A new floor for my cat room

[jenluckenbach]

OK, this is not your ordinary floor. I had carpet in this room. The cats peed on it (some accidents, some not). So I covered the carpet with a blue tarp (I am sure you have seen them) It was a bother because It moved around and the cats played under it.......but the pees and poops and throw ups were easy to clean (except of course, when they did it where the tarp did NOT cover.

So, that is the background. I could have purchased a new rug (I prefer carpet to hard floors), but it would only get messed on. I could have taken up the rug and used the bare floors, but they are ugly, partly painted, and the pee would no doubt sink in pretty well.

I can not afford to have new floors put in.....that was in no way an option.

So here was my solution (not what every homeowner dreams of, but it suits my purpose!)

Look at the photos and see if you can figure out wht I did......











Ready for the answer?????

I purchased an BIGGER tarp. I cleared out and cleaned out the whole room. Then I laid the tarp down like it was wall to wall carpeting, stapling around the perimeter. I allowed the excess to go up the wall to make a sort of backsplash and stapled it in place.

Like I said, 9.75 out of 10 people would call this totally WEIRD, but I really think it will make cleanups easy.....and it could not have been cheaper.

[pitc9]

WOW!! What a GREAT idea!
I love it!
You're SO crafty!

[Catty1]

BRILLIANT!

In my life, being broke has been the mother of invention!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

That is a SUPER idea, Jen!! It will be so easy to clean!
What I was wondering: is it thick enough to resist cat-claws?

[cassiesmom]

Gosh, I was too busy thinking about how nice it is for the kitties to have their own room! Do they like to look out the window?

[Medusa]

OK, this is not your ordinary floor. I had carpet in this room. The cats peed on it (some accidents, some not). So I covered the carpet with a blue tarp (I am sure you have seen them) It was a bother because It moved around and the cats played under it.......but the pees and poops and throw ups were easy to clean (except of course, when they did it where the tarp did NOT cover.

So, that is the background. I could have purchased a new rug (I prefer carpet to hard floors), but it would only get messed on. I could have taken up the rug and used the bare floors, but they are ugly, partly painted, and the pee would no doubt sink in pretty well.

I can not afford to have new floors put in.....that was in no way an option.

So here was my solution (not what every homeowner dreams of, but it suits my purpose!)

Look at the photos and see if you can figure out wht I did......











Ready for the answer?????

I purchased an BIGGER tarp. I cleared out and cleaned out the whole room. Then I laid the tarp down like it was wall to wall carpeting, stapling around the perimeter. I allowed the excess to go up the wall to make a sort of backsplash and stapled it in place.

Like I said, 9.75 out of 10 people would call this totally WEIRD, but I really think it will make cleanups easy.....and it could not have been cheaper.

Hey, if weird works, whatever! It's no weirder than steps leading to the bathroom sink or an iron skillet on the bedroom floor or a gerbil drip bottle for a spoiled cat. If it makes it easier on you for cleanup, it's ingenious!

[jenluckenbach]

What I was wondering: is it thick enough to resist cat-claws?

I am hoping that it is. The temporary tarp that I placed over the rug withstood A LOT of abuse from the cats. That tarp was on the floor for at least a year and some (Since the time Lucas had the bad diarrhea) without a hole or a tear.

If it does not......on to the next plan. (but I think it will last a while)

how nice it is for the kitties to have their own room! Do they like to look out the window?

YUP. I have 2 taller carriers placed in front of the window and on top a plywood board with a carpet.......the perfect cat perch.

This is the room they go into to eat. 11 cats in their own cages, 2 not in cages and the other cats are in a couple other rooms. They also love the cat trees and even just laying in their open cages to catch a nap.

[catmandu]

WELL CALL ME AMONG THE .25 PEOPLE JEN, AS I THINK THAT THATS A GREAT IDEA AND I WILL SEE IF I CAN GET SOME FROM THE FRONT ROOM , AS THAT HAS TO MAKE LITTER BOX CLEANUP , AND MISSES A LOT EASIER.
AGAIN JEN, YOU ARE OUR HERO!!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Jen, it looks great and hopefully it'll be tough enough to last a long time. What do the cats think of it?

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Personally, I love it! I talked to Melissa about doing this in my kitty room, because of my pottiers! I would have NEVER thought to staple to the walls though!

And I think it looks ok, no worse than stained carpet from cat pooh

I bet it will also be cool on the cats too!

Hope this works for you. Please keep us updated, I would like to know how it works out!

[orangemm]

Sounds like (and looks like) a great idea! At first I thought you had painted the floor, but the tarp idea is even better. And, even if it gets abused, it can be easily replaced. And, no smell, either. The best of all worlds!

Good thinking, Jen!

[critters]

GREAT idea, and cheaper & easier than vinyl. I have vinyl in what will be Milo's room, but I laid it myself and Tripod took a chunk out of it by the door. At least Milo can't help his peepotting ways.

Thanks to Catty for the link!!

[Laura's Babies]

I think it looks GREAT! What a idea!! (you're so smart to think of that!)

[phesina]

EXCELLENT idea!

[ChrisH]

Brilliant idea, Jen! Looks pretty good too.