Update as of July of 2026. This product is no longer in production. Check out my latest updated post on The Fat Cat Backback for a great alternative. Or check out my post on the top 10 backpack carriers.
Texsens Cat Backpack – Innovative Traveler Bubble Model
You can watch my video review of the product here or read further along for a written review. They cover all of the same items so it is completely up to you!
If you’re looking for a new and comfortable way to carry your cat then you’ve found it. The Texsens Cat Backpack does an amazing job on several fronts so I’ve broken it out into individual sections of interest. All in all this is an awesome cat bubble backpack and I’ve been ecstatic with my purchase.
Comfort for the human:
Whether you need to carry your cat near or far this carrier has you covered. Not only is it easy to pick up and easy to get up on to your shoulders, but the straps are well padded and comfortable whether you’re you’re walking 5 minutes or 5 miles.
Since I live in a downtown area I constantly take my cats out for neighborhood walks and they love sniffing the fresh air and bouncing along.
Comfort for the cat:
The carrier has a nice lambs wool bad in the bottom that is stock, but you can easily fit all sorts of blankets or other soft materials to improve upon the basic pad.
There’s tons of room in this carrier. Either of my cats fits in it perfectly fine and they weigh 9 and 12 pounds respectively. I wouldn’t put them both in it at once and I would suspect cats over 15 pounds would be cramped.
Ventilation:
The carrier is loaded with ventilation. Your cat will not overheat in this carrier. It has 12 ventilation holes and 2 large mesh panels built right in. On top of this you’ve got additional ventilation whether you have the mesh panel or the bubble in place. You can even go without either for added fresh air.
Durability:
The product itself is very sturdy so the likelihood of your cat getting out is slim unless they have dedicated time to claw at the mesh panels without supervision.
Mine has gone on at least 50 walks since I’ve gotten it and it is in excellent shape. You do have to clean the plastic bubble off on the inside and outside from finger and nose prints though. Windex works wonders, hurray for no streaks!
Safety:
The carrier comes fully equipped with a cat leash/harness safety connector inside. You can easily snap either of the two to the connector.
Just in case your cat does find a way out (likely while you are opening or closing it as with any carrier) you have an added level of cover.
There’s also a top handle built in specifically to allow you to run a car seat belt through it so you’ve got added safety while driving your fur ball back and forth from the vet or groomer. Bonus!
Novelty:
If you like being the cause of conversation or excitement then this pack will definitely do that. People absolutely love seeing your cat’s head bobbing along in the bubble and they’ll immediately start chatting with you about it.
I rarely make it more than a few blocks before someone asks ‘Is that a cat in there?! I’ve never seen a carrier like that before!’
Ease of Use:
Getting your cat in and out of the carrier is a breeze with 3 different entry points available. After taking my cats for walks and rewarding them afterward they’ll now walk right into the carrier for a treat.
The only real negative I’ve found with the carrier so far is that the directions for switching out the vent for the bubble window definitely need some improvement. Once you know how to do this it is super easy to interchange them or just pop them out, but it is a hassle to figure it out the first time you try it.
Summary of Pros:
✓ There’s plenty of room for either my 9 or 12 pound cats (not both at once)
✓ It has tons of ventilation to ensure your cat stays cool even if it is hot
✓ There’s a connector for your leash/harness for added safety
✓ The pack is super comfortable on the shoulders for hour long walks/hikes
✓ People love seeing your cat in it, city or country, you’ll start lots of discussions
✓ My cats absolutely love it, Beast now sleeps in it even when it isn’t in use
✓ There are numerous entry points for easily getting your cat inside
Summary of Cons:
☓ Switching out the vent for the bubble the first time is kind of a pain in the neck, if you need any help check out this short how to video
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do you switch the vent out for the window? I can’t get the darn thing off!
Yes, you can definitely just leave them both off and give your cat access to the open air. Be sure they are leashed and harnessed though.
Can you use it for hiking?
Yes, I’ve taken Beast hiking with it and it works just fine for hour long hikes. She’s comfy in it and it doesn’t bother my back or shoulders.
What size cat can fit in it?
My 9 pound and my 12 pound cats both fit in it fine for short or long walks.
If it was for an extended trip like an airline flight I wouldn’t recommend it for a cat larger than 12 pounds as they’d have a hard time laying down.
What are the dimensions/specs?
13.4″ L x 10.2″ W x 16.9″ H.
Carrier Weight: 4.4 pounds
Tips for Getting Your Cat to Use Her New Carrier
Cats notoriously dislike carriers. No matter your reason for buying this carrier you’ll definitely want to slowly acclimate your cat to it so she isn’t afraid of it.
These tips will ensure your cat won’t despise the new carrier:
Be sure you purchase a carrier of sufficient size, this carrier wouldn’t be comfortable for a Maine Coon
Introduce your cat to it over several days: let her sniff it, feed her treats while it is nearby, let her go in and out without closing or zipping it up
The first time you close up the carrier don’t keep it closed for long before you open it up and feed your cat some treats
Take your cat on short walks or for rides in the car that don’t end in a trip to the vet (or anywhere else she might hate like the groomer) and feed her treats when you let her out
Don’t only pull the carrier out when it is time for a trip, keep it out and visible often with treats inside it
Be patient, most cats don’t love any carrier, so adjusting may take time
Wrapping it Up on the Texsens Innovative Cat Bubble Backpack
As indicated above, this product is no longer available, check out a great alternative called The Fat Cat Backback.
Have you tried out a cat bubble backpack? Please leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on the Texsens Cat Bubble Backpack (or any other!). You can always check out the Texsens website for more details too!
If you don’t love this carrier then check out my post on the top 10 backpack carriers. While this is my favorite there are tons of other options out there.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Updated August 2026: I went back through every pick on this list and swapped out the ones that had gone out of stock or gotten discontinued, replacing them with the closest still-selling, well-reviewed option I could find for each.
If you’re in the market for a heated cat bed there are a couple of key things you’ll want to consider. First and foremost though, is does your cat really need a heated cat bed? Most cats will not require something like this because their fur is a great insulator on its own.
The only reason a standard cat would require a heated bed is if the house gets down to a very chilly temperature at certain times of day and you don’t want to turn on a larger heating system.
So given the above, I’ll outline some of the best heated cat beds on the market, but I’ll also discuss in more detail below whether or not your cat should really require a cat bed or if you are spoiling your cat (which I’m all for too!).
One last thing to note, all of the beds below are for indoor use only. I have not yet compiled information on heated cat beds for outdoor/feral cats so do keep in mind none of the beds below should be used outside where they are exposed to the elements.
K&H is about as trusted a name as it gets in heated cat beds, and this is their classic model — a soft- walled bed with a thermostatically-controlled heater built into the base that only warms up once your cat actually settles in. It's about as simple as a heated bed gets to operate: no dials, no settings to fuss with, just a bed that gets cozy the moment your cat lays down on it.
This particular listing is the 16-inch Small size, built for cats under 15 lb — K&H also makes a Large version if your cat runs bigger, so it's worth double-checking which one you actually need before you buy. Between the brand's reputation and how consistently owners report getting years out of one of these, it's the safe first pick on this whole list.
Soft, 6-inch foam walls give your cat something to curl into, with the heater built into the floor of the bed rather than bolted on as an afterthought.
The 4-watt thermostatic heater only warms up when your cat is actually inside the bed, so it's not running at full temperature around the clock.
The cover is fully removable and machine washable, so keeping it fresh doesn't mean replacing the whole bed.
It's MET safety listed, which matters more than it sounds like it should for anything that stays plugged in 24/7.
Owners consistently describe the warmth as comfortable rather than hot, and several report using the same bed for 3+ years without it failing on them.
K&H Pet Products Hooded Heated Deluxe Thermo-Kitty
This is the same core K&H design as the pick above, just with a zip-on hood that turns it into more of a private cave than an open bed. If your cat's the type who likes to disappear into a hideaway rather than nap out in the open, the hood adds real coverage without you having to buy a whole different style of bed.
And because the hood zips off entirely, you're not locked into the covered version if your cat turns out to prefer things open — you get both options in one purchase. Like the base model, this is the Small 16" size, built for cats under 15 lb.
The zip-off hood creates a warmer, more enclosed "kitty cave" feel, but comes off entirely if your cat prefers an open bed instead.
Same 6-inch foam walls and 4-watt removable heater as the base K&H model, so you're not trading warmth or build quality for the extra coverage.
The cover and heater are both removable, so the whole bed is fully machine washable.
It's MET safety listed, same as every other K&H model on this list.
Reviewers consistently praise it for cold-spell effectiveness, and several specifically mention it working well for Sphynx (hairless) cats and senior or arthritic cats.
A recurring minor complaint is that the zipper attaching the hood can feel flimsy or start to misalign with regular use — not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if the hood is the main reason you're buying this one over the base model.
Not every cat wants walls around her while she naps, and that's exactly what this one's for. It's a flat, reversible foam heating mat rather than a walled bed, so you can set it on top of an existing bed, a couch cushion, or just a favorite floor spot instead of asking your cat to switch to a whole new sleeping setup.
The thermostat keeps it warmed to roughly your cat's own body temperature, and at 12.5" x 25" there's enough room for her to stretch out fully rather than curl into a tight ball just to fit. If your cat has already told you she's not a "walls and hoods" kind of cat, this is the simplest way to still give her a warm spot.
Reversible foam design means you get two usable sides out of one mat.
Thermostatically controlled to hold around your cat's normal body temperature rather than running hot.
Uses only 6 watts of electricity, on the low end for anything on this list.
Easy to clean — unzip, pull the heater out, and machine wash the cover on gentle.
Reviewers consistently describe it keeping cats "nice and toasty," including in genuinely cold rooms, and praise it for being simple to place wherever a cat already likes to nap.
Because it's flat with no walls, it works best on top of an existing bed or in a spot your cat already favors — it won't give a cat who wants an enclosed, cave-like hideaway the same feel as the walled and hooded picks above.
If your cat is more of a "flat mat" napper than a "walled bed" napper, RIOGOO's pad is a solid option, and it comes with a couple of features worth calling out specifically.
It's a 4th-generation design built with a 7-layer protective structure around UL-approved heating wire, and the cord itself is chew-resistant — a genuinely useful detail if you've got a cat (or dog) in the house who likes to gnaw on anything left within reach. This is the 22" x 18" Large size, so there's real room to stretch out, and it comes with an adjustable auto power-off timer instead of running indefinitely once you plug it in.
Chew-resistant cord construction is a real, specific safety feature if cords are a temptation in your house.
The 7-layer protective structure uses UL-approved heating wire inside, adding a real layer of safety testing behind the warmth.
An adjustable auto power-off timer (1-24 hours) lets you set it and not think about it again.
Reviewers describe pets settling in and staying on it for hours at a stretch, and like the generous size for accommodating more than one pet at once.
warmth performance gets mixed feedback — some owners say it works great, but a few report it stops warming reliably over time, so it's worth keeping an eye on how well it performs after the first few months.
This one's a different kind of K&H enclosure than the classic Thermo-Kitty design above — it's a soft "2-in- 1" cave that actually zips open into a tunnel shape, so it's really two beds in one depending on how your cat wants to use it that day. The exterior is soft polyester with an ultra-soft fleece interior, and it even ships with a hanging plush toy attached, which is a nice touch for a cat who likes to bat at something before settling in.
Like the rest of the K&H lineup here, the 4-watt heater is fully removable so you can run it heated in winter and unplugged the rest of the year, and the whole thing is machine washable when it inevitably needs a wash.
Zips open into a tunnel shape, so it's genuinely two configurations in one bed rather than a single fixed shape.
Comes with a hanging plush toy built in, giving your cat something to play with before she settles down.
Soft polyester exterior and ultra-soft fleece interior keep it comfortable on both sides.
The 4-watt heater is fully removable, so it's usable year-round, heated or not.
Reviewers report excellent warmth — one specifically notes it worked especially well for a Sphynx cat — and praise the overall comfort and coziness.
Opinions are split on how well the walls hold their shape over time — some owners say it stays sturdy, others report it eventually collapses or flattens out with regular use.
Toozey's pad stands out on this list mainly because of how much control you actually get over the temperature — 6 adjustable settings ranging from 86°F to 131°F, so you're not stuck with a single fixed warmth level the way a lot of the simpler pads on this list are.
It's built with a 7-layer UL-certified protective structure and a dual-resistant, chew-proof cord, and it comes with a 2-24 hour auto-shutoff timer so you can dial in exactly how long it stays running. At 18" x 16" it's a comfortable size for most cats, and it's also available in three other sizes if you need something bigger or smaller.
6 adjustable temperature settings (86°F-131°F) give you real, granular control instead of one fixed warmth level.
A 2-24 hour auto-shutoff timer lets you decide exactly how long it stays on.
7-layer UL-certified protective structure with a dual-resistant, chew-proof cord.
The cover is machine washable and reviewers describe it as super soft and cushion-like.
Available in 4 total sizes, so there's flexibility beyond this specific 18" x 16" listing.
Durability and warmth performance get real mixed feedback — some owners say it's perfect for chilly nights and works reliably, while others report it doesn't get especially warm or stops working within about a month.
CANMIL takes a different approach than the flat mats on this list — instead of a flat pad, it's built with raised, nest-like walls in a 20" round "donut" shape, so your cat has something to rest her head and neck against rather than lying completely flat. The listing describes it as carrying 25% more filling than most competing beds.
Separately, reviewers describe it as comfortable and soft. It's built with an adjustable temperature and timer on a low-wattage heating pad, and like the K&H picks above, the heater is fully removable so the bed works year-round whether it's plugged in or not.
Raised, donut-style walls give your cat's head and neck real support instead of a flat lay-down surface.
Adjustable temperature and timer controls on a low-wattage heating pad.
The listing notes 25% more filling than most competing beds, giving it a noticeably fuller feel than a flat mat design.
Fully machine washable, with a removable heater for use across seasons.
Reviewers describe it as comfortable and soft, and particularly well-suited to cold weather and winter freeze spells.
It's sized for cats up to 15 lb, so if your cat's on the larger side, the 20" donut interior may feel snug — worth measuring your cat against the dimensions before buying.
K&H Pet Products Thermo-Snuggle Cup Bomber Indoor, 18" x 14"
This is a different enclosure style from K&H than the cave or hooded designs above — it's a soft, floppy- walled "cup" rather than a rigid hut, sized to comfortably fit larger-breed cats. Like the rest of the K&H lineup, it uses pet-activated heating, so the bed sits closer to room temperature when it's empty and warms up once your cat actually climbs in.
At 18" x 14" there's real room to spare, and reviewers note it's roomy enough for more than one cat to share, which isn't something every pick on this list can say.
Soft, floppy-walled "cup" design is a different feel from the more rigid K&H hut and cave styles above.
Sized for larger-breed cats, with genuine room to stretch out.
Pet-activated heating keeps it near room temperature when empty and warms up once your cat settles in.
Fully machine washable, same as the rest of the K&H lineup.
Reviewers describe gentle, reliable warmth and cozy comfort, and several specifically mention it working well for senior cats dealing with arthritis.
