Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain Product Overview:
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain is a high quality fountain designed with a couple of specific features in mind, beyond the basic one of ensuring your cat drinks more water.
This particular model is made of ceramic instead of plastic or even stainless steel like the other Pioneer Pet Product of an almost identical name. This is a huge benefit to folks who are against using plastic in anything related to their pets or themselves.
Ceramic is far safer material in that it is 100% dishwasher safe and also isn’t porous as many forms of plastic are which ensures it doesn’t stain as easy or harbor bacteria.
The second major feature to keep in mind is that this fountain is designed with more of a slide than what you might have seen with other fountains. The water does not drop over a fall or shoot out like a human drinking fountain which is another key difference from many fountains in the market place. This means if you’ve got a cat that likes a gentle flow instead of splashing or falling water this is the fountain for you.
One last perk, this particular model comes in both black and white ceramic which is a nice perk for those of you looking to match decor.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind though, the fountain has a pretty low water capacity. While it won’t run out of water quickly it will end up making a lot more noise as the amount of water in the fountain gets lower and lower.
It is also worth noting that the design doesn’t do the best job of keeping hair and other things floating through the air out of the pump. If you clean the fountain consistently though this shouldn’t be a huge problem. I’ve linked a video on cleaning the pump.
Note there is a stainless steel version of this fountain if you like the look of Stainless more than black or white ceramic. If you’re interested in the stainless version you can also read my full review of it here.
The Pros:
Ceramic is 100% dishwasher safe & considered far more sanitary than plastic, a big perk compared to most pumps
It provides a nice gentle flow of water as opposed to falling water like many other pumps
It is a great looking water fountain given that it isn’t traditional plastic, it has a sheen on it
There are two available drinking areas for your cats so they’ve got multiple options, cats love options
If the pump happens to go (they all do eventually) you can buy a replacement without replacing the whole fountain
Uses a charcoal filter to keep the water clean for your cat(s) to ensure they stay healthy and happy
The Cons:
The fountain is relatively low capacity (60oz) so it requires constant refills meaning you can’t leave it for extended periods
If the water gets low it vibrates and makes a lot of noise (this is true for most pumps) which can be frustrating in a smaller home
There isn’t an adjustable flow control built into the pump so what you get is what you get
Tips for Best Usage:
Be sure to top off the fountain with water on a daily basis or every other day at the least or it will start to vibrate
Giving the fountain a deep clean every two weeks or so is highly recommended, I’d recommend a dish washer if you have one
You’ll want to place a tray or mat under it to catch splashes from your furballs so your floor doesn’t get soaked
The pump itself will need to be deconstructed and cleaned out every other week to keep it working well
Frequently Asked Questions:
How often do you have to refill it?
This is hard to guess and depends on your environment & the number of cats you have. If possible I would suggest topping it off daily.
This is not a product you’d want to buy if you’re assuming you can leave your cats at home for several days alone.
Is it noisy?
The product is not noisy if it is kept full, but it does have a low capacity and will start to vibrate as the water runs low.
Is it dish washer safe?
Yes, the product is made of Ceramicsl which is 100% dishwasher safe, a nice perk compared to plastic pumps.
How often do you have to clean it?
I’d recommend pouring all the water out and replacing it once a week.
I’d recommend a deep clean every two weeks at the least.
This will help maintain the integrity of the pump and also decrease the chances of anything nasty getting in the fountain.
How often do I have to replace the filters?
You’ll need to replace the filters about ever 3-4 weeks. You can find the replacements here.
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain is one fountain among a huge playing field fountains. The key differentiator for this product is that it is made of ceramic as opposed to plastic like most of the fountains out there on the market today.
Not only does ceramic look nicer than traditional plastic, but it also does so while minimizing issues that come from plastic fountains like allergies & BPAs. If you’re specifically against plastics being used for pets this is a wonderful choice to consider.
Do you have a water fountain for your cats? If so, do you prefer ceramic, stainless steel, or maybe plastic?
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.
Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain Product Overview:
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain is a high quality fountain designed with a couple of specific features in mind, beyond the basic one of ensuring your cat drinks more water.
First and foremost the product is made of stainless steel instead of plastic like many of the fountains out there these days. This is a huge benefit to folks who are against using plastic in anything related to their pets or themselves.
Stainless steel is considered a far more ‘safe’ material in that it is 100% dishwasher safe and also isn’t porous as many forms of plastic are which ensures it doesn’t stain as easy or harbor bacteria. If you’re a worry wort when it comes to germs this is a model for you!
The second major feature to keep in mind is that this fountain is designed with more of a slide than what you might have seen with other fountains. The water does not drop over a fall or shoot out like a human drinking fountain which is another key difference from many fountains in the market place. This means if you’ve got a cat that likes a gentle flow instead of splashing or falling water this is the fountain for you.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind though, the fountain has a pretty low water capacity. While it won’t necessarily run out of water quickly it will end up making a lot more noise as the amount of water in the fountain gets lower and lower. This can be frustrating in smaller homes or apartments where you don’t feel like having to refill a fountain constantly.
It is also worth noting that the design doesn’t do the best job of keeping hair and other things floating through the air out of the pump. If you clean the fountain consistently though this shouldn’t be a huge problem.
Note there is a ceramic version of this product if you want something that looks nicer than plastic, but you don’t like stainless steel. If you’re interested in the ceramic version you can also read my full review of it here
The Pros:
Stainless steel is 100% dishwasher safe & considered far more sanitary than plastic for anyone that prefers it
It provides a nice gentle flow of water as opposed to falling water like many other pumps
It is a great looking water fountain, I personally love the look of clean stainless and prefer it over any plastic from an aesthetic standpoint
Another benefit of a stainless steel fountain is there are no concerns about BPAs in the plastic
There are two available drinking areas for your cats to ensure they have options available to them
If the pump happens to go (they all do eventually) you can buy a replacement without replacing the whole fountain
Uses a charcoal filter to keep the water clean for your cat(s)
The Cons:
The fountain is relatively low capacity (60oz) so it requires constant refills and you can’t leave it for long periods of time
If the water gets low it vibrates and makes a lot of noise (this is true for most pumps)
There isn’t an adjustable flow control built into the pump so what you get is what you get, if your cats don’t like it too bad
Tips for Best Usage:
Be sure to top off the fountain with water on a daily basis or every other day at the least otherwise it will start to vibrate
Giving the fountain a deep clean every two weeks or so is highly recommended, I’d recommend a dish washer if you have one
You’ll want to place a tray or mat under it to catch splashes from your furballs so your floor doesn’t get soaked
The pump itself will need to be deconstructed and cleaned out every other week or so to keep it working well
Frequently Asked Questions:
How often do you have to refill it?
This is hard to guess and depends on your environment & the number of cats you have. If possible I would suggest topping it off daily.
This is not a product you’d want to buy if you’re assuming you can leave your cats at home for several days alone.
Is it noisy?
The product is not noisy if it is kept full, but it does have a low capacity and will start to vibrate as the water runs low.
Is it dish washer safe?
Yes, the product is made of Stainless Steel which is 100% dishwasher safe.
How often do you have to clean it?
I’d recommend pouring all the water out and replacing it once a week.
I’d recommend a deep clean every two weeks at the least.
This will help maintain the integrity of the pump and also decrease the chances of anything nasty getting in the fountain.
How often do I have to replace the filters?
You’ll need to replace the filters about ever 3-4 weeks. You can find the replacements here.
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain is one fountain among a huge playing field fountains. The key differentiator for this product is that it is made of stainless steel as opposed to plastic like most of the fountains out there on the market today. Not only does stainless look really nice, but it also does so while minimizing issues that come from plastic fountains like allergies & BPAs etc.
Do you have a water fountain for your cats? If so, do you prefer stainless steel to plastic?
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.
The Cat Mate Water Fountain is a great choice among the plastic fountains on the market. It has a couple of key features that are really worth highlighting.
The product has a special pump design called the Isolated Pump System aimed at keeping the pump as quiet as possible so it won’t scare your cats or keep you awake at night. The IPS is the highlight of the model, it is so quiet it can be kept in your bedroom at night and not be a bother.
The second major design feature is focused on giving your cats multiple options for drinking. There are the three pools and slides between each of the pools, all fully accessible. This ensures that even if your cats have varying preferences they’ll have options available.
There are a couple of items to note though. While the fountain is well regarded it is definitely a little on the flimsy side. This is true of most plastic fountains but worth noting if you have rambunctious cats or small children that could knock the fountain over.
Pump durability has also been called out as an area of concern by many other owners, but it is hard to see if they followed the recommended cleaning instructions.
The Pros:
The pump is one of the quietest on the market being an IPS (Isolated Pump System) – perfect for small homes or apartments
There are drinking areas for your cats at three different heights which means lots of options to get it right
The plastic bowls in this model are 100% dishwasher safe so you can fully disinfect them whenever you desire
The pump has an adjustable flow to slow things down or speed them up, perfect for picky cats
Very affordable, and replacement filters are affordable too meaning it is cheap to ensure your cat drinks lots of H20
It has an extra-long power cord compared to most models (10 ft) which can be a perk if you’ve got a specific spot you want to put it
If the pump happens to go (they all do eventually) you can buy a replacement without replacing the whole fountain
Uses a carbon filter to keep the water clean for your cat(s) and ensure they don’t get sick
This is a nice short video overview of the benefits of the Cat Mate Water Fountain as well:
The Cons:
It seems to be a little flimsier than I would have expected, almost like it could fall over or collapse at any time
The fountain is relatively low capacity (70 oz) so it requires constant refills and isn’t ideal for long trips away
The filter doesn’t do a great job of blocking items from getting into the pump (perhaps the reason for pump durability issues)
Tips for Best Usage:
Be sure to top off the fountain with water on a daily basis or every other day at the least given the small capacity
Giving the fountain a deep clean every two weeks or so is highly recommended, I’d recommend a dish washer for the bowls
The pump itself will need to be deconstructed and cleaned out every other week or so to ensure it doesn’t get moldy
You’ll want to place a tray or mat under it to catch splashes from your furballs so your floor doesn’t get soaked
Frequently Asked Questions:
How often do you have to refill it?
If possible I would suggest topping it off daily.
You wouldn’t want to buy this assuming you can leave your cats at home for several days.
Is it noisy?
The product is not noisy at all, in fact this is one of the key differentiators of this specific model.
Is it dish washer safe?
Yes, the bowls are made of dishwasher safe plastic.
How often do you have to clean it?
I’d recommend pouring all the water out and replacing it once a week.
I’d recommend a deep clean every two weeks at the least including a deconstruction of the pump.
This will help maintain the integrity of the pump and also decrease the chances of anything nasty getting in the fountain.
How often do I have to replace the filters?
You’ll need to replace the filters about ever 3-4 weeks. You can find the replacements here.
The Cat Mate Water Fountain is well regarded fountain that is ideal for households that are primarily looking for a very quiet water fountain. If you have a studio apartment or you want to keep water in the bedroom at night for your cats this is the perfect fit for you.
The fountain also does have numerous drinking heights/locations and an adjustable flow to find the right speed for your cats. The key thing to keep in mind is you’ll have to clean it often and that the construction seems a little bit flimsy.
Do you have a water fountain for your cats? If so, do you use the Cat Mate Pet Fountain? Do you have any tips to share on using it or reasons people should avoid 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.
