Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Captain Obvious
Im a total cat nerd. Obviously. My brother used to tease me and ask what was more important. My cats or (insert bs family of origin drama). The answer is and will always be my cats. They don’t call and write doctors notes for “Emotional Support Brother”. They are ESAs or my Emotional Support Animals. My chosen family. Sorry. But I can’t live without my cats. I tolerate the brother. (joke)
Cat Lives Matter
My cats live very long and pampered lives. Typically to around 20. They are exclusively indoor. I usually have two cats at a time. To keep each other company. Cuddle buddies.
Cat Box From Hell
This brings me to the most unsexy part of being a cat mom. The liter box. Never a great look or smell. Vets reccomend keeping at least one litter box per cat. So for two cats, I usually keep three to four litter boxes. They typically use mainly one of them. But better safe than sorry.
Amazon Pets
Just a quick note to sign up for Amazon Pets. There are always bonus events happening and other great benefits. I appreciate the ease with Amazon here. Lots of additional perks from joining the program. Not only is everything mailed to your door, you can easily shop for all your bestie’s needs. From food, to litter, to toys, trees and yes, litterboxes. Make sure you sign up for Amazon Pets here. https://amzn.to/3VMz2hV
Spraying and Kicking Outside the Box
Cats are a$$holes. Facts. You clean up, they mess it up. Rinse and repeat. They will always kick litter everywhere. They will always get finicky about dirty litter boxes. You can’t fix this behavior. Only adapt. Us adapt. Buy boxes with covers or super tall sides. Use shields. Buy cat mats. Extra large boxes. Trust me, you don’t want to go cheap here.
Senior Cats and Chubby Lazy Cats
When needing a big litter box with extra extra tall sides, the problem often arises with entry. You need your beloved feline to be able to get in and out of the litter box without problem. All the way in the box. Especially, and most important, the butt and the tail. My cat Twilight had the bad habit of walking halfway in the litter box with her tail and butt outside the box. Yikes. Eeegads!! Huge problem. She ended up spraying everywhere. There was pee outside the box. On the Matt. On the floor. It was non stop. I tried everything to the point of insanity. More litter boxes. Puppy pads outside the litter box. Screaming. Crying. Budhist chants. Nothing worked.
Large Litter box with Extra Large Entry
Finally we found a solution. And yes, it works. The extra tall litter box with senior entry. A low entry. And then a shape where she is forced to go inside and turn around. No room for her to stand in partially with her tail outside. We need her all the way in the box and turning around with her tail inside. Well Dyno-Myte!!! It worked. Well worth the investment. I’ll include links to various boxes. Key is big with low entry walkway.
Other Essentials.
Equally important is a litter matt. They will track litter from their feet upon exit. I prefer the type that trap the litter and you can poor out the excess into the garbage.
Cat Litter
Also crucial is a good cat litter. The crystals seem to be healthier. At least for me, I know I use my inhaler less afterwards. Less dust. There are various brands of litter that can even monitor your cats health. Love this.
Steel Litter box Hype
Everyone is upgrading from plastic to stainless steel. They don’t trap odors like plastic. They look sheik. Plastic is so 1980 anyway. Though many companies use BPA free materials. (Apparently, BPA is the “bad” stuff in plastic)
Vacuum
You must also have a good vacuum. Or vacuum sweeper. Preferably handheld. This must be done daily. Just a cat mom thing. Just like changing water. Which is an entire separate post. Luckily, vacuums are pretty affordable these days. Trust me here, it makes life easier.
Cat Models Know How to Work it!!
While I was writing this, Twilight graciously modeled her pink litter box. Cats know things. I swear. Notice the detail and consideration Twilight provided for us. The tail was right in there. Thank you Miss Twilight for letting us invade your privacy.
Here is a link to an article from my favorite Cat Behaviorist Jackson Galaxy on cats peeing outside the litter box . https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blogs/news/you-re-setting-up-your-litter-box-all-wrong
Ill also include some Amazon links to a few pertinent Jackson Galaxy products.
Amazon Links to products mentioned below:
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
(***Im working on learning how to blog again after close to 20 years. My links don’t look great yet. They work. I’ll get better. A bit of a GenX learning curve happening.)
PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box XL in Salmon Pink
https://amzn.to/3Paq9uW
Richell – PAW TRAX High Wall Cat Litter Box (RCL60001) Regular
Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Lid
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CSXW77QB?ie=UTF8&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=e2fe0d4012abbed5d6e7165fbf3a5152&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box- XL Extra Large Metal Cat Litter Box with High Sides
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D942V4X2?psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=1f84fc7bcbae6a41f58eb5f25bc63180&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box with Lid,Metal Litter Box for Big Cats,Extra Large Enclosed Metal Litter Box,Metal Litter Pan Tray with High Wall Sides
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFPQW1KT?psc=1&pf_rd_p=c4606765-78ec-444e-9319-716ceb6c5a61&pf_rd_r=Z336TP8TE5KMM2BD6P0Z&pd_rd_wg=N825u&pd_rd_w=aXBzJ&content-id=amzn1.sym.c4606765-78ec-444e-9319-716ceb6c5a61&pd_rd_r=30f168d2-0c28-48ed-b35e-992d17e381f2&s=pet-supplies&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=c2307ebfa21046b1bae0e0c7619c5e99&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Pieviev 2 Packs Cat Litter Mat Double Layer Waterproof Urine Proof Trapping Mat
https://www.amazon.com/Pieviev-Litter-Double-Waterproof-Trapping/dp/B0BBR3CJ8J?content-id=amzn1.sym.843f49c0-56cf-4eaf-befd-f10ff009777d%3Aamzn1.sym.843f49c0-56cf-4eaf-befd-f10ff009777d&crid=1HQJ2QCMPKPL4&cv_ct_cx=cat%2Blitter%2Bmat%2Bxl&keywords=cat%2Blitter%2Bmat%2Bxl&pd_rd_i=B0BBR3CJ8J&pd_rd_r=1b41894b-fac0-4c0b-8a64-88f536135b4c&pd_rd_w=p7kxE&pd_rd_wg=n0Czg&pf_rd_p=843f49c0-56cf-4eaf-befd-f10ff009777d&pf_rd_r=44YVSMRSH72CZ684EVX4&qid=1734820569&s=pet-supplies&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=cat%2Blitter%2Bmat%2Cpets%2C209&sr=1-2-9428117c-b940-4daa-97e9-ad363ada7940-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=4de7599bb82cdb669ef94060cfb1c1df&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Genius Litter Health Indicating Cat Litter with Non-Clumping Lightweight Color Changing Silica Gel Crystal
https://amzn.to/4gt3g1T
Shark 12″ Cordless Rechargeable Floor Carpet Sweeper Multi-Surface Stick Vacuums Cleaning 2 Speed Settings
Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 450W 40KPA 55 Mins Runtime Stick Vacuum Cordless with Rechargeable Wall Mount, Vacuum Cleaner with Touch Display for Home Pet Hair Carpet Hard Floor
Jackson Galaxy: Bully Solution (2 oz.) – Pet Solution – Promotes Relaxation and Calmness
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Galaxy-Relaxation-Dominance-All-Natural/dp/B0048Z4W4S?crid=1AZOO5DN6RDWY&dib
Jackson Galaxy: Stain & Odor Remover – Pet Urine Remover
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Galaxy-Stain-Eliminator-Fizzion/dp/B019YO7Y4M?crid=1AZOO5DN6RDWY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4gPnOR86U8p0xi4ZL_jwOm1DRgYd0LSFAMhVjmZcXFdpP-fcboU_qqCYlJ3TNg81J_e0_ejVkAkRE65s-X8yHLtlDiq7qo58JzeXn7yBNmhzouM-eKkvRwaUqbid5TH2tOEYNj5b6YFSfFqFvFzuj7BSfjoBmMgpVr0bWfrIYC9NrWvniwh5rBkP0FXoed5_ydWh-0yYYMh-abNKbju0Cok-cuKzXPxm9c24aEbI5JagUt4uR2OZbwZELC1n3uO4e6peE6SFrHOQgQh6uM35lzcnXV7RU_Y7R3d84VzbOs34tXj01_1llViluMrGEJKy7DGBX1BDZWcEVdNaxgMCaZuo0IuESb8FE98jJ5TvDAA._ZgzDrA65ZqeGseAyOqqlzxROyZ-HEd02Qs5Px_r8HQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=jackson+galaxy&qid=1734820796&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=jackson+%2Cpets%2C186&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=a5723da9b8cb9306486c8599cef0e741&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Your Cat Backpack Carrier Bag – Jackson Galaxy Airline Approved Cat Carrier with Space Capsule Bubble
https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Galaxy-Cat-Backpack-Carrier/dp/B07WF9LXCK?crid=1AZOO5DN6RDWY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4gPnOR86U8p0xi4ZL_jwOm1DRgYd0LSFAMhVjmZcXFdpP-fcboU_qqCYlJ3TNg81J_e0_ejVkAkRE65s-X8yHLtlDiq7qo58JzeXn7yBNmhzouM-eKkvRwaUqbid5TH2tOEYNj5b6YFSfFqFvFzuj7BSfjoBmMgpVr0bWfrIYC9NrWvniwh5rBkP0FXoed5_ydWh-0yYYMh-abNKbju0Cok-cuKzXPxm9c24aEbI5JagUt4uR2OZbwZELC1n3uO4e6peE6SFrHOQgQh6uM35lzJlncn6QxwuL6tWCwQVphU.mjdjamA0IiZNQQYi6hCfbbBjNds1mQ_HN9fTaLjCtw0&dib_tag=se&keywords=jackson+galaxy&qid=1734820796&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=jackson+%2Cpets%2C186&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=vadergrrrl-20&linkId=56c5292c4d22ed9190b43c6fd0636ac4&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Sköld Legacy Creative – Rise to the Ashes 