A recurring complaint is that the sidewalls can be flimsy and prone to flopping over rather than standing up firmly — worth knowing if a more structured, upright wall is important to you.
K&H markets this one as "2 beds in 1," and that's a fair description — the roof collapses down to switch the bed between a fully enclosed private cave and an open cuddle nest, depending on whether your cat wants privacy or just wants to be able to see the room.
The 4-watt heater is removable and thermostatic, same as the rest of the K&H lineup on this list, and the whole bed is machine washable and MET safety listed. It's a genuinely clever option if you're not sure yet whether your cat prefers an enclosed hideaway or an open perch — this one lets you find out without buying two separate beds.
Collapsible-roof design switches between a fully enclosed cave and an open cuddle nest, so you're not locked into one style.
4-watt removable, thermostatic heater, same reliable core as the rest of the K&H lineup.
Fully machine washable and MET safety listed.
Reviewers love the warmth — one specifically calls it their cat's favorite cold-weather napping spot — and praise the overall comfort and softness.
Several owners like that it gives a cat a secluded spot away from other pets in the house.
Feedback is mixed on the collapsible wall's durability — some say it holds up fine over time, others say it collapses too easily. It also runs a little small for some cats, so don't assume it'll comfortably fit a bigger cat.
This is the smaller sibling of RIOGOO's pad featured earlier on this list, built with the same 4th-generation design and 7-layer UL-approved protective structure, just sized down to 17.5" x 14" — a good fit if you don't need the Large version's footprint or you're setting one up somewhere with limited space.
It comes with the same chew-resistant cord and adjustable auto power-off timer (1-24 hours) as the Large version, and the cover is removable and machine washable. Straightforward controls are the real draw here — you're not fumbling with a confusing interface just to get your cat warm.
Compact 17.5" x 14" size fits into tighter spaces than the Large RIOGOO pad above.
Same chew-resistant cord and 7-layer UL-approved protective structure as the Large version.
Adjustable auto power-off timer (1-24 hours) instead of running indefinitely.
Removable, machine-washable polyester cover.
Reviewers find it easy to use, with straightforward timer and temperature controls.
KEKELAN's pad is built with 6 temperature settings (86°F-131°F) on a digital LED controller, plus 4 separate timer settings (4, 8, 12, or 24 hours) for auto-shutoff, so you get real control over both how warm it gets and how long it stays on. It's built with a 7-layer UL-certified protective structure, dual chew-resistant cord protection, and a waterproof PVC inner layer, with a removable, machine-washable velvet cover on top.
This one comes up specifically in reviews from people using it in less controlled environments — a covered porch, a barn, transitioning a feral or stray cat indoors — which makes it a solid pick if your situation isn't just "inside a climate-controlled living room."
6 temperature settings (86°F-131°F) on a digital LED controller give you real control over warmth.
4 separate timer settings (4/8/12/24 hours) for auto-shutoff.
7-layer UL-certified protective structure with dual chew-resistant cord protection and a waterproof PVC inner layer.
Removable, machine-washable velvet cover.
Reviewers specifically praise it for the outdoor/sheltered-porch use case, including several who used it helping a barn or feral cat transition indoors, and note it kept pets warm through a full winter.
A few long-term reviewers mention the cover eventually burning through with extended use, so it's worth checking on the cover's condition periodically rather than assuming it'll last indefinitely.
Honestly, for most cats, no. Cats' fur is a genuinely good insulator on its own, so a heated bed is more of a nice-to-have than a necessity for the average healthy adult cat. That said, a few real factors can tip the answer toward yes:
Your home's environment (if it regularly gets chilly, especially in winter, a heated bed uses a lot less energy than heating the whole house)
Your cat's breed (hairless breeds like Sphynx cats benefit more than most)
You cat's size and weight (smaller cats lose heat faster than larger ones)
Your cat's coat (short-haired cats need more help than long-haired ones)
Your cat's age (both very young kittens and older cats — especially ones losing weight as they age — tend to run colder)
If none of that describes your situation, a heated bed is still a perfectly reasonable way to spoil your cat — just don't feel like it's required.
Watch the video below to see why cats love warm places:
Are heated cat beds actually safe to use?
Yes, as long as you operate the bed the way it's meant to be used. A few rules of thumb apply across pretty much every heated bed on this list: don't run one through an extension cord, since most extension cords aren't rated to handle the electrical load safely and can overheat; only wash the parts the manufacturer says to wash (usually just the cover, not the heating element itself); and don't stack extra bedding or blankets on top of the bed beyond what it came with, since that can create a fire risk even at the relatively low temperatures these beds run at.
Follow those guidelines and you should have very little to worry about. Most of these beds are designed to stay plugged in and running 24 hours a day — the only real reason to unplug one is if you're leaving the house for an extended stretch without your cat.
I just bought a heated bed and my cat won't use it — how long should I wait?
Give it time before assuming it's a bust. Plenty of cats take a few weeks before they're willing to even investigate a new bed, and once a cat does try one and likes it, she's a lot more likely to come back to it on her own. I've seen this play out firsthand with my own cat, Beast — a heated cave of his sat completely ignored for over a month, and then, right before we left for a long weekend, Beast suddenly discovered it and started using it regularly. Cats work on their own timeline, not yours, so don't read early disinterest as a final verdict.
A few things that can help speed that up: put a blanket or cushion that already smells like your cat (or like home in general) inside the new bed, since unfamiliar factory or shipping smells can be off-putting at first; try a calming pheromone spray like Feliway if your cat seems anxious around new objects generally — if you've got a multi-cat household, our Feliway Multicat review goes into more depth on that specific product; scatter a few treats in or near the bed to build a positive association; and if your cat has mostly just ignored the bed rather than shown any fear of it, it's fine to gently place her in it once as a nudge. If she's actively avoided it out of fear, skip that last step and give her more time instead.
How much does it actually cost to run a heated cat bed?
Less than you'd probably guess. The easiest way to get a real number is to check your specific bed's own wattage rather than assume — most of the K&H beds on this list run a 4-watt heater, while the Thermo Kitty Heated Mat (#3 above) runs 6 watts, so those are two solid reference points already confirmed for beds on this list. Running the numbers for both, continuously for a full month, at roughly $0.11 per kilowatt-hour, comes out to about $0.28/month for a 4-watt bed and about $0.42/month for a 6-watt one.
And that's the worst-case scenario assuming it runs 24/7 the whole time — most of these beds only draw power when your cat is actually in them, so real-world costs tend to run even lower than that. If a bed you're eyeing runs at a different wattage than either of these, the same $0.11/kWh math scales up or down accordingly — just check the listing for its actual wattage rather than assuming it lines up with these two examples.
Do these heating elements actually hold up over time, or do they wear out?
It's genuinely a mixed bag, and it's worth going in with realistic expectations rather than assuming every unit performs identically. Across several of the picks on this list — the RIOGOO pads, the Toozey pad, and a couple of the K&H enclosed designs — reviewers report a real split: plenty of owners get years of reliable warmth out of theirs, while a smaller but consistent group report a unit losing its warmth, failing outright within weeks, or (on one pick specifically) the cover eventually wearing through with extended use.
There's no way to guarantee which experience you'll have with any individual unit, but it's a good reason to check on how your bed is performing periodically rather than assuming it'll keep working exactly the same years down the line.
How do I know what size heated bed to get for my cat?
Sizing trips people up more than you'd expect on this category. Several of the K&H beds on this list come in both a Small (under 15 lb) and Large (over 15 lb) version, but any individual Amazon listing is usually just one size or the other — so it's worth double-checking which specific size you're about to buy rather than assuming the listing covers your cat's weight automatically.
A few of the enclosed cave-style designs also get reviewer feedback that they run smaller than expected, even within their stated size. The safest approach: know roughly how much your cat weighs and measure the interior dimensions listed for the specific bed you're looking at, rather than going off the product photo alone.
Should I keep it on all the time (e.g. even in the summer)?
The decision is entirely up to you. Most cats simply won't stay in a bed if they don't find it comfortable, so there's no harm in leaving it plugged in even when the weather is warm. And just like us humans, sometimes warmth can help relax muscles and make older cats more comfortable.
That said, if you're look to conserve energey or reduce the overall heat in the house, then you can certainly unplug the bed in the summer months and just plug it back in whenever you're read!
We all know every cat is a tad different in regards to where they love to relax and what materials they love to relax on. But I’ve personally never met a cat that doesn’t like to lay on something warm or lay in the sun when it happens to be shining through the window!
On top of this if you happen to have a cat that might have any level of difficulty in staying warm on their own then heated cat beds can definitely be a huge bonus. This applies to small kittens and older cats in particular, but it certainly helps relieve aches and pains for cats that might simply have an injury or something like arthritis setting in.
Be sure to try all the tips and tricks above if your cat doesn’t take to your new purchase right away. Cats are definitely creatures of habit and may take some time before they decide they want to try a new bed let alone fall in love with it.
What type of bed do you use for your cat? Do you have a heated bed and if so how do you like it? Tell us about your favorite heated cat bed, or better yet your cat’s favorite bed! Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This post was fully updated in August of 2026. We rechecked every pick in this guide and swapped out anything that had gone out of availability to ensure you have the latest information.
Is your cat making herself at home on every piece of furniture you have in the house and covering it in fur? While this is pretty typical for any domestic house cat you can help alleviate the problem by providing a better place for your cat to sleep.
You want to find yourself a cat bed! One of the best cat beds on the market if possible.
So let’s dig into the top of the line cat beds on the market. Some are silly and some are so comfy you’re going to wish it was your own bed. You might get jealous and try to order 100 of them to turn them into your own bed! Who knows, we cat owners are a strange breed aren’t we?
Note: This article will not cover any window beds or ledges or any heated cat beds. If you’re looking for a window bed then check out my article focused on the top 10 window beds for cats!
If you only read one entry on this list, make it this one. The MEOWFIA cave is a handmade, felted merino wool cat cave — no plastic, no fully synthetic stuffing, just a soft, natural material shaped into an enclosed dome your cat can disappear into.
We're specifically pointing you toward the Large size here rather than the standard Medium most shoppers land on by default, since the listing itself states the Large is built to comfortably fit cats up to 20 lbs. It's simple, well-made, and looks like a genuine piece of furniture rather than a novelty pet product, which matters if it's going to sit out in a room you actually spend time in.
Handmade from felted merino wool, so it has a natural, upscale material feel rather than synthetic filling.
The large size is built specifically to comfortably fit cats up to 20 lbs — plenty of room for a full-grown, bigger cat.
The enclosed cave/dome shape gives your cat a fully covered spot to tuck completely out of sight.
Because this Large size is built around cats up to 20 lbs, it's likely oversized for a petite cat or kitten — if your cat is small, look for the Medium option on the same listing instead or put a big blanket inside it to slim down the size until your cat grows up!
Cats are notoriously indecisive, and this bed is basically built for that. Lay it flat and it's a plush mat, stand it up and it turns into a cup shape, fluff it and it becomes a pod, or leave it as-is and it's a full cave — four completely different setups packed into one bed.
It's a great pick if your cat's preferences shift with the season, or if you just don't want to gamble on buying the "wrong" shape the first time. The self-warming layer tucked into the lining is a nice bonus too, and it's specifically engineered to skip the crinkly mylar sound that turns a lot of cats off warming beds entirely.
Faux-fur lining paired with a microfiber outer shell and fleece/foam padding gives it a genuinely plush feel, not just a thin layer over foam.
Faux-fur lining paired with a microfiber outer shell and fleece/foam padding gives it a genuinely plush feel, not just a thin layer over foam.
The built-in self-warming layer adds coziness without electricity, engineered specifically not to make the crinkling sound typical mylar liners make.
Roomy enough that two average-sized cats can comfortably share it, handy in a multi-cat household.
It's hand-wash recommended, so factor in a little more hands-on cleaning time than the fully machine-washable picks on this list.
There's some decent debate on whether the shape actually holds — some say it stays open reliably in cup or pod mode, others find it collapses back down and needs re-fluffing fairly often. If you don't mind a bit of hands on work to keep it in ship shape then it won't bother you either way!
Some cat beds are about practicality, and some are about winning "who has the coolest cat bed" bragging rights with your friends — this one's firmly in the second camp. The QWINEE shark bed is a full shark-shaped kennel-style enclosure in Blue, and it's genuinely fun to have sitting in a living room or office.
Sized "L," it's built with an actual large cat in mind rather than being a kitten-only novelty version. It still gives your cat a real enclosed spot to nap in once the novelty factor wears off, not just a photo prop.
The shark-shaped kennel design in Blue makes it a genuine conversation piece, not just another plain round bed.
Sized "L," it's built with a genuinely large cat in mind rather than being a novelty-only, kitten-sized version.
Waterproof and anti-slip bottom could prevent the bed from moving and shifting
It's a great option if your cat's bed doubles as a room's decor piece, since it looks like a statement item rather than a fabric blob in the corner.
Caution: novelty shapes like this typically dedicate real interior space to structural details like the fin and tail, so measure your cat generously against the interior rather than assuming the exterior size will feel as roomy as it looks.
If your cat is the type who tunnels under blankets the second the temperature drops, this is the bed built for her. The GOOPAWS burrow combines a fully enclosed cave shape with a built-in self-warming layer, so your cat gets both the psychological comfort of being covered on all sides and a passive warmth boost from her own body heat.
It's marketed as a "4-in-1" design, so it's built to be used in more than one configuration rather than locking you into a single fixed shape. It comes in a neutral Gray (Style 2) that fits into most rooms without standing out.
The self-warming design gives your cat passive warmth with no cord, battery, or outlet required.
The fully enclosed burrow shape gives cats who like to disappear completely a real, covered place to curl into.
Marketed as "4-in-1," so it's built to be used in more than one configuration rather than one fixed shape.
There's legitimately about 15 different colors available depending upon when you look so you can find one to match nearly any room!
The "self-warming" means it reflects your cat's own body heat back at her, not that it generates heat independently — if your cat runs cold and your house does too, this won't do the job an actual heated bed would.
This is the bed that put "self-warming" on the map for a lot of cat owners, and it earns the label honestly. Instead of any wiring, it uses a thin mylar-style reflective layer tucked under a faux-lambswool sleep surface — the same material you'd find in an emergency blanket, just built into a bed your cat will actually want to use.
The second your cat lays down, her own body heat reflects right back at her, and the bed warms up almost instantly. It's simple, it's proven, and it's the pick we'd point most people toward if "warm and cozy" is the main thing on the shopping list.
The heat-reflecting mylar layer requires no electricity or batteries, so there's no cord, no outlet, and nothing to charge.
The faux-lambswool top layer is genuinely soft, and reviewers consistently describe it as good quality for the price.
It's lightweight and easy to move from room to room, so you can chase the sunbeam or move it closer to a heating vent in winter.
The non-skid bottom keeps it in place even on hardwood or tile.
It's fully hand washable, so cleanup is straightforward when accidents or shedding happen.
This slot on the list has always been about support, not just softness, and the Mora Pets bed keeps that promise. It's built with a raised bolster edge circling most of the bed, so your cat has a real ledge to rest her chin or curl her spine against — genuinely useful for older cats or anyone managing joint stiffness.