This year it is expected that somewhere in the area of 16% of Americans will dress their pets up in costumes. For those of you not too familiar with the US population that’s somewhere in the area of 50 million households dressing a pet up. While the bulk of these pets will be dressed up around Halloween we are also starting to see plenty of folks purchase costumes to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving as well.
While it looks like a heck of a lot of fun to put your cat in a costume for the holidays and snap a few pictures, it is important to understand that this can be a very stressful and potentially dangerous situation for your feline friend. Cats are incredibly sensitive creatures and wrapping them in clothes or sticking something on top of their head can be quite dramatic if you don’t go about it carefully.
Anyone considering a costume, especially for a cat, should make sure they fully understand that the bulk of cats will not enjoy this experience. To reduce the drama as much as possible and ensure your cat has a positive experience you should learn how to choose a costume for your cat using the tips below.
Tip #1: Understand Your Cat & Their Senses
We humans have a number of senses: eyes, ears, taste, smell, touch. Cats also have all of these senses and they use them to help find their way around and navigate life in general. When we humans put on a costume we consciously make a decision to limit some of our senses in exchange for the look. Putting costumes on a cat is basically depriving them of their senses without any understanding of why. This limits their awareness of their surroundings which basically makes them feel like they are in danger.
This is a core reason why most cats do not enjoy this process. Given this knowledge aim for costumes that will have the least overall impact to the senses of your cat & to their ability to move around. Don’t cover the ears up if possible, leave the whiskers alone, make sure it won’t restrict the senses from their paw pads, etc. Basically think about the best way to limit the amount of environmental change your cat experiences when stuck in the costume.
Tip #2: Aim for the Minimum Number of Pieces
Cat costumes seem to be getting more and more complex by the year. We’ve seen an evolution from the original one piece hat with a chinstrap to all sorts of costumes that are made of three and four pieces. While the multi piece costumes usually tout ‘easy on and off’ features, you’re still going to have a more difficult time getting a cat into a multi piece costume.
If your social media feed can stand it, aim for a one piece costume. Bow ties and collars are simple and a lot of them are designed with simple break away technology like collars to ensure the safety of your cat.
Tip #3: Consider How It Is Put On and Taken Off
Given the sensitivity of cats and the likelihood that they won’t particularly like their costume you should focus on costumes that are extremely easy to both put on and take off. This means you should focus your search to costumes that are put on using only simple Velcro attachments that can be pulled on and off in a matter of seconds.
Not only will this be a heck of a lot less traumatic to put onto your cat, but if your cat doesn’t like it the chances of getting it off your cat without an incident (bites/scratches) increase significantly. Be sure to review this in the details of any product you’re considering.
Tip #4: Buy the Right Sized Costume
While there are some cats out there that don’t mind costumes one bit, there are a heck of a lot more that are going to have a hard time wearing one, especially a costume that is overly constrictive and feels tight on them. Be sure to measure your cat in all of the relevant places before you order your costume and be sure to choose the respective size. If you’re not sure how take a look at this video:
If they don’t have the right size don’t order something too small and try to jam your cat into it. Costumes are also known, just like human clothes, to run both small and large compared to the manufacturers notes. If the costume is too small definitely don’t try to squeeze your cat into it anyway.
Tip #5: Avoid Costumes With Small Parts
A lot of costumes out there are intelligently designed and they don’t have small pieces. On the other hand there are plenty of costumes out there that have frills, hairs, small buckles etc. Anything that can easily pop off the costume can easily be eaten by your cat.
It might even happen by accident while they are trying to pull the costume off with their teeth. If your cat happens to eat something she isn’t supposed to it could cause a ton of pain (it could even be fatal) and it also could cost you a small fortune to get it removed. Hopefully you’ve got cat insurance.
How Do I Get My Cat Into the Costume?
Getting cat clothes for cats onto said cats can be quite an effort, believe me, I know. If you’ve ever tried to put a harness on a cat you’ll have some good experience already, but putting on a full one piece or a multi piece costume can take some time, patience and some assistance. I recommend getting assistance if you can. Key things that will help:
As noted above, be sure you measure your cat first and buy a size appropriate costume
The simpler the costume the easier it is going to be (big reason the simple hat/beard is my #1 pick)
Avoid anything with a mask on it, I know I didn’t pick any in my top 10 (link below), but I’d skip it in general
Buy your costume early and introduce your cat to it over several days: let her sniff it, feed her treats while it is nearby, drape it over her and feed her treats
Put on the easiest pieces first to see how your cat reacts, take it slow and don’t force it
Be patient, it may take a few attempts to get the costume on to your cat
If your main purpose is to take pictures, plan ahead and have everything ready to go the second you get the costume on
Unless your cat seems 100% comfortable with it I’d recommend removing it after all your pictures are done
Wrapping It Up
So should you put your cat through the drama of a costume given the above? My personal opinion on this topic is that if your cat has been in costumes and outfits her whole life then go for it. Or if you test it out one time on her and she doesn’t mind one bit then have at it.
Still always consider the tips above though. If on the other hand your cat clearly freaks out whenever you put even the harness on her then you’re probably not going to have very good luck with a costume of any sort and you might want to dress up yourself instead.
As a final tip, never leave your cat alone in a costume, no ifs and or buts. If you are not going to be home and can’t keep an eye on your cat then you should absolutely remove the costume before leaving the house. Even with easy to put on and take off costumes there’s no sense tempting fate and potentially letting your cat get stuck due to the costume getting caught on something.
Have you dressed your cat up before? If so, how’d it go? Would you recommend that other people put their cat in a costume?
If you have any additional thoughts on dressing your cat up in general or for the holidays then please leave a message or email me directly at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com. I’ll be sure to update the article to reflect your thoughts.
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.
Looking for a way for your cat to feel festive, but you don’t want them inside your Christmas tree? You might also know from previous experience that your kitty will not be too open to a full on holiday costume, but you still want some pizzazz! You’re in luck, there are options! Particularly in the area of holiday cat collars.
Several of the feline accessory companies now have their own lines of Christmas Cat Collars! If your cat isn’t open at all to wearing a full on costume then a collar is a wonderful choice for a lot of reasons:
Collars are designed for safety purposes, they have a loop for ID tags
All of these collars feature a breakaway safety buckle so the collar pops off if it gets caught
Holiday cat collars bring a festive look to your kitty without the impact & complications of a full on costume
So let’s get right into it and take a look at the ten top holiday cat collars of the year!
#1 Pettsie Cat Collar Bow Tie with Breakaway Safety
This is hands down my favorite cat collar out there for the holidays. It is incredibly stylish and charming as a collar, and it has a very fashionable wood bow tie to make your cat look extra dapper. But on top of it, and this is pretty important folks, it comes with a matching friendship bracelet for you. This way your cat will know that you are showing off your love for her while you’re out and about! It will strengthen the relationship with your best friend and make you totally cool during holidays.
It is made of natural cotton that is not only comfortable, but it has great durability to last an extended period of time and keep both you and your cat stylish all through the winter holidays
This awesome collar comes with a safety breakaway buckle for your cat’s safety in all situations, if your cat gets stuck it will open from the pressure and fall off
The collar is 3/8 of an inch wide and adjusts anywhere from 8 to 11 inches giving you a lot of room for different sized cats
The bracelet is also adjustable from 5.9 to 9.1 inches, just in case you were wondering
It has a built in loop for you to add an ID tag or a jingle bell to make your kitty extra festive
Every order of the collar and and friendship bracelet comes in a pretty natural gift box, it makes a great present for any cat lover
#2 Blueberry Pet Holiday Celebration Breakaway Collar Pack of 2
Blueberry Pet has been in the collar making business for a while now and they make a huge host of collars for all times of year. To say the least, they know their stuff! This is an awesome two pack of collars in case you want to be able to switch things up for your cat or maybe you’ve got two kitties around the house like I do! Features worth noting:
These collars are definitely geared toward larger cats with a neck girth of 9 to 13 inches
The width of the collar is a pretty standard 3/8 of an inch
It is equipped with a breakaway clasp to ensure if you’ve got a curious kitty like mine they don’t risk and hazards getting caught or stuck
Manufactured from high density polyester webbing this collar is made for durability
The bow ties cannot be taken off of these collars (they can’t fall off either and pose a choking hazard)
#3 Critter Gear Breakaway Cat Collar in Christmas Snowman Red
Critter Gear is one of those companies that has been in the pet business for a long time. They got their start making dog products and have recently transitioned into the world of felines, but they’ve made quite a splash bringing their high quality products over to our world. They have a bunch of different collars out there, but this one is an awesome snowman themed cat collar:
Critter Gear manufactures all of their collars with a strong nylon core and then covers it with 100% cotton fabric for a comfy fit around the neck of your cat
The collar fits cats with a neck size between 6 and 11 inches, hurray for collars for a bit smaller cats
At a 1/2 an inch wide it is one of the two standard sizes for cat collars
A silver bell that tinkles nicely will make your cat seem even more festive for the upcoming holidays (removable)
It is equipped with a breakaway clasp to ensure your cats safety if they get hooked or caught on anything
#4 Expawlorer Cat Breakaway Collar with Bell Designer Pack of 2
Woah! A two pack of Christmas collars at such a low price? Now your cat can get her collar changed up so she doesn’t feel stuck with the same look every day. I bet she’ll be ecstatic even if she doesn’t show it. Who doesn’t want to look stylish for the holidays? Expawlorer changes things up a little bit from your more traditional cotton collars and has created their collars out of nylon webbing that is comfy for your cat.
The collar is of course equipped with a breakaway buckle in case it gets snagged on anything, we want your cat to be safe over the holidays
Each collar is equipped with a silver tinkling bell and there’s space on the ring for ID tags
A perfect option if you’ve got two cats at home and you want them both to dress up for the holidays
The collar is 3/8 of an inch wide and adjustable from 8 to 10 inches, a little less space than many of the other collars but still plenty of room for a lot of cats
#5 Fairy Pet Set of 2 Breakaway Christmas Cat Collars
Fairy Pet rings true to its name with cat collars that are focused more for the smaller side of felines. Fairies are typically pretty small in all the movies and in our imagination, so that’s how I like to think about it! Fairy Pet provides a wonderful looking two pack of collars that are very fashionable and very functional for the chillier times in the year!
Crafted to fit on cats with a neck anywhere from 6 to 11 inches you’ve got a lot more space to work with on the smaller end of the spectrum, if you’ve got a small cat these are the right choice for you
These collars come in at a width of 3/8 of an inch, one of the two standard sizes out there
Of course they come with a jingle bell to make your cat seem even more festive throughout the holidays
As with any collar worth its salt these both come with breakaway technology that will let the collar snap off if it gets caught on anything while your feline friend is out exploring the world
#6 Country Brook Petz Snowman Featherweight Cat Collar
Frosty the Cat Man, was a jolly happy soul! It just doesn’t really have that same ring to it does it? Oh well, with this collar your cat will look like a jolly happy soul. This wonderful stylish collar is specifically designed to be as light as a feather for your cat to minimize the impact of having a collar on at all, in fact they might not even notice they are wearing it! Things worth noting about this gorgeous Snowman collar:
It is about a half an inch wide and it is extendable from 8 inches to 12 inches giving you lots of room for different sized felines
The collar is made of polyester webbing combined with top quality hardware to ensure you get the best deluxe featherweight collar on the market
Country Brook is 100% dedicated to the safety of your cat so this collar is equipped with a YKK Safety (Breakaway) Flat Side Release Plastic Buckle in case your cat gets snagged on anything
This collar is fully constructed in the good old United States of America, always an additional bonus when you can buy American
Gingerbread men and Candy Canes! What an awesome combination right? These are two of my favorite things about the holidays and now I can put them on my cute little fur ball to encourage her to like them as well. Whether or not she’ll decide to like them through osmosis from the collar is another story. That being said, it is no surprise I’ve got another collar in here from Critter Gear, they have some of the best patterns out there for cat collars this holiday season.
