Essential Hacks To Make Living With A Cat So Much Easier

Cats get a raw deal sometimes. They are viewed as being conniving, snobby, mean, and antisocial. The problem with trying to defend them, if you’re a cat lover like I am, is that these things are totally true. Cats can be the absolute worst. But so can people, and you don’t meet that many people who are all, “ugh, PEOPLE. I don’t understand why anyone would live with one.” unless you are counting me every time I have ever left my house because I pretty much always say that. Still, the stereotype that every woman of a certain age lives with an assortment of cats is unfair, but not entirelyoff-base – I am single, in my 30s, and live with two. It balances out though (right?), because I also live with a dog. There are essential hacks to make living with a cat so much easier.

While cats might be innately assholes (and they are), there are absolutely things you can do to make your life with them infinitely easier. I’m not talking about the obvious noise like buying a lint brush (which I will now take the opportunity to tell you is like bringing a waffle to a gun fight). I’m not exactly a cat whisperer, but I do know a little bit about living with cats without losing your mind. That said, in the interest of full disclosure, on Monday of this week I did storm into my bedroom and close the door because “the cats are everywhere.” The struggle continues. But these things help:

 Water Bottles Are Your Friend

I have a 7-month-old kitten. He is amazing. He is also a giant asshole. The biggest. He’s also the first cat I’ve ever had who does that thing where if you have a full glass on a flat surface he will be all like “Ima sip this, and then Ima KNOCK IT TO THE GROUND JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.” This is why I suggest water bottles with lids. Foil the cat, stay hydrated.

 Clip Nails Immediately

It’s an ungodly nightmare of a task, but trim your cat’s nails and early and regularly. Eventually they will learn that you aren’t torturing them for information. Cats with well-maintained nails scratch less which means less damage to all of your fine belongings. A lesson I wish I had learned two couches ago.

 Never Have Just One

I’m running the risk of being called a crazy cat lady for this one, but it’s necessary: If you have a cat, get another cat to be his friend or arch enemy. Cats may like their alone time, but they also like their having-a-friend time (don’t we all?) Get your cat a buddy. The Vines practically shoot themselves.

 You Don’t “Own” a Cat – You Live With a Cat

Treat your cat like that one, impossible roommate and your life will be so much easier. You’d never yell at your roommate for pissing on the floor. You’d be all “dude, what the hell?” Though, admittedly, you’d make them clean it up which is something you can’t do with cats. If you treat your home as a place you share with your cat, rather than the kingdom over which you rule you are so much more unlikely to have to worry about a bloody coup led by Mittens.

 Buy a Spot Cleaner

Cats are traditionally viewed as fastidious, clean, and smart. They are none of these things. They are just snobby idiots. Imagine every dog you’ve ever met – now give them the personality of Regina George. That is a cat. Things my cats have eaten and shat/vom-ed back up include: Each other’s hair, corn, a nickel, and popped balloons, for starters. Cats, that is to say, are nasty as hell. I bought a spot cleaner for my carpets and it changed my life. Well, improved it. My cats are still monsters. One recently the entire left leg of a fake crow I bought for Halloween. There’s only so much you can do.

 Give Them a Safe Space

You can’t get pissed at your cat for always knocking stuff over and being all up in your business if they have no space of their own. Create a nook or two just for your cat. Mine lives for his weekly Fresh Direct box. It doesn’t take much.

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Source: sketchysloth  Photo Credit: Photo by Paul on Unsplash