- [Narrator] Having a feline friend
can be both challenging and rewarding.
Cats are a bundle of joy and known for their independence,
but they still rely on you
to give 'em the best life possible.
We've put together seven awesome cat hacks
to help you save money,
and I get a feline that your cat will love 'em, too.
(beep) (ding)
(static) (whoosh)
As you probably know cats have an intense attraction to
napetta cataria, or as it's commonly known, catnip.
We picked up these catnip infused paper bags
for three bucks on Amazon.
That's not gonna break the bank, but free is even better.
First, we tested it out on Hiccup here,
but she didn't seem to care much for it.
That is of course until she caught a good whiff of it.
After that she just couldn't get enough of it,
so we decided to make our own.
This is pretty simple, but to start
you're going to need a paper bag and some catnip.
Most cat owners have both of these already.
You can sprinkle dried catnip in the bag
or mist catnip spray all over the inside then let it dry.
Now to find out how well it works.
As you can see, it didn't take long for our furry friend
to feel the effects of the natural cat mint.
Whether you buy the catnip infused paper bags,
or make your own at home,
your cats are sure to go absolutely bonkers.
Just like you and me, cats love a variety of toys,
and luckily many of 'em can be made
from household materials.
If you're one of those unfortunate souls
with an endless pile of mismatching socks,
well, here's a way to repurpose 'em.
Fill a sock up with catnip,
a jingle bell for extra auditory stimulation,
and then had some crinkled up pieces of paper.
Close off the end of the stock
and use pipe cleaner to tie it off.
You can either cut off the excess or add a bell to the end.
to really bring this toy to life we had a jiggly eyes
and turned it into a colorful mouse toy.
Although our cat never really played much with toys,
oddly enough she became obsessed with it.
So ya really don't need to spend all that extra money
at the store on a fulfilling toy for your cat.
This one'll keep 'em busy for hours.
Hairballs are an unfortunate part of many cat's lives,
but did you know that pumpkin
can actually help hairballs pass through your cat's system?
just mix one to two tablespoons into your cat's
food each day, or just a couple times a week.
you can add it as is,
but for cats with a sensitive stomach,
warming the pumpkin up first will help greatly.
This orange vegetable's an excellent source of fiber
that aids in digestion, but if you want to stop hairballs
before they start, just remember to brush
your cat frequently and keep it on a healthy diet.
Even the most adorable cat could be a bit devious.
Especially when it comes to tearing up your carpet.
Your kitty's primal urges to mark their territory
with long shredding marks can be satisfied with
even the most basic of cat scratchers.
these cardboard scratchers run about
eight dollars each at the store,
but you can make your own for free out of a cardboard box.
Our box happens to be approximately the same length
as an 18 inch cardboard cat scratcher.
Once you break the box down flat,
cut off the excess pieces with a box cutter
and then use a yardstick
to trace out lines across the cardboard.
By the way, this also happens to be about
the same width of a store-bought insert.
Now if you're replacing that insert,
cut as many strips as you need to fill it up.
if you're looking to make a stand-alone scratcher,
wrap duct tape around the entire outside
as well as both ends and keep it all together and in place.
Just like the paper bag,
you can add dried catnip or just mist catnip spray
for even more stimulation but with less mess.
What we've created is pretty similar to
a store-bought scratcher, except ours is free
and can be used as a double sized pad
or replacement insert for your existing box.
Cat puzzles are another great way
to keep your cat stimulated.
You can spend at least 10 to 20 dollars for 'em in stores.
How about making your own a Tupperware instead?
We're using a 27 cup container,
but you can use any size you want.
You can even go with an empty shoebox if that suits you.
The premise is exactly the same.
We flipped ours over for a more stable base
and a clearer view into the box.
Just use something circular in shape to trace out
various holes in either the top or the sides.
Use a box cutter or knife to carefully cut out the holes.
If you're left with sharp edges, smooth 'em out
or line the edges with duct tape.
Now it's time to add whatever tickles your cat's fancy.
Plastic or rubber balls, jingle bells, Mylar and catnip,
(laughs) kibble treats, wow, anything you want works.
It might take a while for 'em to figure it all out,
but that's exactly the point.
Cat puzzles are very interactive toys
that engage their primordial hunting instinct.
This keeps 'em stimulated whether you're home or away.
Pet owners are generally known for two things:
Their devotion to their furry friends,
and the extraordinary amount of pet hair
on their clothes and furniture.
Whether you brush your cat often or not,
you're bound to end up
with an explosion of fur at some point.
If your upholstery is covered in hair,
put on a latex glove and rub your hand
across the problematic area.
The static will help grab those loose bits,
and they'll stick right to the glove.
The same concept can be used with your clothes
or other fabrics you have laying around.
Petting your cat and finding their sweet spot
can build a stronger, more fulfilling bond,
but it often leaves you covered in hair.
So next time you throw your cat-covered clothes in the
dryer, be sure to toss a fresh dryer sheet in there with it.
Their anti-static properties will help repel that surplus
hair right in to the lint tray.
Then you can just clean that out afterwards.
Now, if you're on the go, and a lint roller isn't available,
you can just wrap some tape around your hand
with the sticky side facing out.
Tap it all over your furry fabric with ferocity,
and you're all set.
If you have a cat that tends to fling around litter
or a dog that loves diggin' for sprinkled treasure,
a covered litter box will help keep that litter
where it belongs, inside.
These dome boxes do a great job,
but they cost between 35 and 50 bucks, ouch.
Here's a way to make your own top-entry box
for a fraction of that cost.
If you don't have an empty tote in your garage,
you can pick up an 18 quart bin
like this for under 10 dollars.
Our tote's larger than the pet store version,
but that's just fine.
Use a lid from your kitchen to trace out an entry hole
and carefully cat out a hole from the lid.
If preferred, you can cut out and entry on the side instead.
At this point you can dump fresh litter inside the box.
Most cat's won't use litter
that's more than two inches deep.
Some even prefer less.
As a bonus, you can even add a hook near the top
to hold your litter scoop.
That way when clean up time comes around,
it's already there for you.
Alright, your new homemade litter box is all set.
This'll save you tons of money
and give your cat more privacy.
So, which litter box makes more sense to you?
The store-bought version or ours?
Thanks for tunin' in.
Let us know your favorite cat hacks in the comments.
I'm sure we missed quite a few.
Also, be sure to check out our video on
tips and tricks for dog owners.
That's right, we've got you covered, too.
Alright, until next time.