I know it might sound a little crazy to share your home with seven indoor cats, but we’ve found a rhythm that works, thanks to a big kitty playroom inside and a fully enclosed 10×20 catio outside that the cats can access 24/7.
In this post, I’m sharing a peek at the catio, inside our kitty playroom, introducing each of our seven indoor cats, why we have all seven and some of our favorite cat supplies.
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THE CATIO
First, here’s why we have it, even though we live on six acres.
Our home sits right off a scenic byway with steady traffic.
Sadly, we’ve lost cats in the past to cars, and it’s something we never want to go through again.
Plus, while six acres feels like a lot of space, not all neighbors love surprise visits from a curious cat.
So, we created a space that keeps our crew safe, gives them plenty of room to play, and still lets them enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
They can come and go from the catio 24/7 through a small cat door that replaced one of our basement windows.
The catio itself is built from a 10×20 steel frame, enclosed with wire fencing, and covered with a shade tarp over the top to keep it cool.
Inside, they have their very own 13×20 kitty playroom filled with all their favorite toys, scratchers, and climbing spots.
Of course, they also have full access to the house—but the playroom is a lifesaver when we have guests over, need to make dinner, or just need a moment without a cat underfoot.
It’s easy to close them into their own space, and we never feel guilty because all seven have plenty of room to roam and relax.
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We didn’t plan on having a small indoor cat colony, but life had other plans!
After more than 20 years of never finding a single stray, a very pregnant female cat showed up in our pony barn.
We gave her a safe place to settle in, and just three days later, she delivered five baby boys.
Our local shelter was already overwhelmed with kittens, and despite kind of asking around, no one needed a kitten.
And honestly?
We each had a favorite.
One by one, we fell in love, so we made the decision to keep the entire litter and their sweet mama, who we named May-May.
Add in our longtime resident cat, Macho Man, and just like that, we became a seven-cat household.
Meet the Crew!
MACHO MAN
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Macho Man is the king of the hobby farm.
He wasn’t thrilled when Mama May-May and her babies arrived, and truthfully, Mama May wasn’t very kind to him, but they’re all figuring it out.
Macho came to live with us as a 4-week-old bottle baby in 2017, along with his brother, Mouschie, who sadly passed away young from inherited polycystic kidney disease.
Their mother had an infection and could no longer care for them.
Macho is currently the only one of our cats who occasionally gets supervised outdoor time, and he’s a great chore buddy.
MAMA MAY-MAY
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This friendly but bossy girl is Mama May-May, the stray who showed up in May 2023.
We don’t know much about her background, but she adapted to indoor life fast and hasn’t tried to go back outside.
Everyone says she was one smart cat to give birth in our barn—because her kittens never had to leave.
THE CAT KIDS – Born May 22, 2023
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HOUSTON (aka Baby Huey)
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Huey is the biggest of the litter.
He has a bobtail, a thick coat of fur, and a calm personality.
His daily vibe is eat, sleep, chill—and he's growing into quite the bossy pants.
TEDDY
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Teddy has no tail at all—just a tiny rumpy stub.
He looks like a bear cub when he bounces around, which earned him his name.
He’s rambunctious and loves feather toys but is also super cuddly.
DEWEY
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Dewey is named after the kid from Malcolm in the Middle—because his face looks just like him!
Another tailless wonder, Dewey has a little anxiety.
He loves to play but likes to come to you on his own terms.
He’s also the most vocal and has the most “I’m sorry” expression, even when he hasn’t done anything wrong.
DELL
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Dell (short for “delinquent”) is the most people-friendly cat I’ve ever met—but he’s also the most mischievous.
He’s the runt, the only one with a full tail, and he has an extra toe on his front paw.
If you hear a crash in the middle of the night, it’s probably Dell.
He’s the spitting image of his mama, and even she scolds him sometimes.
But he’s everyone’s favorite greeter, especially in the morning.
PANDA
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Panda was the last baby born.
He’s independent and often stares at my husband like he’s trying to figure out how to be human.
He’s tailless but has an extra toe up high on one back paw.
He’s got a cool black-and-white coat, which is why we named him Panda.
He’s pretty chill and gets along well with Macho.
CAT FINDS
And now that you’ve met the crew and seen where they hang out, let me share some of our favorite cat toys and supplies.
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CAT TOYS
Best Friends Cat Tunnel - Out of all the tunnels we've had, the one pictured above has been the best in terms of quality, lasting through endless playtime with seven cats
CAT TREATS/HEALTH
Sheba Perfect Portions Wet Cat Food -With seven cats, we do a mix of dry and wet food, and this is one they all love. The portion sizes make it easy to divide and serve.
Pet Cat Carrier - My preference for carrier style.
CAT SCRATCHING
Furniture Scratching Protectors - Clear stick-on and easy to use.
Scratch Pads - I like to paint the edges of mine with acrylic paint to keep the pop of color going in the playroom.
CAT HOME/CLEANING
Air Purifier - If you have pets, an air purifier is a must. It helps with dander, allergies, and odors.
Shark Floor Steamer - This pet-safe cleaning mop is amazing! It only requires distilled water—no chemicals needed.
Hydrogen Peroxide - Ok, yep, it's my favorite for cat urine odor.
You can also check out Amazon’s CAT STORE if you’re curious what other cat parents are shopping and loving right now.
Thank you so much for stopping by Farm Dust and Paint today.
It means the world to me and my little farm.
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XOXO
Emily