If you’ve already got a cat (or multiple cats) at home and you’ve decided to add another to the family then not only are you a wonderful human being, but you’ve got a bit of a job on your hands. Introducing cats to one another can be a time consuming and stressful process, depending on the cats of course.
Let’s take a look at not only how to introduce cats, but also discuss all of the other associated pieces to bringing home a new feline friend.
Choosing the Right Addition
If you haven’t already selected a cat (or had a cat choose you) then you can put to use a few rules of thumb about selecting a new cat. Many shelters have historic information and foster reports on cats that can be invaluable to selecting the right cat for your household.
Many fosters have resident cats themselves (I do!) and will indicate if the cat interacted well or not. This can tell you whether your potential new addition is more likely to get along with other cats than a completely unknown feline. Ask and put this information to use!
You’ll also want to consider the age of the cat(s) in your household. If your resident cats love to play and wrestle then another playful cat is a great idea. In general the older a cat the less energetic & playful. A 2 month old kitten isn’t a great idea if you have a 10 year old cat at home.
Activity level factors in too. There are of course older cats that are super energetic. If your cat prefers to lie in the sun all day, you’re probably better off adopting a cat who has similar habits. A young kitten or adolescent full of energy is not the best idea for a household with an older cat or a take it easy type of cat.
Getting Acquainted
First and foremost, you should not let your new cat out immediately upon getting home (if you can avoid it given space). I highly recommend keeping your new cat to a single room in the house for the first few days. This gives you the chance to exchange scents so the cats can get used to one another by scent before introducing them. There are two key ways to handle this:
Exchange used bedding that have the scent of each cat. Simply move the bedding between rooms while keeping the cats separate.
Rotate which cat has the run of the house. If your new cat is kept in an extra bedroom initially then let her out and put your resident in the bedroom for a short period of time.
Getting used to the new scent in their territory will go a long way in establishing an initial connection between the cats. It ensures they don’t meet on terrible terms right away. It is basically the gateway for their first (supervised) encounter.
The First Date
The next step you’ll want to follow is to let the cats get acclimated with one another on the opposite sides of a closed door. The easiest way to do this is to feed the cats at the same time near the door. This lets the cats smell one another directly which is another step toward introduction.
After eating behind a closed door a few times you could attempt to let them physically see one another. Some folks recommend a baby gate, but cats jump high and baby gates aren’t that tall. I personally recommend just cracking the door open enough so that they can see each other.
For the best results you may need to place the bowls far from the actual doorway. Several feet the first time for sure, about 3 on either side of the door is ideal to start. You’ll want to make sure the cats have a line of sight to one another, but keep a distance and make sure neither of them can get through the cracked door!
Your goal is to move the bowls closer and closer to the crack over time. If you can’t remember the distance yourself use some tape on the floor to keep track. If you experience hissing or aggressive behavior right away then you might need to go back to the Getting Antiquated step for a bit longer. If you’re only experiencing hissing after moving bowls closer then try pushing them back a bit again for another couple meals.
Once the crack in the door is successful you’re off to the races, it is time for the fun part!
A Long Term Relationship
Once your cats are used to one another while eating and aren’t showing signs of aggression you should start to let them interact. Start to expand the crack in the door while the bowls are near one another and see how the cats handle it. If they sniff one another or just ignore one another and keep eating, great sign. Try opening the door all the way experiment!
If you do run into issues you might need to take a step back and build some more positive associations between the cats. Continue with the feeding ritual above, but you may also want to try some alternatives to help:
Put one cat in a carrier (tips to get a cat in a carrier) with food & treats while you play with the other cat in the same room
Play with both cats separately with a barrier between them (needs an automatic toy or another person)
Your goal is to continue creating positive associations. The more positive encounters the more likely two happy cats will grow to like one another and turn into best buds!
A Few Things To Note
Cat Introductions Take Time: Introducing cats is a time consuming process. Some folks might have two super chill cats and it takes a week, or even a day. This is not the norm. The more common introduction takes weeks, sometimes even months. Be persistent! Be Patient! Follow your plan and don’t give up!
Don’t Let Them ‘Figure It Out’: If you’ve ever heard “Put the cats in a room and let them figure it out.” then you’ve heard wrong. This is the fastest method you can find to end up with an injured cat and cats that will have trouble getting along for weeks or years to come. Do not do this!
Some Cats Just Won’t Be Friends: Some cats are more prone to make friends than others. There are those cats out there that simply do not like the company of other cats and no matter how hard you try or how much time you spend they will never be pals. The best you can hope for in this case is tolerance, hoping they won’t hiss at each other every time they walk by.
Jackson Galaxy Agrees With Me
Alright, let’s be honest, I agree with Jackson Galaxy. Not the other way around. But if you’re even the slightest bit doubtful about what I’ve documented above then take a look at his video on YouTube that provides an overview of introducing cats.
Professional proof always lends a helping hand!
Giving Yourself a Paw Up
There are of course other ways to help speed things along and skew the odds in your favor. The most common method for helping your cats integrate successfully is to put Feliway to use. Feliway is basically a synthetic pheromone that makes cats feel safe and comfortable even in a completely new environment with other cats.