Critter Gear manufactures all of their collars with a strong nylon core and then covers it with 100% cotton fabric for a comfy fit around the neck of your cat, several reviewers have indicated the collars are incredibly durable and do not fray from use
The collar length is workable for cats with a neck size between 6 and 11 inches & it is 1/2 an inch wide
There’s a red little jingly bell attached as well to make your cat ring in the holiday season
There’s also of course a breakaway clip built right into the collar which is your traditional safety feature that allows your pet to break free if your cat gets caught on something, this one is designed to release when a 5 lb of pressure or more is applied
#8 Lupine Christmas Cheer Cat Safety Collar with Bell
The Lupine Christmas Cheer collar is an excellent choice among festive cat collars for the holidays. Not only does it tout a cheerful holiday design, but it also comes equipped with a wonderful breakaway mechanism in case the collar gets stuck on anything while your cat is roaming around! As an added bonus, this particular collar is manufactured right here in the US! A few other items worth noting:
It features a breakaway safety buckle for your cats safety, it releases under 4 pounds of pressure and will ensure your cat won’t choke if the collar catches on anything
Fully equipped with a tinkling bell to keep your cat ringing in the holiday season
A standard D shaped ring is attached to the collar for ID tags
The collar is .5 inches wide and adjustable from 8 inches to 12 inches, lots of options for cats big and small
There are two different designs to choose from in case you’re curious, click the link below
#9 Critter Gear Breakaway Cat Collar in Christmas Candy, Holly, and Flakes
Critter Gear again you say? Sorry to say it, they just make some awesome festive collars. Plus, you’ve got to love the name of a company called Critter Gear! While they started off making products pretty strictly for dogs they’ve now transitioned and they make very festive collars for your kitties as well, wohoo! Now we cat owners can take advantage of everything they learned created rough and tough dog equipment for our feline friends!
Critter Gear manufactures all of their collars with a strong nylon core and then covers it with 100% cotton fabric for a comfy fit around the neck of your cat
The collar length is workable for cats with a neck size between 6 and 11 inches
One of the two standard sizes out there for cat collars, this one is 1/2 an inch wide
The collar comes with a silver jingly bell to make your cat seem even more fashionable this holiday season
There’s also of course a breakaway clip built right into the collar which is your traditional safety feature that allows your pet to break free if your cat gets caught on something, this one is designed to release when a 5 lb of pressure or more is applied
Now if your cat is as sweet as sugar then you may want to consider this Sunflower Bees collar because it comes with all of the wonderful safety features of other collars, but it also comes equipped with a really cool candy cane charm! Who wouldn’t like to be sporting this festive collar around the holiday season? Quite dapper if I do say so myself! The key features worth noting:
The neck is adjustable from 6 to 11 inches, plenty of room for different sized kitties but open to smaller cats
It has a breakaway buckle built in that releases at 4.5 pounds of tension, again featuring smaller cats
Made of cotton for added comfort with solid durability
Fully manufactured in the USA, so if you prefer to buy American this is an awesome choice
There are lots of collars and options out there that aren’t necessarily the safest for your cat. Every collar I’ve recommended above is a break away collar so you shouldn’t have any worry from a safety perspective. There are still a few things you should consider though!
The collar should be snug so it doesn’t pull over your cat’s head easily, but you want enough space there to fit two fingers between your cat and the collar. This ensures it isn’t so tight that it is choking your cat! Cut off long collar ends after fitting the collar.
If your cat has never worn a collar before then give yourself a few days at least to get your cat used to the idea of wearing the collar:
If you have any Feliway Spray definitely give it a little spray first
Introduce your cat to the collar and let her sniff it and play with it
Leave it in your cats bed or a place she likes to sleep for a day so her scent gets on it
After a fun play session and some pets put the collar on for the first time, have treats handy and be liberal with them
If your cat doesn’t seem bothered then try leaving it, if she does then pop it off and rinse and repeat this process over the next few days
In the first few weeks you’re likely to find that your cat is going to get the collar off of her here and there. If this happens just pop the collar back on and provide treats, pets and play time. This helps her associate positive things with the collar. And of course double check the collar is snug, but with the two fingers of space mentioned above. Eventually most cats will get used to wearing a collar if you consistently enforce it.
Wrapping It Up On The Best Christmas Cat Collars
The market has about a million different cat collars out there, but let’s be honest, we cat owners only want collars that are first and foremost safe! But second of all we want them to be festive so our feline friends can celebrate the holidays with us, even if they don’t really know they are celebrating until treat or present time!
Every collar here has breakaway technology to ensure your cats safety whether they are indoor or outdoor cats and just as importantly they have space for ID tags as well. On top of this each collar has a festive look and most of them come equipped with a jingle bell to ensure your cat can help ring in the season!
Do you use lots of different collars to keep your cat seasonally dressed? Is your cat already spruced up for the season? Send me a picture so I can post it here!
If you have any other festive cat collars that you love that I totally missed then please please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article.
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Jingle bells, jingle bells, it is almost time for your cats to start messing with your Christmas tree again! I bet you’re as excited as I am to keep a constant eye on your cats.
But we do get some revenge by dressing them up. There are a ton of adorable options out there so let's look at the 11 best cat Christmas costumes for cats!
Table of Contents
The Best Cat Christmas Costumes of 2018 Quick Guide
If you want your cat to have a sweet Christmas hat and a beard this is your best choice! Super easy to get onto your cat and it will immediately make your cat look like Santa Claus!
Now all you need to do is feed your kitty a lot of treats and some cat specific milk and they’ll be on their way to being the real Santa Claus!
Ho ho ho, who wouldn’t go? Ho ho ho, who wouldn’t go? Up on the house top…Sorry, I got carried away.
A couple of other key items worth noting here:
Makes your cat look just like Santa Claus, well, at least her head
Adjustable to easily fit cats of varying sizes
Side flaps attach with velcro under the chin of your cat
Planning on turning your cat into a full on Santa Claus this year for pictures? If so, this is the right choice for you and your feline friend! This one piece costume is made by Namsam.
This outfit will make your cat look just like Jolly Old Saint Nick and they’ll be meowing in tune while you sing Jingle Bells with the carolers. Ok ok, I might have gotten a little ambitious, but it is an awesome costume!
Key features worth calling out:
Your cat will be instantly transformed into Santa upon entering this costume
It is made of high quality beam cotton so it feels comfortable for your cat
It won’t fade quickly like many other products will after a single hand washing
The neck size is adjustable to fit varying cat sizes, the largest is about a 13 inch neck
If you’re looking for a classic set of antlers then this is a great go to. It is less impactful than the full on helmet style that often bothers a lot of cats due to covering their ears, but it still gives you that nice wintery feeling when you see your kitty running around with it on.
These antlers have a few features worth noting:
Very fuzzy and the antlers stand straight up to make your cat look just like an elk
The small size is aimed to fit a cat with a neck girth of about 7 inches, medium fits about 12 inches
It’ll make your cat blend in with any holiday decor so they feel like they are hunting
This sits somewhere between the simple hat and bears and the full one onesie that I noted above. This particular costume is made by Wiz and has three parts: a hat, a bow tie and a cloak.
Each of the pieces attach separately, so even if your cat happens to dislike one you can drop it and still get some adorable shots!
If you love three piece costumes then these items are worth noting too:
Three different neck sizes (9.8 inches up to 13.4 inches) for varying sizes of cats
They are made of soft material, it’s comfortable for your pet to wear them
Adjustable velcro straps adorn the pieces to make it easy to fit different sizes
Super easy to get on and off or your cat as a single piece or as a combo
This is an awesome combination of a scarf a necktie and a hat that will quickly transform your feline friend into a holly jolly Christmas cat! this is another product made by Wiz.
This is one of my favorites because the scarf is simply awesome and it makes any cat look totally dapper within seconds. In fact, if this thing was big enough I’d put it on myself. Alas, my head and neck are just too large.
A few additional items worth calling out:
Three different neck sizes (9.8 inches up to 13.4 inches) for varying sizes of cats
They are made of soft material, it’s comfortable for your pet to wear them
Super easy to get on and off or your cat as a single piece or as a combo
Adjustable velcro straps adorn the pieces to make it easy to fit different sizes
Simplifying things a little bit, this is an excellent two piece combo for your cat to get into the holiday spirit and get ready for Christmas day. You’ve got a wonderful looking hat and a sharp looking scarf to accompany it.
This one you’ll want to make sure you measure up front because it only comes in a single size. That being said, if it looks like it will fit then you should move ahead with it because your cat will like adorable in this costume made by Pet Leso!
You'll want to take note of the following:
Uses Velcro to open/close to minimize any chance of injury if it gets caught
If you're looking for an outfit that will make your kitty look as close to Santa Claus as possible then this is definitely your go to choice! It has the cute little red suit and even a big black belt!
While this one doesn't come equipped with a hat you could easily pair it with the first costume in the list to make yourself a full on Santa Suit!
This Santa Suit also features the following:
It is designed to fits pets with a neck girth of 10 inches and a chest girth of 15 inches
The small is about 10 inches long from the neck down to the base of the 'coat' on the back
There are numerous sizes available if you've got an extra large feline friend or a really tiny one
Makes for excellent family photos or cat photos with a holiday twist
Are you a unique snowflake that always needs to be different? Santa Claus isn’t good enough for you, you want to step it up an additional notch? Then the Elf Costume is right where you want to be and is made by ZTL.
Your cat will immediately become docile and listen to your every request and help out around the house. It’ll be just like you’re Santa and you have an army of elves to help you with whatever you want. Well, maybe…
This is really the only elf suit on the market, it has these key features:
This is a four piece set: a hat, a neck tie and two booties
It is made polyester so it is soft, light and comfortable for your little pet to wear
The neck is adjustable from 10.2 inches to 11.8 inches, so lots of space
Everyone wants a magical elf available for pictures and joy this time of year
These might be better described as Christmas sweaters for cats than as costumes, but still very nice! Bolbove didn't design these specifically for hairless cats, but if you’ve got a hairless cat then a sweater might be a both festive and practical item for you to get for your kitty.
Not only will they look quite stylish for the holidays, but it’ll also do an awesome job of keeping your cat extra warm and cuddly during the cold winter months!
By far one of the best single piece costumes out there, it is worth noting that:
It is made of the finest acrylic fabric to keep your pet warm when it is cold out
It is machine washable with similar colors which means you know that it isn’t flimsy or wimpy
It comes in a bunch of different sizes, the smallest for about an 8 inch neck
If your goal is to turn your cat into a miniature reindeer with strangely red antlers then you’ve found the right choice! This is another high quality product made by Wiz.
These antlers are easy to get onto your cat and give her the wonderful look of apathy (as you can see in the picture to the side).