Underneath that, there's an actual foam layer doing the work, not just loose fiber fill. At 20", there's enough room for a solidly medium-to-large cat to fully stretch out rather than curl into a ball out of necessity.
The raised bolster wall gives your cat a real edge to lean or rest her head against — genuinely useful for older or arthritic cats.
A real foam layer underneath gives it more lasting support than loose polyfill, which tends to flatten out with regular use over time.
The self-warming design adds a warmth boost without electricity, layering nicely with the ergonomic support.
At 20", it's roomy enough for a solidly medium-to-large cat to fully stretch out.
The grey colorway is neutral enough to blend into most rooms instead of standing out like a novelty bed.
The foam-and-bolster construction makes this bulkier and less collapsible than a soft cave-style bed, so it's not the easiest one on this list to pack up or store out of season.
Not every cat needs (or wants) an orthopedic bolster or a self-warming layer — sometimes a simple round bed does the job just fine, and that's exactly the gap this one fills. It's a straightforward circular bed with slightly raised sides, filled with high-loft polyester, and it costs noticeably less than most of the other picks on this list.
The animal print styling is a fun touch if you're into it (not everyone will be), but the real draw is that it's an easy, low-risk way to test whether your cat even wants a dedicated bed before you spend more on one of the pricier options above.
It's the most affordable bed on this entire list, making it a low-risk way to see whether your cat takes to a dedicated bed at all.
The slightly raised sides give your cat a sense of enclosure without going full cave, suiting cats who like some structure but not total coverage.
Filled with high-loft polyester, and it's fully washable, so cleanup is easier than the hand-wash-only picks on this list.
It's lightweight enough to toss in a suitcase or car for weekend trips without adding real bulk.
The animal-print styling gives it some personality beyond a plain round bed, if that's your (or your cat's) style.
It's filled with polyester fiber rather than foam, so it won't hold its loft or offer the same cushioned support as the pricier orthopedic and bolster-style beds on this list over the long run.
If you're shopping for a multi-cat household, this is the bed on this list built with the right shape for it. Armarkat's oval bed trades the tight, nested curve of a round bed for a wider, flatter oval layout, giving two cats who already like each other real room to pile in together rather than fighting over one cushion.
It's a genuinely practical build too — a bolster-style bed with a waterproof base underneath a faux suede and soft velvet exterior that feels noticeably nicer than a basic fabric bed. The listing itself describes it as shape-retentive even after repeated washing, which is a bigger deal than it sounds, since a lot of cheaper beds go flat within a season.
The oval shape gives a wider, more open layout than a round nested bed, better suited to two cats sharing than most single-cat designs.
Bolster-style construction with a waterproof base underneath makes this a genuinely practical build, not just a soft cushion.
The faux suede and soft velvet exterior feels noticeably nicer than a basic fabric bed, without the fragility some "luxury" materials come with.
Filled with 100% polyfill, and the listing describes it as shape-retentive even after repeated washing — a real plus over beds that flatten fast.
The anti-slip rubber backing keeps it in place on hardwood or tile, even with two cats climbing in and out.
This one's for anyone who's tired of cat beds that clash with the rest of the room. Best Pet Supplies built this domed tent house in a soft Tan, sized 19 inches cubed, so there's real room for your cat to stretch out inside rather than curl into a tight ball.
It comes from the same tent-house product line the brand is known for, giving your cat a fully enclosed, private space to retreat to rather than an open cushion. It's a straightforward, well-established design rather than an obscure one-off listing, if you want your cat's bed to actually look intentional in a room.
The domed tent-house shape in Tan, sized 19"x19"x19", gives your cat real room to stretch out inside.
It's part of the same established tent-house product line the brand has sold for years, not a random one-off listing.
The fully enclosed shape gives your cat a private, tucked-away spot to retreat to, rather than an open cushion.
Out of every cave-style bed on this list, this is the one that looks the most like it belongs in a nursery, not a pet aisle. Armarkat built it from ultra-plush faux fur combined with a buttery faux suede exterior, and the result is a bed that's as soft to the touch as it looks.
It comes in a Sage Green colorway on the current listing and includes insert padding for a cushioned base inside the cave, rather than just fabric stretched over an open frame. It ships vacuum-packed to save on shipping bulk, so just know it needs some time to fully puff back up once it first arrives.
The faux fur and faux suede combination feels genuinely plush, not the scratchy synthetic texture cheaper cave beds sometimes use.
Includes insert padding, giving the inside of the cave a cushioned base rather than just fabric over an open frame.
The waterproof, skid-free base handles the occasional accident and keeps it from sliding on hard flooring.
It's machine washable, so cleanup doesn't require special hand-washing steps.
Comes in a Sage Green colorway on the current listing, a neutral shade that's easy to match to a room.
It ships vacuum-packed and can take up to 48 hours to fully expand to its real size once you first unbox it, so don't judge it by how flat it looks the moment you open the box.
Some cats want an open bed. Some cats want a cave. And some cats, honestly, want both depending on the day — which is exactly the gap this slot has always filled on this list.
The OMLIVLIES bed is built as a 2-in-1 cave-style design in Grey, sized "L" for a full-grown cat rather than a kitten-only fit. Instead of committing to one shape, you get a bed that can work as either an open lounging spot or a covered hideaway, letting your cat pick what she wants that day.
Built as a 2-in-1 cave-style bed, so your cat has the option of an open bed or a covered hideaway rather than one fixed shape.
Sized "L," it's built for a full-grown cat rather than a kitten-only fit.
You can easily pop out the liner to clean and wash it, so great for upkeep after extended use.
This cat house adopts a soft color scheme to coordinate with the home environment, making it a decorative piece that adds warmth and vitality to the space.
Unclear why, but lots of owners have noted their cat simply won't sleep inside it, even if they will play with it. If you've got an extra skittish kitty, maybe look elsewhere.
Not every bed on this list needs to accommodate a 20-pound Maine Coon, and this one doesn't pretend to. The SEIMMIE tent house is a fully enclosed, pink "princess"-style tent, sized M, and it fills this list's role as the pick for a smaller cat or kitten who wants her own private hideout rather than a shared multi-cat lounge.
It's not a literal igloo shape, but it plays the same part in this lineup — a cozy, enclosed spot for one cat who likes to disappear from the world for a nap. The playful pink styling won't be for everyone, but if you've got a cat who loves tucking herself away, it's a distinctive, purpose-built option.
Fully enclosed on all sides, giving a cat a real sense of privacy and security to retreat into.
Built around a single smaller cat rather than a shared, multi-cat setup.
Very 'cutesy' so if you've got a cat you treat like a princess or a daughter who wants to treat your cat like royalty, this could be a fun accessory
The tent shape takes up less floor footprint than an oval or rectangular bed, handy if you're tight on space.
Kitty City Large Cat Tunnel Bed (2-in-1 Zip-Together Tunnel & Plush Bed)
This slot has always been about pairing a bed with a tunnel, and the Kitty City version takes that idea further than most. Instead of a bed with loops meant to connect to a separately-purchased tunnel system, this is a genuine 2-in-1 — a plush bed with a zip-on tunnel built right into the package, so your cat gets a place to nap and a place to dart through and hide, all in one setup.
It's a great pick if you've got a multi-pet household and your cat wants an escape route as much as a sleeping spot, or if you just like watching a cat disappear into a tunnel and pop out somewhere unexpected.
Includes both a plush bed and a zip-together tunnel in one purchase, so there's no separate tunnel system to source.
The zip-together design lets you rearrange the tunnel-to-bed layout, or detach them entirely if you'd rather use them separately.
The plush bed portion is genuinely nap-friendly, and the zip-on tunnel gives your cat a place to dart through and hide, not just play equipment bolted on as an afterthought.
Great option for a multi-cat or cat-and-dog household, since the tunnel gives a quick escape route from a bed that isn't fully enclosed.
The combined tunnel-and-bed footprint takes up noticeably more floor space than a stand-alone bed, so measure your intended spot before ordering if you're working with a smaller room.
What All Should I Consider When Buying a Cat Bed or Cave?
There are about a million different beds on the market these days. On top of this we all know that cats are a little bit picky, especially when it comes to their two favorite hobbies: eating and sleeping.
Given this you’ll want to make sure you have the best chance of success when buying a bed so you don’t have to find out the new bed you purchased probably needs to go to the local shelter and you need to spin the roulette wheel again!
So what’s worth considering to ensure you make the right choice up front? Let’s take a look at key aspects:
Size: It is no surprise that size is going to matter. If you own a Maine Coone you’re going to need to look for a different size bed than if you own a tiny little domestic short hair that was the runt of the litter. If you’re looking to fit two cats in a bed you’ll also want to consider that! Be sure the bed you’re purchasing is at least as big as your cat is long to ensure there’s plenty of space. If you’re going for a cave I also personally like to go on the large side so I can easily fit a blanket my cats like inside.
Material: If your cat has specific materials that she absolutely loves to knead on (or make biscuits depending on what you like to call it) then aim find a bed that is made of a similar material. If your cat is kneading it means the material feels great to her and she’ll love it for a bed! If you already know your cat absolutely despises certain types of materials be sure to avoid those. It may seem like common sense, but sometimes common sense is not so common these days right?
Enclosed / Open Air: While most cats don’t mind enclosed spaces there are those rare few who don’t like exploring boxes or seeing if they can get themselves stuck inside the smallest corner of your entertainment center. Be sure to take this into account when considering the beds on your list for purchase!
Environment: Last but not least you’ll definitely want to take into account the environment your cat bed will be placed in. Is your house hot during the day but freezing cold at night? If so you might want to consider a covered bed that provides more warmth, or even a heated bed.
Where Should I Put My Cat’s Bed?
You may also wonder what the best location is for your cat bed. While that will largely depend on your specific cat, it’ll also depend on the type of bed you buy.
Most covered beds are designed to give your kitty a nice safe and dark spot to curly up and zonk out. This means perhaps somewhere out of the way in an untraveled corner of the house.
If instead you’re buying something uncovered it might be best placed near an open window that gets lots of sunlight for your fluff ball to relax in during the day. If you want full sunlight for your kitty though you may want to explore a window bed instead.
If you’re anything like me you might have multiple beds in multiple locations.
How Long Until My Cat Uses The New Bed?
If you’ve had your bed for a few days and your cat hasn’t yet fallen in love with it, or maybe hasn’t done anything more than sniff it, don’t worry!
Many cats will take a few weeks before they’re willing to explore a new bed, and you might have to get a little crafty to get your cat to try it out for the first time.
The good news is, once a cat tries a bed and likes it they’re a heck of a lot more likely to come right back and use it another time. The cave my cat Beast has went unused for over a month.
Then we left for a long weekend and then she discovered it when she didn’t have a warm lap to sit in. Now she sleeps in that cave every night!
Here are a few tips you can try to get your cat to try out a new bed: Make It Smell Like Home: We all know that cats base a lot of their lives around scents. They rub their paws and their faces all over everything to leave their scent and mark things as their own. Given this a new bed with a factory or shipping smell can be off putting. Try taking a blanket or another cushion or something of theirs and placing it inside the new bed. This will help bring them comfort and associate positive things with it. You may also want to try wearing a t-shirt and for a few days and putting that inside the cat bed to make it smell like you which is usually a scent they know and trust. Mask Unknown The Scents: Similar to the above option, you can look at using a product like Feliway Spray to help your cat get used to their new bed. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that comes in a little spray bottle and is scentless to us humans. It also works for multi cat households to help keep them calm. On the bright side, it has a calming effect on most cats and will encourage them to otherwise explore or use spaces/toys that might otherwise ignore or hide from.
Treat Motivation: It may go without saying, but if you have a cat that loves treats then definitely feel free to put them to use. Scatter a few treats in the bed from time to time to encourage your kitty to walk on and feel that nice new comfortable bed.
Manual Intervention: There’s always the time tested option of simply picking up your cat and setting them in the bed. Now if your cat has already expressed fear of the bed I certainly wouldn’t try this. If your cat on the other hand has mostly simply ignored the bed then this can be a good option for a quick test of the bed.
What does "self-warming" actually mean on a cat bed — is it the same as a heated bed?
No — and it's worth knowing the difference before you buy one expecting a plug-in heating pad. Several beds in this guide (the Aspen Pet Self Warming Bed, the Mora Pets bolster bed, and the GOOPAWS burrow) use a self-warming design that requires no electricity or batteries — the Aspen Pet bed's layer is explicitly mylar-style, and the shared concept across all of these is the same: none of them generate heat on their own, they reflect your cat's own body heat back at her once she's already lying in it.
That's genuinely cozy for most cats, but if your house runs cold and your cat runs cold too, this style won't do the job of an actual heated bed. Placement still matters here too, same as any bed — keeping it out of a drafty spot goes a long way.
How do I know what size bed to get for my cat?
This list covers a genuinely wide range from tents sized for a single smaller cat (the SEIMMIE) up to a felted wool cave built to comfortably hold a cat up to about 20 lbs (the MEOWFIA, in the Large size). The short answer: measure your cat, not just her weight. A bed should be at least as long as your cat when she's stretched out, and if you want two cats to share one, the Pet Magasin Hideaway is confirmed roomy enough for two cats by multiple reviewers, and the Armarkat Oval's wider oval shape (versus a round bed) is also worth a look for the same reason.
Are these cat beds actually machine washable?
Most of them, yes, but there are real exceptions worth knowing before laundry day. The Pet Magasin Hideaway is hand-wash recommended rather than machine washable. Self-warming and mylar-lined beds in general tend to call for air-drying only, since tumble-drying can damage the reflective lining — check the specific care tag on whichever self-warming bed you go with, since not every listing spells this out the same way.
And the Armarkat Cave ships vacuum-packed, so give it up to 48 hours to fully puff back up once you first unbox it — that's a shipping/unboxing quirk, not something that happens again each time you wash it.
Do the novelty-shaped beds (like the shark) actually hold up over time, or are they mostly just for show?
It's a genuinely mixed bag across this category, and worth going in with realistic expectations. Reviewers on enclosed novelty-shaped beds are consistently split — some report years of solid use, others report the shaped details (fins, tails, structured sides) softening or collapsing with regular wear.
The safest way to hedge is to check the interior dimensions rather than judging by the exterior shape alone, and to prioritize a non-slip base (all the picks in this guide have one) so at least the bed itself isn't sliding around while your cat tests its limits.
Wrapping It Up On Cat Beds
We all know every cat is a tad different in regards to where they love to relax and what materials they love to relax on. One of my cats, Beast, absolutely loves her tiny little cave.
My other cat Lexi loves to sleep sprawled out in middle of the comforter on our bed and doesn’t really go into the cat cave at all. Both of them will sleep in the little circular bed we own.
That being said what is really important is to find a bed that fits for your cat! These beds are some of the most highly respected on the market and have shown time and time again to be adored by our feline friends.
But if your doesn’t happen to love them then you might need to try a couple of different things until you find what works best for you!
Be sure to try all the tips and tricks above if your cat doesn’t take to your new purchase right away. Cats are definitely creatures of habit and may take some time before they decide they want to try a new bed let alone fall in love with it.
