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a bunch of cat carriers and a cat in the middle

The 15 Best Cat Carriers 2026 [Buy a comfy one right meow!]

This post was updated in July of 2026 to reflect the latest options!

‘So you’re in the market for cat carrier and you want to make sure you get one that is just right for your cat. Given there are about a million options on the market you’ll want to choose one of the best cat carriers around. 

Below there’s a list of some of the best carriers around and then a bunch of additional info on carrier selection and why you might need one. So get to reading, pop open the Table of Contents for easy navigation!

If you’re specifically looking for a Cat Bubble Backpack check out this article.

The Best Budget Carrier

The Amazon Basics Soft Sided Carrier

Amazon Basics Airline Approved Soft-Sided Mesh Pet Travel Carrier with Shoulder Strap, Removable Washable Fleece Pad, Top Opening, Ventilation for Dog, Cat, up to 22 pounds, 19.7Lx12Wx12H in., Black

If your carrier’s only job is getting your cat to the vet and back a couple of times a year, you don’t need to overspend on it. The Amazon Basics Soft Sided Carrier is about as no-frills as carriers get, but it covers the basics well and won’t dent your wallet doing it.

It comes in two sizes, so measure your cat before you order instead of guessing — a carrier that’s too snug defeats the whole purpose. I wouldn’t reach for this one for a cross-country flight, but for routine trips, it’s genuinely hard to beat.

A couple items worth noting on this one:

  • Lightweight enough to carry comfortably on the shoulder strap or the standard handles, whichever your cat tolerates better on a given day.
  • Multiple entry points mean you’re not stuck coaxing a reluctant cat in from just one direction.
  • Ventilation is solid for a carrier at this price, with enough airflow to keep your cat comfortable on shorter trips.
  • The included pad is machine-washable, which matters more than you’d think once an anxious cat has an accident inside.
  • Folds down flat for storage, so it’s not taking up permanent closet real estate between trips.

A few things worth cautioning you about:

  • The bottom is thin enough that a heavier cat will feel every bump in the road, and the mesh isn’t tough enough to stop a determined cat from clawing or chewing a hole through it.

Back to the ToC

The Most Extra Room

The PetsFit Expandable Travel Carrier

Petsfit Large Expandable Cat Carrier for Travel, Up to 18 lb

If you’re looking for a soft carrier that is a hefty chunk larger and has more comfort than something like the Amazon Basics carrier than the Petsfit Expandable is a great carrier to consider. Not only does it include all the major perks of the Basics carrier, but it also has some cool features like the expandable side area that gives your cat a big bump up in real estate space inside.

This is exceptionally useful when you have a long layover or a long trip in a car and you don’t want to let your cat out, but still want her to have some space for comfort or a bowl of water or food. There’s a full video review available below, but the bullets below detail it out pretty well:

  • The expandable side panel adds real usable space for your cat to turn around, stretch out, or just get some distance from the “trapped in a bag” feeling.
  • The support frame pops out when you need the carrier to shrink back down for tight spaces, like under an airplane seat.
  • Comes with the same washable pad, shoulder strap, and multiple entry points as the Basics carrier, just in a roomier package.
  • Folds down flat for storage once the frame is removed.
  • There is a pad included that can be tossed in the washing machineIt breaks down easily to take up minimum space
  • It does fit under most airline seats (when the expander isn’t out), but you’d have to check each airline specifically to verify (and you will likely need to remove the frame)

A few things worth cautioning you about:

  • It costs meaningfully more than the Basics carrier
  • If you are traveling on a really consistent basis, as with any product made of nylon, the edges will fray and the frame will start to push through

Back to the ToC

The Shelter Standard

The Petmate Two Door Top Loader

Petmate Dog Crates for Small Dogs & Cat Carriers, Two-Door Plastic Pet Kennel, Top & Front Loading, Made in USA, 24", Blue

Petmate is an incredibly well known company and I see these carriers in use on a consistent basis at the shelter I volunteer at all the time.  Not only are they well designed, but they are incredibly durable and they come in a varying set of sizes.

I’d highly recommend you go with the 24 inch version for any adult cat and if you have an extra large cat you might want to consider something even bigger than this. That being said, these carriers are constructed solidly and perform extremely well. You can also check out the video review below.

Key features worth noting:

  • Very solid construction using screws to hold the pieces together
  • The ventilation is top notch with it having a grated door and tons of small air holes
  • It has both top and front entrances for those cats that don’t like being loaded in from the front
  • Easy to add your cats favorite blanket or bed inside with plenty of room
  • Super easy to clean after a trip if necessary

A few things worth cautioning you about:

  • As with any hard carrier there is no shoulder strap so it can be annoying to carry it a long distance
  • Not fit for airplane travel due to the size and the lack of flexibility (most hard carriers are not)

Back to the ToC

Best Hands Free option

Petsfit Comfort Cat Backpack

Petsfit Pet Backpack Carrier Easy-Fit Dog Travel Backpack Carrier for Hiking Walking Cycling Suitable for Small Medium Dogs Cats and Rabbits up to 22 Pounds, Green

If you’ve ever tried to walk any real distance with a cat carrier digging into one shoulder, you already understand the appeal of a backpack. The Petsfit Comfort Cat Backpack puts the weight on both shoulders instead of one, which makes a real difference over any kind of distance.

It’s built for cats 15 pounds and under — I’d stick close to that ceiling, since anything bigger starts to feel genuinely cramped inside. It’s a great option if you’re the type walking your cat somewhere on a regular basis rather than just driving them to the vet twice a year.

  • Super easy to transport your cat in because all the weight is on your shoulders
  • Both top and front loading, though admittedly the front loading is small and not easy to use
  • Has a harness attachment & the front window unzips for better viewing (be very careful with this as your cat can and will jump out if they want to)
  • This particular backpack has solid ventilation as well with 4 major ventilation gratings
  • The bottom is fully removable for easy washing and cleaning
  • Has additional stability straps for your waist and chest to keep the backpack tightly against you
  • Breaks down for easy storage just like a regular soft carrier

A few items worth cautioning you about:

  • There are no pouches or pockets to carry anything like snacks or treats
  • When upright it will be cramped for a cat to lay down other than in a tiny ball
  • There is no handle to carry it if you don’t want it on your shoulders

Back to the ToC

Best for Senior Cats

ZENY Foldable Pet Stroller

ZENY Foldable Pet Stroller, Cat/Dog Stroller with 4 Wheels

The original stroller pick in this spot for years was the Paws & Pals City Walk, which was genuinely the most popular pet stroller I’d come across — a favorite for older cats getting safe outdoor air, and for bonded pairs of cats who’d rather ride together than get split into separate carriers.

That exact listing has gone out of stock, so we’re pointing you toward the ZENY Foldable Pet Stroller instead, which keeps the same core idea: four wheels, an enclosed and ventilated riding area, and none of the weight resting on your arms or shoulders.

It’s a genuinely different category from a traditional carrier, worth considering if you’re regularly taking a senior cat, a nervous cat, or two cats out together rather than just to the vet.

  • Four-wheel design means you’re pushing, not carrying, which matters if you’ve got an older or heavier cat, or you’re taking more than one cat out at once.
  • A built-in storage basket gives you somewhere to stash a water bottle, treats, or anything else you’d want along for a longer outing.
  • The included cup holder is a small touch, but a genuinely convenient one if you’re using the stroller for actual walks rather than just short trips.
  • Folds down for storage and transport when you’re not using it.
  • Well suited to bonded cats who get anxious separated into two different carriers, letting them stay together for the ride.

Cautions:

  • treat the fold-down mechanism and wheel durability as promising rather than fully proven, and check the enclosure for any small gaps before letting a determined kitten near it unsupervised.

Back to the ToC

Best Two Kitten Carrier

Bejibear Cat Carrier for 2 Kittens

Bejibear Large Cat Carrier for 2 Cats, Soft Side Pet Carrier for Cats Small Dog, Collapsible Travel Dog Carrier Bag TSA Airline Approved Dog Carrier Backpack,Grey

The old Pet Magasin Collapsible carrier that used to hold this spot combined a firm hard-sided frame with the fold-flat convenience of a soft carrier — a nice combination, but that exact listing is gone now.

The Bejibear Large Cat Carrier for 2 Cats fills the gap with a different angle worth considering if you’ve got more than one cat: it’s sized generously enough for two, still collapsible for storage, and built to TSA’s airline-approved dimensions.

If you’ve been stuffing two kittens into a carrier meant for one, or splitting them into two separate bags they hate being apart in, this is the kind of upgrade worth a look.

  • Sized to comfortably fit two kittens together, useful for bonded pairs who get more anxious separated than they do sharing a carrier while they’re growing up
  • Soft-sided and collapsible, so it folds down flat for storage between trips instead of permanently taking up space.
  • Built to TSA airline-approved dimensions, worth knowing if travel is part of why you’re shopping for a carrier at all.
  • Backpack-style straps give you a hands-free way to carry it, on top of standard handles.
  • The grey color and simple design keep it from looking like a novelty item if you’re carrying it through an airport.

Back to the ToC

Best for Anxious Cats

“You’ve got This” Cat Carrier

The “You’ve got This” Cat Carrier has a focus on just being a genuinely good carrier for an anxious cat. It leans hard into reducing travel stress specifically, with privacy flaps and a top-load design that doesn’t require wrestling a scared cat in through a front door they can see coming. If your cat turns into a puddle of anxiety the second the carrier comes out of the closet, this is built with exactly that cat in mind.