If you like antlers, but you don't want brown ones, then this is a great choice. It is worth calling out that:
They are made of very soft material to make it comfortable for your pet to wear
An adjustable buckle and elastic band make it easy to fit a cat of almost any size (head girth of 10-14 inches)
Your cat will look both seasonal and apathetic at the same time, if these pictures are any hint
If you’re looking for a way to make your cat look just like Bullwinkle from Rocky and Bullwinkle then you’re on the right track. These antlers have that wonderful lighter tint to them that is similar to our cartoon friend.
Taking you back to more naturally colored antlers is this awesome hat. Be sure to note the following:
Made of soft plush fabric that won’t irritate your cat’s skin
The velcro closure makes it super easy to put on and take off
Best fit for cats with a neck girth 8″-10″ suitable for cat or small dogs
It is kind of silly, but a lot of these costumes come with a measuring tape. Not terribly useful once you’ve already placed your order. Fortunately it is super easy to measure your cat’s neck with just a piece of string and a ruler or a tape measure.
If you so happen to have a flexible tap measure that’s even better. See this quick video below for details, you’ll only really care about the neck for most of the cat Christmas costumes.
Do be sure to measure your cat for any costume before you actually make a purchase. Several of the costumes ship from long distances and if they don't fit you might lose quite a few days of photo opportunities waiting for a new size to arrive!
Getting cat clothes for cats onto cats can be quite an effort, believe me, I know. If you’ve ever tried to put a harness on a cat you’ll have some good experience already.
Putting on a full one piece or a multi piece costume can take some time and patience. If you can find some assistance that will certainly help things along as well. Key things that will help:
As noted above, be sure you measure your cat first and buy a size appropriate costume
The simpler the costume the easier it is going to be to get on and off
Avoid anything with a mask as covering your cat's face causes all sorts of havoc
Buy your costume early and introduce your cat to it over several days:
Let her sniff it
Feed her treats while it is nearby
Drape it over her and feed her treats
You may even want to put it in her bed and let her sleep on top of it
Always put on the easiest pieces first to see how your cat reacts, take it slow and don’t force it
Be patient, it may take a few attempts to get the costume on to your cat
If your main purpose is to take pictures, plan ahead and have everything ready to go the second you get the costume on
A few other things may help you along. You may want to consider spraying the costume with traditional Feliway as it should help your cat be more comfortable around the costume.
If your cat has never worn a costume before then it is hard to say how they will react, but you can use other objects as a proxy. The best two items to consider as proxies are:
Harnesses: The harness is probably the best proxy out there because it usually loops around both the neck and the chest of your cat and if you're putting it on right you've got it on snug. If your cat moves around normally with a harness on then you should be in great shape!
Collars: Most of these costumes will attach to your cat around the neck just like a collar. If your cat does well with collars then they should be more comfortable with an outfit like this.
If you've never tried a a costume before then you should check out the video below to see what you might encounter. The most common behaviors are probably broken down into 3 categories:
"Breaking" which just means they simply fall over and don't know what to do. They aren't injured or hurt in any way. They simply aren't used to the feeling.
Running off and hiding. My cats typically do this, they aim for under the bed.
Pawing at the costume and biting at it to get it off.
Last but not least you may want to consider a few of the tips from the Humane Society and the ASPCA that are useful for dressing up your cats in costumes in general:
As you can see there are a bunch of options out there to make your feline friend as festive as possible! You’ve got sweaters for cats, costumes for cats and everything in between!
There are so many choices you could even try them all out and see which one your cat likes the best (or maybe doesn’t immediately attempt to shake off!).
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing cat Christmas costumes is that you’ll have to be patient with your cat to get them to try the costume on.
Cats generally would prefer to not be wearing a costume so you’ll have to have some patience! Also, be sure to have your camera handy the minute you get a costume onto your cat so you can snap pictures before they run off and hide!
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 adorable pictures of your cats in any of these outfits then please do send them along and I’ll post them up!
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.
All cats get the zoomies. "The zoomies" is when your cat decides to run back and forth like crazy jumping all over and meowing. Your cat will get this way when they don't get enough exercise in their day to day life.
It is ingrained in cats to stalk, hunt & pounce. When they don't exercise they can get cranky and do things like meow all night long! Exercise is especially important for indoor cats.
Given this, it is important for you to ensure your cat gets plenty of healthy exercise! To help you I've compiled a list of cat toys for indoor cats and added details on why it is important to play with your cat.
I absolutely love these toys, they are one of my go to toys for my cats and I would recommend them to almost anyone so long as they have a floor that is tile or wood. These toys are one of the best interactive cat toys that is automated and your cats truly cannot easily predict how they will move. They provide an awesome play experience by:
Being fully automated once turned on, just flip the switch and set them down
They are totally random and don’t require your interaction
Super durable and have taken ongoing beatings from both of my cats
Automatically right themselves when they are knocked over
Having batteries that can be replaced for long term use
The only item I’d note is to keep a general eye on your cat while they’re playing with these. They can easily get under places like the stove and can be a pain to get out. Just remember they’re only useful on a hardwood or tile floor. See my full video review below or check out my full written review here.
Laser pointers are truly one of the most reliable go to cat toys on the market. While there are a bunch of unique cat toys out there, laser pointers are a great traditional fallback. Both my resident cats and every cat I have ever fostered have absolutely loved to chase around a laser pointer. Laser pointers carry a bunch of benefits with them as cat toys as well:
Most cats love them and go nuts for them
It works on almost any surface during the day or the night
There’s no mess to cleanup after your cat plays with a laser pointer
It is easy to get your cat moving across entire rooms all from the comfort of a chair
The batteries are 100% replaceable on almost all models, this one takes simple AA(huge perk!)
They are incredibly safe for your cat, just don't shine it in their eyes
The only thing I’d note with a laser pointer is to ensure you finish your play session with something your cat can get a hold of physically. This gives your cat a chance to actually feel success in their hunt and will improve their satisfaction. You could finish with a wand or any stuffed toy or ball.
The Turbo Scratcher is a combination scratcher and toy, two birds with
one stone! While this is often rated as one of the best toys for
kittens it is a great toy for adult cats as well!
The ball is locked
into a track so your cat can bat it with her paws or push it with her
nose and if she feels the need to scratch she has a scratching pad right
there! Talk about convenient, what else could a cat need?
Non slip feet keep it in place while your cat goes bonkers scratching and playing with the ball
When cats have an approved place to scratch they are less likely to damage your furniture, floors & woodwork
You can easily spray either the cardboard or the ball with catnip spray to entice your cat to play (regular catnip works too)
The balls are replaceable in case they get damaged or pop out and get lost
The scratch pads are replaceable for a super cheap price, they are also recyclable for you green thumbs
This toy is particularly awesome for kittens, but adult cats love it too. Once of the greatest benefits here is that the toy is totally hands off once you set it up for the first time and there’s really not reason you can’t just leave it out all the time (unless your cats like to play while you sleep).
It has a peek-a-boo track design that allows your cat to see, chase and swat at the ball, but the ball can’t get out
The balls are specially designed with a color combination that will catch and attract a cat’s attention
You have a ton of configuration options you can use and additional tracks can be added on to make it bigger
Zero batteries, that means it is 100% cat powered and you’ll never have to try to match a battery again
If you’ve kept up with my site you know that I absolutely love the Petlinks Mystery Motion cat toy. The Mystery Motion is mostly focused on spinning a set of feathers around under a mat to entice your cat to pounce on it.
Sounds straight forward, but wow is it engaging! The primary reason I love it is because it is so easy to setup and my cats totally love it too. The key features on this toy include:
The rotation pattern is very random which keeps my cats interested over and over again
It has multiple speed settings to keep your cat entertained, and even a fully random setting too
Even if the cats stop the feather for a period of time it hasn’t yet damaged the engine, it keeps spinning
Multiple cats can play with the toy at the same time and mine do this consistently
The only real improvement I wish this toy had was an automated timer so I could flip it on when I leave for work and it would stay on for 15-20 minutes. Check out my full written review or watch the video here:
One of the easiest and most simple toys I’ve ever seen, it is a pretty straight forward plastic spring. The true fun in this toy comes from the fact that your cat will start batting it around a little bit and then can’t stop chasing it all over the place. I never would have thought cats would love them so much!
Once your cat gets them moving on the floor they move very erratically given their design
The springs are about 3.25 inches by .5 inches and are quite bouncy because they are made of flexible plastic
They come in a bunch of different colors to try to catch your cat’s eye
They come in at a super low price for a bunch of toys at the same time
Everyone knows that cats love wand toys, but this is basically the Cadillac of wand toys and it shows. Cats go crazy for this particular wand based on the color combination and the awesome material that lets it flex the way it does. A few things worth noting here:
The wand itself is made of polycarbonate (plastic basically) that is very strong, but flexible so you can tug of war a bit with your cat
Fabric coloring is specifically designed to be eye catching for your cat as it spins and bounces in the air
It is extremely durable, my cats tug and pull on it with their teeth consistently and it shows little sign of wear and tear
The combination of the long wand and the long attachment give you plenty of space if you have a bit more aggressive cat during play and don’t want to take a stray claw to the arm
You can also read my comprehensive review of the Rainbow Cat Charmer here which is a similar wand toy from the same company. They are both excellent products!
Honestly, at this price, how could you go wrong getting 20 different assorted cat toys? You’ve got all sorts of balls and stuffed toys in here, any cat would go completely nuts over this combination!
I wish I got this many toys in a single pack as a kid for a couple of bucks, I would have been ecstatic. Key features worth noting:
The combo features feathers, balls, mice and other toys that make this pack is the perfect choice for your furry friend
You can easily buy some catnip and put most of these toys in a bag or container with it to make them even more enticing for your feline friend
Looking for an even lazier way to entertain your cats than sitting in a recliner with traditional laser pointer like I do? You’ve found it, and it is amazing. This is one of the best cat toys for lonely cats because it can entertain them while you’re not around!
Every once in a while we get these at the Cat Shelter I volunteer at from kind souls who want to provide for our kitty cats as they wait for families to come adopt them. The cats go absolutely bonkers for this thing because:
It is a hands off laser pointer that draws patterns along the floor and walls for your cat to chase, patterns include both ovals and zig zags
The toy automatically turns the laser off after 15 minutes to prevent your cat from being over-stimulated
You can flip it on before you leave the house to entertain your cat for a little while with no issue
You could of course hold it yourself if you want, but a traditional laser pointer is far better if you'd like to drive the pattern
The Tower of Tracks is a multistage track and ball type toy for cats. The balls are locked into the tracks on each level and the cat can bat them around, but they will not fall out of the tracks and end up rolling under the couch or something.
An improvement on previous models, this one also contains a bar over the hole in the top to ensure your cat won’t stick their head into it and end up in a very large cone of shame and in very unfortunate cases actually resulted in cats getting injured. A few features worth noting:
The balls slide around the tracks mimicking moving prey to keep your cat interested
It is a great toy for multi cat or multi kitten households, they can all play with it at once
It has anti slip grips across the bottom to keep it from sliding around or getting knocked over
There’s a block bar across the top to stop your cat from getting stuck in the tower head first
This particular item is a combination of a toy and a feeder. If you’ve got a cat that is either a bit of a vacuum or a cat that simply eats too much without moving then this is the toy for you.