Feliway works distributing pheromones into the air which results in calmer cats in general. Note that the pheromones are scentless to humans but have a significant impart on both your resident and new cat(s). To read more information check out my full review on Feliway Multicat here.
Wrapping It Up on How to Introduce Cats
Bringing a new cat into the household can be a very stressful for experience for both your resident cat(s) and the new cat(s). To ensure that you minimize their stress, and the stress on yourself, be sure to slowly introduce the cats to one another over an extended period of time following the above steps.
Not only will this methodology ensure that you don’t end up with any battles between your cats, but it will also make sure that you have a smooth experience that results in your cats loving one another, or at least tolerating one another at the worst.
I’ve used this same method multiple times with my foster cats and it has been incredibly successful other than with the most aggressive of foster cats. Sometimes I will freely admit I’ve simply had to keep my foster cats quarantined for the safety of my resident cats.
If you’ve had any experience introducing cats to one another beofre and you’d like to share your story please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
This product is ideal for introducing new cats to one another or for reducing the amount of conflict between cats that have been living together for months or even years.
Feliway Multicat does this by emitting synthetic pheromones that make your cat feel calm and safe. The product works similar to incense in that it comes in an oil and is heated to distribute it into the air.
I foster cats constantly and in most cases I introduce them to my resident cats. Feliway Multicat goes a long way in reducing how much my resident cats meow/paw at the door where I keep the foster cats which is nice.
But most important is that when I introduce them it has a noticeable impact on how quickly they all come to an agreement to not hiss at or attack one another. It makes fostering cats much much easier, end of story. It made my now two resident cats come together much faster than I’d expected, days instead of weeks or months.
Using Feliway Multicat is super easy. You just insert the refill container into the diffuser and plug it in and you’re good to go. It may take a week or two to see noticeable results given the pheremones need to distribute into the air. The diffuser will spread the pheremones over an area of about 500-700 square feet if you have a single open room. Homes with many doors or multiple levels will likely see decreased coverage and may need more diffusers to see an impact.
Note the diffuser is designed with a rotating plug head so if you have horizontal or vertical plugs you’re still in good shape.
The Pros:
It uses pheromones to create a calming environment for multi cat households that experience fighting
It is great for introducing a cat to a new household or a new place (even with no other cats)
It is excellent for introducing new cats to one another, especially if you foster or recently adopted
It is hands off once you plug it in, just insert a new refill after about 4 weeks
Feliway has been clinically proven unlike many other products on the market
It is drug free so it won’t have any addictive impact on your cat
It is 100% scent free for us humans, we won’t notice it a bit
The Cons:
It can take time to start having an impact, sometimes a week or more
The refills are rather expensive, especially if you need to use them over the long haul
Covers a limited range and may require multiple diffusers if you have a large or multi room household
How to Use It Best:
Place it in the room your cats will be spending the most time in together
Be sure to place it in a spot where it is unlikely to get dinged or run into on accident
Plug it in a week before you bring home a new cat to help calm your existing cats down
Replace the cartridge about once a month to ensure there aren’t any breaks
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does a single refill last?
Each refill should last about one month
How much space does it cover?
The package indicates about 500-700 square feet, but if you have doors you close often etc. then this will be far more limited
What’s the difference between the Multi Cat Product and the standard Feliway Product?
The Multi Cat Product is intended to help reduce tension between multiple cats
Will the Multi-Cat Plugins work with the standard Feliway Diffuser?
Yes, both types of refills work with the same diffuser.
How do I know it is working?
If the diffuser is warm to the touch that means it is working.
Wrapping It Up on Feliway Multicat:
Feliway Multicat is an ideal solution if you’ve got multiple cats that are fighting in your house or if you plan to introduce a new cat to the household in the near future. It is super easy to use, it doesn’t take any skill or practice, and it has a scientifically proven impact on cats. I’ve had great experiences with Feliway and I’d highly recommend it to anyone having trouble introducing cats.
If you’ve used Feliway Multicat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
If you’ve got a problem with cat litter tracking then you’re just like one of about 36 million other US households that own a cat. It is a rather frustrating problem, particularly when you’re walking around with bare feet and you step right one a bit piece of litter that jabs into the bottom of your foot!
I’ve written another article on cat litter tracking in general, but the cat litter mat is by far one of the most important pieces. The cat litter mat is the first line of defense in stopping litter from getting past the first few feet outside of the litter box. Once it gets past the first few feet you’ll find it everywhere.
There are a wide variety of mats out there and while you could choose one randomly you’ll be far better served by selecting one that’ll fit your specific cat/situation. I chose the top four mats out there and not only are full reviews of each available at links below, but a side by side comparison is available for ease.
What Else Should I Look For?
Beyond the obvious it traps litter, what other things are important in choosing a cat litter mat? The key things that I like to keep an eye on are:
The litter trapping method: How does the mat capture the litter? There are two main types of mats:
Single Layer Grab: The grab method uses complex interwoven fibers to pull the litter off of your cats feet as they cross.
