Reply #2: I would advise moving the litter box out of the kitchen; I agree, that's gross. [View All]

[grannylib]

A seldom-used bathroom sounds ideal.

As for the shedding, yes, you can actually do something about it (besides vacuuming after the fact!)
There are great brushes, gloves with little clingy thingys on them, and even latex gloves are good...with just a few minutes a day (or even a couple times a day) you can really cut down on the loose fur everywhere, and the cats usually love it, and it can be a real bonding thing, and I wish you luck!