  • Top-load design lets you lower a nervous cat straight down into the carrier instead of coaxing them through a front opening they can see and dread.
  • Privacy flaps let you close off the mesh windows when your cat needs to hide from the world rather than watch it go by.
  • 360-degree mesh windows give your cat the option to see you and stay oriented when they’re feeling brave enough to look out.
  • Rip-stop fabric and lockable zips are built specifically with escape-artist cats in mind.
  • Has by far the largest base of owner feedback of any pick in this section, a good sign this isn’t a flash-in-the-pan listing.

Cautions:

  • Because it’s designed around flexibility (privacy flaps, multiple openings), it’s a slightly more complex carrier to get the hang of than a basic single-entry bag, so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with it before your cat’s actually inside.

Back to the ToC

Best Panoramic Views

PetLuv Premium Travel Carrier

Some cats handle travel fine. Others turn every car ride into a full meltdown, and if yours is the second kind, the PetLuv Premium Travel Carrier is built with exactly that cat in mind.

The roomy design and all-around windows mean your cat isn’t stuck staring at a wall of fabric the whole ride, and there are enough anxiety-focused touches here that it’s clearly designed by people who’ve dealt with a stressed-out cat before. It runs a little larger and pricier than the basics, but if travel stress is the actual problem you’re solving for, it’s worth the upgrade.

  • Optimum ventilation and maximum sightseeing with all-around windows
  • There are window flaps that can roll down and close across each window
  • It also has tear-resistant heavy duty rubber mesh for those cats that may attempt and escape
  • The zippers lock together to keep the genius cats from popping the carrier open
  • There are built in seat belt loops for car travel security
  • It measures in at a Length of 24″, Height of 16″ and Depth of 16″

A few items worth noting on this model:

  • If you plan to carry a heavy cat or multiple cats then be prepared for the bottom to sag a bit, there’s no bracing built in for this

Back to the ToC

Best Rolling Carrier

Petsfit Rolling Cat Carrier w/ Removable Wheels

If you’re tired of a shoulder strap digging in, or your cat’s simply too heavy to comfortably carry very far, the Petsfit Rolling Cat Carrier solves that by letting you pull instead of carry. It functions basically like a small rolling suitcase, and the wheels pop off entirely if you need to store it flat or just want the option to carry it by hand for a stretch.

It’s rated to hold pets up to 28 pounds, which covers most cats with plenty of margin, but measure your own cat rather than assuming. One important note up front: this is not an airline-approved carrier, so if you’re flying, look elsewhere on this list rather than at this one.

  • You can easily pull your cat around without any weight on your back or shoulders
  • The handle measures just under 35 inches long so you’ve got lots of space
  • The carrier folds down flat and you can remove the wheels for storage purposes
  • It is rated to hold a pet up to 28 pounds, but be sure to measure first
  • Because it zips together you can load your cat from almost any direction

A few things worth noting for you potential buyers:

  • When you take it off the wheeled base it doesn’t have a firm bottom, it may sag
  • This carrier specifically calls out that it will not fit under an airline seat

Back to the ToC

Best Airline-Approved Expandable

Airline Approved  4-Sider Expandable

Airline Approved Pet Carrier, Large Soft Sided Pet Travel TSA Carrier 4 Sides Expandable Cat Collapsible Carriers with Removable Fleece Pad and Pockets for Cats Dogs and Small Animals

The Jet Sitter that used to hold this spot built its whole reputation on fitting under a United Airlines seat, and I get why that mattered — I’ve flown cross-country with my own cats on United more than once, and the carrier you bring genuinely makes or breaks how smooth that day goes.

That exact listing has since gone dead, so we didn’t want to just drop the category along with it. This Airline Approved Pet Carrier steps into the same role: TSA-compliant, sized to work under most major airline seats, and expandable on four sides once you’re off the plane. If air travel with your cat is genuinely why you’re shopping right now, this is one of the stronger picks on this whole list for that specific job

  • Sized and marketed specifically to meet airline under-seat requirements, which is exactly the box you need checked before you book a flight with your cat.
  • Expands on all four sides once you’re off the plane, giving your cat real extra room the rest of the trip.
  • Comes with a removable fleece pad, so cleanup after an accident doesn’t mean scrubbing the whole carrier.
  • Built-in pockets give you somewhere to stash documents, a leash, or treats without a separate bag.
  • Collapsible design folds down for storage between trips.

There is one major item worth cautioning you about with this model:

  • “Airline approved” varies by airline and even by specific aircraft, so confirm your exact carrier’s under-seat dimensions against your specific airline before you fly rather than assuming the label covers you everywhere.

Back to the ToC

Best Budget Airline Pick

TSA Approved Soft-Sided Carrier

The old Pet Magasin Luxury TSA carrier was a small, lightweight option built to squeeze under nearly any airline seat, and its replacement keeps that same job description. This soft-sided carrier is TSA and airline-approved, rated up to 16 pounds, and collapses flat when you’re not using it, all at one of the lowest price points on this entire list.

It’s not built for long-haul comfort or a giant cat, but if you need a straightforward, budget-friendly carrier that’ll actually get you and your cat through security without a hassle, this covers it.

  • TSA and airline-approved sizing takes the guesswork out of whether it’ll fit under your seat.
  • Rated to hold cats and small dogs up to 16 pounds, which covers most cats without much to spare.
  • Collapses completely flat for storage when you’re not traveling.
  • One of the most affordable options on this entire list, which matters if you only need a carrier occasionally.
  • Has great ventilation and two methods for carrying it (shoulder strap included)
  • Compact 17″x11″x11″ dimensions keep it easy to maneuver through a crowded airport or terminal.

A couple of things to consider before your make your purchase:

  • It only has the ability to load your cat from the top
  • Its small size that makes it airline-friendly also means it won’t comfortably fit a larger cat, so measure before you buy rather than assuming “TSA approved” means “one size fits all.”

Back to the ToC

Best Easy-Load Hard Carrier

SportPet Hard Sided Triangle Traveler

SportPet LARGE Hard-Sided Travel Cat Carrier - Cat Carrier with Patented Wide Side-Opening Door, Foldable Portable Pet Carrier with Removable Bed for Cats & Small Pets up to 25lbs - Gray/Tan

If you like the security of a hard-sided carrier but you’re worried about your cat being stressed out climbing into a tight opening, the SportPet Triangle Traveler solves that with a genuinely huge entrance.

It’s the kind of carrier your cat can practically walk right into on their own, rather than something you have to wrestle them through. It’s built for trips to the vet, around town, or even a longer car or train trip, and solid plastic construction means cleanup is about as easy as it gets.

It’s not built for air travel, but for everything else, it’s a strong, no-nonsense hard carrier.

  • Has a huge opening making it easy to load your cat or have her walk right into it
  • Since it is made of solid plastic it is super easy to clean
  • It folds down into a thin briefcase style for easy and compact storage
  • Has numerous sliding locks to ensure your kitty can’t slip out like Houdini
  • It measures in at 15.2” L x 18.5” W x 14.2” H

A couple of items worth considering before purchase:

  • This one is not airline approved, so if you’re flying, look toward one of the airline-specific picks on this list instead.

Back to the ToC

Best Extra Legroom

Two Sided Expandable Soft Carrier

If your cat’s the type who wants to actually move around once you’re settled in rather than stay balled up for the whole trip, this is the carrier built for that. It’s airline-sized to clear TSA and most under-seat requirements while collapsed, but pop both the front and back panels out once you’re through security or off the plane and your cat suddenly has a lot more room to stretch, turn around, and stake out a spot.

Four separate entry points also mean you’re not stuck coaxing a stubborn cat in from one single opening — top, either side, or the front all work. It earns this label specifically because it’s one of the few picks on this list giving your cat real extra square footage without giving up airline compliance to do it.

  • Four points of entry — top, both sides, and the front — so you can load your cat from whichever direction they’re least likely to fight you on that day.
  • Expands on two sides once you’re settled, giving your cat noticeably more room to stretch out than a fixed-size carrier allows.
  • A steel-strand reinforced frame is built to resist sagging, including keeping the top from caving in when you set a bag on it or sling it over your shoulder.
  • Three removable, washable pads (two side cushions plus a bottom bed) make cleanup after an accident simple, and non-slip pads on the base help keep it from sliding around under an airline seat.
  • The padded, adjustable shoulder strap supports several carry styles — hand, shoulder, luggage strap-on, or a car seatbelt loop — so you’re not locked into one way of hauling it.

Worth cautioning you about before purchasing:

  • Owner feedback on this one is genuinely split rather than uniformly glowing — some describe it as roomy and holding its shape well, others report it runs too large for their airline’s actual under-seat allowance or feels less sturdy than expected, so it’s worth double-checking your specific airline’s dimensions and reading a few recent reviews before you travel with it.

Back to the Quick Guide

Best for Big Cats

Sivlefoss Large Cat Carrier

For big cats, I’m recommending the Sivlefoss Large Cat Carrier, which covers the same “big cat” need but takes a completely different approach: instead of a rigid hard-sided kennel, it’s a soft-sided, collapsible fabric crate in the same 24-inch size class, built with a plush mat included for comfort.