Double Layer Drop: The drop method uses a series of honeycombed holes so the litter falls through into a second layer.
Litter emptying method: How does the litter get out of the mat once it is trapped?
Shake & Vacuum: This means you’re typically dependent on a vacuum or on shaking/smacking the mat against a wall to get litter out of it.
Pick Up & Pour: This means the litter mat allows you to easily dump litter right out of it into the garbage or a litter box.
Is it waterproof: Will urine or other liquids leak through to the floor below?
Is it skid proof: Is the mat going to slide all over the place or does it have a backing built in to hold it in place?
Is it the right size: Everyone has a different amount of space available for their litter mat, will the mat fit?
Production Material: What’s it made of? This is important for those of you that want something that won’t absorb liquids and scents.
Best Cat Litter Mat Side by Side Comparison
Litter Mat
Smiling Paws Cat Litter Mat
Easyology Cat Litter Mat
iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper
Moonshuttle Blackhole Cat Litter Mat
Photo
Rating
Litter Trap Method
Single Layer Grab
Single Layer Grab
Double Layer Drop
Double Layer Drop
Litter Empty Method
Shake & Vacuum
Shake & Vacuum
Pick Up & Pour
Pick Up & Pour
Water Proof
Waterproof
No
Waterproof
No**
Skid Proof Bottom
Skid Proof Bottom
Skid Proof Bottom
No
No
Special Notes
Best overall combination
BPA Free
Huge variety of colors
Space available for an absorbent pad to catch liquids & minimize spills
**Moonshuttle indicates the product is waterproof, but numerous consumers have indicated it is not.
Given all the mats available I’ll freely admit that I would personally lean toward either the Smiling Paws Mat or the Blackhole Litter Mat. The key deciding factor for me would be whether or not my cat is a long haired cat or not.
Long haired cats in general tend to get more litter stuck in their hair and thus I would aim for the Smiling Paws mat that has the ‘grabbing’ type system available. Short haired cats on the other hand would typically push me to lean toward the Blackhole Litter Mat instead.
Wrapping It Up on the Best Cat Litter Mat Side by Side
I know there are a ton of mats out there and it can be difficult to see which mat best fits the needs of you and your cats. Hopefully you found this article helpful. I know seeing all of the details in one place helps me come to a decision more quickly and easily.
If you’ve used any of the above mats and have any additional experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts. If you’ve got another mat I should review please also message or email me.
Please do ask me any questions you might have regarding any of the mats!
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 Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking in the house. Not only does it work like a charm, but it comes with several other benefits that most other mats don’t combine into a single mat. I’ve featured as the top mat in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.
The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material that is specifically designed to lightly grab at litter and other “stuff” that might be stuck to your cat’s paws. It does a great job of this and successfully stops the bulk of litter from being tracked all over.
It also doesn’t have a rough feeling to it that will cause a lot of cats to avoid walking on it like many mats do.
Smiling Paws also comes fully equipped with a built in non slip backing AND it is waterproof. So not only will it not slide around, but in case of any accidents it also won’t be letting the urine drain through to the floor. Since you can easily spray it down with a hose or shower head as well it is easy to clean.
CatGenie owners have also indicated that this product successfully captures CatGenie granules and ensures they don’t get far!
The Pros:
It is large in size to cover a wide area outside of the litter box (or boxes).
It is quite affordable coming in at the middle of the road price wise.
It comes in a nice variety of colors (though as of now only Grey/Black are on Amazon).
It has a no-slip backing built into it, it won’t slide all over.
It is very durable and easy to shake the litter out of and wash the litter out with a hose or shower head.
It is waterproof, nothing will leak through it if your cat has an accident.
It is BPA & Phthalate free.
The Cons:
It isn’t nearly as easy to empty the litter out of as mats like the Blackhole Litter Mat. You’ll have to shake it or vacuum it.
If you have an older cat or special needs cat that pees constantly on the mat it may still pick up a scent (any mat will in that situation).
How to Use It Best:
When you first get it you might have to apply a hair dryer to it so it’ll flatten out, this is a side effect of the material during rolled up shipping.
Clean the mat frequently to keep it from getting gross, soaking it in water & dish soap will make it easy to rinse most things off.
A vacuum works great to clean up initial layers or bits of litter.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will it slide around on carpet and wood floors?
No, it specifically has a slide proof backing built into it to prevent this.
Do things get stuck in the fibers?
Yes, from time to time things will get stuck in the fibers. The mat is easy to beat out against a wall though and that will remove most of them. You can also wash it with a hose or shower head without any problem.
Is the mat waterproof?
Yes, it is waterproof so liquids (urine and vomit) can’t soak through to the floor below.
Could you cut this mat to fit a smaller space?
Yes, using a utility knife or a pair of very sharp scissors you could cut the mat to fit a specific size or shape.
Just note that after you cut it the mat won’t hold liquids as well so things might leak out the side.
Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
The Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat is another excellent mat if you’ve got a litter tracking problem at home. The biggest differentiator for this particular product is that it combines all of these features into a single mat: size, no slip backing, waterproof, BPA free & more. The biggest drawback I’ve noted is that it can take some time to vacuum the litter out of the fibers if they’re really suck in there.
