I didn’t wake up one day and say, “You know what sounds fun? Nine cats.”
That’s not how this happened.
I purchased a purebred Maine Coon 13 years ago, and another came from our local animal shelter. after I lost one and felt hen eeded a companion. But most of them? They quite literally showed up on my doorstep. Tiny. Cold. Hungry. Sometimes two at a time. Once… three siblings!
And I swear they all follow the same script.
They cry.
I open the door.
I say, “Come on in here!”
Next thing you know, they’re wrapped in a towel, eating like they haven’t seen food in weeks, and curled up in my lap—warm, full, and softly purring. As if to say "Thank you!".
At that point? They’re mine. No paperwork required.
People ask me all the time how I manage nine cats.
Truth is, once you get into a rhythm, it’s just love with a side of logistics.
Let's talk first about the food you feed your cats - because this matters more than people realize.
Feeding them good, quality, nutrient-dense food doesn’t just keep their coats shiny and their bellies happy… it also makes a huge difference in the litter box department (and when you’ve got nine cats, trust me, that matters).
Better food means their little systems actually digest what they’re eating. That translates to more regular bathroom habits, fewer tummy issues, and yes — less odors. And I’m all about that.
Speaking of odors. I control odors in a couple of ways. First of all, I mop with a non-enzymatic odor eliminator that many kennels and vet offices use. You can use it on walls, floors, inside of cages....you get the point. It's highly concentrated, so I don't need to use much, and it has a wonderful apricot scent as a bonus! Secondly, I use Angry Orange Spray Pet Odor Eliminator made from natural orange oils. It's safe to use around your pets, has no chemical stink, and, with a quick spray, eliminates odors and makes your entire home smell terrific!
I've tried just about every brand and type of litter available, and I recommend ARM & Hammer Clump & Seal Platinum. It clumps better, has less scatter around the litter boxes, and I feel like it controls odors better than other brands. It's all I use.
And I can't talk about litter without telling you about a life-changing decision that we made several years ago. We decided to go with automatic litter boxes, and they have saved my sanity more than once. I only have to change the liners about once a week per litter box, and I don't even have to come in contact with anything. The liners use drawstring closures, so you just pull the strings, and it closes into a nice, easy bundle to toss in your trash bin. Done!
There are many more products that I use that I can tell you about later. These are the basics that keep my life a little less scattered than it could be.
But it's really those quiet moments. The purring. The way they pile onto me like I’m some kind of heated sofa.
I didn’t rescue all of them.
Some of them rescued me.
And honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing.
🐾
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love or believe can be helpful for women navigating this season of life. Thank you for supporting my content and this Aging Fearlessly journey.
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