What type of bed do you use for your cat? Do you have a material or format you like best? Is it a completely covered cat cave or a wide open circular bed? Tell us about your favorite bed, or better yet your cat’s favorite bed! Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
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The Pettsie breakaway cat collar with bow tie is specifically designed with your feline friend in mind. There are 4 major color/style combinations available for this particular collar set and they all not only look great, but they’re all incredibly well made and have all the necessary features for your cat to stay safe and sound.
The most important feature of any collar for a cat is the breakaway clasp or connector. If you’re not familiar with cat collars, this basically means that the collar should release under any significant amount of pressure and fall off of your cat. To say the least Pettsie has this part knocked out cold. The breakaway clasp in this collar works really well. It is firm enough that it’ll stay on pretty easily and it is super easy to put it on too. But on the more important side of things, it pops off when you need it to. You can test this easily yourself by just tugging on it.
Why you might ask? Well, our feline friends love to climb and walk into areas that their collars can easily get stuck on. If your cat happens to go up somewhere high and jump down for example, the collar could easily snag a branch and end up choking your poor kitty if you don’t have a breakaway clasp. This isn’t something we typically worry about with our canine friends because they stick to the ground for the most part.
As for comfort. A lot of collars out there on the market are made of things that might cause your cat to itch or be really uncomfortable, but the Pettsie collar is
made of 100% cotton so it is very comfortable to wear, really soft and really lightweight too. This means your cat hardly notices it is there. My cat Beast previously tried other collars and wouldn’t tolerate them very well, but she doesn’t mind the Pettsie collar at all. The bow tie is made of wood and is small enough to not bother your cat at all, but they certainly look dapper with it on!
What about size you may ask? It will fit a wide variety of cats because it is designed to be adjustable to a wide range of sizes. You’ve got a spread of about 3 inches total which is a lot of space for a cat neck. In this case it’ll run from about eight to eleven inches. If you’ve never measured your cat’s neck before, be sure you do so before you order this collar. You’ll want to leave space for about two fingers inside the collar as well so it doesn’t choke your cat!
One last thing worth noting is that this comes with a friendship bracelet for the human you are giving it to. My personal opinion is that the friendship bracelet is fine and it is comfortable, but I personally don’t wear mine around at all other than for silly pictures with my cats etc. See the picture to the left for both the collar and the bracelet in use. Beast wasn’t feeling very photogenic that day! I would say this is the one reason I didn’t give it 5 stars. I’d personally rather they knock a dollar or whatever off the price and ditch the bracelet. That being said, if you’re giving it as a gift it might be a perk for you.
Pros:
The breakaway clasp works incredibly well, it is really easy to put on your cat and stays on quite well, but with any significant tug it’ll pop off leaving your cat safe and sound
This collar is really fashionable and has four different color and pattern combinations available for you to choose from (you’ll see it features as my favorite of all Christmas collars!)
The collar is 100% cotton which isn’t too common among cat collars, super lightweight, durable and comfortable
A standard D Ring is include on the collar so you can attach any necessary tags for your cat like a rabies tag or a license or a lost and found tag
It is adjustable and has a pretty solid range of sizes available (8-11 inches) so you can easily fit any small or medium sized cat, be sure to measure for your large sizes
It does come in a very nice gift box that is easy to wrap and makes a wonderful present
Cons
My personal opinion is that the friendship bracelet it comes with is kind of corny and I’d prefer they just knock a few cents or dollars off the price of the collar
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the width of this collar?
It is about a half an inch in width.
What is the length of the collar?
The collar runs from 8-11 inches depending on how you set it up. It fits both my 8 and my 12 pound cat pretty easily with a slight adjustment.
How much pressure does it require for the collar to breakaway and does it work as expected?
It definitely works as expected. It requires a significant tug, but any real weight on it would definitely result in the collar popping open/off. Your kitty is safe!
Can you remove the wooden bow tie?
It isn’t designed to be removed, but with some effort you could definitely pull it off. It might require a utility knife to cut the loop that holds it on though.
Tips for Getting Your Cat to Use It
Cats are pretty notorious for not really liking to wear collars. That being said, you really should have your cats wear a collar from a safety standpoint. Even indoor cats can benefit from a collar because a large percentage of indoor only cats do manage to get outside at some point in their lives. Not only this, but it is almost always on accident and they aren’t really used to the environment because they are indoor only! A collar can make all the difference in ensuring you get your kitty back. If you have any questions on why a cat should wear a collar be sure to read this article.
Here are the key steps I’ve used to introduce my cats to their collars:
Be sure you measure your cat first and buy a size appropriate collar
Introduce your cat to it over several days: let her sniff it, feed her treats while it is nearby, lay it on her and feed her treats
Put the collar on your cat for a few minutes and then take it off and feed your cat a treat or two
Slowly increase the length of the sessions with leaving the collar on
If you plan to attach bells or tags etc. to the collar wait until your cat is comfortable with the base collar alone before adding these items
Be patient, it may take a few days for your cat to adjust to wearing the collar
Wrapping it Up on the Pettsie Breakaway Cat Collar
That’s about all I have to say on the Pettsie Breakaway Cat Collar. It’s an excellent collar on the overall and it has all the key features you want in a collar for your feline friend: breakaway clasp, comfortable cotton material, D ring for tags and a bell, adjustable size wise, stylish and durable. On the overall it is pretty difficult to find a better cat collar on the market.
As I indicated, the only thing I don’t love about it is the friendship bracelet and that is just when I bought it for myself. If you’re buying it for a friend or as a gift it is kind of a nice little addition. But I could personally do without it.
Do your indoor cats wear collars? What about your outdoor cats? Please leave a comment below or email me directly at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com if you have any thoughts to add to this article. If you also have any comments on collars or recommendation on another high quality collar then please let me know!
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The Air Wand is a toy made by Petmate and endorsed by Jackson Galaxy. When my wife and I first got our cat Beast we had heard a lot about Jackson Galaxy online and across TV based on his show My Cat From Hell. Given this we figured the guy would only endorse a high quality product and while we were walking through PetCo we decided to pick one of these up.
The toy has three really handy functions that sold us on it with the endorsement from Jackson:
Extendable Wand: The wand itself is made up of six total segments that slide into each other to collapse when you’re not using the toy. This means instead of a traditional single piece wand toy that this wand folds down to about 8.5 inches. When it is fully extended it is about 32 inches in total length.
Retractable String: Several other wand toys I’ve purchased continually have the string exposed. While they tend to be made of much heavier duty string I am still not a fan of leaving them exposed due to the potential choking hazard. This string extends about 22 inches and is very easy to retract or pull out with the simple push of a button.
Interchangeable Feathers: If you’ve ever been out fishing and been able to easily witch lures out without having to tie off a completely new knot then you’ll be familiar with the mechanism that enables you to easily switch out features. There’s a small snap lock on the end of the string that means you can pop feather ends on and off in seconds if yours becomes damaged or if you’d like to try a different one out.
We’ve had this toy a solid year and and it has stayed in great shape and been through a bunch of different play sessions with both my resident cats Lexi and Beast and also through plenty with our foster cats as well. One thing I will call out is that neither of my resident cats are big chewers. The string on this toy does look pretty light weight, but I’ve personally never had any trouble with them attempting to chew it.
As with any toy, once in a while my cats will ignore if they are not in the mood to play, but I’ve had great luck with this wand. There’s a bit of finesse involved in finding just the right speed to rotate the wand with the included feathers, but once you do they spin and make a sound just like rustling bird leaves. When I get the toy moving like this neither of my cats can resist and they’ll both come right out to play.
All in all I have had an excellent experience with this wand and would highly recommend it to anyone that doesn’t have cats that like to play really rough. The reason I’ve given it 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the number of other folks I’ve seen complain about its ability to stand up to cats that are more aggressive and rough in play. I’m lucky I haven’t had this issue, but you should definitely note that this toy does not look to be manufactured to handle really rough play sessions or chewing on the string.
The Pros:
Extendable Wand: The wand shrinks to a length of 8.5 inches and when fully extended it is about 32 inches in total length.
Retractable String: The string fully retracts into the head of the wand and when extended it is about 22 inches in length.
Interchangeable Feathers: Switching the feathers out is super easy with a snap and swivel piece on the end of the line.
Price for Value: This toy is dirt cheap and gets the job done well for my cats and I. I use it every single night before bed to help tire Lexi and Beast out and they are both engage with it and have never damaged it.
Durability of the Feathers: The feathers are actually real from what I can tell. I’ve never seen bright green feathers on any animal before, but I can’t imagine that it is too hard to dye them. That being said, my cats love it. The feathers have also stood up to numerous play sessions over and over.
The Cons:
The string is quite light weight and numerous users have complained that their cat chewed through it in only a few play sessions. If you have a cat that loves to chew this is not the toy for you.
The wand is made of relatively lightweight metal to keep it easy to handle, but that also means if you have a rather aggressive cat there is the risk of the retractable pieces bending and no longer working properly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are the feathers real or plastic?
There’s been a large amount of debate on whether or not the feathers are real or not. I’m going to assume they are real even though I have bright green feathers. In my experience the feathers are rather durable, but the break apart and fray like real feathers do too.
How do you change out the feathers on the end of the wand?
It uses a snap and swivel system similar to those used it fishing. You pop open a clamp and the feather attachments can be switched in and out in seconds. It is very simple and straight forward.
How durable is it given its extendable wand and retractable string?
I’ve personally had zero issues with the wand or the string, but I’ll freely admit that my cats don’t play as rough as many I’ve encountered at the shelter.
You would definitely not want to let your cat chew on the string given the thickness of it, it wouldn’t hold up to an extended chewing session.
If your cat is pulling on the feathers you should not yank back or you’d be liable to break the wand itself.
Wrapping it Up on the Jackson Galaxy Air Wand
While there are mixed reviews of this wand on Amazon, my personal experience with it has been wonderful. I’ve had it well over a year and only lost 1 of the 4 pieces that were attached to the original feather end. With the three that are still there it is working well and my cats both still love it to death and bat it all over the place every night before bed time.
I highly recommend this wand toy to anyone looking to pick up a good quality wand for their cat or cats.
Do you use any wand toys that you have particularly liked? Have you tried out this one and actually found it to be a better experience than the one I’ve had with it? Perhaps you’ve used DaBird and have a comparison? Please tell us about your experiences so everyone can find the best cat toys! Please leave a comment below or email me directly at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com if you have any thoughts to add to this article.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I bought this toy for the specific reason that it had an automatic timer built into that I thought would be incredibly helpful for keeping my cats active when I left the house for a few minutes. Or maybe even distract them as I walk out the door since they like to check out any door that opens up. The toy has a built in 15 minute timer so you can flip it on, walk away, and then the toy will run for 15 and turn itself off. While the timer worked great, the toy itself did not turn out to be as much of a good idea as I thought it would be.
A quick rundown the Frolicat Flik first off. It has a rotating arm on the inside that has a string attached to it and as the motor spins the arm it launches the string out the side based on the centrifugal force created. Basically, there’s only a hole for 1/3rd of the outside, so the string flies out for a few seconds. Pretty straight forward. You throw a 3 AA batteries in and you’re good to go.
The toy is intended to be random, but it doesn’t seem all that random, seems to just pop every few seconds and launch the string. I’ll freely admit I have never timed it to check, but I certainly haven’t noticed long gaps then really short gaps of time as I would have expected. Even if the timing isn’t random that hasn’t taken anything away from my cats being interested in it. They absolutely love watching and attempting to pounce on the string as it bounces around.
The toy is super easy to operate in that you simply push the one button on it to flip it on and if you want to manually turn it off you push that button again. Otherwise the timer will kick in and it’ll close itself down. That being said, I don’t think this is a toy you’d really want to leave your cats alone with despite the timer.
There’s one primary reason I don’t love the toy. My personal opinion is that the string included poses a pretty significant choking hazard, and if nothing else it could leave your cat pretty sick if swallowed. The problem is this string isn’t anything special, it is just a piece of string that one of my foster cats managed to snap off with about 2 minutes of using the toy while supervised. I guess it really depends on the cat, because my resident cats Lexi and Beast did fine with it for multiple play sessions. But I don’t think I’d really want to risk it with cats when I’m not home. Young cats or cats that are known to chew on strings would be an absolute no no.
A few other things that are worth noting though. The toy is a little bit loud, especially on a wood floor. Part of this is likely because it is lightweight, there’s no insulation inside the toy to keep the noise from the motor down. Added on top of this is the fact that the toy gets easily dragged around or pulled all over the place if your cat happens to grab hold of the string. The toy is easy to move due to the lightweight and while it does have rubber feet I haven’t found them terribly effective given how easy it is to pick it up.
On the overall it is a good interactive toy if you’re home and available to keep an eye on it, but given my particular intended usage of kicking it on when I walked out the door I wouldn’t recommend it. Freely admit as well, the directions do state you should never let your cat play with this toy unless they are supervised, so they have noticed this and documented it. I just wish I had read that piece before I made the purchase.
See the Frolicat Flik Interactive Cat Toy in action!
The Pros:
It tosses a string completely hands off and does a solid job of it, because the string comes out of a hidden area each time your cats will stay interested
It is engaging for cats of all ages including kittens and seniors, I had foster cats age 14 play with it and my cats age 2 and 3 enjoyed it as well
It has an automatic shut off to keep it from killing the batteries or to stop play time after 15 minutes so your cat doesn’t get too worked up
The engine in mine has been incredibly durable and has lasted a good long time even with cats holding the string when it tries to rotate
The Cons:
Beware the choking hazard: The string is something your cat can easily bite off and then eat if not supervised at all times
The toy itself is super lightweight so your cat can easily pick it up and drag it around damaging it or other things with it
It is pretty noisy, especially on a wood floor where the sound isn’t dampened at all
The string does sometimes get caught inside the toy as well, having a fork or a metal hook is a necessity to pull it out
Frequently Asked Questions:
How effective is the automatic timer? Do you have to set it manually?
The timer is built right in, there’s no way to turn it off. The timer lets the toy run for 15 minutes and then it automatically shuts off. If you want it to run longer you’ll have to flip it on again manually by pressing the on button.
Can you replace the string if your cats chew it off or it snaps?
You might be able to open the toy up and completely replace it, but it doesn’t look like it was designed to allow for this.
That being said, there’s plenty of space to tie a tight knot right onto the left over bit to make the string as long as it once was. Obviously you’ll want to use a high quality lightweight string again.
What kind of batteries does it take and are they included?
The batteries aren’t included and it takes 3 AA batteries.
Can you use this toy on carpet?
Absolutely. You can use this toy on any surface including carpet, hardwood and tile or any variation in between.
Can you use rechargeable batteries with it?
Yes, rechargeable batteries will work with this toy without any problem.
Wrapping it Up on the Frolicat Flik Interactive Cat Toy
If you’re looking for a good toy that you can used in a supervised fashion then this is a good option. It will keep your cats entertained for periods of time. My specific goal with it was to keep my cats entertained when I’m not around, which looking back probably wasn’t the wisest decision to begin with given the potential hazards.
I know in general there are not a ton of toys that meet this type of requirement, but this one having an automated timer really led me to believe it would be a good fit. The simple fact is it is too dangerous to leave cats unsupervised with toys they can swallow and choke on. Also the damage to the toy itself just becomes a hassle.