If you’ve used the Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
This Easyology Cat Litter Mat is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking in the house. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason. If you’ve got a cat or cats that are prone to dragging litter all over the place then you should consider an Easyology mat.
The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material that is specifically designed to grab at litter and other “stuff” that might be stuck to your cat’s paws. It does a great job of this and successfully stops the bulk of litter from being carted all over.
As an added benefit it is one of the few litter mats out there that comes with a built in non slip backing on it so it won’t slide all over wood or tile floors. Easyology has a ton of different colors to choose from, most other mats only come in black or beige.
I don’t personally have a CatGenie, but numerous people have indicated that this product successfully captures CatGenie granules without any problem. Getting them out is a bit more of a hassle though if you want to put them back into the system.
The Pros:
It is large in size to cover a wide area outside of the litter box (or boxes)
It is very affordable compared to most large and effective litter mats
It comes in a huge variety of colors
It has a no-slip backing built into it
It is easy to vacuum litter out of it
It is very durable and easy to beat the litter out of and wash the litter out with a hose
It doubles as a doormat if you want a decent doormat
The Cons:
It isn’t waterproof so vomit/urine can leak through to the floor. Note it is only listed as water resistant, but just calling this out
It isn’t nearly as easy to empty the litter out of as mats like the Blackhole Litter Mat
It can be a hassle to clean due to its size and that things like stray poo and vomit stick to it
How to Use It Best:
Clean the product frequently to keep it from getting gross
Soaking it in water & dish soap will make it easy to rinse most things off
A vacuum works great to clean up initial layers or bits of litter
Blot up any urine or vomit before it has a chance to soak through
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will it slide around on carpet and wood floors?
No, it specifically has a slide proof backing built into it to prevent this.
Do things get stuck in the fibers?
Yes, things will get stuck in the fibers. The mat is easy to beat out against wall though and that will remove most of them. You can also wash it with a hose or shower head without any problem.
Is the mat waterproof?
It is not waterproof so liquids (urine and vomit) can soak through to the floor below.
Could you cut this mat to fit a smaller space?
Yes, using a utility knife or a pair of very sharp scissors you could cut the mat to fit a specific size.
Can you clean the mat in case of an accident or vomit?
Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
The Easyology Cat Litter Mat is another excellent mat if you’ve got a litter tracking problem at home. The biggest differentiator for this particular product is the large size and the fact that it has a built in no slip pad on the back. The biggest drawback is that it isn’t waterproof which may be a deal breaker for many people, especially if you’ve got a cat prone to missing the litter box.
If you’ve used the Easyology Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
This iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking using a unique two layer design. If you’ve got a cat or cats that are prone to dragging litter all over the place then consider an iPrimio mat. Cats that jump out of the litter box will have a lot of their litter trapped by this mat. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.
If you have a cat that has urine accidents from time to time this model is designed to allow for the insertion of an absorbent pad that can easily soak up urine. The base is also water proof so nothing will leak through onto the floor below.
The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material called EVA. It is easy to wash with a hose or a shower head, but do note that the edges are not made to reflect water and will absorb it. This means it may take time to dry if you soak it down.
Another item worth noting is that this is not the type of material that is often used to “grab” at litter from the paws of your cat. This means it is nice and smooth and less prone to irritate your cat’s feet ensuring they won’t try to avoid the mat.
The extra large design of the holes also make it a perfect pairing with the CatGenie and since it is easy to dump the granules out of the mat it is easy to retain them.
The Pros:
Large size and extra large holes make it excellent at trapping litter.
Two layer design keeps the litter in place and enables you to dump the litter out quickly.
The surface is designed specifically to be cat paw friendly.
Designed to let you place an absorbent pad in the bottom in case urine is a consistent problem.
The Cons:
On the pricier side of litter mats.
Doesn’t come with a non-slip bottom included so it can slide around.
The edges can get saturated with urine and stink.
There are only two colors, beige and black, pretty boring compared to the Easyology Cat Litter Mat.
How to Use It Best:
Empty litter from this daily to ensure it doesn’t pile up inside of it, be sure to have your litter box or garbage can handy.
Keep an absorbent pad in the middle of the mat if you have a cat that has urine accidents constantly.
Set the edge of your litter box on it to keep it in place or get a no slip rug pad to keep it in place.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are the holes really bigger than other mats?
Yes, the holes are larger than those on the Blackhole Mat, maybe by about 20-25% or so.
Does the material encourage cats to try to scratch it?
No, the material is not one cats would be inclined to scratch/claw.
It is specifically designed to be smooth so it doesn’t irritate your cat’s paws.
Is the mat waterproof?
It is waterproof, but it is also recommended to place an absorbent pad inside so when you pick it up it doesn’t dump all over.
Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
Note you’ll have to let the edges air dry off as they absorb liquid.
The iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper is an awesome mat, especially if you’ve got a cat that tends to miss the box with urine or with vomit. The biggest differentiator for this product is that it is completely waterproof on the bottom, so anything that lands on it will not leak through onto your wood/tile/carpet below.
