It’s that time of year, when many of us start feeling the urge to fling open the windows and give our homes a thorough spring cleaning. And if you’re lucky enough to live with a cat, you might consider these handy kitty-related housecleaning tips:
Air out cat beds. After lots of wintertime snuggling, your cat’s bedding needs some freshening. If it’s washable, pop it in on the hot water cycle. If not, sanitize the bed by putting it out in the sun for the day. Ditto for carpeted cat trees.
Get in some grooming. Warmer weather means shedding that winter coat. Use a deshedding tool that helps cut down on flying fur (as well as hairballs).
Bug alert! Springtime weather brings fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Talk with your veterinarian about the best options for your cat’s health, lifestyle and climate. And make sure your cat food storage is bug-free and protected from summertime heat – food can easily go rancid when exposed to hot temperatures.
Deep clean cat fountains and water bowls. Remove hard water deposits by running a vinegar and water solution through the fountain then scrub and rinse. The same solution can be used for water bowls.
Deep clean litterboxes. Give the boxes some extra attention with a vinegar and water wash, followed by drying time in the sun.
Inspect cat toys. Roundup your cat’s collection of toys for close inspection. Do any need to be cleaned or mended? Put all plush toys in a pillowcase and launder them, then place in a patch of sun to dry. Hard toys like wands, interactive games and track balls can be hand washed in a solution of vinegar and water.
Make a donation pile. Spring is the perfect time to gather those cat-related items you’re no longer using and donate them to your local animal shelter, such as toys your cat no longer likes, beds he has outgrown and excess bowls. Shelters are always in need of towels and blankets, too.
Clean with pet-friendly solutions. As you deep clean your house, be sure to choose cleansers that aren’t harmful to pets. Simple, eco-friendly products like vinegar and baking soda make great cleansers!