I definitely would not say this is a bad toy, it certainly isn’t. I recommend it to people that want an interactive cat toy available during supervised play sessions as opposed to unsupervised play sessions.
Do you use any automated interactive toys that you particularly like? Have you tried out this one and actually found it to be a better experience than the one I’ve had with it? Please tell us about your experiences so everyone can find the best cat toys! Please leave a comment below or email me directly at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com if you have any thoughts to add to this article.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
We purchased this Sophresh litter box for our cats after a specific week of our cats kicking litter all over the darn place from our first traditional litter box with low sides. We were looking to help minimize litter tracking more than anything and this litter box really fit the bill. The litter box is made up of two completely separate pieces that can be purchased distinctly, but they combine to make a far better product than either piece alone. Kind of like Voltron, or perhaps the Power Rangers. Blue ranger anyone?
Anyhow, that aside, this litter box has been a total success for us on every front. It has done wonders to help us control our previous litter kicking and tracking issues. Both Lexi and Beast really like to scatter litter all over the place once they’re finished going. Sometimes they’ll stay in the litter box for 2 or 3 minutes just mucking around and making a mess. This being fully enclosed heavily reduces the amount of litter that gets booted out the sides.
On top of this, once in a while Lexi has a really bad smelling trip to the litter box and even though she covers it we used to have problems with it causing everyone in the room to vacate the premises for the next 10 to 15 minutes. This litter box does a heck of a lot better job containing the nasty odors that once in a while waft out of the litter box from our feline friends. It also does have a built in air vent on the top that comes with a filter, but I’ll freely admit I haven’t changed the filter for an extended period of time and I’ve noticed little to no difference in its ability to contain/control scent.
As for construction, pretty straight forward. It has two simple plastic clips attached to the top section of the litter box. You simply set the top right on top of the bottom section and snap them closed. Voila! You’ve got yourself a fully covered litter box that is ready to go. Both pieces have held up incredibly well to the wear and tear of two cats entering and exiting consistently. The swinging front door still works great.
As for scooping, super simple. You don’t even have to take the top off to scoop. The door is designed to flip up and stay in a “locked” position until you put it back down. This makes it a breeze to scoop quickly and then drop the door right back into place.
Cleaning has proven to be a really simple process as well. Given that the litter box top comes off so easily you can quickly remove it and take dump the litter then spray the whole thing down with a hose and a scrubbing brush with some strong bristles.
The only piece of the cleaning job that can be a bit of a hassle are the 4 little divets in the bottom section of the litter box. If your cat pees near this, which they inevitably will, the litter can get stuck in here pretty easily and cause a bit of a hassle. From looking at the newest model of this litter box it looks like their design team has removed these little spots which is a great choice as they were functionally useless anyway.
The Pros:
It does an excellent job of controlling litter tracking by enclosing all of the sides and the top.
The scent control is a significant upgrade over any open litter box.
Scooping is a breeze with the flip up and lock front door, it only takes a second and works great.
Durable construction that has lasted a ton of moves within the house and two cats constantly using it plus daily scooping.
It is super easy to construct, maintain, and clean when it needs a deep cleaning.
It is a very affordable litter box compared to a lot of the more advanced ones on the market.
The Cons:
It wouldn’t be ideal for large cats as it isn’t an extremely big litter box, my cat Lexi is 12 pounds and she does fine in it though.
The 4 little plastic divets in the bottom section are pointless functionally and are a hassle to clean when your cat pees in them.
Note: These look to have been removed from the newest model which is a great modification.
While it does have an easy to carry handle built in I wouldn’t recommend using it while it is filled with litter, it just seems like it would really strain the clips holding the pieces together.
Tips for Best Usage:
Keep about 2-3 inches of litter in this litter box at all times, I keep my litter pail nearby to top it off as necessary.
It isn’t a huge box so I’d highly recommend you scoop it every single day, especially if you have two cats.
Be sure to place it in a location where the front is easily accessible with your dominant hand for scooping purposes.
Give the litter box a deep clean by dumping all the litter and washing it with a hose/shower & soap every 2-3 weeks.
If you can keep it in an enclosed space with your litter mat(s) in place so your cats shake off the last of the litter while walking out. I keep mine in my closet with the doors mostly closed, I’ve opened them up for the picture to the right so you can see how mine is setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dimensions of the base ?
The base is about 15 inches wide X 20 inches long and about 5 inches tall.
What are the dimensions of the hood?
The hood is about 15 inches wide X 20 inches long and about 10.5 inches tall.
Is it easy to scoop, many covered boxes are a hassle?
This particular model was special designed to make it easy for you to scoop. The front flips up and out of the way and stays locked there until you manually move it back into place. The opening is easily large enough to fit any litter scoop inside to clean up.
Has the door ever gotten stuck closed?
I’ve never once had the door get stuck closed, my cats have never been locked out of or inside of the litter box.
Is a deep clean easy?
Yes, deep cleaning is very straight forward. Pop the top off, dump the remaining litter in the garbage and then you can easily hose it down outside or with a shower head. If there’s litter stuck to it be sure to scrub that off outside, it shouldn’t go down your drain.
Are there liners available for this model?
Yes, liners are available directly from Sophresh. You’ll want the 17 inches by 30 inches liners for this model. Keep in mind though with the hood on it would be a bit of a hassle to use the liners as you’d have to remove the hood each time.
Wrapping it Up on the Sophresh Litter Box – Flip Top Version
By this point in my cat care “career” I’ve gone through numerous litter boxes, from the simple rectangular tray to the top entry to the covered and hooded version. I will say this is by far one of the best litter boxes I have owned, especially given the fact that it comes in a heck of a lot cheaper than a lot of other litter boxes out there on the market.
The litter box does an excellent job on controlling litter tracking, which is by far the most important aspect from my personal point of view. On top of this it has added benefits of helping with odor control, but not making scooping a total pain in the neck like several other covered litter boxes I’ve used in the past.
The only real drawback I ever identified with this litter box was the design of the bottom piece being a little odd, but it looks like the newest versions of the product have remedied this particular issue. The only other considerations I’d take into account are if you have a very large cat or a cat that won’t used an enclosed litter box.
A special note, you do have to purchase the two pieces of the litter box as separate items from every vendor I’ve been able to find. Check out both links below to find the matching pieces.
Do you use a covered litter box or a flip top litter box of some sort? What has your experience been with the one you’re using? If you’ve used something else please tell us about it! Please leave a comment below or email me directly at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com if you have any thoughts to add to this article.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Updated August 2026: I rechecked every pick in this guide and swapped out anything that had gone out of stock, replacing it with a well-reviewed, currently available option in the same style. The original intro above still applies — picking the right litter box is still mostly about matching the box to your cat's specific quirks, not just grabbing whatever's cheapest.
Having litter tracking troubles at home, or perhaps a cat that simply won’t use the cat litter box you’ve purchased? This can be an incredibly frustrating experience, especially given it is likely just as frustrating for your cat!
Selecting the right litter box can be a difficult process, especially given the number of litter boxes on the market and the lack of clarity on what works and what doesn’t. Check out the quick guide to find tips on how to choose a litter box.
If you'd rather get right into it just check out the key highlights and choose from the best litter boxes of 2018.
The Catit Airsift Jumbo has been the covered pick on this list for a long time, and it earns that spot the honest way. It is genuinely roomy without turning into a chore to clean.
The paw-safe front door swings open wide enough that even a bigger cat isn't squeezing through. And because scooping happens right through that door, you never have to wrestle the whole hood off to clean.
The hood itself lifts for a deeper clean when you need one. And there's a built-in bag anchor that holds your trash bag open while you scoop. This is one of those small design touches you don't appreciate until you've used a box without it.
Add in the carbon-impregnated filter on top and this is a box that handles both the mess and the smell without asking much of you.
The wide paw-safe front door lets your cat come and go without kicking litter everywhere. And doubles as the scooping access point so you're never lifting the whole hood.
A carbon-impregnated odor filter sits right in the top door. And it's also compatible with Catit's Ammonia Buster refills if you want extra odor insurance.
The raised-back, overlapping construction is built specifically to catch spray and won't let urine seep out the back the way a flat-seamed box can.
Jumbo interior space gives even bigger cats room to turn around and dig without feeling boxed in.
BPA-free materials and a bag anchor built into the hood make cleanup faster and a little less gross.
IRIS USA Large Top Entry Cat Litter Box, Hooded Privacy
Top-entry litter boxes solve one specific problem really well: your cat has to physically climb up and over to get in. This does a great job of knocking loose litter off their paws before they ever set foot back on your floor.
The IRIS USA Top Entry takes that same idea and adds high walls all the way around plus a grooved lid mat right at the exit. Any litter that's still clinging on gets caught before your cat hops down.
My cat Lexi has always liked to wait outside a top-entry box and pounce on Beast the second she climbs out. She doesn't bother Beast while she's actually using it though since the enclosed sides mean she can't even see her.
Made with smooth, rounded interior edges so litter doesn't cake onto the corners, this is a solid pick if tracking is your main complaint about your current box.
The grooved lid doubles as a litter-catching mat, so paws get brushed off right as your cat exits. No separate mat required underneath it.
Rounded, smooth interior edges keep clumping litter from sticking to the corners, which makes scooping faster and less messy.
High walls contain scatter far better than an open pan, and most owners report genuinely less litter tracked onto the floor.
A scoop hooks right onto the lid for storage, so you're not hunting for it every time you clean.
Ever wished your litter box could just disappear into the room instead of announcing itself the second guests walk in? The Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Box Planter is exactly the trick you're looking for!
It's built to look like a genuine ceramic-style planter, complete with a faux plant on top. And the litter box entrance simply turns to face away from the room so all anyone sees is a nice piece of greenery.
This is the "New Generation" version. It is made in the USA with reinforced plastic, an improved locking fit between the top and base, and an upgraded carbon-infused filter for odor control.
The interior is genuinely spacious at 19 inches across. So even in a small apartment it earns its footprint by doing double duty as both a litter box and a piece of decor.
The furniture-style planter design genuinely disguises the box as home decor rather than an obvious litter box in the room.
A wide door opening leaves plenty of room to scoop from outside without needing to lift anything off.
The carbon-infused filter is built into the enclosed top, so it controls odor while still letting air move through.
The removable top makes a full clean-out simple when it's time to swap the litter completely.
Multiple owners report it holding up well in multi-cat households and being straightforward to put together.
Durability opinions are genuinely split. Some owners get years of solid use out of it, while others find the top piece feels flimsy compared to what they expected for a furniture-style box.
Disposable litter boxes earn their keep in very specific situations: travel, an unexpected move, a foster kitten who's only staying a couple weeks, etc. The Animaru Jumbo 4-Pack is built for exactly that kind of short-term convenience.
Made from 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard, it's plastic-free and fully compostable. So when you're done with it you just toss it rather than scrub it.
The low 3" entry is a nice bonus beyond the disposable convenience. It works well for kittens who aren't confident jumping yet or senior cats who'd rather not have to.
You get four in a pack, so you're covered for a while before you need to reorder, and Animaru recommends replacing each one every 2-3 weeks.
No scrubbing required — when a box is done, you fold it up and recycle or compost it rather than cleaning it.
100% post-consumer recycled cardboard construction is plastic-free and genuinely compostable, not just plastic dressed up as eco-friendly.
Water-resistant, leak-resistant design means it's built to hold up better than a plain cardboard box would.
The low 3" entry works especially well for kittens still learning the ropes or senior cats who need an easier step-in.
Can be used standalone or dropped inside another litter box as a disposable liner, giving you flexibility beyond just travel use.
Leak protection is a genuine point of disagreement among users. Plenty report zero issues, but others have seen leaking after a couple of days of heavy use. Worth keeping an eye on if you have a particularly heavy user.
Pureness Giant High Sides Cat Litter Pan (Van Ness)
If your cat treats every trip to the litter box like an excavation project, a high-sided pan is ideal. The Pureness Giant is the fix — the walls are tall enough on the back and sides that digging and kicking mostly stays contained inside the pan instead of ending up on your floor.
Van Ness built this one specifically with large cats and multi-cat households in mind, and reviewers consistently say it holds up even for cats well over 15 pounds without feeling cramped. The high-polish finish resists staining and odor absorption over time, so it stays easier to keep clean than a duller plastic surface would.
It's a genuinely open design with no lid, which keeps it simple — no locking mechanisms or hoods to fuss with, just a big, tall pan that does its job.
Tall back and side walls contain digging and kicking far better than a standard pan, especially for enthusiastic diggers.
Comfortably fits large cats — owners specifically mention it working well even for cats above 15 pounds.
The high-polish surface resists odor absorption and staining, so it stays fresher-looking with regular cleaning.
Litter doesn't stick to the sides the way it can with a duller plastic finish, which makes scooping faster.
Widely considered a strong pick among high-sided pans for the space and durability you get.
KMNSUN XXXL Extra Large Stainless Steel Litter Box
The KMNSUN XXXL is genuinely one of the largest litter boxes we've come across. Built from premium 304 stainless steel with 14-inch walls that keep both litter and urine from spilling over the edges.
Reviewers specifically mention it comfortably fitting four medium-sized cats at once, or one large cat with plenty of room left over to turn around and dig. Because it's stainless steel rather than plastic, it won't absorb odors over time the way a plastic pan eventually will. Cleanup is a genuine wipe-down instead of a full scrub.
The 60-liter capacity also means you're not refilling litter as often as you would with a smaller box.
14-inch high walls are tall enough to stop both litter scatter and urine spray from making it over the top.
Stainless steel construction resists scratches and won't absorb odors the way plastic can over repeated use.
The non-stick bottom means cleanup is closer to a rinse-and-wipe than a scrub session.
A 60-liter capacity holds enough litter that you're not topping it off constantly, especially useful in multi-cat homes.
Sized to comfortably fit several medium cats at once or a single large cat with real room to spare.
Even stainless steel is only rated for about 3-5 years of regular use, so treat it as a durable upgrade. It probably won't last a lifetime. Not every owner agrees it's worth the investment at this size and material tier.
Corner placement solves a real space problem, but most rectangular litter boxes waste a chunk of that corner because they're not actually shaped to fit it. Nature's Miracle built this hooded corner box specifically to tuck flush into an actual corner. So you get a genuinely enclosed box without sacrificing as much floor space as a standard rectangle would demand.
The hood itself is tall enough to contain both dust and odor effectively, and it's paired with a built-in charcoal filter for scent control. The opening is wide enough to make scooping comfortable. And one reviewer specifically noted how effectively it keeps litter contained inside the box rather than tracked out onto the floor.
The corner-specific shape reclaims floor space a standard rectangular box would waste, without sacrificing interior room.
A built-in charcoal filter works alongside the tall hood to keep both odor and dust genuinely contained.
The non-stick interior surface resists litter caking, so scooping stays quick even with clumping litter.
A wide opening makes it comfortable to scoop without having to reach awkwardly around the hood.
Multiple reviewers confirm it holds up well for multi-cat households, not just a single cat.
The corner-specific shape is also its limitation. It won't sit flush against a flat wall the way a rectangular box would. So it's really only the right pick if you actually have a corner to dedicate to it.