If you’ve got a larger cat and you liked the old pick’s size range but not necessarily its hard-sided bulk, this is worth a look as a lighter, more packable alternative.

  • Sized at 24″x16″x16″, comfortably matching the size range of larger cats that the old hard-sided pick was aimed at.
  • Soft-sided and collapsible, so unlike a rigid kennel, it folds down flat for storage between trips instead of permanently taking up closet or trunk space.
  • Comes with a super-soft plush mat included, adding real comfort that a bare hard-plastic floor doesn’t offer.
  • Lighter and easier to carry than a comparable hard-sided kennel of the same size, since it’s built from fabric rather than plastic.
  • Suited to both indoor and outdoor use, giving it more flexibility than a carrier built strictly for one setting.

A few things worth cautioning you about:

  • Being soft-sided rather than hard-sided, it won’t offer quite the same rigid protection a hard kennel does if your cat is a heavy leaner or a determined scratcher, so weigh that trade-off against your cat’s temperament before choosing this over a hard-sided option elsewhere on this list.

Back to the ToC

Best Outdoor Lounging Setup

Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel

This portable 2-in-1 double kennel/shelter gives your cats two separate compartments they can share or keep apart, with a seat-belt fixture built in for securing it during car travel. It’s not something you’ll be carrying long distances by hand, but as a home-away-from-home setup for outdoor time or road trips, it fills a real niche the rest of this list doesn’t cover.

  • Two separate compartments let you keep cats apart or unzip the middle to let them hang out together, depending on what your specific cats prefer.
  • Seat-belt fixture built in for car travel gives you real security instead of a shelter that slides around the back seat.
  • Roomy 20″x20″x39″ footprint gives your cats genuine space to stretch out, rather than just squeeze into.
  • Folds down and includes its own carry bag, so it’s not a permanent fixture once you’re done with it.
  • Same trusted One for Pets brand as the original Driving Lounge that held this spot for years.

Cautions:

  • It’s not built to be carried by hand over any real distance, so think of this as a portable home base you set up rather than a carrier you’ll be lugging through an airport.

Back to the ToC

Additional Information

Frequent Q&A

Back to the ToC

Wrapping It Up

So let’s close things up with a quick recap:

  • There are a bunch of reasons you should have a good quality carrier available for your cat
  • There are numerous kinds of carriers out there, each type has pros and cons & you should select on based on your needs
  • A cardboard carrier should not be considered a long term solution
  • Be sure to associate your cats carrier with positive things like treats or meal time, this will make them less likely to balk at going into it when it is necessary

If you have any other thoughts on the cat carriers and which type you use please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article. Also feel free to point any questions my way through comments or email as well!

References: Pet Magasin, Petsfit, One4Pets & all airline sites listed above.

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.

Sophresh Litter Box next to a Litter Genie

Litter Genie Cat Litter System – Scoop That Poop!

Product: Litter Genie Cat Litter System

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

4.5 stars

 

 

 


Litter Genie Cat Litter System Product Overview

The Litter Genie is a great product dedicated to making the lives of cat owners easier. It does this in a couple of different ways. First and foremost it was designed to contain the smell that comes from scooped litter. It does this by using a great bagging system that essentially seals the used litter away. It is just like a Diaper Genie for those of you out there with kids!

The second major purpose was to minimize the number of trips you needed to make either with a garbage can to your litter box or from your litter box to your garbage can. The Litter Genie can easily hold about two weeks of used litter from a single cat and it is designed so that it can fit in a bunch of tight places to keep it within easy reach while not being in the way.

  • Scent Control: Since getting the litter genie we’ve had zero issue with scent from either of our two litter boxes.
  • Pricing: If Andrew Jackson owned cats, he would certainly endorse this product, especially at the cost of one of his bills.
  • Ease of Use: It doesn’t get much easier. You open the top, scoop the poop (and pee), close the top and pull the release to let the poop fall down into the sealed space. When it is time to empty it you use the built in bag cutter and toss it.
  • Quality: The base product itself has taken quite a beating over the past two years with constant trips all over the place as we’ve moved our litter boxes, moved ourselves, etc. The only part that didn’t stand up great is the side attachment for the scoop.

There is one additional bit that is in all of the materials, the plastic has added antimicrobial materials to inhibit odors caused by bacteria on the pail. While I of course can’t comment on whether it is killing microbes, I can confirm that the pale doesn’t smell!


How Was the Setup & Use?

The setup was extremely simple.  Given the parts that come with it there really isn’t a ton to setup.  You most just take the following actions:

  • Drop in the first bag refill that comes included in the box
  • Pull the bag through and tie a knot in the bottom of it to seal it off
  • Attach the litter scoop holder & drop the scoop into it and you’re done

Check out my video below for a full rundown on setup, use, and my general thoughts on the Litter Genie:


My General Take:

I give it a solid 4.5 stars, all in all it has made my life a heck of a lot easier as a cat owner. When I first got cats I was constantly dragging around a garbage can or using a boatload of shopping bags to get rid of litter and its associated smell ASAP.  With the Litter Genie you get to leave all that behind.

You can leave the Litter Genie Cat Litter System right next to your litter box and easily scoop litter into it in seconds. Not only does it take care of the smell, but it saves you numerous trips to the outside garbage by successfully capturing and covering the scent up.

The Pros:

  • It minimizes the number of trips you have to take to the garbage or the number of bags you have to use.
  • It helps contain the smell from a litter box way better than anything else I tried, especially scented litter.
  • It holds a solid amount of used litter. With two cats mine gets emptied about once a week.
  • The included scoop has lasted me nearly two years and still seems solid and durable.
  • It is super easy to change the bags out when necessary, they even indicate when they are almost used up with a black plastic stripe built into the bag.
  • It is really easy to clean as well. Since it is all plastic you can just spray it out with the hose every few weeks.

Room for Improvement

  • The side attachment isn’t the most durable thing in the world. Mine had one of the two holding ‘hooks’ snap off after only a few months. Would love it if this was a bit more durable.
  • Refills do indeed get a little pricy over the long haul since with two cats each refill only lasts about 4-6 weeks. Buying them in bulk helps, but still pricy. I get it though, they are selling razors to sell blades.

Click here for the latest price on Amazon.


What’s In the Box?

  • 1 Litter Genie Plus Cat Litter Disposal System with Odor Free Pail
  • 1 Scoop Holder Attachment
  • 1 Kitty Litter Scoop
  • 1 Litter Genie Refill

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How large is the opening at the top of the Litter Genie?
    • It’s about 4-5 inches across. While your preferred scoop (if you don’t use the included one) might not ‘fit in’ so to speak, it doesn’t need to fit in to be able to drop litter into the required area. The only real concern would be the scoop might not fit in the holder on the side.
  • How long does each cartridge last?
    • While this will vary depending on how often you change it mine normally last a little over a month. This is with weekly emptying and two cats in the household.
  • How much will it weigh when ‘full’ of poop?
    • I checked mine the last time (the genie itself + the bag) it was full and it weighed just over 10 pounds when full. Note that you don’t have to wait until it is full to empty it, you just might use the bags up a little faster by emptying it more often.
  • How sturdy are the bags?
    • The bags are very thick and solid. Even when full of litter there’s no chance the bag will rip or break if you tied the knot propertly.

If you have any other thoughts on the Litter Genie Plus Cat Litter Disposal System 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.

Petlinks Mystery Motion Automatic Cat Toy Review

Petlinks Mystery Motion Review – Uh Oh, Where’d It Go?

Product: Petlinks Mystery Motion Automatic Toy

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 4 out of 5

 

4 stars


Petlinks Mystery Motion Automatic Cat Toy Product Overview

Ever have the need to play with your cats but don’t have the time or the patience to do it yourself? While I highly recommend you normally play with your cats personally, I know sometimes you just have other stuff to do and you need to offload some of the responsibility to a machine! We humans do this with almost everything these days, so why not cat play time? If you aren’t quite sure why it is important to play with your cat then check this page out at VetStreet.

In the realm of automatic cat toys this has been one of my favorites so far. It has proven to engage my cats time and time again and so long as I don’t try to use it every single day I have great luck getting them to play with it for a pretty good chunk of time. They’ll pounce on it, flip it over, drag it around, and even roll all over it from time to time. Who knows what those little furballs are thinking?!  Here’s a quick high level rundown of the major categories of interest though:

  • Pricing: At the price of a couple of beers at a Chicago bar I think it is a great investment if you can entertain your cats with it for just an hour.
  • Noise Level: This definitely isn’t a toy you’d want to leave on if you’re trying to have a conversation, it is quite loud.
  • Ease of Use for Cats: Cats take to it really quickly, at least both my cats and all of my foster cats have enjoyed it at one time or another.
  • Ease of Use for Humans: Doesn’t get much easier, one single button and some batteries.
  • Quality: I’ve actually been quite impressed with the durability. Since my cats will even pick it up and drag it around I’ve been pleasantly surprised that the motor hasn’t given out or failed yet.

How Was the Setup & Use?

The setup was a breeze. The instructions are incredibly straight forward and also completely unnecessary to be honest. They only have a few simple steps. You can watch my YouTube video of the setup below, but it only took about 30 seconds once I had all of the parts out of the box.

As you can see both Lexi and Beast get a kick out of the toy. I do find that from day to day their moods vary. Sometimes they love it and they’ll play with it for 15-20 minutes and other times they’ll walk past it like it doesn’t exist. The latter tends to happen if you try to use it too often and aren’t actually engaging with your cats and playing with them yourself.  Toys can only do so much to take the place of actually interacting with your furry friend!