The Slimcat Interactive is a puzzle feeder at its most base description, it basically fills with food and the cat has to bat it around to get the food to fall out. It’s a great way to encourage exercise while slowing down food intake. A few things worth noting:
It is super easy to refill with dry food or treats as needed (you can’t use wet food)
My cat Lexi that eats like a vacuum now has to take some time to knock pieces out then eat them, it helps stop her from vomiting after eating too fast
It comes in a variety of colors, take a look at the link below to see all available options
You can toss it right in the dish washer to clean it out after it has been used
Hexbug is a really cool company in my opinion, they’ve come up with a bunch of automated cat toys that basically let your cat get a great workout without requiring a human to be 100% involved.
That’s an awesome perk at the end of a long day, especially since otherwise your cat can keep you up all darn night playing on their own or meowing to get you to play! Similar to the Nitro bugs I noted above, the Hexbug Mouse is specifically designed to mimic an actual hunt for your cat:
This industrious little mouse exhibits realistic random movement, starting, stopping and pausing just like a real mouse
It can navigate around objects, find its way out of corners and flip over from its back to its feet in an attempt to escape its captor
It will come in either grey or white, I guess you’d need to order a few to ensure you get the color you want
Works great on smooth floors like tile and wood floors
If you have a cat that is super interested when birds chirp outside the window then you’ve found a great toy right here. The SmartyCat Chickadee mimics real bird sounds and is activated whenever your cat (or you) give it a little whack or a bounce. Once it is set off your cat will go bonkers and keep batting it around. A few things worth noting:
Chirps mimic those of real chickadees in the wild to entice your cat’s interest
This is just about the size of a regular old brown sparrow that you see almost anywhere in America
You can put catnip inside the bird as well to encourage interest initially (or catnip spray is good too)
The filling is made of 100% recycled material so you can feel environmentally sound as well
While my cats love to scratch my rug, I never thought I’d end up buying a rug that was purposely made to be scratched up and used as a cat toy. This is probably one of the most entertaining cat toys on the market due to its simple but mass appeal!
The Ripple Rug is exactly that though, a special toy in the shape of a rug with all sorts of design features to keep your cat(s) interested:
It is a two layer rug where the top layer is filled with holes and has velcro attachments to you can basically create any design you’d like and then lock it onto the bottom layer of the rug
This lets you have complete creative control and also the ability to constantly change the structure of the rug keeping cats intrigued and interested over time
It is a pretty darn large rug coming in at 47″ by 35″ so you’ll have lots of space for multiple cats to explore & play on
The rug is made to withstand extended scratching and help keep your cats from scratching up your own furniture
The Trixi Pet Five in One Game Board is pretty unique in its design in the marketplace. This is definitely one of the most mentally stimulating cat toys out there.
It is a heavily food and treat driven toy so if you’ve got an overweight cat it can be a good way to make your cat work for their food. The board, no surprise given the name, has 5 different ways to engage your cat:
Little globes resemble fish bowls and require the cats to scoop out food with their paw
The pegs allow cats to see food from a distance and map out a hunting strategy to sneak it out
Alleys are a playful option that encourage cats to earn treats while lying down using their paws or claws or toes
The top is primarily for liquid treats since the slits hinder the cat from using its paws easily
The tunnel is big enough to stick a small catnip toy in or hide a treat inside
All in all a great way to make a cat work for their food or treats, any cat that needs some exercise will love this activity board!
Anyone remotely familiar with cats knows that they love a place they can
hide and keep an eye on the rest of the room. While this is typically
up high, they’re often happy to take the low ground if they feel the
location gives them a good place to watch from.
Not only does this
collapsible tunnel allow for a great vantage point to hide and watch
from, it also gives cats a place to explore. A few features worth
noting:
It has a spacious tunnel, built-in crinkle crackle paper, & a hanging ball toy for your cat to bat around, tons of ways for your cat(s) to have fun
The material it is made of is ultra-strong, tear-resistant polyester wrapped around a sprung-steel frame
The ends are designed specifically with additional protection to ensure the safety of your cats and it is also engineered to stand up to crazy cat scratcher antics
I mentioned collapsible up top, with a provided elastic band it folds down small in seconds for easy travel and storage
Each tube is about 10 inches tall and 1 foot long, take the entertainment with you anywhere so your pet is never bored
Smarty Cat Fish Flops are a fun and simple little toy. They are fish shaped cloth toys (maybe burlap?) that have crinkle paper inside them as well as a dose of catnip to get your cat interested the first time.
The only real drag about these toys is that you can’t refill them with catnip, but that problem is easily solved by catnip spray. Just give them a quick spray and they are good as new!
The material the toys are made from is extremely durable and while cats love batting them around and chewing on them they have a difficult time destroying them or ripping them open
Crinkling paper inside keeps your cat interested after they start chewing on the toy
The catnip initially entices the cats to jump right on them and start playing
You can easily get your cats interested by spraying some additional catnip spray on them
If your cat is a fan of feather wands, or wands in general, this is a great option. Most wand toys only come with the single end included that has a couple of feathers, not only does it get beat up or destroyed quickly, but they rarely sell the ends on their own.
You’d be forced instead to go buy a whole new wand toy, how wasteful is that? So check out the rest of the features:
You get 7 different ends for your wand toy with this combination, they all act and sound a bit different when you spin them around
If one gets destroyed or damaged you have plenty of other options available
There are lots of different colors to attract your cats attention
The wand extends and shrinks for easy storage (be careful when closing it up so you don’t break it!)
This treat maze is a wonderful cardboard contraption that basically
allows you to hide treats inside it and make your cat really work for
their snacks!
It has three built in difficulty levels for different
levels of curiosity and it will keep your cat well entertained for long
periods of time! Just drop a few treats or a catnip covered toy inside
and let them go to town!
It is perfect for cats of all ages, both kittens and adults are forced to think to get to their treats
This isn’t your typical cardboard, it is reinforced and sturdy, it’ll last a good long time
The product is 100% recyclable for those of you that are environmentally conscious
Great for exercise, slower eating, weight loss and meal management
Whether you’ve got a tiny kitten or an elderly cat, toys provide a fun way to get your fur ball exercising and engaging with you. It is always a riot to watch them chase after their favorite toy, pounce on it, then settle down for a quick grooming session before zonking out for a few hours!
The Natural Pet Company wants your cat to do exactly this and they make this awesome collection of toys to enable exactly that.
Each toy is made from natural wood, sisal, elastic and feathers, so you can have peace of mind whilst your cat gets busy developing their hunting skills and imagining they’re fighting a real bird or mouse
The collection includes seven unique toys, giving you a box full of fun to share with your cat at an affordable price that will leave your cat wanting to see these toys out all the time
The Natural Pet Company prides itself on good quality, natural products that are safe for you and your pets to use, these toys will last a lifetime and will see your cat through from kitten to adult
Playing with your cat has a host of benefits worth considering, but here's a quick rundown of the major ones:
Bonding Time: The more you play with your cat the more your cat will come to associate your presence with good things. This means your cat will come to adore you and want to spend more time with you.
Natural Instincts: Cats naturally want to hunt, stalk and pounce. Giving them a chance to play and do these things is great for exercising their natural instincts. Doing this at a time of day that you choose is far better than your cat deciding to do it at 3 AM while you're trying to sleep!
Health Related: Just like us humans, exercising decreases overall stress and gives your cat a chance to focus on something. Not only is this great for producing endorphins (yes, cats have them too!) but it also helps them keep their weight down. A healthy weight helps deter health problems in general.
Age: Definitely take into the account the age of your cat. Cat toys for indoor cats or cats in general are often age agnostic, but some of them are definitely more appropriate for kittens or adults than others. You should also take age into account when deciding how often and for how long to play with your cat. No surprise, but the older your cat gets the less likely they are to spend time playing.
Variety: Remember that cats will get bored of the same toy if you use it over and over constantly, this is true for pretty much any toy. Having a variety of toys and rotating them in and out really helps maintain interest since cats are finicky little beasts! Definitely remember to hide some toys from time to time and keep them guessing.
One other item definitely worth considering outside the realm of toys is whether or not you should consider adopting a feline friend for your existing cat. Now obviously if you already know your cat is a one and only then do your best to focus on ensuring he or she gets lots of fun play sessions.
On the other hand if you're open to another feline shelters are bursting at the seams with cats that need a happy home and many cats love having a friend to play with. Not only will it encourage them to get exercise and keep them fit, but they'll also be less likely to cause mischief around the house when you're not around because they can play and wrestle together.
There are a few things you should definitely keep in mind when considering an adoption:
Ensure any cat you consider is spayed or neutered! The last thing the world needs is more kittens. No matter how darn cut they are!
Make sure you adopt an age appropriate cat. A kitten isn't a great idea for your 14 year old cat!
Demeanor is important to consider as well. If your 1 year old cat is super lazy and likes to sleep then adopting a wildly energetic 1 year old cat as a friend might not be the best idea.
Be sure to discuss options with the shelter you visit as most shelters have in depth information on cats through their foster programs.
The market is loaded with an immeasurable number of cat toys these days. It seems like every time I look online or walk into Petco I find some new contraption. Keep in mind that cats often get just as much entertainment out of cheap simple toys as they do out of expensive ones.
Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works for your cat! That's where some of the combo or large packages of toys can really come in handy.
If you have any toys you love that I totally missed then 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.
Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain Product Overview:
The Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain is a great plastic fountain that is 100% BPA free & dishwasher safe. It also has rubber feet to keep it from sliding around on a wood or tile floor which is a huge perk if you have rambunctious cats or another pet like a dog in the house.
The fountain features a huge built in reservoir at a total of 168 oz., it is more than double some other options out there like the Raindrop model. This means if you want to leave it for a few days without refilling it you shouldn’t have any problem at all.
Not only does it have a huge reservoir but it also has an adjustable flow pump so you can figure out the right speed to keep your cats interested in the fountain.
While in general this is a solid fountain, it is worth noting that replacement pumps are not something you can purchase separately. This means if the pump dies the whole unit is useless and you’ll have to buy a new one.
This problem is exacerbated by the open nature of the fountain and the fact that it enables lots of stuff to get into the fountain and gum up the workings of the pump. While experience shows that the pump will last a solid year so long as you care for it properly, it is somewhat wasteful to have to buy an entire new unit for the pump.
The Pros:
The plastic the fountain is made from is BPA Free
The fountain is 100% dishwasher safe
The pump has an adjustable flow to slow things down or speed them up
It has a huge reservoir size at 168 oz.
Has a built in pre-filter to help maintain the integrity of the pump
Uses a carbon filter to keep the water clean for your cat(s)
The Cons:
The fountain tends to get dirty/gunky easily (some owners have indicated avocado seeds in the water to help prevent this)
The pump is not replaceable, if it breaks/dies you need to replace the whole unit
Given the feature set it is a little bit pricy compared to other similar fountains
If you have the pump on high the splashing can definitely make a mess
Tips for Best Usage:
Be sure to top off the fountain with water every few days
Giving the fountain a deep clean every two weeks or so is highly recommended, I’d recommend a dish washer for the top
You’ll want to place a tray or mat under it to catch splashes from your furballs so your floor doesn’t get soaked
Frequently Asked Questions:
How often do you have to refill it?
It has a huge reservoir so every couple of days is fine. The pump will make a lot more noise if it desperately needs a refill.
If you need to leave town for the weekend this fountain should be just fine without a refill.
Is it noisy?
This pump has multiple settings, on the lowest setting the pump is whisper quiet.
There is also a built in “landing area” for the water to fall on to minimize the sound.
Is it dish washer safe?
Yes, the fountain is dishwasher safe.
How often do you have to clean it?