The other major benefit is the holes are larger than that of the Blackhole Mat so even with larger formats of littler you won’t run into problems.
The biggest drawbacks I’ve noted is that similar to the Blackhole Mat in that it is easy to accidentally dump litter all over the place when emptying it and it is on the pricier side.
If you’ve used the iPrimio Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
This is hands down one of the best purchases we’ve made for our cats since we got them. I’ve already got an article out there on helping control kitty litter tracking, but I’ll freely admit that this is by far one of the best methods for controlling it. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.
The Blackhole mat has a special design that has two layers, the layer your cat steps on and the layer that the kitty litter falls into and gets trapped in. The two layer design ensures that once litter falls down it doesn’t get kicked back out.
This mat is super easy to pick up and dump trapped litter out of (just be careful since both sides pop open) back into the litter box or into the garbage.
It should also be noted that the mat is made of super easy to clean material. You’ll also be happy to hear this mat can be sprayed off with a shower head or a hose with a little bit of soap and water. Good as new.
I haven’t used a CatGenie, but according to other reviews the Blackhole Litter Mat is 100% compatible with the CatGenie and will have you no longer stepping on plastic granules throughout your house! Wohoo! Added bonus.
The Pros:
Awesome proprietary two layer design that really traps the cat litter as it falls into the mat.
Minimizes the amount of mess just outside of the litter box significantly.
Very simple to pick up and dump extra litter back into the litter box or into the trash.
Super easy to clean up if there’s any accident on it or if your cat vomits on it.
Large in size so covers a wide area and you can set part of it right under the litter box to keep it from moving around.
The Cons:
It is the most expensive litter mat I’ve come across.
I wish it only opened on one side, be careful when you pick it up so the litter doesn’t dump out.
Since the mat has bumps on it some cats don’t like the feeling and will try to avoid walking on it.
The mat is not waterproof and things will get absorbed by it / leak through it.
It can slip and slide on the floor, I place it partially under my litter box to avoid this.
How to Use It Best:
Empty it often, every other day if possible. If the holes get clogged the litter tracks like it normally would.
Be sure you’ve got your litter box top removed or the trash can nearby if you’re going to empty it.
Be sure you shake it out or bang it on a wall once or twice outside before you wash it out in a shower/sink, cat litter clogs drains.
You may also want to consider a non slip pad to drop under the Blackhole Mat if your litter box doesn’t hold it in place.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How large are the holes in the mat?
The holes are about .25 inches in size.
Is this compatible with the granules from a CatGenie?
Yes, it is compatible. The granules will fall through the holes safely.
Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
Does the material it is made of have any sort of scent?
There’s no scent I’ve ever smelled.
How big is it?
The size linked above and below is 30″ x 23″.
There are 3 other sizes as well: Super Large (36″x25″), Medium (23″x21″) and Cat Head Shaped (23″x21″)
I really can’t say enough good things about this mat. If you’ve got a litter tracking problem then this is definitely your solution. It is super easy to use, super easy to clean up and it comes in at an affordable price for those of you being driven insane by constantly stepping on cat litter.
If you’ve used a Blackhole Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
The Hexbug Cat Toy is a cool set of automated vibrating bugs for entertaining your cat. These bugs are designed to work on hard surfaces like wood floors or tile. The bugs are essentially a counterweight with some flimsy little rubber legs and as the counterweight rotates it makes the bugs bounce erratically across the floor.
This results in an unpredictable path of movement which is ideal for entertaining your feline friends. While you can buy all sorts of Hexbug toys this particular set is a package of 5 and comes in a variety of different colors.
All of the bugs have the exact same functionality, the only difference is the specific color. If you order them from Amazon you’re likely to get a random variety of colors as opposed to the specific colors right on the box, but I’ll freely admit that the color really shouldn’t have any impact on your cat’s ability to play with the toys.
My General Take:
My personal opinion, as someone who has a home that is all wood floor or tile, is that these are amazing cat toys. There’s a few reasons for this.
They provide randomness. A lot of hands off or automated cat toys perform the exact same action over and over resulting in a very predictable pattern that your cat tends to get bored of incredibly quickly.
When your cat gets bored your cat ignores the toy. While you can of course rotate new toys in a cycle to maintain interest it is far easier to provide a toy that has randomness built right in!
Another major perk is the fact that they are almost completely automated. If you have an open space you can flip them on then they’ll bounce around while your cat bats them all over the place. They are designed to right themselves when knocked over sideways or even upside down so that your cat won’t end up bored after one or two quick swipes at them.
On top of that each Hexbug Cat Toy has proven very durable. They’ve taken a solid beating from both of my cats and kept on ticking. Check out my full video review below if you’re interested.
I will admit there are a few items worth noting from a negative standpoint. First and foremost the Hexbugs are pretty small. This means that your cat can easily pick them up and start chewing on them and potentially tear them to shreds or eat them. I’d be less concerned for the toy itself and more concerned that your cat would accidentally eat part of the toy (especially the battery) that could cause some serious illness.