The Amunrbrek enclosure is genuinely one of the larger litter box furniture pieces out there. Built with a full interior big enough to house most standard or high-sided boxes without cramming anything in.
It's designed as an actual piece of furniture first. A sideboard cabinet with a flat top surface rated to hold up to 150 pounds, so it can double as an accent table or TV stand instead of just hiding a litter box in the corner.
The side-entry design can be installed from either the left or right depending on your room layout. A rear ventilation grille helps keep air moving so odor doesn't just sit trapped inside.
One reviewer specifically mentioned the hidden upper storage compartment was roomy enough to fit a Litter Genie up there alongside their bags and scoop.
An adjustable 3-level shelf system lets you set the litter box compartment height to fit what you're actually using, and the divider can be removed entirely for a top-entry box.
The flat top surface supports up to 150 pounds, so it genuinely functions as furniture rather than just a box with a lid.
Hidden upper storage keeps bags, scoops, and even a Litter Genie out of sight but within easy reach.
A rear ventilation grille helps keep air circulating so odor doesn't just build up inside a sealed cabinet.
Surfaces wipe clean easily, which matters given how much surface area a piece this size actually has.
Assembly takes real time. Expect roughly 35 to 50 minutes to put it together. And with a shelf system involved, there are more pieces to line up correctly than with a basic enclosure.
Petmate Booda Clean Step Cat Litter Box Dome, Pearl White
Domes solve covered-litter-box privacy in a slightly different way than a hooded pan. The entrance stays open rather than swinging shut, but the Petmate Booda Clean Step makes up for that with a built-in stairwell that does real work knocking litter off your cat's paws on the way out.
It comes in this soft pearl white finish and is sized to comfortably accommodate two cats sharing one box. With a charcoal air filter built into the roof to help contain smell you'll notice visits less.
Several owners genuinely rave about this one, with more than a few calling it the best litter box they've used. The stepped exit is the real star here — it traps a meaningful amount of litter before it ever makes it back onto your floor.
The paw-cleaning steps at the exit genuinely reduce tracking by catching litter before your cat steps back onto your floor.
A charcoal air filter built into the dome's roof helps keep odor contained even with the entrance staying open.
Sized to comfortably accommodate two cats sharing the same box, which is handy in a multi-cat home.
The lid removes easily for scooping and cleaning without needing to disassemble the whole dome.
Its round, dome-style shape gives it a distinct look from a standard rectangular hooded box, if you're after something different.
The lid locking mechanism is a recurring pain point. Several owners report it not securing tightly to the base, worth double-checking the fit after assembly.
If you've got an older cat who's started avoiding the litter box, there's a good chance it's not behavioral — it's physical.
Climbing over even a moderate ledge gets harder as cats get older or develop arthritis. The KittyGoHere Senior Litter Box exists specifically to remove that obstacle. It's vet-recommended for seniors!
Built with a low, extra-wide 3-inch front entrance that lets a senior or mobility-limited cat walk straight in rather than jump. The open-top design is a nice secondary benefit too. It gives a clear view of the surroundings, which can help a cat who feels anxious in a fully enclosed space.
It comes in Small, Large, and Jumbo sizes to fit cats up to 20 pounds and beyond, plus a few different colorways if you want it to blend in a little better than a plain white pan.
The low, 3-inch front entrance means no climbing or jumping required. This is the main reason this box shows up on senior-cat and arthritis recommendations.
The open-top design gives a full view of the room, which can help cats who feel vulnerable or anxious in an enclosed box.
It's sized larger than most standard pans, giving an older or bigger cats more room to position.
Available in Small, Large, and Jumbo sizes to match cats from small breeds up through 20+ pounds.
A few different color options are available if you'd rather it not look like a stark white medical accessory.
Size feedback is mixed. Some owners find it exactly right for their cat, while others (especially with larger cats) find even the largest size runs smaller than expected. Measure your cat before choosing a size.
One final note: Some color options for this box are listed under the KittyGoHere companion product, PuppyGoHere. Yes, that's a large-breed dog litter box from the same maker. But it shares design and color variants and several folks use it successfully for cats.
Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box, Scoop-Free with Microban
If scooping by hand isn't your thing but you also don't want to deal with rolling a box across the floor, the Arm & Hammer Large Sifting Litter Box splits the difference with a simple lift-to-sift design.
You lift the inner sifting pan out and give it a shake. The clean litter falls back through while the waste stays behind. No scoop, no rolling motion required.
It comes with one sifting pan plus two regular pans, so you can rotate a clean one in immediately rather than waiting on anything to dry.
Built-in Microban antimicrobial protection works in the background to help keep odor down between cleanings. And the whole thing is made in the USA from recycled materials.
The lift-to-sift design separates clean litter from waste in one motion — no scooping and no rolling the whole box required.
Comes with two extra regular pans in addition to the sifting pan, so you always have a spare ready to swap in.
Built-in Microban antimicrobial protection works continuously to help inhibit odor between cleanings.
Multiple reviewers report it takes under a minute to empty once you get the motion down.
Works especially well with pellet litter, though it's compatible with pine, crystal, and clumping litter too.
iPrimio Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box, XL Open Pan
Plastic litter boxes have a shelf life when it comes to odor. No matter how well you scrub them, they eventually start holding onto smell in a way that never fully goes away. The iPrimio XL Open Pan sidesteps that problem entirely by being stainless steel from top to bottom. Steel simply doesn't absorb odor or stain the way plastic does over time.
It's rust-resistant with a quick-clean nonstick surface, rounded edges, and enclosed sides that keep clumping litter contained without a lid. One reviewer specifically mentioned it held up against an unusually destructive cat, which says something about how sturdy the construction actually is.
Stainless steel construction won't absorb odor or stain the way a plastic pan eventually will, no matter how thoroughly you clean it.
A nonstick surface means clumped litter lifts out more easily than it tends to off plastic.
High, enclosed sides keep litter contained even though there's no lid, and clumping litter doesn't stick to the walls.
Rounded edges throughout mean there's nothing sharp for your cat to catch a paw or claw on.
Two corner holes are sized specifically for a custom scooper holder, keeping your scoop within reach instead of propped against the wall.
It's an open-top pan, so there's no lid to help trap odor the way a hooded box would. You're relying on the stainless material itself for scent control. Not every owner agrees a metal pan is worth switching to over a well-maintained plastic one.
Van Ness Pets Large Sifting Cat Litter Box with Frame
The Van Ness Lift & Sift uses the same basic two-layer idea as other sifting boxes. One layer sifts, one layer catches. But the framed design adds real height around the pan specifically to cut down on litter and urine spilling over the sides.
Instead of scooping by hand, you lift the inner sifting layer out, give it a shake, and the clean litter drops back through while waste stays trapped on top.
It's built with a high-polish, stain-resistant finish and is designed primarily for clumping litters, so it's not the right match if you're using pellet or powder litter.
The framed design adds height around the pan specifically to keep litter and urine from spilling outside the box.
Lifting and shaking the sifting layer replaces scooping by hand entirely, which some owners find faster once they get the motion down.
Works particularly well with clumping litters, per owners who've compared it to traditional scooping.
A high-polish, stain-resistant finish helps it hold up to repeated cleaning without discoloring.
Sized a bit larger than some prior sifting models owners have used, giving more room inside the frame.
This video can give you a view of the box in action:
Cleaning is a genuine mixed bag. A real, recurring complaint is that clumped litter sticks to the underside of the sifting screen. This makes cleanup more of a chore for some owners even though others find it easy.
PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Uncovered
Automatic litter boxes promise to get you out of scooping entirely. The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy backs that up with a rake system paired with crystal litter that's built to go weeks between hands-on cleaning.
Litter tracking is minimal too, since the crystals themselves are marketed as 99% dust-free.
One of the more genuinely useful features here is the built-in health counter. It's a motion sensor that tracks how often your cat is actually using the box. This can flag a health issue (like a UTI causing more frequent visits) well before it becomes obvious another way.
The automatic rake and crystal litter system are built to run for weeks without you needing to scoop by hand.
Crystals absorb urine and dry out solid waste, with PetSafe marketing the setup as offering up to 5x better odor control than traditional clumping litter.
Disposable, leak-protected trays with lids make disposal simple — you pull the whole tray and drop in a fresh one.
Low-tracking, 99%-dust-free crystals cut down on the litter dust cloud some other litters kick up.
A built-in health counter uses motion sensors to log how often your cat visits the box, which can help catch developing health issues early.
BCHARYA Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box with App Control
For anyone who wants the most hands-off litter box option on this list. The BCHARYA app-controlled self-cleaning box runs its entire cleaning cycle through your phone rather than a manual button or a fixed timer.
It skips scooping and sifting entirely in favor of an automated cleaning mechanism. And it includes a dedicated aromatherapy compartment for extra odor control beyond just waste removal.
Presence sensors are built in specifically so the cleaning cycle won't run while your cat is actually inside. The whole thing is designed to operate quietly rather than startling a nearby cat mid-cycle.
App control handles the entire cleaning cycle remotely, and the automated mechanism eliminates scooping and sifting.
A dedicated aromatherapy compartment adds a layer of odor control beyond the automatic cleaning cycle.
Presence sensors combined with a cleaning-cycle delay keep the mechanism from running while your cat is inside.
The unit is built to operate quietly so won't disturb your day when it runs.
Because everything runs through an app, setup and daily operation depend on your phone and a stable connection. This adds a layer of tech some owners may not want for a litter box.
There are a laundry list of different types of cat litter out there on the market. Which type you choose and the brand you select can't easily be decided without trying them.
The primary reason for this is that in general cats are likely to care more about the litter than you do. A lot of cats simply won't use certain kinds of litter due to the feeling on their paws, the smell associated, or any of 100 other things cats notice that we don't!
That being said, here's a quick rundown of the major types of litter out there.
Clay Clumping: This is the most common type of litter on the market and it is what most people use on a day to day basis. You'll find this available from most major brands and typically at a pretty cheap price for about a 40 pound bag of it.
Clay Non Clumping: While not as common as clumping litter, it still ranks pretty highly up there in the overall types of litter available and in use. The key difference is it does a much worse job of controlling odors and making it easy to scoop for your cat.
Crystals: As opposed to clumping up, crystals essentially absorb urine and control odor for a period of time. While crystals have benefits, you do have to completely replace them quite often (weekly or every two weeks) depending on the number of cats you have. This can get quite a bit more expensive than traditional litter.
Paper: Paper based litter is similar to crystals in that it is focused on absorbing urine and controlling the scent. It is normally easy to see which bits have been used based on color/size, but you can end up scooping out a lot of it that you don't mean to since it doesn't clump. This can get pricy longer term since you can end up wasting unused litter.
Pine: Pine litters in general are an alternative to clay, but based on all of the information I've seen to date they have similar tracking problems. If odor control is a higher priority you might consider this.
If you're looking for a specific recommendation on a litter then check out this article from Thriving Cats for the best litter out there. One thing I'd also keep in mind is that if you decide you're going to transition from your existing litter (that is working) to a new one, then you should definitely do this gradually. There are a couple of options available to you:
The most common is to mix the new and old litters together and slowly change the ratio. You can start with say 80/20 then every 2 or 3 days adjust it another 20% until you've fully switched things over.
The second most common option is to set down an additional litter box and put the new kind of litter in it to verify your cat(s) will use it. If they immediately make the switch without issue then you're likely good to simply transition to that litter in your existing litter box.
What type of litter box is best for my cat?
Every cat is different when it comes to their litter box. Some of them are far more lax when it comes to their litter box and some of them are extremely picky.
There are a few core factors you'll want to consider when selecting the litter box that's right for your home:
Size: If you get a litter box that's too small you're likely to run into problems with your cat using it. Always err on the side of getting a litter box that is a bit bigger as opposed to potentially too small for your cat.
Covered or Not: Cats are both predator and prey in the wild. Because of this they often prefer to see around them while using their litter box. Covered boxes control litter tracking and also help minimize nasty smells, but they may also cause your cat to simply not use the litter box. This isn't just theory in our house — my cat Lexi developed pretty serious separation anxiety a while back and started having accidents around the house instead of using her litter box, and one of the actual changes that genuinely helped was switching to fully open litter boxes and moving them out of tight, enclosed spots.
Top or Side Entry: Side/front entry is definitely the traditional format for a litter box, but there are all sorts of new formats out there today. Top entry litter boxes are great for helping to control litter tracking, but they can also be very tough on older cats or arthritic cats. Be sure to take this into account when you purchase.
Automatic or Not: Some cats are extremely finicky when it comes to using a litter box that is dirty. I guess I can't blame them, I hate using a dirty toilet too. That being said, if you have a cat that won't pee in a litter box that's been used once then you might need to consider an automatic litter box, especially if you work during the day. There's also the fact that some people just want nothing to do with scooping and thus choose an automatic scooping box.
Shape: Before you make a purchase you'll want to consider the location you plan to place the litter box. Purchasing a litter box of the correct shape will make it far easier for you to fit it in the appropriate location without creating a hassle for your cat to use it. There are two primary shapes, standard rectangles and corner boxes.
Number of Cats: See below for this question.
What if I have multiple cats?
There's a pretty simple rule of thumb out there for people with multiple cats. You should have at least one more litter box than the number of cats you have. As a few simple examples:
If you have 2 cats you should have 3 litter boxes.
If you have 5 cats you should have 6 litter boxes.
But let's be honest, most of us probably don't want this many litter boxes in the house and many of us probably don't even have the space to scatter this many litter boxes throughout the house. If you live in the city this is even more the case.
I have two cats and I only have one litter box in use right now. But when I first got my second cat we had 3 litter boxes throughout numerous areas in the house. You try numerous areas cause some cats are more prone to use a litter box in one area than another.
We started to realize that they were really only using 2 of the litter boxes so we removed one of them completely. After another few months they started to center on one litter box that was tucked away in our closet. Given this we slowly phased out access to the remaining extra litter box and we've had no problems.
That being said you should explore this gradually if you're introducing a new cat to your household. You don't want to just add a cat and leave your home with one litter box. This can result in all sorts of negative behavior that could result in accidents and messes throughout the house which nobody enjoys.
Where should I put the litter box?
Litter box placement is typically pretty straight forward, but sometimes it can be a little more complex if you have a cat that is picky. It really comes down to balancing two things:
Where the humans are willing to have the box
Where the cats are willing to use the box
Here are a couple key considerations from cats that might help you determine where to put your litter box. Cats generally like the following:
A place in the home that doesn't have a lot of foot traffic
Somewhere that random noises don't occur (avoid next to the furnace)
The ability to see all approaches to the litter box
Why isn't my cat using the litter box?
There are lot of different reasons that cats won't use a litter box, but they usually fall within one of the following three categories:
Smell / Scent: Did you try a new litter? If so, be sure to make it a gradual change by mixing the old and the new over time.
Location: As referenced above, be sure to try varying locations if you're having litter box issues. Finding the right spot for your cat(s) is key.
Cleanliness: Is the litter box being cleaned and scooped consistently? If not, try scooping more times a day so your kitty has a clean bathroom.
There are of course other reasons that a cat might stop using a litter box, especially if they were using it consistently in the past and suddenly stopped. Check out this article for more details on the topic. If you're unable to identify a root cause talk to your veterinarian or a cat behaviorist to find a resolution.