My General Take:

I give it a solid 4 stars, so far it has been a great product and has helped get my cats some exercise when I am in the middle of something and don’t have time to play with them.  There are of course some things that would make it better, but given that it comes in at a pretty darn affordable price point and it has held up for a good long time I am very happy with my investment so far!

One additional item to call out is that since it isn’t just a piece of string on the end it is much less likely that your cat can quickly chew it off which can result in a useless toy or a medical problem. I’ve had this trouble with the toys that automatically throw strings on a random cadence and this is an additional perk compared to those.

The Pros:

  • The multiple settings do help throw cats for a loop and keep them engaged.
  • My cats still can’t seem to figure out that it is moving under the cover, they keep pouncing and looking!
  • It simulates an actual hunt much better than a laser pointer, the cat actually gets to claw/chew on something.
  • It is quite durable, mine has taken a constant beating for almost a year now and is working fine.
  • Super easy to put together.
  • It lasts a long time with daily use on the 3 AA batteries. Mine has lasted months without issue.

Room for Improvement:

  • Adding in a self shut off timer would be a great addition so you could start it as you leave the house to keep the cats engaged.
  • It would be nice if it was a bit quieter, but this certainly isn’t a deal breaker.

Click here for the latest price on Amazon.


What’s In the Box?

  • 1 Motor Box w/ Rotating Arm
  • 1 Feather Attachment
  • 1 Mystery Cover

petlinks mystery motion batteryFrequently Asked Questions

  • Are the batteries included?
    • No, they aren’t.
  • What type and how many batteries does it take?
    • It takes 3 AA batteries.
  • Is it quiet or loud?
    • I would say it is pretty loud for an automatic cat toy. This could scare off skittish cats.
  • How long do the batteries last?
    • Mine have lasted for several months with on and off use in about 15 minute increments.
  • Will it break easily if the cats pounce on it or drag the feather in the wrong direction?
    • While my cats are admittedly not super rough with toughs in general, they have definitely picked this toy up by the feather and it is still operating without any problem in regular operation.
  • What will I need to put it together?
    • The only tool you’d need is a phillips head screw driver.

If you have any other thoughts on the Petlinks Mystery Motion automatic toy 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.

What is the best cat water fountain

What is the Best Cat Water Fountain? Cats, This is It!

Product: Catit Water Fountain

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

4.5 stars


Catit Water Fountain Product Overview

For anyone asking “Why would a cat need a water fountain?” please check out my article on ensuring your cat stays hydrated and why it is important.  If you’ve already read it then you’re probably wondering what is the best cat water fountain, and I’ll be honest, you’ve found it right here!

The Catit Flower Fountain is a kind of like a unicorn minus the coloring of all the unicorn bread and lattes I’ve been seeing around lately. It is the best in class, but it is the best in class across a variety of different areas of interest:

  • Pricing: It is very affordable compared to a ton of other cat water fountains
  • Noise Level: It is quite quiet compared several other products on the market
  • Ease of Use for Cats: It is at just the right height for your typical cat making it easy for them to drink
  • Ease of Use for Humans: It is incredibly easy to clean and it is incredibly easy to fill
  • Quality: The product, while light, is quite sturdy in general
  • Great Vendor: Catit has been shown to be incredibly accommodating when a part breaks or something crazy happens like a cat tree falls on your water fountain. They’ve even been known to ship free parts to people in certain circumstances.

All in all it is a great product in a very nice affordable price range. While there are of course more expensive water fountains out there with different features, this is definitely a great way to go, especially if you’re just choosing your first fountain.


How Was the Setup & Maintenance?

The setup was a breeze. The instructions are incredibly straight forward and they only have a few simple steps. You can watch my YouTube video of the setup below, but it only took about 3-4 minutes once I had all of the parts out of the box.

Here’s a quick summary of the setup:

  1. Unpack all the parts & clean the basin and other parts thoroughly
  2. Insert the small black pump connector & stick the pump in the basin
  3. Place the basin top on and lay the filter inside
  4. Insert whichever water distributor pieces you would like to use (basic, bubbler or calm streams)
  5. Then simply place the fountain wherever you’d like your cats to drink from it and plug it in

 Maintenance is also quite easy. I have two cats in my house and weekly cleaning seems to work quite well for me. Here’s a quick rundown of the maintenance steps as well:

  1. Deconstruct the fountain & separate the filter & motor from the other parts
  2. Wash the basin & distributors with a non abrasive cleaner (dish soap is fine)
  3. If the filter contains too much gunk (cat hair and such) replace it, you can get new filters here
  4. If the pump appears dirty then open the pump and remove the impeller cap and clean it all with a cotton swab
    1. Be extra careful with the motor because it is fragile, if you do happen to break it you can get a new one here
  5. Reconstruct the fountain and fill it with water before turning it back on

 


what is the best cat water fountainMy General Take:

I give it a solid 4.5 stars, mostly because there are a few tiny things that could make it even better!  That being said, I think this is honestly one of the best cat fountains on the market. There are only a few small things I would change with it and most of those I could see making the production of the product significantly more expensive. Accounting for everything I think this is an excellent product and you can’t go wrong with the purchase.

The Pros:

  • It encouraged both of my cats to drink on a more consistent basis.
  • It comes in at a great price.
  • It is super quiet compared to most fountains I’ve experienced.
  • It has a large tank that doesn’t need to be refilled often.
  • It is very easy to take apart and clean on a weekly basis.
  • Saves you from refilling bowls daily or from running a dripping faucet depending on the cat.

Room for Improvement

  • It would be nice to be able to tell how much water is in it without picking it up or opening it.
  • Unless it is filled with water all the way it is quite lightweight making it easy to tip or get knocked over.
  • I personally don’t love plastic from a disinfecting standpoint, I’d prefer stainless, but it is dishwasher safe.

Click here for the latest price on Amazon.


What’s In the Box?

  • 1 Water Fountain Basin (100 oz)
  • 1 Water Fountain Top
  • 1 Water Fountain Filter
  • 1 Water Fountain Flower Gentle Water Flow Top
  • 1 Water Fountain Flower Bubbling Top
  • 1 Water Fountain Flower Calm Streams Top
  • 1 Water Fountain Pump & Power cord
  • 1 Water Fountain Pump Attachment

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it hard to get your cat to use it?
    • Both my cats are very easily startled and they took to it in less than 48 hours. Based on additional Amazon reviews this seems to be the consensus.
  • Can you buy just one part if something breaks?
    • Most of the major components can be purchased separately, the pump for example is available on Amazon.
  • How large is the fountain?
    • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.3 x 7.3 inches
  • Does it have a battery backup?
    • No, there is no battery backup if the power goes out.
  • Is it easily flipped over?
    • Larger cats or mischievous cats have been known to flip the fountain over with relative ease. This does make a huge mess and can destroy the pump if it ends up out of the water.
  • How often should I clean the filter?
    • It is recommended you clean it weekly.
  • Is the plastic the fountain is made of BPA free?
    • Yes.
  • How long is the cord?
    • About 4-4.5 feet long.

If you have any other thoughts on the Catit Water Fountain 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.

What is the best dry cat food

What is the Best Dry Cat Food in 2017? Here Are My Top 5

Feeding your cat the right food can make a huge difference in the length of their life, but it improves their quality of life as well. High quality food drives overall health and helps ensure your cat not only has a long life, but a fulfilling life as well. This usually consists of climbing into the empty boxes of the toys you bought and playing with stuff that falls out of your pocket instead of the toys you bought them. They love how much we care about them don’t they?

If you’ve already read my article on wet vs dry cat food then you know my thoughts on how to go about selecting a high quality cat food in general.  If you haven’t read it yet then feel free to take a look, but I’ll also provide a brief recap here:

  • Protein is the most important ingredient to look for, specifically, identifiable forms of protein. You’ll want to find foods that have their first 5 ingredients made up primarily of known meats.
  • Minimize carb intake, keep it lower than protein intake.
  • Amino Acids are used by your cat to build proteins. There are 11 of them your cat doesn’t produce naturally so helping your cat get them from their diet is essential.
  • Avoid dyes, chemicals & thickeners, basically all the complicated words on the package that nobody has any idea what they are.
  • Starches can spike your cats blood sugar levels leading to diabetes. Avoid things like potatoes in the top 3 ingredients.
  • Dry food normally has a moisture content of 10% at most. This means a cats eating a diet of only dry food also needs to drink a lot more water than a cat on wet or a combination of wet/dry food.

The StuffCatsWant 5 Best Dry Cat Foods

Cat Food Name & Link  Rating Price First 5 Ingredients All 11 Amino Acids Grain Free?
Fromm Game Bird Formula A+ $$$ Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein, Turkey, Whole Dried Eggs No Yes
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free A+ $$ Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Potatoes No Yes
Acana Wild Atlantic A $$$ Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Whole Redfish, Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal No Yes
PETCUREAN Go! Fit+ Free Grain Free Chicken A $$ Chicken Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal No No
Blackwood Chicken Meal & Field Pea* A $$ Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Field Pea, Lentils, Chicken Fat Yes Yes

*This food doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon at the moment, but you can buy it from Chewy.com at this link as well.

