. It really does help though. The fleece blankets hold on to the hair very well.
 

margecat

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I have 9 cats, 2 long-hairs--and am a clean freak!

The following supplies are your best friends: Clorox/disinfecting wipes, your (wet) Swiffer, a decent/good vacuum, with a great pet hair removal brush (get 1 vacuum for upstairs, 1 for downstairs, if you can. Saves your back!); vinegar and baking soda (for cleaning and deodorizing). 

With only 1 cat, and your stated cleaning habits, I don't foresee  a big change for you--I think you'll pretty much just clean more often, such as on a weekly basis, instead of every 2 weeks. There was a time when I only Swiffered certain rooms bi-weekly! (We had 2 cats then.) I miss those days!!!

Can you place the litter box in the basement or away from your living area? I have all but 1 of ours in the garage, and installed a cat flap in the laundry room door, so the guys could get into their Kitty Litter Palace; we only use the garage for storage and the cats. If it weren't for Margie, all of the boxes would be in the garage! Also, put a textured rubber mat under the box to catch the scatter of litter. I have 2; sometimes they miss the box a bit--that way, I can scrub 1 down outside.

As for the furniture, I applied heavy, clear tape around the corners of the furniture. You can buy clear vinyl rectangles that you attach with the provided twist pins, but they are very pricey. Go to a fabric store, and buy clear, heavy-gauge vinyl by the yard, and save money. I've been meaning to do that for years!

As with having kids, having pets does change your lifestyle to some degree--but it's worth it!

Kudos for wanting to adopt an older cat, too!
 
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