Why is my cat sleeping in the litter box?
If your cat is sleeping in the litter box then you've likely got a cat that hasn't taken well to a recent change in their life. Generally cats sleep in their litter box for a few key reasons, for example you:
May have recently moved to a new or unfamiliar space
Just got another new pet (cat or dog) and introduced it to your home
Have a new person living your home or staying with you
Have not realized your cat is sick and needs medical attention
Have a pregnant cat and she doesn't have a spot to give birth
Check out this article specifically on the topic for more detail and ways you can help get your cat out of the litter box.
Why won't my covered litter box's lid stay locked?
This turns out to be one of the more common complaints across hooded and dome-style boxes in general, not just one specific product. Several picks on this list, including the Catit Airsift, the IRIS USA Top Entry, and the Petmate Booda Dome, all have owners reporting the lid or latch loosening or not seating fully after some use.
It's usually not a defect so much as a wear-and-tear reality of any lid that gets lifted and reseated for scooping every day. If you notice a lid isn't locking as tightly as it did when it arrived, check that nothing (a stray clump of litter, a bent tab) is blocking it from seating fully before assuming the part itself has failed.
Why does litter get stuck under my sifting litter box's screen?
This is a real, recurring complaint with sifting-style boxes specifically. Both the Arm & Hammer and the Van Ness have owners have this issue. It tends to happen more with clumping litters that are on the finer or stickier side. Pellet-style litters are less likely to have this issue. This is part of why some sifting boxes are specifically marketed toward pellet litter.
If this becomes a recurring headache, switching to a coarser or pellet-style litter with your sifting box. Avoid fine clumping litter.
How reliable are automatic self-cleaning litter boxes?
It varies more than the marketing usually suggests, and it's worth going in with realistic expectations rather than assuming "automatic" means "maintenance-free." The PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Pro Legacy on this list, for example, has genuinely mixed durability reports.
Some owners get years of reliable use, others see it slow down or break around the six-month mark. A recurring complaint is that the rake doesn't always capture 100% of solid waste on every pass.
App-controlled boxes like the BCHARYA add another layer worth considering too. Since their day-to-day operation depends on you it can be more hassle.
None of this means automatic boxes aren't worth it. Plenty of owners are genuinely happy with them. Just budget for occasional troubleshooting rather than expecting to never think about the box again.
Is a furniture-style or stainless steel litter box actually worth the upgrade over a basic plastic one?
Opinions genuinely split on this across every higher-tier pick on this list. The KMNSUN stainless steel box, the Amunrbrek furniture, and the iPrimio stainless all have owners who love them.
Others who aren't convinced they do anything a well-maintained plastic box couldn't. What tends to separate the two camps is what you're actually optimizing for: odor resistance, durability, or blending the box into your decor.
These upgrades solve real problems a basic plastic pan doesn't. If your main goal is just "a working litter box," a good plastic option gets the job done. The higher-tier picks are about solving a specific frustration, not a universal upgrade everyone needs.
Given the wide variety of litter box types and the wide variety of models within each of those types it can be incredibly difficult to choose a litter box that will meet the needs of you and your cats.
Whatever you do be sure to make any changes with the litter box gradually. If your cats are currently using one litter box and you are going to switch it be sure to make the new one available side by side with the old one for a time.
This will ensure your cats can get used to the change before removing what they are used to. Big changes can often make cats very uncomfortable, they are creatures of habit after all.
Which litter box do you use? Do you have a favorite or a recommendation that I didn’t include in my list? If you have any other ideas for please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.comso I can update this article.
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If you’re looking for the easiest way to help your cat celebrate the holidays with you then put her up on the tree! No, I don't mean that literally, I mean get something for her on the tree!
Here's you'll find 11 of the best cat adornments for Christmas in 2018. You can laser her name right on or even slide a picture right in! So open the quick guide or scroll down to find your favorite!
While the idea of the mouse still being attached by a cord is getting a little dated, the fact that your kitten is stomping right on the center of the keyboard is as accurate as ever!
I can almost never get anything done on my computer without my little fur balls walking all over the keyboard and rubbing their faces all over the screen! This is by far one of my favorites!
Features an adorable orange and white kitten standing on a laptop with a mouse in her mouth
This is the 2016 entry in the yearly release of keepsake ornaments for kittens
It is produced by Hallmark meaning it is a great ornament from a quality standpoint
The dimensions are 2" W x 2" H x 1.9" D, perfect for any cat lover on your list
It reads “Oh Christmas, Tree oh Christmas Tree, your ornaments are HISTORY!” You can imagine singing it along to that classic Christmas Carol “Oh Christmas Tree” and it makes for quite the laugh.
This is hands down the funniest ornament out there on the market this year. Though you can’t personalize it, you don’t really have to because it seems to apply to most kitties!
A few other things worth calling out:
Great gift for any cat lover because it pokes fun at how often our cats cause havoc to trees
Has numerous little red jingle bells hanging down the side that tinkle when moved
Measures in at about 4.9" tall by 3" wide and considered a little heavy
Has a built in eyelet you can add a hook or string to if you desire (one is included too)
Made of resin so this ornament is quite sturdy even if it falls from the tree
If you're ever let your cat near your Christmas decorations then you know that this is one of the most common results. Your cat will sniff at and paw at everything and then find a way to get tangled up into a mess.
I think it is something about how new or novel these things are each year when they are pulled out of hiding. But this ornament rings true in our house for sure!
Shows an adorable white furry kitten playing in a red box of Christmas ornaments and lights
This is the newest Keepsake ornament for kittens, just released in 2018
Made by Hallmark so you know you're covered from a quality standpoint
Comes in at a great price compared to a lot of ornaments on the market
The dimensions are 2.13" W x 1.64" H x 1.33" D, a perfect size for any tree
If you’re looking for something a little more personal Andaz Press has you covered. This cute wooden ornament comes in the shape of feline and it can be customized for your favorite cat prior to purchasing.
That gives it a bit more flair and a more generic ornament that isn’t for any particular cat, especially if you have multiple cats and you want to honor one in particular!
A few other items worth noting on this model:
It comes with a beautiful red ribbon and gift bag if you're giving it away to someone
The ornament measures about 3 inches wide and a little over 3 inches tall
It is made completely in the United States of America
It is made of birch and bass wood so it is very sturdy and will last a long time
The text can be fully customized and supports a total of up to 35 characters of text
This is another ornament that can be personalized to fit your particular kitty. It is of course intended to look like you made a gingerbread cookie kitty cat and then fully decorated it with all of the toppings and frosting!
This one you're not going to want to take a bite of, but you're certainly going to want to know the following before making a purchase:
It is made of poly resin meaning it might be a little weighty, but it is also very sturdy
Your cat's name is truly hand painted onto the ornament
You can enter up to 9 characters of text for the cat's name as well as the year
The ornament is 3.5 inches tall by 2.25 inches wide when out of the box
Department 56 really outdid themselves with this adorable little meowy cat ornament. Department 56 does everything from plush dolls to home decor to any other sort of gift your mind can think of.
If you’re looking for high quality these guys are hard to beat. And on top of that you'll probably want to know the following before you make your purchase:
A cute likeness of the adorable Pusheen to decorate your tree with
This ornament is designed in the United States of America
The dimensions of the ornament are about 2.5" W x 2.5" L x 2.8" H
It is made of high quality ceramic so it is quite heavy for its size
This is an adorable little ornament that shows the mischievous nature of cats in general, but it is supposed to be a little kitten! The kitten has found his way to the bird feeder and is hanging off trying to get to the Cardinal on top!
This incredibly cute ornament has been around for a few years and is tried and true:
Features an adorable grey kitten climbing the bird feeder as naughty cats might do
It is part of a series of naughty kitten ornaments you can buy
Made by Hallmark so you know it is of the highest quality
The dimensions of the ornament are: 1.87" W x 2.5" H x 1.06" D
If you're looking to decorate your tree with a cat theme then this might be a great way to get started! These adorable little black tabby cat ornaments hang from a cute little chain and they come in several different sized packs!
This means you can buy a bunch in bulk and you'll be able to cover the whole tree with a feline theme in no time! A few additional things worth noting:
Shows an adorable black tabby cat with a red and green scarf
Comes in a 1 pack, 3 pack or even a 6 pack for those of you looking for lots
The toy is made of resin (meaning it is quite durable) and is hand painted
This is only about 2 inches tall, so it is a perfect fit for smaller Christmas trees
This is a great ornament that comes from Hallmark and features a little calico kitten playing in the center of a Christmas wreath. The kitten is swatting at the red ribbon hanging off the wreath and she looks to be quite excited and happy with her for finding her way there!
This incredibly cute ornament has been around for a few years and is tried and true:
Features an adorable calico kitten hanging from the middle of a wreath swatting at a ribbon
This is from 2017 and is part series of naughty kitten ornaments that has run for years
Made by Hallmark so you know it is of the highest quality
It comes in a gift box that 2.9" W x 4" H x 2.2" D, perfect for any cat lover on your list
The dimensions of the ornament are: 1.8" W x 3" H x 1.86" D
This is an adorable ornament to hang on the tree featuring a tuckered out kitten under a quilt sleeping on a pillow. Of course the kitten is wearing a Santa hat too! He's ringing in the season!
A couple of key items worth noting on this ornament:
Features an adorable sleeping kitten on a pillow under a quilt
The ornament is made of stone and resin so it is quite heavy compared to others
Has a built in eyelet that can easily be used for a hook or a string to hang it
The product dimensions are: 3.25" H x 2.8" W x 2.8" D
If you're looking for some adorable cats in scarves to hang on your tree then you've come to the right place! This three pack of cats spruces up any tree (see what I did there with spruce?) and makes it look festive!
A couple of things I'm sure you'll want to know before you buy:
Features three different colored cats each wearing a Christmas hat and a scarf
Comes in a three pack so you can get your cat themed Christmas off to a good start
Built in hanging cords that can easily be replaced with a hook if needed
These ornaments are mostly two dimensional, they are 3.5" H x 3.25" W
Another photo frame style ornament, this one lets you choose the photo to insert right into the middle of the O in the word MEOW! Perfect for any cat, but in my opinion it is simply adorable for a kitten.
You’ll notice a few pieces of flare for any of you that like Office Space, a cute little Santa hat and a giant red ribbon to hang it on the tree.
A couple of other items worth noting:
Personalize this awesome ornament by adding a photo of your own cat to it
This ornament is a solid 6 inches long and 2.5 inches tall, pretty darn big
This is made of poly resin so it won't shatter if it falls, and it is covered in a reflective finish
Comes with an adorable little red gift box so you can wrap it and give it to someone easily
This is the classiest of any of the cat related Christmas ornaments I have run across. If you’re looking for a way to commemorate a lost pet then this is the nicest ornament out there.
Not only is it simple in its beauty, but it also has a wonderful message written on creamy vellum and placed inside the ornament. It reads “If Only You Had Nine More.”
A few other key items worth noting about it:
It is topped with a gorgeous black satin bow to show mourning
There are white feathers placed behind the vellum to show through the back of the glass
An ornament specifically designed to commemorate a lost cat
It comes with a velvet bag that you can use to wrap the ornament as a gift
The globe is about 3.5 inches in diameter, about the size of your average globe ornament
This is an adorable little ornament that has a kitty popping out the top of a stocking. Something they’d likely do if you let them anywhere near your stockings while they are on the ground and slightly opened.
As you can see one of the gifts popping out the top is a set of fish bones, something you should definitely not feed your cat, but it looks pretty darn cute doesn’t it?
A few other things worth noting about it:
The white space leaves you some room to personalize the ornament yourself with a cat name
It is made of a poly resin to ensure it won’t break easily even if it falls from a distance
This ornament comes in at about 2.25 inches wide and just short of 4 inches tall
It comes with a ribbon or hook loop for easily hanging on the Christmas tree
This particular ornament is heavily focused on you Maine Coon owners out there. You can see the gorgeous picture of a Maine Coon adorning the front of the ornament.
Given the curious nature of our feline friends this thing is also a shatter proof ball so that not only will it not make a mess, but it will keep your cat safe in the case that they do in fact knock it off of the tree.
A few other key items worth noting about it:
This specific ornament features a beautiful Maine Coon cat on a red globe with snowflakes falling
Includes a red ribbon tied into a bow on top and a loop for hanging
This ornament has a diameter of a little over 3 inches
This globe ornament is made of plastic to ensure it won't shatter if it falls from the tree
There are various options available for different cats: orange tabby, tuxedo, black, Persian, calico and several others
If you or a friend are a bit more philosophical…Or if you perhaps just love Sigmund Freud…This might be the perfect fit for you. This ornament is a picture of a gorgeous tabby cat with the quote from Frued saying “Time spent with cats is never wasted.”
I wholeheartedly agree Mr. Freud. I find spending time with my little feline friends to be some of the most rewarding and relaxing time in my life! I'm sure you'll want to know the following if you're considering it:
Features a quote from Freud saying "Time spent with cats is never wasted."
Comes with a black velvet bag included for storage or as a gift
This ornament is 2.85 inches in diameter and is made of ceramics
Easy to hang with a ribbon, string or traditional wire hook
Cats, as we all know, are well known for causing trouble around the holidays. I always think back to the poor cat in the move Christmas Vacation that eats the wire and electrocutes himself!
So sad, but unfortunately there are a ton of dangers for our feline friends around the Christmas seasons. The tree itself seems to be the most common source of danger:
Electrical cords are also obviously dangerous. If you’re unable to keep an eye on your cat then ensure the tree is unplugged.
If you have a live tree and you’re going to give it water be sure that your cat can’t access the water, especially if it is treated. Treated water can make cats sick because it normally has things like fertilizer in it that are obviously harmful to cats. And even if the water is not fertilized, it can accumulate bacteria that your cat shouldn’t drink.
Be careful of using easily shattered or breakable ornaments. Cats can get hurt when they step on or eat broken ornaments.
You know all those sprays you can put on your tree to make them look extra festive? Those are usually poisonous to cats so be extra careful if you are going to use it. I would lean away from using it at all.
Mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are all toxic to cats in some degree, sometimes deadly. Check out this article for more details on poisonous plants.
With a cat you should definitely avoid any of those old ornaments that run standard incandescent bulbs that run hot. Cats can easily start a fire on accident by batting them around. On that same note, be careful with candles this season too.
You can also check out this great article from the ASPCA on how to help ensure your kitty has a safe holiday season. A few additional tips are also here from the Humane Society. So what can you do to ensure your feline friend has a happy holiday as well? Let’s take a look.
There are a bunch of different things you can do to help keep a curious cat from getting himself or herself into trouble around the Christmas Tree.
Go Faux: One of the key items I recommend is going for a fake tree. Real trees bring all sorts of additional complications and dangers to the house for your cats, in particular the water and also the pine needles which are no good for your cat’s paws or if they happen to eat them.
Anchor Your Tree: Whatever you do with your tree, be sure you anchor it down really well. Get an extra large base or an extra heavy base if you have to. This will ensure your cat can’t tip the tree over and potentially start a fire or trash a boatload of ornaments and decorations at once.