Now if you’re only interested in the big takeaways you can go ahead and choose from the table above, it covers all of the essentials.  If on the other hand you like getting your hands dirty and you really want to get into details of each food and why I included it in the list then go ahead and keep reading.


 The In Depth Reviews

For each of the foods listed above I’ve provided additional detail to help you make a decision.  The details include the following key items:

  • A quick description of what I like about the food
  • The cost per pound at the time of writing (May 2017)
  • Key pros and cons of each food
  • A breakdown of the Guaranteed Analysis in Dry Matter Basis (See how I calculated this here)
  • A direct link to the manufacturer website
  • A full list of ingredients

Each of these will help round out your understanding of the 5 foods I selected and give you a bit more background to ensure you can make a fully informed decision on which foods will treat your cat the best!


Fromm Game Bird Formula

We’ve tried a wide variety of Fromm formulas in the smaller 5lb bags.  The cats absolutely love every single formula we’ve put down in the past few years, but this one and the Salmon Tunachovy seem to be the biggest hits within our household.  Fromm particularly prides itself on the production quality of the food it makes. All bags are 100% trackable back to the source and come from one of their family owned facilities in Wisconsin. No surprise, they include cheese in a good chunk of their formulas as well.  If quality is your key interest then Fromm is for you.

Average Price Per Pound: $8.99

Pros

  • Incredible quality control
  • Full source tracking of all ingredients
  • Grain Free
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables

Cons

  • By far the most expensive food on the list
  • Small kibble encourages your cat to simply swallow it

 

Link to the Fromm Website

Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance
Category Protein (Min) Fat (Min) Fiber (Max) Moisture (Max)
Value 35.00% 18.00% 6.00% 10.00%
Value in DMB 38.89%  20.00% 6.66% N/A

Full Ingredient List:

Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein,Turkey, Dried Whole Egg,Peas, Chicken Meal, Pea Flour, Dried Tomato Pomace,Potatoes, Chicken Broth,Turkey Liver, Quail, Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Oil, Chicken Fat, Chicken, Pea Fiber,Pheasant, Cheese, Flaxseed,Carrots, Broccoli, Cauliflower,Apples, Green Beans, Chicken Cartilage, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Cranberries,Blueberries, Salt, Chicory Root Extract, Alfalfa Sprouts, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Sodium Selenite, Folic Acid, Parsley,Sorbic Acid (Preservative),Vitamins, Minerals, Probiotics.


Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free

This is a go to healthy food I’ve seen in use in multiple places from the shelter (donated) to my friends’ homes to my own home.  It is at the right price point for every day use and it has an all around great set of ingredients that are all natural. On top of this it doesn’t contain any wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

Average Price Per Pound: $3.17

Pros

  • The second highest protein content on the list
  • Grain free
  • Meat heavy in the top 5 ingredients
  • Helps improve a cat’s skin and coat
  • Contains probiotics

Cons

  • Small kibble encourages your cat to simply swallow it
  • Potatoes can lead to blood sugar spikes
  • Chicken fat isn’t super healthy

 

Link to the Wellness CORE Website

Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance
Category Protein (Min) Fat (Min) Fiber (Max) Moisture (Max)
Value 45.00% 18.00% 3.00% 10.00%
Value in DMB 50.00%  20.00% 3.33% N/A

Full Ingredient List:

Deboned Turkey, Deboned Chicken, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Peas, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Ground Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Chicken Flavor, Salmon Oil, Cranberries, Chicory Root Extract, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols (added to preserve freshness), Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement,  Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Dried Lactobacillus plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.


Acana Wild Atlantic

The first six ingredients of the cat formulation is all animal protein and it all comes from the ocean. If you’ve got a cat that has a craving for seafood then this is definitely the way to go.  This is by far one of Lexi’s favorites. Despite the fact that she vacuums most things up pretty quickly, when we put this down she makes extra attempts to sneak over and get into Beast’s food. This is one of the reasons we have to have the SureFeed Cat Feeder. It stops Lexi from stealing food from Beast.

Average Price Per Pound: $5.48

Pros

  • All 6 of the first products are meat
  • Fresh and local fruits and vegetables
  • Added Taurine to aid vision and heart function
  • Omega oils for healthy skin and coat

Cons

  • The price point is definitely into the premium area
  • Fish typically contain higher mercury levels than other meats

 

Link to the Acana Website

Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance
Category Protein (Min) Fat (Min) Fiber (Max) Moisture (Max)
Value 35.00% 20.00% 4.00% 10.00%
Value in DMB  38.89% 22.22% 4.44% N/A

Full Ingredient List:

Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Whole Redfish, Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal, Herring Meal, Whole Green Peas, Red Lentils, Pinto Beans, Cod Meal, Catfish Oil, Pollock Meal, Chickpeas, Green Lentils, Whole Yellow Peas, Herring Oil, Flounder, Natural Fish Flavor, Sunflower Oil, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Dried Kelp, Freeze-Dried Cod Liver, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Carrots, Apples, Pears, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Choline Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin K, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei


PETCUREAN Go! Fit+ Free Grain Free Chicken

This is the most protein heavy of all of the dry cat foods I managed to track down. The mix is made up of chicken, turkey and duck and is intended to minimize the amount of dry food your cat eats while filling them all the way up. Sound familiar to any of us that have ever dieted?  While it is still important for your cat to drink a constant supply of fresh water, this food is geared toward minimizing dehydration while maximizing protein intake.

Average Price Per Pound: $3.51

Pros

  • Highest amount of protein of any food on the list
  • Pre + Probiotics to aid with digestive health
  • Added Taurine to aid vision and heart function
  • DHA and EPA to help brain and eye development
  • Omega oils for healthy skin and coat
  • Antioxidants to support increased immunity
  • Grain free & Gluten free
  • Zero by-product meals, added growth hormones or artificial preservatives

Cons

  • Potatoes can cause spikes in blood sugar levels

 

Link to the Petcurean Website

Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance
Category Protein (Min) Fat (Min) Fiber (Max) Moisture (Max)
Value 46.00% 18.00% 1.50% 10.00%
Value in DMB 51.11%   20.00%  1.67% N/A

Full Ingredient List:

Chicken meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey, duck meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned trout, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural fish flavour, peas, potatoes, whole dried egg, potato flour, tapioca, de-boned salmon, de-boned duck, salmon oil, pumpkin, apples, carrots, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, lentil beans, broccoli, spinach, cottage cheese, alfalfa, sweet potatoes, blackberries, papayas, pineapple, phosphoric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, DL-methionine, taurine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Aspergillus niger fermentation product, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation product, vitamins (vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, inositol, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper sulphate, calcium iodate, ferrous sulphate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite), yucca schidigera extract, yeast extract, dried rosemary.


Blackwood Chicken Meal & Field Pea* & Link to Chewy.com

If you’re looking for a company that makes excellent food that cats simply love to eat, look no further than Blackwood. Lexi and Beast both absolutely love the food from Blackwood, especially this particular formula.  Beast will chomp this all day if I don’t put some of her other food down first or at least mix it together. It has the added benefit of being the cheapest high quality food on this list and that is actually another reason it one of my favorites.

*This food doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon at the moment so I’ve included a link at Chewy above as well.

Average Price Per Pound: $2.87

Pros

  • Excellent protein content
  • Grain Free
  • All 11 amino acids cats need
  • History of high quality control
  • The kibble is larger forcing both my cats to chew
  • Comes at a great price point
  • Includes Omega Fatty Acids for coat health
  • No artificial flavors or colors

Cons

  • The top 5 ingredients aren’t all protein

 

Link to the Blackwood Website

Guaranteed Analysis For Top 4 Items of Importance
Category Protein (Min) Fat (Min) Fiber (Max) Moisture (Max)
Value 40.00% 18.00% 4.00% 10.00%
Value in DMB  44.44%  20.00%  4.44% N/A

Full Ingredient List:

Chicken Meal, Whitefish Meal, Field Pea, Lentils, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Chick Peas, Egg Product, Tapioca Starch, Brewers Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Oil, Carrots, Celery, Beets, Parsley, Lettuce, Watercress, Spinach, Canola Oil, Lecithin, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Calcium Carbonate, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, Blueberry, Cranberry, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Organic Dried Kelp, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Citric Acid, Folic Acid, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate.


One thing worth keeping in mind is that all 5 of these foods worked well for my cats and my foster cats in some way shape or form. Some of them love all five and some of them are really focused on one in particular. The fact is that with any of the five above you really can’t go wrong, it’s just a matter of preference for you and for your cat. My little grey cat Beast definitely loves the Blackwood, I think in particular cause she gets to crunch on the bigger triangle shaped kibble, but who knows.

I’ve also had plenty of luck mixing them all together into a big bin and then serving them up together so if a cat doesn’t like one they have another to choose from.  I have the luxury of my two resident cats eating pretty much anything I put in front of them even if they do have specific likes. If you don’t have that luck you might need to pick and choose and try different recipes one at a time until you find something they like.

If you can’t make a decision with the information I’ve provided feel free to dig into things in more depth in the following articles:

If you have any other thoughts on selecting the right dry food then please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article or respond to you personally.

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.