I’d recommend you keep an eye on your cat while they play with the Hexbugs. The only other item I’d call out is that if you have a house that isn’t some form of hard or solid floor (tile or wood) then these bugs will not work at all. I repeat, if your house is fully carpeted you’ll need to find an alternative. A large plastic tray of some sort will work fine so long as it has very short sides (half an inch even would contain the bugs).
I’m incredibly happy with my purchase of these toys and would definitely recommend them to others.
The Pros:
They require zero setup, they come fully functional right out of the box. They have one simple on off sliding switch to operate them.
They provide a completely random pattern that keeps your cats engaged and entertained for long periods of time.
You can easily run multiple Hexbugs at the same time to entertain multiple cats.
You can easily design your own mazes or castles with cardboard to keep your cats guessing on where the bugs will go.
The Hexbugs have proven incredibly durable and have taken consistent beatings from my cats for months.
Changing out the batteries is simple and cheap. Given the cost of the bugs themselves you’ll want to replace the batteries.
The Cons:
They don’t operate at all on floors that are not solid. If you have all carpeted floors you’ll need a large plastic tray or a large cookie sheet. I’ll freely admit this does limit the fun for you and for your cat, but it works.
Even though they are automated you should monitor any play sessions:
You’ll ensure you can find the bug once your cat is finished playing.
You’ll make sure the bug doesn’t sneak some place you can’t reach it. One of mine ended up under a cupboard and took hours to die.
You’ll ensure the bugs are not chewed up or swallowed on accident.
They do easily get batted under couches and chairs which often means you have to dig them out.
They are a bit pricy to get started, but the amount of time that my cats have spent playing with them makes it well worth the investment.
What’s In the Box:
This is one of those products were you can see every single thing in the box given the way it is packed. There are 5 Hexbugs in the package and they do come with the batteries included and already installed. They are fully functional right out of the packaging. There’s nothing else in there.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What surfaces do they work on?
They will only work on hard surfaces like wood floors, tile or linoleum.
If you have carpet they will not work on the carpet.
If you’re still interested you can use something like a large cookie sheet or a large tray of some sort to contain the bugs in a carpeted home.
This set of bugs will not climb in the mazes (which are more geared toward humans anyway).
Do these bugs climb?
This set of Hexbugs is not designed to climb. These Hexbugs are geared as cat toys and thus don’t need climbing capabilities.
Do the Hexbugs come with batteries?
Yes, each Hexbug comes with a battery already installed.
How long do the batteries last?
My experience is that the Hexbugs will operate for quite some time on a brand new battery out of the box. I haven’t measured myself, but I’d estimate a few hours at least.
Can I replace the batteries if they die?
Yes, you can absolutely replace the batteries yourself.
I bought the Hexbug Cat Toy (Nano Nitro) 5 pack on a whim thinking they might be fun for a few minutes, I never expected that I’d get as much use out of them as I have today. So far they have proven to be my go to toy. They are hands off and it is easy to keep an eye on your kitties while they play. Compared to other automated toys they have significant advantages, the two key things that come to mind are:
The random patterns work far better than the auto laser pointer systems that I have seen at work.
They are incredibly durable, many of the string tossing systems I’ve used have been torn apart by my cats very quickly.
Could Hexbug do anything better? The one key item I’d call out is that it’d be awesome if you could set a timer of some sort on them. But if you’re watching your cats play with them it shouldn’t be a problem anyway.
If you’ve used these Hexbugs at home and have any experiences with them you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
The SSSCat system is designed to keep your cat away from a specific location. It does so by using a motion sensor that basically determines when a cat walks into a specific area and then it blows a jet of compressed air in that direction.
SSSCat is also designed specifically to be non-harmful to your cat, that’s why it uses compressed air. This video gives you an idea of what it looks like in action:
It is also a great idea in that it has a major difference compared to other default methods of deterring your cat like yelling “No!” (bad idea).
Spraying your cat with water yourself (also a bad idea) or even shaking a jar of change when your cat goes somewhere you don’t want her to (again, bad idea). Both these methods often just make your cat afraid of you.
What’s that key difference you might ask? Well since the SSSCat is an automated product and doesn’t require your interaction the cat doesn’t start to associate the spraying of air with YOU!
This is imperative when training your cat to stop a certain behavior. Cats can very quickly start to associate all of those above items I mentioned with you.
Then as opposed to linking the things they don’t like to their behavior they simply start to think you are scary. Not exactly the best way to form a loving relationship with your feline friend.
The SSSCat helps you avoid this pesky problem by enabling your cat to redirect their unhappiness toward the SSSCat itself, big plus!
I will freely admit that I have had mixed success with the SSSCat. What it really comes down to is the specific cat. Since I foster quite often I have a lot of cats that have totally different personalities coming through my house.
The Success Stories:
Cats that aren’t super adventurous and are scared easily will definitely be impacted by the SSSCat and will likely stay away from areas that it has been placed in for days if not weeks at a time.
My scaredy cat Lexi definitely did not like the SSSCat and steered clear of any area she encountered it in for quite a while.
[Update as of 6/27/18] – I had a new foster cat this past month that was an absolute counter surfer. She was a 2 year old female that had been a stray for quite some time before.