I’d recommend pouring all the water out and replacing it once a week.
I’d recommend a deep clean every two weeks at the least including a deep clean of the pump itself. There’s a cleaning kit too if you want it.
This will help maintain the integrity of the pump and also decrease the chances of anything nasty getting in the fountain.
How often do I have to replace the filters?
You’ll need to replace the filters about ever 3-4 weeks. You can find the replacements here.
Is the pump replaceable?
No, unfortunately you need to replace the whole unit if the pump fails.
Wrapping it Up
The Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain fountain is a reputable fountain made of BPA free plastic which places it a step above many other plastic fountains. It also has a very large water reservoir (168 oz) and an adjustable flow control to help find the right speed of water for your cats.
The key drawbacks of this model are that it only has a single level where water can pool and given its open flow nature it does tend to require constant cleaning and can end up making a mess by splashing.
Do you have a water fountain for your cats? If so, do you use the Petsafe Platinum? Do you have any tips to share on using it or reasons people should avoid 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.
This post was updated in July of 2026 to reflect the latest litter mats.
Everyone who owns a cat knows that stepping on cat litter is no pleasant experience. It can be anything from a little ‘Ugh, again?’ in your head to ‘Owww! Dang, that really hurt!’
At the least though it is a huge annoyance to constantly have cat litter all over your house. Litter mats are the first line of defense in stopping litter tracking. If you’re looking for more details on litter tracking, check out this article.
If you’re looking for the best cat litter mat on the market then look no further. I’ve pulled together a compilation of the best mats out there all into one place for your convenience. Several of them have my detailed reviews linked as well, so take a look at those!
Amazon Basics Less-Mess Litter Trapping Cat Litter Box Mat
it's the most bought and most reviewed mat in this entire roundup, from a brand name you already trust for basic pet gear, and it delivers the "grabbing" style trapping of pricier mats without the pricier price tag.
Amazon Basics' own litter trapping mat earns the top spot in this roundup fair and square. It uses a crisscross diamond mesh design with a deep edge border, so it functions like the higher-end "grabbing" style mats we love without carrying an aftermarket brand's price tag. It's also, by a wide margin, one of the most bought and best-reviewed mats in this whole list, which tells you plenty of other cat owners have already put it through its paces. If you just want a mat that works without overthinking which "system" is best for your setup, this is the easy call.
The diamond mesh pattern with a deep edge border does real double duty — it grabs litter off paws and keeps the loose bits it misses from wandering past the mat's border.
It's genuinely low-effort to keep clean: shake it out, vacuum it, or hose it down when it needs more than that.
The waterproof backing means an accident won't soak through to the floor underneath.
It has a no-slip backing built into it, it won’t slide all over when your cat goes in and out
It's backed by Amazon's own 1-year limited warranty, more of a safety net than most no-name mats in this price range offer.
It's sold as a single mat or in a 10-pack, handy if you're outfitting multiple litter boxes or want backups on hand for laundry day.
It's a fairly no-frills design compared to some of the more specialized trapping systems further down this list — you're paying for a trusted name and a low price, not extra engineering.
This is the one mat here purpose-built with room to slide in an absorbent pad, which most competitors don't specifically plan for.
iPrimio built its reputation on a two-layer design most other mats only kind of stumbled into — iPrimio actually engineered around it, with enough space between layers to slide in an absorbent pad if urine outside the box is a recurring issue in your house.
That's a small design choice that makes a real difference if you've got a cat prone to accidents near (not always in) the box. It's held up well over the long haul too, with owners regularly reporting years of hard use without the mat breaking down. If liquid containment specifically is your top concern rather than just tracked litter, this is the pick built for that job.
The two-layer design with extra-large holes traps loose litter effectively while giving you a spot to slide in an absorbent pad for urine.
It's surprisingly durable for the price — plenty of owners report years of continued heavy use, including regular deep-cleaning washes.
Cleanup for accidents is genuinely simple: hose it down and let it air dry, no special products needed.
The surface is designed to be gentle on sensitive paws, so it shouldn't discourage cats from walking across it.
It comes in a few different sizes if the standard 30"x23" doesn't fit your setup.
This one uses the same fold-and-pour mesh trapping concept as pricier competitors, at one of the lower price points in this whole roundup.
Motsamla's mat uses the classic "trap it, then pour it back" approach — a mesh-coil top layer designed to let litter fall through and sit there until you're ready to dump it, rather than tracking across your floor. The brand describes this as an improved, tested redesign over earlier versions, worth knowing if a Motsamla mat let you down before.
It's made of environmental PVC built to handle daily wear, and at 35"x23" it covers the ground right outside a standard box. If you want that trap-and-pour concept without paying a premium for it, this is a solid, budget-friendly way to get it.
The mesh-coil top layer traps litter as your cat walks off the box, then lets you dump it back in or into the trash in one motion.
It's made of environmental PVC, so it's built to handle daily wear without breaking down quickly.
At 35"x23", it's a solid size for covering the area right outside a standard litter box.
The brand describes this as an improved, tested redesign over earlier versions of the mat, worth knowing if you've tried a Motsamla mat before and weren't sold.
It's one of the more affordable trap-style mats in this roundup, if budget matters as much as function.
This is a newer product and while we like it, there's still a thinner amount of overall customer feedback on it. If long term trends matter, keep your eyes on it for a few months first.
Need to cover some major ground? At 46"x35", it's the largest footprint of any mat on this list, the clear go-to if you need serious ground covered.
If you've got multiple litter boxes lined up, or a cat who treats the box like a launch pad, you need a mat with real square footage — and LittleTiger's XL Super Size mat delivers exactly that. It's sized to comfortably cover multiple boxes without leaving bare floor exposed on the edges. It's phthalate-free and designed to hold up to a proper garden-hose rinse when things get messy, not just a light vacuuming. If square footage is your priority over anything fancy in the design, this is the one to grab.
At 46"x35", it's the largest mat in this entire roundup, big enough to comfortably cover multiple litter boxes side by side.
The grooves and mesh surface are built to pull litter off your cat's paws as they walk across, same trapping concept as the smaller mats here with a lot more coverage.
It cleans up several different ways depending on the mess — vacuum for everyday litter, garden hose for a deeper rinse.
The surface is soft enough underfoot that it shouldn't discourage cats from actually walking on it rather than around it.
The backing is designed to stay put on hard floors instead of bunching or sliding as your cat comes and goes.
Being this large means it takes up meaningfully more real floor space than every other mat on this list, so measure your area before ordering — it won't work in a tight bathroom or closet litter box setup.
The PetFusion ToughGrip silicone construction owners consistently describe as tough enough to survive years of daily use, and the one mat here you could genuinely put a hose (or in a pinch, a power washer) to.
The ToughGrip breaks from the standard litter-mat playbook a little — instead of loops or mesh designed to grab litter, it's really more of a flexible, low-profile silicone tray, with raised ridges and an outer lip doing the work of holding litter in. That silicone construction is also what makes it far and away one of the most durable mats on this list — it's practically impossible for a cat to damage through normal use, and cleanup is as simple as sweeping, vacuuming, or picking the whole thing up and dumping it out.
It even folds in half with a built-in spout, so you can pour clean litter straight back into the box instead of scooping it by hand. If you've got a cat who's rough on mats or you just want something built to last years instead of months, this is the one.
The FDA-grade silicone construction is fully waterproof, so nothing leaks through to the floor even with a messy accident.
It's genuinely tough — owners consistently describe it holding up to years of daily use without tearing or breaking down.
The fold-and-pour spout design makes it easy to funnel trapped litter straight back into the box instead of sweeping it up separately.
It's anti-microbial, non-toxic, and odor-resistant, which matters more than it sounds like once litter starts sitting on any mat for a while.
The oversized 38"x26" footprint is big enough that several owners use it to cover two litter boxes, or even a robotic litter box, at once.
It runs pricier than most fabric or mesh-style mats on this list, and a few owners note the actual size measures just a touch smaller than the stated dimensions — worth keeping in mind if you're planning around an exact fit.
This is the mat that keeps showing up in reviews from people running multiple litter boxes at once, and it tracks with what I've personally seen fostering cats myself.
Pawkin has been a mainstay in this category for years, and it uses the same "grab and pull" style as some of the bigger names here, but it's earned its own loyal following, especially among owners managing more than one litter box at a time. That's not a coincidence — reviewers running multi-cat and foster households in particular report years of repeated washing, even bleach sanitizing, without the mat falling apart. That tracks with what I saw myself during my own years fostering cats: when litter boxes are getting heavy daily traffic from more than one cat, you need something that can take a beating and keep working, and this is exactly the kind of mat that holds up to that. It's a small, family-owned business too, which is a nice bonus if that matters to you.
The Litter Lock mesh design is effective at trapping and holding onto litter, even under heavy multi-cat use.
It's independently lab-tested phthalate-free, so you're not second-guessing what your cat's paws are touching every day.
It holds up to serious cleaning — reviewers report years of repeated machine-washing and even bleach sanitizing without it breaking down.
The non-slip backing keeps it in place even with more active or multiple cats using it throughout the day.
It's a small, US family-owned business that donates to animal shelters, if supporting that kind of company factors into your decision.
If you live somewhere cold, hosing it off outdoors for a deep clean isn't really practical for much of the year, so you'll be doing that cleanup indoors instead. Make sure you shake the litter off completely, don't want that going down your drain.
it's explicitly designed to double as a feeding mat or general household mat too, not just a litter mat, which none of the other picks on this list are built to do.
Garoopion's silicone mat is a lighter-weight, easy-to-clean option that adds some genuine flexibility most mats on this list don't bother with. Its raised edges are built to keep water and urine from seeping past the mat's border, and the silicone material wipes, sweeps, or rinses clean without much effort. What sets it apart from most of the other mats here is that it's explicitly marketed as multi-use — the same mat that catches litter can double as a feeding mat elsewhere in the house if you ever want to repurpose it. It's a nice option if you like the idea of buying one mat that can pull double duty.
The raised-edge design is built specifically to stop water and urine from seeping past the mat's border onto your floor.
It's gentle on paws, which matters if your cat is the type to avoid a mat that feels rough or scratchy underfoot.
Cleanup is simple — vacuum, sweep, or rinse it off depending on how messy things got.
It's explicitly designed as a multi-use mat, so it can double as a feeding mat or general household mat if you ever want to repurpose it.
It's a manageable mid-size at 34"x22", easy to fit into tighter spaces without overwhelming a small bathroom or laundry room.
Silicone naturally has a firmer feel than the plush loop-style mats elsewhere on this list, so cats used to a softer surface may need a short adjustment period.
It's one of the best-reviewed picks in this entire category, and the sheer number of size and shape options it's sold in tells you it's a brand that's found real staying power with cat owners.
Gorilla Grip might make you think of surfboard wax before cat gear, but don't let the name throw you — this is one of the best-reviewed litter mats you'll find, and it's easy to see why once you look at what it's actually doing. The deep grooves and mesh surface are genuinely effective at pulling litter off paws, and the non-slip backing does exactly what it promises, staying put instead of bunching up as your cat comes and goes.
It's also sold in an unusually wide range of sizes and shapes, from extra-small up through jumbo, corner, and half-circle versions, so there's a real chance you can match this brand specifically to your exact litter box setup instead of settling for a generic rectangle.
The deep grooves and mesh design capture litter both kicked out of the box and stuck to paws, doing more work than a plain rug or single-layer mat.