Beast in sunny seat large cat window perch

Sunny Seat Large Cat Window Perch Review

Product: Sunny Seat Large Cat Window Perch / Sunny Seat Window Mount Cat Bed

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 4 out of 5

4 stars


Sunny Seat Cat Window Perch Product Overview

The Sunny Seat Cat Window Bed is a product that is designed to serve as a large cat window perch. It will make your cat love you far more than they currently do, especially if you live in a place where your windows provide a good view in the sun. I live in what is called a garden unit in Chicago, this essentially means that more than half of my home is underground. It is great for keeping the place cool in the summer and reducing the heating bill, but it certainly leaves a lot to want for if you’re a cat on a window sill.

Beast in Sunny Seat Large Cat Window PerchThis window bed enabled me to very easily get my cats a vantage point a lot higher than the window sill so they can actually see things passing by at street level, something they relish in.  It also gave them a place to lay right in the sun and fall asleep while still being up high and off the ground, something cats are driven to prefer based on their instincts.  One additional thing they love is the fact that I stuck a see through bird feeder right on the other side of the window so when they are in the bed they can see all of the birds come back and forth to eat. It keeps them engaged and awake for long periods of time.

I never take the bed down through any of the four seasons, so it has gone through numerous temperature fluctuations on the window as well. It only fell down once or twice in the two year period I had it up.  After two years though the suction cups finally gave out permanently and I had to purchase a new one. All in all I’m very happy with the life of the product given the cost.

This is also one of the Best 10 Cat Window Beds that I found in 2017.


How Was the Setup

Setting up the bed was a breeze. It comes with a single page set of instructions that are straight forward.  It essentially asks you to:

  1. Gather all the parts
  2. Construct the 4 piece frame
  3. Slide the bed covering over the frame
  4. Attach the suction cups to the frame
  5. Clean the window well with something like Windex to prepare it
  6. Hang the bed:
    • Firmly push the bottom suction cups into place
    • Hold the frame in place with one hand
    • Use your other hand to stretch the cords out on the top suction cups and firmly push them into place

The Setup in Action:

I’ve created the following video if you want to watch the construction and hanging in action:

I’ve also just included some simple directions with step by step pictures. Either way you should have no trouble:

You can then manually test the bed using your hand by pressing down on it firmly to make sure it doesn’t immediately pop off of the window. This will ensure your cat doesn’t get freaked out by the bed because it falls down the first time they hop themselves up into it.

One additional word to the wise. Do not set the bed up where your cat has to jump into it unless you have no other choice. What I mean is don’t make them hop up 2-3 feet into the bed. While the bed should hold and mine did for a while when setup this way, it will make the suction cups give way a lot easier and could result in an injured & scared cat.


How Do You Get Your Cat To Use It?

It was quite easy to get both of my cats to use the window bed. Since cats are innately curious and love to get themselves into high places they were already exploring right around it as soon as it was installed on the window. The clincher for Beast was simply putting a few of her cat treats in the area and then up on the bed itself. Just like the trail of bread Hansel and Gretel left, Beast found her way up there by looking for each treat and then chomping it down.

Lexi on the other hand was more interested in going wherever Beast went. She started climbing up there once Beast started sleeping up there. It didn’t take long for her to get curious enough and jump up there herself and laze about in the sun for a while, sometimes right on top of Beast.


My General Take:

I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. I’m very happy with the purchase, especially at the very affordable price point you can pick this bed up at.  There are numerous other versions out there, but this one worked incredibly well for me right out of the box.

The Pros:

  • Most importantly, my cats both LOVE IT and it gets used daily.
  • It is incredibly easy to setup & hang.
  • It easily holds either my 8 lb or my 12 lb cat.
  • It has also easily holds both cats at the same time which is over 20 lbs.
  • If you put a lambswool cover in it it is super easy to pop it off and wash it.

Room for Improvement

  • The suction cups will eventually deteriorate and stop working. This is just normal for any sort of rubber or plastic that is perpetually exposed to sunlight. Mine took over two years to do this and the bed simply would not stay in the window anymore. I had to order a whole new bed instead of just suction cups because the manufacturer doesn’t sell them as spare parts and they are custom fitted to the PVC ends.
  • I would caution you to be careful with is if you have a window that looks anything like mine. Windows that have crossbars running through them for decorative or stability purposes might prove difficult to hang the window bed in, simply because the base is not adjustable from a size perspective.

What’s In the Box?

  • The Sunny Seat Cat Window Perch Frame w/ two attached cords
  • The Sunny Seat Cat Window Perch Frame Cover
  • 4 Suction Cups (3.3 inch diameter each)
  • 1 Instruction Guide
  • Product Dimensions: 22″ x 12″ x 1.5″ ( L x W x H )
  • Cord Length: 23″
  • Weight: 1 pound

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much weight can it hold?
    • The product details indicate 30 lbs, though unless you have a very large cat or pair of cats that plan to use it at once I doubt you’d ever need that much weight support. You would also want to be careful of your window itself supporting large amounts of weight like that.
  • How long will the suction cups last?
    • While every person will have a different experience depending on the amount and severity of the sunlight, my suction cups lasted a little over two years of constant use.
  • What if I can’t get the suction cups to stick?
    • Be sure your window is 100% clean and dampen the suction cups and the window very lightly before attempting to stick them on.
    • You can also use an oil like coconut oil to help get the suction cups to adhere if the above doesn’t work for you.
  • Can you buy replacement suction cups?
    • As of right now the manufacturer does not offer suction cups as a separate item.
  • What are the cords made of?
    • The cords are made of steel wire to ensure your cat won’t be able to chew through them.

If you have any other thoughts on the Sunny Seat Large Cat Window Perch 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.

Cat Scratching Post Review

Pioneer Pet SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post Review – It’s Scratching Time!

Product: Pioneer Pet SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

5 stars


Product Overview:

If you have a cat, that cat is going to watch to scratch. And unfortunately they often want to scratch something you don’t want them scratching. The only real exception to cats wanting to scratch is if a cat has been declawed.

While I highly recommend you do not declaw your cat, even cats that have been declawed still tend to exhibit many of the behaviors of cats that do still have their claws, so a scratching post could still come in handy to some extent.

But if you’re wondering why you might need a scratching post, there are a couple of great reasons that cats scratch:

  • To remove layers of old nails from the claws. One of the most prominent reasons cat scratch is because their claws continue growing throughout their lives and they need to remove the old layers to expose the new ones.
  • To exercise and tone muscles. It might not look it, but stretching out and scratching is actually pretty vigorous exercise for your feline friend and helps keep them healthy by working those muscles.
  • To relieve stress, frustration and boredom. Have you ever just wanted to take a walk to stretch your legs? Cats are the same with scratching.
  • To “warm-up” for a vigorous play session. Just like humans, warming up before a big workout is a good idea to avoid injury.
  • To mark territory. This is similar to the way cats rub their face on everything in sight when they are happy and comfortable. The front paws of every cat contain scent glands and when they scratch something it leaves behind their scent on the object being scratched.

So Why Buy A Scratching Post?

The most simple reason to purchase a scratching post is to avoid the frustration and the cost of damage caused by your cat scratching other things in your house. Cats without an appropriate scratching post or surface will scratch anything from your molding to your door to your couch to your carpet.

Not only will they do this constantly, but the damage will mount quickly and the costs can be astronomical, especially if you own nice furniture or live in a place that has a large security deposit you might end up losing.

Bottom line, buying a high quality scratching post can help save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run by providing an approved place for your cat to scratch.


My General Take:

I highly recommend this post for you and your cats, it gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I tried various other smaller posts as well as several horizontal scratchers that lay on the floor.

To say the least I had nowhere near the same interest or success with getting my cats or any of my foster cats to use them on a consistent basis.

Beast Using the Smartcat Ultimate Scrathing Post

Unfortunately a lot of other posts also run the same if not more from a cost perspective and just don’t seem to be as effective. You can see Beast, my smaller cat, really getting a fully stretch while scratching the post up.

She loves it and uses it just in passing all the time.  There’s plenty of room at the top for a larger cat to get a good full stretch in as well.


What’s In the Box:

  • The Post Itself – 32 inches tall
  • The Post Base – 16×16
  • Two Screws – Used to attach the base to the post

How Is the Setup?Smartcat Scratching Post setup

One of the easiest cat products to build that I have ever encountered. It has two screws and you basically screw the base into the actual post.  It doesn’t get much easier than this unless it comes fully assembled.


Anything Else to Consider?

  • The post is incredibly durable and allows your cats to get a full stretch. At a little over 32 inches tall this makes sure even big cats are able to fully stretch out vertically while they scratch. Shorter products are often shunned by larger cats because it doesn’t allow them to get this full body stretch.
  • The scratching material is sisal, widely considered one of the best possible materials for cats to scratch.
  • The coloring is neutral and should fit in with almost any decor. If not you can place it somewhere out of sight once your cats get used to it, they’ll seek it out.
  • The base is very wide at 16” x 16” which ensures that even larger cats don’t have trouble with it tipping and wobbling.

 Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Will this be a good replacement for my cat that scratches X? X could be anything from a chair to a door frame to couch.
    • The short answer is this is a good scratching post that can be a replacement for almost anything your cat is currently scratching. That being said simply buying the post and putting it typically won’t automatically result in your cat switching scratching targets.
    • You’ll probably have to help shift your cats attention and reward them for using the post instead of whatever they currently use.
  • How do I teach my cat to use it?
    • I have a whole separate post on getting your cat to stop scratching things you don’t want them to scratch, but a few quick thoughts:
      • The material it is made of, sisal, naturally entices your cats to keep scratching. Once they try it once that might be all it takes.
      • Place the post near whatever your cat currently uses as a primary scratching target.
      • Play with your cat near the post, especially with wand toys that might get them to bat at or around the post.
      • Reward your cat for using the post with treats or whatever motivates your cat.
      • Rub catnip into the post so it becomes a self-rewarding activity to scratch the catnip out of the post.
  • Is it good for multiple cats?
    • Yes, it easily accommodates multiple cats and is durable enough to last a good long time with multiple cats using it daily.