She simply would not stay off the counter with double sided tape, aluminum foil, etc. You name it.
I pulled out the SSSCat after probably over a year of sitting in a drawer (my cats no longer climb on the counters) and put it to work. Within about 3-4 days and 10-12 sprays my foster cat now stays off of the counters 95% of the time.
This was a cat that would let herself get absolutely covered in double sided tape and just shake it off no problem. The SSSCat got her in line within a couple of days and she’s far more bearable in the house now!
The Not So Successful Stories
On the other hand I’ve had super adventurous young male cats a few times as fosters.
They are not very afraid of the SSSCat after the first or second time it sprays them. Not only do they start ignoring it, but I’ve even had them knock it over pretty easily if they happen to hop up on the counter from behind it.
They Key Notes Worth Taking Away
All in all I’d say it is a great gadget if other options haven’t worked. I’ve referenced this product in multiple places (like how to keep cats off your counters) because of the success I’ve had with it and the documented success others have had with it.
The biggest drawback of the SSSCat is that it is expensive to refill if you pay for the name brand refills. You can check this awesome video out for a way to keep refilling the original can with nothing but a bike pump and a tire valve.
You’ll likely already have the bike pump, but you might need to buy the tire valves.
Pros
The SSSCat is quite easy to setup and flip on within minutes. The directions are easy and it is pretty hard to screw up the setup.
The SSSCat works great when you’re not around to keep an eye on your cats and serve as a deterrent.
The SSSCat is super lightweight and really easy to relocate. This is helpful because if you have smart cats they’ll simply stop going to the one spot they get sprayed.
The SSSCat ensures you can maintain a positive relationship with your cat because your cat will be unhappy or afraid of the SSSCat or the places it was setup as opposed to being afraid of you.
The base product and initial can of compressed air come in at a relatively affordable price range to get started on training your cat.
Cons
The area of coverage from the SSSCat sensor is relatively limited. This means you’ll have to get multiples or rotate it on a schedule (which is easy as noted above). I’d recommend rotating yours unless you have a lot of issues and need multiples.
The refills of compressed air really add up quickly if you have cats that like climbing on counters or high places. Be sure to check out this video (same as above) for more info on how to do this super cheap.
The SSSCat is great at scaring the heck out of you, especially if you forget you left it on. I’ve startled myself at least a dozen times after forgetting about it.
The base of the system is a simple can of compressed air which means it gets knocked over incredibly easily if a cat gets near it. Once it falls over it isn’t very effective until you set it back up again.
It can and will startle your cat and in their fright I’ve had them jump off high places or knock things over in their sprints away from the SSSCat. While generally not a huge problem, be sure not to put anything breakable (glasses, vases, etc.) nearby the SSSCat while it is operating.
Frequently Asked Questions about the SSSCat Automated Cat Deterrent
What type of batteries does it take?
It requires 4 AA batteries that are not included.
Does it have an on / off switch, or is it ‘always on’ once you add batteries?
It does have an on / off switch and is easy to flip on and off.
How long will a single can of air last?
This is difficult to determine because it totally depends how often your cats set it off. The cats tend to last for about 80-100 sprays or so according to PetSafe though.
Are there built in delays between sprays?
Yes, the default delay is two minutes between the first spray and the next to keep it from spending the whole canister in a few minutes time.
Can it be used outdoors?
Absolutely, but it isn’t designed to be weather proof. Also keep in mind that almost any motion will set it off so you could quickly go through your supply of canned air using this option.
Does it work in the dark?
It will work in the dark, but it doesn’t seem like it is able to detect things as far away as when it is well lit.
Where can I get additional canisters of air?
You can refill the original can with a bicycle pump and a tire valve, check this video out for details.
They can be purchased right here if you need them. These are the branded versions.
Rumors indicate you can use any can of compressed air like these after you remove the top, but I haven’t tried it yet.
Wrapping It Up
While the SSSCat Automated Cat Deterrent has a lot of merits and I’ve had positive experiences with it for my two resident cats, I’ll freely admit that the product isn’t going to work for everyone.
My two resident cats are pretty skittish and are scared off by loud noises and sudden movements. I’ve also seen success with a foster cat that was the biggest counter surfer I’ve ever met!
If you’ve got one of those cats that just doesn’t seem to care too much about what goes on around or just isn’t really afraid of things like loud noises or sudden movement then this may not be very successful in deterring your cat.
If you have any other thoughts on the SSSCat product or any experiences of your own to share then please do leave a comment below or shoot me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this post.
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.
Update as of July of 2026. This product is no longer available. Check out my latest updated post on Cat Trees for Large Cats for a full roundup of great options to consider.
If you’ve ended up here you must be in the market for a cat tree or a cat castle of some sort. The Go Pet Club Cat Tree is a pretty standard cat tree. It is designed to provide your felines with entertainment, exercise, scratching places & of course many places to sleep. This cat tree does an admirable job in all of the above.