The non-slip backing keeps the mat itself in place, so the mess stays contained instead of sliding across your floor.
It's water-resistant, which helps protect your actual floor underneath from scratching and spills, not just from tracked litter.
The material is soft enough on paws that cats generally don't avoid it the way they sometimes do with stiffer mats.
It's sold in an unusually wide range of sizes and shapes, including corner and half-circle options, so it's easier than most brands here to match to your specific litter box footprint.
With that many size and shape variants available on one listing, it's worth double-checking you've selected the right one before ordering — it's an easy mistake to make.
It keeps the price low without cutting the basics: trapping grooves, a non-slip waterproof backing, and no unnecessary extras.
Niubya's mat is exactly what you want if you just need something affordable that gets the job done without a lot of extra bells and whistles. It uses litter-trapping grooves and a non-slip, waterproof backing to handle the basics well, all without a premium price tag attached.
It's sold in a few different sizes, which is genuinely useful if you've got a small setup, but it also means you need to pay attention to make sure you're actually ordering the larger option if that's what your litter box needs. Once you've got the right size selected, it's a solid, budget-conscious way to cover the basics.
The litter-trapping grooves and mesh material do a competent job pulling litter off paws before it spreads across your floor.
The non-slip, waterproof backing keeps it in place and protects against accidents soaking through.
It's an Amazon's Choice listing, which at minimum signals it's a reasonably popular option in its category.
It's sold in multiple sizes, so there's flexibility if your setup is on the smaller side and you don't need a huge mat.
It's one of the more affordably priced picks in this roundup if cost is your main deciding factor.
The default size shown on the listing is noticeably smaller than what "extra large" implies — you'll need to actively select the larger size variant if you want real coverage around a standard-size box.
Its "EZ Open Edge" double-layer design lets you lift the top layer off completely and dump or recycle the trapped litter, which no other mat on this list makes quite this simple.
Waretary's mat is a standard rectangle rather than a corner-fitting shape, so it's worth knowing upfront if you specifically need something to tuck into a corner litter box setup. What it brings instead is a genuinely useful "EZ Open Edge" double-layer design, letting you lift the top layer off entirely to dump or recycle whatever litter got trapped underneath, rather than shaking or vacuuming it out.
It's made of soft, washable EVA material that's gentle on paws, and it's phthalate-free with no chemical smell out of the box. If easy disposal matters more to you than a corner-specific shape, it's a solid, sizable option.
The double-layer "EZ Open Edge" design lets you lift the top layer off completely to dump or recycle trapped litter, quicker than shaking a single-layer mat out.
The EVA material is soft and washable, gentle enough on paws that it shouldn't discourage cats from walking on it.
It's phthalate-free and doesn't carry the chemical "new mat" smell some plastic mats have out of the box.
At 36"x30", it's a generously sized mat that covers plenty of ground around a standard litter box.
It comes with a 3-month free exchange plus a 12-month warranty, more of a safety net than most mats in this roundup offer.
It's a standard rectangle rather than a corner-fitting shape, so if your litter box setup specifically calls for a mat that tucks into a corner, this one won't do that job.
It's built with a foldable design most of the other mats here don't offer, which matters if you need to tuck it away or travel with it.
UPSKY's litter mat trapper covers the budget-friendly, large-format territory well, without asking you to spend much to get there. It's made of recyclable PVC and built with an anti-slip backing that's gentle on sensitive paws.
What sets it apart a bit is the foldable design, which makes it easier to store flat or tuck away temporarily than most of the rigid or bulky mats elsewhere on this list. If you need something you can fold up when it's not in use, or move between spaces occasionally, this is worth a look.
The mesh-and-grip surface is built to catch litter off paws as your cat exits the box.
It's made of recyclable PVC, a small plus if you care about the material's end-of-life impact.
The anti-slip backing keeps it from sliding around while still being gentle on sensitive paws.
At 35"x23", it covers a solid amount of ground around a standard litter box.
The foldable design makes it easier to store flat or move between rooms than most of the bulkier mats on this list.
It's only sold in one size (35"x23"), so unlike several other mats on this list that offer multiple size options, you're locked into this footprint whether or not it's the ideal fit for your setup.
This one skips the "grab and hold" texture most mats use in favor of a softer cushioned surface, specifically so cats won't avoid or jump over it.
The SmartGrip takes a different approach than most of the mats on this list — instead of loops or mesh designed to grab at litter, it uses a softer, cushioned material with an outer catch channel to stop litter that's already rolling or bouncing away. The upside of that softer surface is that it's noticeably easier on paws, which matters if you've got a cat who's picky about texture and tends to avoid or leap over rougher mats.
PetFusion also makes a point of stating they don't buy incentivized reviews, a small but honest stance worth noting in a category where that's more common than you'd think. Just know going in that this one's sold through third-party marketplace listings rather than a standard direct listing, so pricing and availability can be a little less predictable than the other mats here.
The soft, cushioned material is genuinely easier on paws than mesh or loop-style mats, which can help cats who otherwise avoid walking on litter mats.
The outer catch channel does a good job stopping litter that's already rolling or bouncing before it reaches the floor.
Cleaning is simple — sweep it, or wipe it down with a damp sponge, no hosing required for everyday messes.
The closed-pore material resists moisture absorption, which helps it stay more mildew-resistant than some competing designs over time.
It comes in a couple of colors and styles, giving you a little more choice than most single-style mats on this list.
It's sold through third-party "See All Buying Options" marketplace sellers rather than a standard Buy Box listing, which tends to mean a higher price and less consistent availability than the other mats featured here.
Coming in at under two pounds and a thin profile, it's the easiest mat on this list to pick up, shake out, or move around, which matters most if your litter box lives in a tight space.
PetLike's mat is the pick for tight spaces on this list. It uses a familiar grooves-and-mesh approach to capture litter from the box and from paws, but it's built to be genuinely lightweight and thin, which makes it easy to lift, shake out, or shift around a small bathroom or laundry room setup.
It's also independently lab-tested phthalate- and BPA-free, so you're not trading safety for the lighter build. If your litter box lives somewhere with limited floor space, this is a sensible, low-bulk option.
The grooves-and-mesh design captures litter from both the box itself and off your cat's paws as they walk away.
It's independently lab-tested phthalate- and BPA-free, worth knowing for any cat that likes to chew or lie on the mat.
At roughly 1.77 pounds and a thin 0.28" profile, it's noticeably easier to lift and shake out than the thicker mats on this list.
Cleaning options are flexible — shake it, vacuum it, or give it a quick rinse depending on the mess.
Its slim profile makes it a good fit for tight bathroom or laundry-room litter box setups where a bulkier mat wouldn't tuck in as neatly.
That same lightweight, thin build means it doesn't have quite the substantial, heavy-duty feel of some of the thicker mats elsewhere on this list, so if durability under serious daily wear is your top priority, one of those might suit you better.
The half-circle paw silhouette is purpose-built to sit flush against a wall or the front of a litter box, not just a novelty shape.
DM's half-circle paw print mat is here for anyone who wants something that looks a little more intentional than a plain rectangle sitting next to the litter box. The half-circle silhouette isn't just for looks, either — it's genuinely useful for tucking flush against a wall or the base of a litter box rather than sticking out awkwardly the way a full rectangle sometimes does.
It's made of durable, water-resistant PVC with a full-bottom slip-free grip, so it holds up to daily use despite the more novelty-leaning shape. If your litter box sits against a wall, that shape ends up doing double duty as both function and decor.
The half-circle paw-print silhouette fits flush against a wall or the front of a litter box, which can look a lot more intentional than a plain rectangular mat.
The PVC construction is durable and water-resistant, so it holds up to regular litter box traffic without the shape compromising function.
The full-bottom slip-free grip backing keeps it in place even with an active cat coming and going.
Cleaning is simple — shake it out or vacuum it, no special care needed.
The soft, cozy surface is comfortable enough underfoot that it shouldn't discourage cats from walking across it.
The half-circle shape only really works if your litter box setup allows for a flat edge against a wall — it's not the right pick if your box sits out in open floor space where a full rectangle would give better coverage on all sides.
its genuinely compact footprint makes it the go-to on this list for setups where a full-size mat just won't fit.
This paw-print mat is the compact, decorative-shape option on this list, built for litter boxes that live somewhere too tight for any of the larger mats here. Rather than trying to force a big mat into a small space, it embraces a genuinely small footprint — a single paw-print silhouette rather than a full rectangle. It's made of the same water-resistant PVC and slip-free grip backing as the half-circle pick above, just in a smaller single-paw shape. If you like the idea of a shaped, decorative mat but need something a little smaller, this is the pick.
The single paw-print silhouette gives the same decorative, shaped-mat look as the half-circle option above, just in a smaller footprint.
The water-resistant PVC construction holds up to regular use and daily accidents without breaking down quickly.
The full-bottom slip-free grip backing keeps it in place under normal foot and paw traffic.
Cleanup is simple — shake it out or vacuum it as needed.
Its compact size makes it a genuinely good fit for small bathrooms, closets, or other tight litter box setups where a larger mat just won't fit.
The unique shape is cute, but it also makes it so that each corner/groove in the paw is a stress point when you pick it up. This means it will crack/break more easily over time at these points.
Its compact size means it won't offer much coverage around a bigger litter box, so it's really meant for tight spots rather than general use. Stock on this specific listing has also run low before — if it's unavailable when you check, the half-circle DM mat above is a solid same-brand backup.
A litter mat is the first line of defense in combating litter tracking in your house.If you don't want to step on cat litter throughout your whole house then you'll absolutely need a litter mat.
Litter mats will catch a huge portion of the litter as your cat enters and exits the litter box. If you don't have a hooded or covered litter box then they'll also do a great job of catching some of the litter your cat kicks out of the box while doing her business.
Without a litter mat you'll find litter everywhere your cats go. Even in the corners of your house that are farthest from the litter box you'll find bits of it. Every cat owner should have a litter mat right next to or outside of their litter box.
Will my cat actually use a litter mat, or will she just walk around it?
Some cats need a minute to warm up to it, and that's a real, recurring thing, not just a one-off complaint — it shows up in feedback on both the iPrimio and Pawkin mats above, where owners specifically mention a short adjustment period before their cat would walk across the mat instead of hopping over it.
It's actually part of why the PetFusion SmartGrip exists at all — it trades the grabby mesh texture other mats use for a softer, cushioned surface specifically so pickier cats are less likely to avoid it. If your cat gives a new mat some side-eye at first, give it a week or two before writing it off.
How do I know what size mat I actually need, and why do some "extra large" mats show up smaller than expected?
This trips people up more than almost anything else in this category, and it's not just one bad listing — a couple of the mats in this roundup default to a smaller size unless you specifically pick a larger variant (Niubya's page shows a small size by default despite the "extra large" branding, and Waretary's runs into the same issue), so always double-check the size selector before checking out.
It's common enough that on at least one similar litter mat listing we checked, the seller's own copy calls incorrect sizing the single most common return reason in this entire product category — so this isn't a fluke, it's worth actively checking every time.
Are litter mats safe for my cat, and will a new one smell like chemicals out of the box?
The large majority of the mats in this roundup are independently lab-tested and marketed as phthalate- and BPA-free, which is genuinely worth confirming on whatever mat you land on, not just the ones featured here.