Consider the Ornaments: The bulk of the ornaments I chose above are not likely to break or shatter. Only the memorial ornament has much likelihood of this happening. Be smart about selecting ornaments made of wood, resin, felt etc. This ensures even if they fall they can’t break into pieces.
Repellents:
You can try placing double sided tape or aluminum foil under the tree which both tend to discourage your cat from walking in specific areas. I’ve had the best luck with double sided tape. Careful with this though as if it gets stuck in their fur they can cause a ruckus trying to get it out if you aren’t home to help.
There are several different types of repellents you can try, but the most common types are bitter apple and bitter lemon sprays. These will keep your feline friends away from the area based on scent alone.
You can try an automated deterrent like the SSSCat System (read my review here) which launches a stream of compressed air at your cat when they near a specific area. This works really well for cats that are more skittish and aren’t terribly curious. Really adventurous cats aren’t typically scared of the SSSCat after the first few times.
You can try some of the many methods listed in this article on keeping your cats from eating your houseplants. In particular things like citrus peels might be both pleasant smelling and effective depending on the cat.
Separation: If all else fails you may need to separate your cat from the temptation of the tree. This means you might have to put it in a room where your kitty isn’t allowed for a couple of weeks until Santa Claus comes to visit and drops off presents for all the good little girls, boys and cats. While I hope it doesn’t come to this, for extra curious cats sometimes this is the best choice!
You should also check out this great video from Cole and Marmalade to see what you'll likely have to deal with while decorating your tree with cats around!
If you've gone down the path of setting up a Christmas tree and found that your cats simply won't let it stand as in this video...
...then you might need to pursue other avenues to enjoy the season!
The good news is that there are all sorts of things you can do to help your feline friend enjoy the holidays:
Stockings: Get your kitty a stocking to hang on the fire place with the rest of the family and stuff it full of fun toys and treats! If you're not sure where to find one check out this article for some of the best cat stockings for Christmas around.
Collars: Make your cat extra dapper with a Christmas bow tie or a festive collar. Collars and bow ties are great for cats that don't like full on costumes or cats that are prone to knocking things down off the tree. It is a simple way to show a little festiveness!
Costumes: Deck your feline out in a holiday cat costume to ring in the season. These range from simple santa hats all the way to full on multi piece costumes. You can check out some of the most popular cat costumes here.
If none of these seem like a great idea, but you still want to reward your kitty for being such a good fur ball all year, then you can always reward with them treats and toys. My guide on the the top cat toys around is available here.
If all else fails be sure to let your cats play with all the empty boxes when you finish unwrapping presents!
The market has about a zillion different items out there focused on enticing us to make a purchase for our cats this Christmas season. While some of them are items that will likely not get used much after the box is first opened, you should know for certain that an ornament for your tree is an excellent choice.
Not only will it help you deck the tree out in a wonderful holiday fashion, but it’ll also as a toy for your cat if all else fails! While your cat may not appreciate your ornament selection your friends and family certainly will.
Besides, it is always in good taste to let your feline friends celebrate the holidays with you and the family!
If you have any other ideas for your cat around the Christmas holiday or have any tips on the best cat ornaments for Christmas please leave a comment below.
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Wondering if your cat deserves a stocking in place on the mantle. Debate no more. Even if your cat doesn’t love presents the stocking will look absolutely amazing.
Stockings also double up as a nice warm place for your kitty to sleep once they’ve gotten a chance to play in all the empty boxes from other Christmas gifts opened throughout the day.
But let's hope they appreciate you thinking about them and get to the 11 Best Christmas Cat Stockings!
Glitzhome provides over 50 selections of Christmas stockings, and on the bright side, they have one specifically focused on our feline friends!
These whimsical Christmas Stockings will encourage your family members to give your kitty the best gifts around and ensure they have just as much fun on the holidays as you do. A few items worth noting:
The front is 100% acrylic fabric and the backing is 100% polyester meaning this stocking is very durable
There is a decorative top border, a felt hanging loop, and holiday accents
You’ve got 19 inches of space to work with from top to bottom, plenty of room for cat toys and treats
This hanging stocking by Clever Creations is the perfect way to bring Christmas cheer to your home this holiday season. This stocking has a unique design that you simply will not find anywhere else. It is sure to give your home that wow factor and bring the Christmas spirit into your home.
A couple of key items worth noting:
By far the coolest cat stocking from a design standpoint, there is nothing else that must be said
This Christmas stocking features a great black and white kitty cat with fluffy ears, paws, and a plush fish attached with a ribbon
This stocking has a large top opening and is about 16 inches deep so it has a spacious interior that is perfect for all kinds of small gifts and stocking stuffers for an exciting Christmas morning
It has a built in hanging loop for ease of hanging it over your fireplace on the mantle
If you’re into cats then you’re definitely aware of Hello Kitty. This
stocking uses the likeness of Hello Kitty to bring you a one of a kind
stocking for your furry little friend in the house. Any cat will be
excited to have a wonderful feline friend in the house gracing the
mantle for the holiday season!
There are a few features worth calling out:
A unique design featuring the words “Hello Kitty” written above an image of Hello Kitty sitting among Christmas presents beneath a Christmas tree
The stocking is made of high quality acrylic fabric to ensure it lasts for a very long time
This stocking is on the smaller side at only about 12 inches tall, so if you’re aiming for a smaller set of gifts it is the perfect fit for your feline friend
Cheap Chic is a brand known for bringing great looking, but affordable products to the market. They’ve definitely hit the mark with this cat friendly stocking!
It has adorable green paw prints all over it and it says MEOW in giant letters with a cute little image of a cat sticking out through the letter O. Hard to go wrong with a stocking that looks this good.
The stocking is made of 100% polyester, it is durable and will hold up over the years very well
The approximate diagonal length of the stocking is 20 inches so there’s tons of room for cat presents
The plain white cuff allows you and your family to personalize the stocking any way you want
If you’re looking for a unique stocking design then this is going to be it. There’s only one other one out there that looks remotely like it and that was listed up above.
Northlight has brought another amazing looking cat focused stocking to the market and the white band along the top allows you to personalize it.
A couple of key items worth calling out:
Beautiful tuxedo cat design wearing a collar with a fish that says KITTY in all capital letters
It has a red fabric loop built right in so it is easy to hang it up right away
The stocking is a whopping 19 and a half inches long, tons of room for you to fill the stocking with lots of cat presents or tasty treats
If you enjoyed the movie 101 Dalmatians (yes I know it is a dog movie!) then this stocking is going to be right up your alley. It has about 100 little black paw prints on a white background to make it look like kitties stepped in ink and walked all over it.
It reminds me of that wicked and crazy Cruella Deville. The white section on the top is left fully open for naming meaning you and your family can personalize it for your individual pet once you get it home!
A few additional items worth noting:
This particular stocking is made of 100% cotton and is also a product manufactured right here in the USA
It comes fully equipped with a white hanging loop to make it ready for Santa the second you open it
The stocking is about 16 inches tall and 6 inches or so wide in the leg section and 10 inches wide in the foot section, plenty of room for tasty treats and fun toys
7. Greenbrier’s Felt Christmas House Cat Family Stocking
If you’re looking for a discount stocking for your kitty cat then this is definitely the route to go. Greenbrier brings to market the most affordable of all the stockings in the list with their Felt Christmas House Cat Stocking.
Honestly, how can you go wrong when you can let your kitty celebrate the holidays with you for a price like this?! It comes in at just a bit above 5 dollars (last I looked on 10/15/18).
A few other items worth noting:
This stocking is made of felt and comes fully equipped with a hanging loop to make it ready for Santa the second it is opened
There’s an adorable image of a peach colored kitty with a green bow around his neck adorning the front
Plenty of room available to store a laundry list of toys and treats inside all in one go, get one for all your cats
If you like cat paw prints and little tiny mice then boy do I have the stocking for you! This stocking is adorned with numerous cat paws and even has five little green mice strapped across the top to make it any cat’s dream!
On top of this you can also personalize this stocking through the provider with any cat name up to 12 characters long, quite a nice perk! You’ll also note that based on the shape there’s a good chunk of space in the ‘foot’ section of the stocking for any extra large gifts or treats for your kitty.
It is worth calling out these features:
Fully personalized with your cat’s name when it arrives, just enter it during purchase
Comes covered in cat prints in both white and red to give it that feline look around the holidays
Has a string of cute little green mice across the top of the stocking, making it the cat’s meow
Let’s be honest, most of our kitty cats probably shouldn’t be writing letters to Santa Claus telling him that they’ve been good. They’ve likely been spoiled rotten and still been a little bit of a turd throughout the year. I mean, come on, we’re already buying them a stocking! What more do these fur balls need?
If your kitty has been extra good this year then consider these additional items:
This beautiful stocking has a plaid kitty with a short ribbon collar on her and a few paw prints all around the writing (likely falsely) claiming that the kitty has been good all year long
It is made of 100% polyester for a good durable stocking and comes with a built in red loop to make it easy to hang
The stocking is about 18 and a half inches across diagonally giving you lots of space to pack it full of fun treats and toys for your kitty on Christmas morning (no coal!!!)
This particular stocking falls outside the normal shape and size of your typical stocking, but that doesn’t take anything at all away from how adorable it is!
This stocking is shaped just like a cat paw and has a nice plaid cat paw emblazoned across it, right where the wrist is there’s also a cool little set of fish bones hanging down just to drive home that it is a cat’s stocking, no dogs allowed!
If you’re looking for style plus something totally unique then this is the way to go folks! A few other items worth making note of:
This stocking is 18 inches tall and 11 inches wide leaving you plenty of room to pack it full of treats and toys
The plaid area around the cuff is left blank so you can personalize it through embroidery on your own
Fully equipped with a hanging loop that matches the cuff on the top for ease and speed
While the stocking is geared toward dogs (take a look at the name), many folks have indicated they’ve used it with cats to great success. Who would have thought that cats wouldn’t complain about such a thing?!
This is a gorgeous red stocking fitting the more traditional profile and it comes in two different sizes which is a nice perk if you’re cramped for space or don’t plan to pack it too full.
A few other key things worth mentioning on this version:
There's a built in hanging loop making it easy to throw on a hook on your mantle
They are super soft and plush so they feel great to the touch
Do note they are far bigger than the Amazon product dimensions list, that's the size of the package they come in. You're looking at about 13 inches long for the small and 15-16 for the large size
Comes in at a nice affordable price of just under 10 dollars
There are two significant risks you can run with stockings for cats. The first and most prevalent is in the way you hang your stocking.
These days we often use counter weighted hanging hooks that place all the weight on the top of the mantle, But with cats (or pets in general) this can be a little problematic. Cats are prone to knock these off one of two ways:
They might jump and grab onto the stocking thinking of it as a hanging toy.
They might get on the mantle or ledge and accidentally (or purposely) knock it down.
The counterweight could easily land on your cat in the first case and cause a severe injury. In the second case it isn't likely to hurt your cat, but it could easily cause some damage to the surrounding area.
I recommend an old fashioned hook in the bottom of mantle if you aren’t opposed to it. You may want to choose one that isn’t terribly strong / bends easily so that if your cat does happen to jump up and hang on the stocking the hook simply let’s the stocking go. You can always change it out the day of Christmas for a stronger hook!
Another option is to look at the very lightweight counter balance options available that require a full stocking to be placed on them. This is a viable option if you don't want the stockings out for a long time or if your cat isn't likely to care what's inside them.
This may sound obvious to any of you cat owners with extremely curious and mischievous cats, but you’ll probably want to hold off on loading up that stocking with presents until the night before or even the morning of present opening time. Your cat may go totally nuts like this one.
Loading up the stocking early, especially if you include items with catnip or any other scents cats are interested in, could end up causing lots of damage.
Curious cats can cause all sorts of havoc and not only are they likely to knock the stocking off, but they could easily start chewing up packaging if the gifts fall out. We all know that is no good for them.
There are pretty much an unlimited number of cat related presents you could consider for your kitty. But to ensure you buy things your cat will like make sure you take into account the following:
Age: Buying items that are age appropriate will help ensure engagement and use. You probably don't want to buy a top loading litter box for a 14 year old arthritic cat. Just cause it will be nice for you doesn't mean it'll be any help or any use to your kitty!
Size: Be sure to look for items that are size appropriate for your fur ball. Most cats toys on the market are simply too big and aiming for smaller toys will encourage more play time!
Personality: If your cat loves to just relax and isn't into playing then I wouldn't recommend buying a boatload of treats that might encourage you to share them and fatten your kitty up.
Exercise Related: Always aim to buy something that will keep your kitty active! Just like us humans, cats that stay active stay far healthier! Get a leash or harness or buy a clicker and start clicker training your feline friend!
There are always a few recommendations you can select from and you'll be almost guaranteed to get a hit:
A Wand Toy: One of the best toys around to get cats to engage with you and great overall exercise.
Catnip: Small and easy. It is great to get cats to re-engage with old toys too!
Hexbug Nanos: Hexbugs are amazing toys that are battery operated and drive cats nuts!
Laser Pointer: The laser pointer is still a classic go to for most cat owners. Be sure to end any play sessions with some treats or a real toy.
Cat Tunnels: Cat tunnels are great toys that are lightweight and collapsible so they'll be easy to fit in the stocking and your cat will love them!
Empty Boxes: I know these don't fit in the stocking, but at the least you'll have boxes from your other Christmas presents. Save them and unveil them all at once for an amazing cat present!
Wrapping It Up On The Best Christmas Cat Stockings
The market has about a zillion different items out there focused on
enticing us to make a purchase for our cats this Christmas season.
While some of them are items that will likely not get used much after
the box is first opened, there’s no need to worry about whether or not
your cat will use a stocking! We humans will take care of that for them!
A fashionable stocking is a wonderful way for you and your family to
ensure your kitty can celebrate the holidays in all of their glory! Not
only can you stuff them full of fun little gifts for your fur ball, but
on top of this you can also use it as a temporary bed or pillow for
your cat once they’ve tired themselves out from all of the playing!
If you have any other ideas for your cat around the Christmas holiday that you love please please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in
the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees
by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The Pettsie breakaway cat collar with bow tie is specifically designed with your feline friend in mind. There are 4 major color/style combinations available for this particular collar set and they all not only look great, but they’re all incredibly well made and have all the necessary features for your cat to stay safe and sound.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Interchangeable Feathers: Switching the feathers out is super easy with a snap and swivel piece on the end of the line.
How do you change out the feathers on the end of the wand?
I bought this toy for the specific reason that it had an automatic timer built into that I thought would be incredibly helpful for keeping my cats active when I left the house for a few minutes. Or maybe even distract them as I walk out the door since they like to check out any door that opens up. The toy has a built in 15 minute timer so you can flip it on, walk away, and then the toy will run for 15 and turn itself off. While the timer worked great, the toy itself did not turn out to be as much of a good idea as I thought it would be.
As for scooping, super simple. You don’t even have to take the top off to scoop. The door is designed to flip up and stay in a “locked” position until you put it back down. This makes it a breeze to scoop quickly and then drop the door right back into place.
It isn’t a huge box so I’d highly recommend you scoop it every single day, especially if you have two cats.