Wrapping It Up

If you have used the SmartCat scratcher and had good luck or bad luck with it then please leave a comment below. If you have any additional items you’d like to see added to this post then please comment below or directly email me at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update the information here.

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.

Surefeed Micochip Feeder - Open and Close

SureFeed Microchip Feeder Review – You’ll Love It

Surefeed Micochip Feeder Review

Product: SureFeed Microchip Feeder

Cheapest Place to Buy: Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

4.5 stars

 

 


SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Product Overview

The SureFeed Microchip Feeder is a product that is designed to serve two basic purposes:

  1. To only allow certain animals to access the food inside it.
  2. To keep the food inside the feeder fresh/sealed.

The feeder works on a simple premise. Any cat that has a microchip can be ‘keyed’ to the feeder and then when that cat gets nearby the feeder it will pop open to allow them access. When that cat steps away the feeder will close up again blocking access to other pets.  Note that the feeder can hold up to 32 microchip IDs at the same time, so even if you have a boatload of cats you should still be able to grant all of them access to a single feeder if that is your desire.


Why Would I Need That?

The first time I saw this online I had just gotten my first cat Beast. I thought to myself ‘What would you ever need something like that for?’ and that ‘Only people who spoil their pets beyond belief would get something like this.’ Apparently I was wrong on the latter and I quickly realized why I might need it.

There are a couple of reasons you might want this, but the primary reason is to control which pets can get to which food so you can easily manage the amount they eat on a daily basis.  In my house we have two cats, Lexi and Beast. Lexi is super food motivated and acts like a Hoover when food gets set down. Not only did this cause her to quickly gain weight, over two pounds in about six months, it also caused our other cat Beast to get far less food because Lexi kept eating it all!

Beast on the other hand exacerbated the issue because Beast is a grazer, she eats a bunch of micro meals through out the day. She stops in for a few crunches, walks away, stops back in an hour later, walks away.  We couldn’t just put them in separate rooms for 30 minutes to eat and then let them go free the rest of the day. Beast would barely eat anything this way because we’d have to pick up her food when we let her out so Lexi wouldn’t eat it.


Surefeed Micochip Feeder - Function ButtonsSo How Does the Feeder Solve the Problem?

There’s a small button on the back of the feeder that let’s you quickly ‘Add’ a cat to the feeder (see the cat with the + sign). Essentially you push this button and then put food in the feeder. When your cat comes to the feeder and eats from it the feeder will ‘learn’ the microchip ID and log it to memory for all time, even if the batteries get pulled out.  Pretty cool right?

Now every time that cat comes back to the feeder it will pop open and if they step away it will close back up. Only that cat can open the feeder until/unless you add another.  If you want to add additional cats you can just go through the same process again with another cat, up to 32 cats.  Super easy, it only takes a few seconds!


How Do You Train Your Cat To Use the Feeder?

Surefeed Micochip Feeder - Open and CloseOnce the microchip ID has been learned you can very easily start the training process for your cat. Training process?!? What training process? Some cats don’t require the training process at all, but some are a little bit skittish because the feeder makes a little bit of noise when it opens and closes.

My cat Beast is a giant wimp and runs from most things that make noise, but it only ended up taking her about 2 days of the training process to learn how to use the feeder. The training process basically modifies how much the lid the moves when your cat gets near the feeder. The first step moves it only a tiny bit so it makes only a little noise. As your cat progresses through training the lid will move more and more close to closing and opening completely.

This was incredibly easy for me with a very skittish little furball, so I imagine even if your cat is quite easily startled you shouldn’t have much problem at all. Once training is done, you’re done. You just fill the feeder like you would your cats regular bowl and set it down!


My General Take:

I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. I’m very happy with the purchase despite initially thinking it was quite expensive. The simple fact of the matter is, if my food motivated cat Lexi gets overweight and then sick because of it…the cost of treating her will far outweigh the investment in a decent feeder that stops her from stealing food from Beast.

The Pros:

  • It is super easy to setup & train your cat to use, even a skittish cat.
  • It works beautifully and keeps my grazer’s food safe and fresh.
  • My food motivated cat Lexi has lost the bulk of the weight she gained.
  • There is zero material difference in the time required to feed my cats.

Room for Improvement

  • Wet food tends to stick to the moving lid which is more of an annoyance than anything. It is easily cleaned off with a damp cloth.
  • The bowls are plastic and not dishwasher or microwave safe, though many people put them through the dishwasher anyway with no issue.

Surefeed Micochip Feeder - All the PiecesWhat’s In the Box?

  • The SureFeed Microchip Feeder
  • 2 bowls custom fit to the feeder
    • One bowl is split down the middle and one is not
    • Each bowl holds about 2 cups of food
  • A small removable mat to make cleaning up easier
  • 1 MicroChip Tag to attach to a cat collar to use if your cat doesn’t have a chip already (not pictured)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many cats can you associate?
    • 32 cat microchips can be associated.
  • What batteries does it take?
    • 4 C Batteries, they aren’t included.
  • How long do the batteries last?
    • Mine have lasted over six months without issue and it is used daily.
  • What if I have lots of cats and my cats aren’t Microchipped?
  • What if I have a big cat?
    • If you have a large cat like a Maine Coon, you might need to set it on top of something to raise it off the floor. Otherwise your cat might have difficulty leaning down under the arch that identifies the microchip to open the feeder.
  • Does this product control the release of food?
    • No, it just controls which pets can access the food. If you need a feeder that controls the amount of food released because your cat gorges itself then you’ll need to look into an auto feeder.
  • Can I buy more bowls?
    • Yes, you can buy more of the fitted bowls. You can also easily buy small stainless steel bowls that fit under the lid and are dishwasher safe.
  • How loud is it?
    • If you can avoid it I would definitely not keep it in your bedroom or any room you sleep in. While it isn’t horribly loud, it would definitely wake a light sleeper up in the same room as it opens and closes.

If you have any other thoughts on the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder  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.

how to stop kitty litter tracking

How to Stop Cat Litter Tracking – A Comprehensive Guide

stop litter in its tracks

While not all cats use litter, the bulk of them certainly do.  It is usually the easiest way for us humans to provide a good place for the cats to relieve themselves. But litter can be a pain in the neck. Anyone who has picked up a couple 40+ pound bags of litter can relate.

The biggest hassle though, is litter tracking. You’re walking around on your nice clean floor and ugh…You now have litter stuck all over the bottom of your feet. Gross, and it can be really painful too. Or probably the worst, when you find a streak of something on your table or counter.

Let’s dig into how to stop cat litter tracking for good.


The Litter Box – Get The Right One

While litter ends up all over your house for multiple reasons, the biggest one is often the litter box itself. The biggest reason is just that the litter box doesn’t contain it when your cat decides to kick litter everywhere.

Most traditional litter boxes only have walls that stand 5 or 6 inches. This means when your kitty tries to bury their business they end up scattering litter all over. Once it is on the floor it will track it all over the place. You’ll want to consider a couple of options to help alleviate this problem:

  1. A high sided litter box – High sided boxes help minimize litter being kicked out. This is a rather simple upgrade, but there is a dip in the front of most high sided litter boxes that still leaves a gap for litter to get booted through. There are a wide variety of them to choose from and they can make a significant difference if your cat isn’t a big kicker.
  2. A fully enclosed litter box – A fully enclosed litter box uses a top that will help contain kicked litter to a higher degree as it also includes a flap or a door that will ensure even less litter sneaks out. If you do decide to get a box with a top I’d also be sure to get one where the top itself raises upward. This makes it significantly easier to scoop.
  3. A top entry litter box – I’ve never used one, but there are top entry litter boxes made by a few companies, the one I’ve seen reviewed the highest is from a company called CleverCat (and is much cheaper than the Modkat “brandname” version). The general idea is that since your cat needs to enter/exit through the top they are forced to jump up onto the roof of the box on the way out. This will shake off a good chunk of any littler stuck to your cat and also completely limit any litter from slipping out the sides.

Get a Litter Trapping Mat:

While a high sided box or a fully enclosed box is the first step, it typically won’t stop litter tracking completely. There are mats that are custom designed to trap litter as your cat exits the litter box. Here are comprehensive reviews of the most well known:

A good mat is imperative. It’ll do way more than any regular rug you can find because of the special design, they are also a heck of a lot easier to empty than your traditional rugs.


Consider the Litter:

That rhymes and you know it rhymes. But in all seriousness, litter itself comes in a bunch of different forms. Your standard clumping litter is the most likely type to stick to your cat and get tracked out of the box.

You might consider switching to another litter. If you do decide to make a switch be sure to read up on switching out your litter gradually. While some cats are fine with a quick switch, most aren’t too happy if you switch litters on them all of a sudden.