If you haven’t already read my article on the reasons to buy a cat treeand the things you should consider when buying then definitely take a look at that before progressing any further. It’ll help you make sure you actually need a cat tree before you pick one up. So let’s take a look at the Go Club Cat Tree in a bit more detail and whether or not it’ll serve your purposes, or I guess more importantly the purposes of your resident felines.
My General Take:
I give this cat tree 4 stars. This is a solid cat tree that will provide a great place for your fur balls to climb and sleep. It is super easy from a construction standpoint and also very affordable from a cost standpoint. If you’re looking for an entry level cat tree you probably don’t need to look any further than this.
This cat tree isn’t as large or glamorous as some of the enormous trees or castles that are out there, but if you’ve only got one or two cats in the house this is probably a great fit for you. It also doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount of money like some of the cat trees out there that are in the multi hundred dollar range.
That being said you should also be aware that a few aspects of this castle seem designed for incredibly small cats or even kittens. The key areas I’d call out with this problem are the small cylinder hanging near the top and the side extension basket which would probably only accommodate a very small cat.
I’d guess the cylinder would hold a kitten and the side basket maybe a 6-8 pound cat. If you have expectations that a medium sized cat of say 12 pounds or a large sized like a Maine Coon or a Ragdoll will be able to use all of the different areas you’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.
You’ll see to the right a picture of my cat Lexi on the castle. She’s very fluffy and about 12 pounds for a frame of reference. You’ll also note I removed the hammock because neither of our cats were using it and it was making it hard for them to climb up through the hole in the second level.
The Pros:
The cats both love the multiple levels and are constantly climbing all over it, particularly to the top
The cats love all of the different scratching areas included in the design and use them constantly
This cat tree was super easy to put together
It is quite mobile on a wood floor, the carpet was wrapped around to the bottom so it slides easily
The Cons:
After a year or so of constant use the top lookout has gotten a little bit flimsy
Parts of the castle are definitely suited toward smaller cats or kittens so be aware of this
We made the mistake of choosing the cream color with two dark cats and it constantly looks dirty
Neither cat has ever used the hammock or the side extension basket, ever
What are the measurements:
Height: 62 inches
Width: 38 inches
Depth: 27 inches
What’s In the Box:
3 major level boards that are all carpeted
All the support bars which are mostly covered in sisal rope for scratching
A small top location look out that is carpeted
A side extension basket
A hanging hammock & the hooks for hanging it
A small cave add on that is fully carpeted as well
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the dimensions of the top perch?
Inside: 12.5 inches x 11.5 inches
Outside: 14.5 inches x 13.5 inches
My cat is about 10 pounds, will she be able to use the tree?
She’ll be able to use most parts of the tree. I would say the small cylinder hanging from the top and the basket that sticks out the side will likely be too small for her, but the rest should be fine.
Was it difficult to put together?
It took me only about 30 minutes to put it together with the included hex wrench included and I’m certainly no construction specialist by any stretch of the word.
Is it easy to move?
If you have wood floors you’re going to have zero issue moving this cat tree from location to location. If you have carpet instead then you might need to pull it instead of push it, but it isn’t heavy by any means.
How does it hold up over time?
My cats use it daily and everything on it other than the top little tower area has held up without problem. The top tower is still workable as well, it has just become a little flimsy.
Will it accommodate multiple cats?
I have two cats at home and it easily works for both of them at the same time. I would guess that even a third cat would still be able to take advantage of the castle without any particular issues. There’s plenty of space and plenty of levels to give them some privacy but also a couple of floors that would let them hang out right on top of each other if you have cats that are bonded.
Wrapping It up:
If you’re looking for a great multi level cat tree at a nice affordable cost then the Go Pet Club Cat Tree is a great place to start. It’ll keep your cats happy with nice high places to relax and look down on you while at the same time minimizing your overall investment. The tree is also incredibly easy to move around if you’re likely to try it in multiple different locations before committing to one spot. All in all an excellent tree worth consideration.
If you’ve got this tree at home and have any experiences with it you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this 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.
Many fosters have resident cats themselves (I do!) and will indicate if the cat interacted well or not. This can tell you whether your potential new addition is more likely to get along with other cats than a completely unknown feline. Ask and put this information to use!
Getting Acquainted
Once your cats are used to one another while eating and aren’t showing signs of aggression you should start to let them interact. Start to expand the crack in the door while the bowls are near one another and see how the cats handle it. If they sniff one another or just ignore one another and keep eating, great sign. Try opening the door all the way experiment!
There are of course other ways to help speed things along and skew the odds in your favor. The most common method for helping your cats integrate successfully is to put Feliway to use. Feliway is basically a synthetic pheromone that makes cats feel safe and comfortable even in a completely new environment with other cats.
Bringing a new cat into the household can be a very stressful for experience for both your resident cat(s) and the new cat(s). To ensure that you minimize their stress, and the stress on yourself, be sure to slowly introduce the cats to one another over an extended period of time following the above steps.
Product: Feliway Multicat 
I give this cat tree 4 stars. This is a solid cat tree that will provide a great place for your fur balls to climb and sleep. It is super easy from a construction standpoint and also very affordable from a cost standpoint. If you’re looking for an entry level cat tree you probably don’t need to look any further than this.