As for smell, it's a fair thing to wonder about with anything plastic or PVC — Waretary specifically calls out that it has no chemical smell straight out of the packaging, which is the kind of detail worth looking for on any listing you're considering. If you're sensitive to new-plastic smell in general, airing a new mat out for a day before it goes into daily rotation is a reasonable habit regardless of brand.
Will a litter mat work with the type of litter I already use?
Mostly, yes — most mats in this category, including several here, are built around standard clumping clay litter, since that's what sticks to paws and tracks the most. If you've moved to something less traditional — crystal, pellet, corn, or wheat-based litter — a few mats in this roundup, like the Motsamla trap-and-pour style, specifically call out compatibility across multiple litter types in their own listing copy, so it's worth checking a mat's own description before assuming it'll trap something shaped very differently from standard clay.
Can a litter mat actually hold up to multiple cats or heavy daily use?
Some genuinely can, and this is where the mats in this roundup start to separate from each other. iPrimio, Pawkin, and the PetFusion ToughGrip all have real owner feedback describing years of daily use, including regular deep cleaning (Pawkin owners specifically mention bleach-sanitizing it), without the mat breaking down — and Pawkin in particular keeps showing up in feedback from multi-cat and foster households running heavy daily traffic through more than one box.
If you're outfitting more than one litter box or have several cats using the same setup, it's worth leaning toward one of those three over a more novelty-shaped or budget-first option.
Is a litter mat enough to stop litter tracking on its own?
A good mat handles a big chunk of the problem, but it's rarely the whole story — litter box style, the type of litter you use, and your cat's own habits (some cats like to hang over the box's edge to pee, which a mat alone won't fully catch) all play a role too.
For the fuller picture beyond just picking a mat, our guide on how to stop cat litter tracking covers the rest of it — the post you're reading already links out to that guide in its own intro, so this keeps the two consistent with each other.
What Types of Litter Mats Are There?
There are two core types of litter mats out there:
1) Grabbing: The grabbing style of litter mats are designed with a bunch of interlocking or interweaved fibers that essentially grab and hold onto litter as your cat walks across the mat. This is the more traditional style mat and they've been around for ages.
Biggest Pro: It will actually grab litter off your cat's paws as they walk across it.
Biggest Con: More annoying to dump litter out of as it is designed to hold onto it.
2) Trapping: Trapping style mats are not exactly new, but they are definitely newer. Instead of grabbing at the litter they are designed to let the litter fall into them and then trap it in between the different layers of the mats.
Biggest Pro: Super easy to clean litter out of it. Biggest Con: Litter has to basically fall into it for it to work.
If you've never had a litter mat before and you're looking for a recommendation then I'd go with a grabbing style mat.
Does the Litter Matter?
There are a bunch of different kinds of litter out there on the market. They range from paper to pine to the traditional clay clumping style litter that is the most well known by far. There are even absorbent crystals that are specifically designed to not be easy to kick around or drag out of the box.
Most litter mats are specifically designed for traditional clay clumping style litters. This is because these litters more traditionally stick to your cat's paws and get tracked out of the box. If you decide to use a different form of litter you'll want to make sure that the holes in trapping style mats will be big enough to catch anything that gets kicked out of the box.
If you're not sure what kind of litter to go with for your first cat then you'll want to ask the shelter or rescue you're adopting from what the cat has been exposed to. Buying the type your cat is used to will minimize litter box problems.
What Mat Is Best For My Cats?
I've of course already given my recommendations above based on my favorite mat as well as by calling out some of the key features and functions of each mat above. If you have special requirements for your cat or based on your location then you can use that information as guidance.
There are of course a couple of other things you should consider when making your purchase:
Litter Box Type: When you have an open style litter box you'll definitely want to aim for a larger format litter mat. This ensures more coverage and will help minimize tracking from kicked litter.
Short vs Long Haired Cat: Long haired cats tend to get litter stuck in their fur quite easily. The larger the mat is the more opportunity you'll have for the litter to get caught. You'll also tend to want to aim for a grabbing style mat that might help pull litter out of their fur.
Cat Age: Young cats and senior cats are far more prone to have urine accidents. Be sure to buy a waterproof style litter mat if you have an older cat.
Cat Behavior: Some cats are notorious for sitting on the edge of the litter box to pee. If you know this about your cat be sure to get a larger style mat that is water proof and skid proof.
What are phthalates and why should I care?
Phthalates are a class of chemical plasticizers — added to plastics like PVC/vinyl to make them softer and more flexible instead of rigid. That's exactly why they show up in litter mats: most are PVC-based, and phthalates are what keep them pliable rather than stiff.
The concern is that phthalates aren't chemically bonded to the plastic — they can leach out over time, especially with heat, moisture, or wear (all things a litter mat sees constantly). They're linked to endocrine disruption in humans and animals with enough exposure, which is why "phthalate-free" has become a standard marketing/safety claim on pet products like these — manufacturers use alternative plasticizers or materials (like the silicone in the PetFusion ToughGrip mat) that skip phthalates entirely.
Choosing a litter mat is a key part of combating litter tracking throughout your house. The market is flooded with all types of mats and in all honesty there’s a lot of overlap between feature and function. I’d say the key things to keep in mind are:
The size and shape of the space you need to cover
Your preferred cleanup method
If your cats have urine accidents or not
If you have any other mats you like or tips worth mentioning then please please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article.
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The Original Kitty Cot – The World’s Best Cat Window Bed Product Overview:
There’s a reason this product has the claim to the fame of The World’s Best Cat Window Bed. First and foremost, it is really easy to install and it has proved very durable despite being made of incredibly lightweight parts. In general, Kitty Cot provides an excellent product that is easy to use and the cats love it.
There are some other additional perks, specifically that the bed uses stainless steel wires to attach the suction cups as opposed to cloth, rope or nylon. This means even if your cat likes to chew on them they won’t end up causing their own fall right out of the window.
Not only does The Original Kitty Cot do a stellar job of providing your cat a spot to relax in the sun, but it is also 100% approved by the Humane Society, that means you know the bed is up to snuff.
There’s really no reason to look elsewhere unless you have a uniquely shaped window or a different need like a multi cat window bed. I highly recommend this product.
The Pros:
The bed mounts to windows using four gigantic patented suction cups & provides a 26″ x 14″ relaxation area, it is super easy to hang
You can buy replacement suction cups if yours eventually do wear out, you don’t have to replace the entire unit like many models
Kitty Cot uses stainless steel support wires to ensure there’s not a concern from a safety or durability standpoint
This is the only bed I’ve found that is Humane Society Approved, now that’s an endorsement
The Kitty Cot is super easy to clean with soap and water if necessary, you can also lint roll the hair right off of it
It comes in at a great price, especially compared to some of the obvious copy cats that just aren’t as dependable
The frame is made of PVC plastic pipes and fittings so it is durable but also super light weight
The fabric that slips over the frame is rugged and has lasted through tons of use from my cats
It requires zero tools to assemble, just your hands and about 2-3 minutes of your time
Over multiple years of use I’ve never seen any damage to either of my windows from the bed
The Cons:
This particular model isn’t designed to allow you to close the blinds while it hanging on the window, you could detach the bottom two suction cups though
The Kitty Cot is rated for a 25 pound cat which is on the low end compared to a lot of window beds, chubby cats or multiple cat households won’t like this model
Eventually the suction cups will wear out from sun exposure, even faster if you live in a really sunny place (this is true for any cat window bed)
The product is made of PVC that is not BPA or phthalate free so if you’re worried about that avoid this product
Tips for Best Usage:
Be sure that you clean the window thoroughly and clean the suction cups thoroughly before you hang the bed up. This will ensure you get the maximum adhesion and that the bed is safe for your cat. You can also use a bit of Vaseline or olive oil on the rim of the suction cup to improve the suction.
If you have any trouble hanging it check out these tips straight from KittyCot.
I suggest putting something that weighs about 10 pounds (or the weight of your cat) in the bed for a few minutes after you hang it just to ensure it is secure.
Be sure to check on the suction cups every other week or so. They will get loose over time and you should be checking them. If you live in an area that has frequent or significant weather changes then you should check more often. Changes in the weather as well as a window that sweats or fogs up will make the suction cups fall off the window sooner.
Get a small piece of lambswool or a cat bed to put up on top of the fabric to improve the experience for your cat. While the out of box fabric is very durable, it isn’t as soft as most cat beds.
Don’t hang the bed too high or too out of reach for an average jump. If you hang it too high and your cat has to do a full height jump into it they can more easily pull it off the window.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the suction cups fall down while your cat is in the hammock?
While this is possible, it is not very likelyif you take good care when you hang the bed as well as if you take good care in checking on the bed on a consistent basis. See the tips above for details.
Can I buy additional suction cups if they wear out over an extended period of time?
Yes, you can buy them from Amazon if you need an extra set.
Can I close my blinds while the Kitty Cot is attached to the window?
Unfortunately you cannot close your blinds while this model is attached to the window. You’ll have to take off at least the bottom two suction cups and let it hang down to close the blinds.
Can cats actually jump onto the bed without it coming off of the wall, or do they need to walk or climb into it slowly?
My cats jump into it constantly from a few feet down. If you have an extra heavy cat you might have a problem, but mine are 12 and 9 pounds or so and it works just fine for them.
Check Out These Cats Enjoying the Kitty Cot
Wrapping it Up on The Original Kitty Cot
The Original Kitty Cot really does live up to its name in all respects. It is easy to install & stays in the window reliably. On top of this the durability is second to none. Stainless steel wires hold the bed to the upper suction cups and the fabric that is attached to the frame is extremely strong.
This is also the only window bed I’ve ever run across that is 100% endorsed and approved by the Humane Society. This means you know that you’ve got a solid & trustworthy product on your hands. If you’re not yet convinced this is the bed for you then check out my post on The Top 10 Best Cat Window Beds on the market.
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.
The second major feature to keep in mind is that this fountain is designed with more of a slide than what you might have seen with other fountains. The water does not drop over a fall or shoot out like a human drinking fountain which is another key difference from many fountains in the market place. This means if you’ve got a cat that likes a gentle flow instead of splashing or falling water this is the fountain for you.
First and foremost the product is made of stainless steel instead of plastic like many of the fountains out there these days. This is a huge benefit to folks who are against using plastic in anything related to their pets or themselves.
Tip #1: Understand Your Cat & Their Senses
Tip #3: Consider How It Is Put On and Taken Off
A lot of costumes out there are intelligently designed and they don’t have small pieces. On the other hand there are plenty of costumes out there that have frills, hairs, small buckles etc. Anything that can easily pop off the costume can easily be eaten by your cat.
So let’s get right into it and take a look at the ten top holiday cat collars of the year!
#2 Blueberry Pet Holiday Celebration Breakaway Collar Pack of 2
#5 Fairy Pet Set of 2 Breakaway Christmas Cat Collars
Critter Gear 
#10 Sunflower Bees Christmas Breakaway Cat Collar With Candy Cane Charm
Product Name: Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain
The Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain is a great plastic fountain that is 100% BPA free & dishwasher safe. It also has rubber feet to keep it from sliding around on a wood or tile floor which is a huge perk if you have rambunctious cats or another pet like a dog in the house.
Tips for Best Usage:
There are some other additional perks, specifically that the bed uses stainless steel wires to attach the suction cups as opposed to cloth, rope or nylon. This means even if your cat likes to chew on them they won’t end up causing their own fall right out of the window.
The Cons:
If you have any trouble hanging it check out 