  1. Crystals – As opposed to clumping up, crystals essentially absorb urine and control odor for a period of time. While crystals have benefits, you do have to completely replace them quite often (weekly or every two weeks) depending on the number of cats you have. This can get quite a bit more expensive than traditional litter.
  2. Paper – Paper based litter is similar to crystals in that it is focused on absorbing urine and controlling the scent. It is normally easy to see which bits have been used based on color/size, but you can end up scooping out a lot of it that you don’t mean to since it doesn’t clump. This can get pricy longer term since you can end up wasting unused litter.
  3. Pine – Pine litters in general are an alternative to clay, but based on all of the information I’ve seen to date they have similar tracking problems. If odor control is a higher priority you might consider this.
  4. Go ‘Litterless’ – There are a few systems out there that don’t use any actual litter, but instead use things a combination of a water hookup from your toilet and ‘fake’ litter that then gets flushed away. The most common one is a CatGenie.

Trimming Paw Fur:

While this is probably a last resort, and should be handled by a professional unless you have a super relaxed cat, you can get the fur between your cats paw pads shortened up. With long haired cats especially, this can be one of the biggest reasons that litter gets stuck to their feet.  Shortening the hair up a bit can help keep the litter sticking to a minimum.


clean up the rogue litter

Clean Up the Rogue Cat Litter

All of these methods will inch you toward a tracking free household, but very likely you’ll still get a few little bits here and there outside the litter box.

If you’ve got wood or tile floors keep a broom and a dustpan nearby and sweep the area on a consistent basis.

If a broom won’t work consider a dust buster.  My wife and I have The Shark and it does a great job not only for litter, but also for cat hair as well. The more you confine the mess the less it’ll get out and about!


Changing the Game Completely

Now there is one other option available for those of you that wish transcend us mere mortals that still use litter on a daily basis. Cats, especially younger cats, can be trained to actually use the toilet. I have never even attempted this method, but you can find details on such methods in a couple of different places:

You really shouldn’t attempt this if your cat is older or if they might have any injuries because it can make it way too difficult for the cat to get up onto the toilet. This is also noted as a long and arduous process, so it isn’t for the faint of heart.  One last thing to keep in mind, in general cats don’t flush, so you might constantly be finding stuff in your toilet….


Wrapping it Up on How to Stop Cat Litter Tracking

  • The biggest reason cat litter gets everywhere is it gets out of the litter box, do your best to get a more enclosed space for your kitty to do their business
  • Get yourself a great specially designed litter mat that will trap and hold litter
  • Clean up the space around your litter box(es) on a daily basis
  • You can always consider training your cat to use the toilet if you want to avoid litter completely

If you have any other thoughts on how to stop cat litter tracking then 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.

What do I need to adopt a cat?

What Do I Need to Adopt A Cat – Product Breakdown

If you’re in the process of adopting a cat you’re going to want to know all of the things you might need for your cat before you bring him or her home.  But you might have never had a cat before and you might be asking yourself “What do I need to adopt a cat?” This post is directed toward helping you identify a breakdown of specific products that fall into each category outlined in my Cat Adoption Kit post. If you don’t know what types of stuff you need yet or why you might need it you might want to read that post first.  If you’ve already read it and you’re ready for a breakdown of great products then please continue on below!

Here’s a quick list of all of the things you need, feel free to click the link to get to that exact product on the page:

  1. Litter Box
  2. Cat Litter
  3. Litter Genie
  4. Litter Scoop
  5. Cat Food
  6. Bowls
  7. Cat Carrier
  8. Scratching Equipment
  9. Nail Clippers
  10. Brush

Do note as you move through all of these different products and links that these are based on my own opinion on these products.  They may not be as effective with some cats as they are with others, but in general I’ve recommended what I think will be best with your average cat!  If you have any questions or any comments then please do let me know below!

1. Litter Box

The litter box is a clear essential for any cat. Let’s look at a couple of different options you have available from a litter box perspective:

Budget Mid Range Expensive Top of the Line

Nature’s Miracle High-Sided Litter Box

Hagen CatIt Hooded Cat Litter Box

Modkat Litter Box Kit

Litter-Robot

The Fully Automated Litter Robot

 This is your basic high sided litter box. It will help contain litter a heck of a lot better than a standard low sided one and it is cheap to boot. A great product at a great price. For those looking for a bit more cover up and a fully enclosed space for both odor control and additional litter control this is a great option. It is also a very affordable option. The Modkat litter box is specifically designed to help control litter tracking. I’ll have a comprehensive post on litter tracking control soon. It is a pricy investment, but if litter tracking is an issue for your cat it is certainly worth considering. The Litter Robot is fully automated . It handles itself for an entire week and all you do is change the bag out. It is a wonderful invention and takes the hassle out of owning a cat! If you click the link above you’ll also save $25 dollars off of the price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Cat Litter

Clumping Non Clumping Crystals

Precious Cats Clumping Litter

Fresh Scent Clay Scented

 

Just the Crystals

Clumping litter is probably the most standard litter out there. It absorbs moisture to form clumps and makes it easier to scoop, but it can also stick to your cats feet and hair in the process resulting in tracking (dragging litter out of the box into the house). Non Clumping litter is intended to help solve the problem of tracking, but it does tend to make scooping a bit more of a hassle because not everything will ‘stick together’ as you scoop. Crystals are a good alternative to litter, but they function based on absorbing cat urine and you have to just scoop poop off the top. While they are great to avoid tracking my personal experience is they start to smell bad after a week or so and require replacement. It can get expensive to constantly replace crystals.

3. Litter Genie

The One and Only Litter Genie

The Litter Genie
By far the best investment you can make in litter cleanup if you are still scooping manually! This is a life saver in saving you trips back and forth to the garbage can and dropping litter everywhere.

4. Litter Scoop

Budget (Plastic) Mid Range (Metal) My Favorite (Metal)

Petmate Ultimate Litter Scoop

Endurance Stainless Steel Scoop
Duranimals DuraScoop
Plastic scoops work well and get the job done, but over time they will start to crack and break and you’ll have to go get another. The is especially true in a large/deep litter box where the scoop will flex more toward the back. Metal scoops are far sturdier and will take a much better beating over the long haul. This scoop in particular is completely made of stainless steel so it lasts well, but the handle isn’t as comfy as a rubber covered one. This is an excellent scoop. It has a super comfortable handle and more importantly, it has lasted an extremely long time being used on a daily basis. I highly recommend this scoop!

 

5. Cat Food

Option 1 Wet Food Option 2 Wet Food  Dry Food

Purina Fancy Feast Variety Pack

Muse Natural Grain Free

Science Diet Indoor Dry Cat Food

 This is a go to option to get some variety in a large package. This makes sure you get a lot for your money, but you don’t get all the same thing which might bore your cat.  This option is grain free and there are a wide variety of flavors available. I’ve found the Ocean Whitefish is one the favorites in my house. This is one of my go to foods when I bring home a new foster cat that is in adult. They typically love it and it is at an affordable price point.

One additional note on food. In general cats tend to like variety in their food. If you feed them the same thing over and over then they will often get bored of it and sometimes stop eating it. New cats might also have a specific taste for some kind of food or another. You should definitely ask the rescue/shelter what type of food the cat has been eating in the past and buy some of that. If not, I highly recommend trying a wide selection of different foods as opposed to buying a ton of one specific kind.

 

6. Bowls

Stainless Steel Bowls

Stainless Steel Bowl Set

 This bowl set is super easy to clean, it is super durable, and it holds plenty of food or water for your cat. These are my favorite bowls by far. Steer clear of glass, it chips and can cut or your cat you long term.

7. Cat Carrier

Soft Carrier Option 1 Soft Carrier Option 2

Amazon Basics Soft Carrier

PawFect Soft Pet Carrier
The basic carrier was the first carrier I ever had. It works great, especially if you only transport your cat to the vet and back for the most part. Once we got a second cat we needed a bit larger of a carrier and a second one in case both cats had to travel at the same time. This was a slight upgrade in cost, but it is far more comfy inside and the carrying strap is far more comfortable in my opinion.

Note that I don’t specifically recommend hard carriers. Plenty of people use them, but I’ve personally not found any need for a hard carrier and they are a much more difficult item to break down and store in a small space. I would personally avoid them unless you need something that might go in the back of a car where something could potentially fall on top of it. This is just a personal preference.

 

8. Scratching Equipment

Vertical Scratching Post Horizontal Post

SmartCat Ultimate Scratching Post

 
Cat Scratching Board
Hands down the best scratching post I’ve had. It is tall enough for most any cat, has lasted for years, and it is easy to rub cat nip into it to keep the cats using it instead of the carpet. This kind of board works really well in the case that your cat doesn’t like something standing up. Every cat is different, but I’ve found most prefer vertical scratching posts.

If you have any questions on how to ensure your cat uses the scratching post please check out my post on ensuring your cat doesn’t scratch up your furniture.

 

9. Nail Clippers

Cheap & Effective Clippers

Safari Professional Nail Clippers
These are some of the cheapest clippers on the market and they are remarkably durable and effective. I highly recommend them.

10. Brush

General Use Cat Brush Extra In Depth Removal

ChirpyCats Cat Brush

The Furminator

This is a great general cat brush. If your cat doesn’t much like being brushed, this will help you pull off the loose hair and decrease shedding to some extent. The Furminator is by far my favorite brush. Just like its name says, it basically terminates stray or shedding hairs. My cats absolutely love it. I have one for the short hair and one for the long haired cat.

 

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.

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