Everyone say hello to Milo! Milo comes submitted to use from reddit user Nayruna.
Milo is a 7 year old half Turkish Van, his family got him when he was only 5 weeks old. This was due to a bad breeder and being an inexperienced youngster who didn’t know that they should wait to be 8-12 weeks before being removed from their mother.
Nayruna believes this may be the reason Milo is a very odd cat, but doesn’t love him any less and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nayruna went to a house that had 5 kittens. Milo was the one she wasn’t interested in because he had “weird” face markings, markings which she now affectionately refer to as his “ginger moustache.” She admits she was young and silly at the time!
After sitting with all the kittens and trying to decide which one she wanted Milo came up to her. She decided to indulge the little weirdo and play with some string.
Milo played with her and looked directly into her eyes as he was on his back on the floor. None of the other kittens had done that.
Nayruna heard a DING in her head and she knew Milo was the one for her. She even slept with him on the floor of his safe room in his new house for a week so he wouldn’t be alone!
After raising Milo they realized he was odd as he started to get older, some attributes they found were standard of the Turkish Van. For example, he LOVES to roll in the dust, he comes in filthy in the summer.
And he used to sit on the side of the bath and watch his humans every time they’d bathe because he likes water. It was a little unsettling at first!
Because he was un-socialised as a kitten he is a big wimp, he doesn’t like to fight at all. Instead he runs away with wide eyes! Strangely enough he hates the wind, it scares him very much. He also cannot hunt anything except butterflies.
He doesn’t know what to do with birds at all. That’s not to say he hasn’t brought his humans their fair share of presents. A few of the more interesting things he’s brought between his teeth are an old sausage from the house next door and a plastic bag he found somewhere.
He was especially proud of the plastic bag.
Sometimes Milo plays fetch with sticks and he gets a big bushy tail when he’s excited and getting lots of attention. He also doesn’t meow and instead hurls his entire body against the door when he wants to be let inside.
This was a trick he learned after he was accidentally locked outside as a kitten, many a quiet night in has been disturbed by the rumbling of the front door on it’s hinges.
But Milo’s humans love him and his weird ways and they know we are partly responsible for them. They always make sure he gets told that he’s the best cat in the world and that they love him.
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Nayruna for submitting Milo as Cats of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This weeks we have two kittens as our Cats of the Week. Everyone meet Rory and Briar! They were submitted to us by Matt through reddit! See the cutest video of them at the bottom of the post!
Theses kittens are 4 weeks old. They were born around the 22 of April. They were in a litter of 7 but unfortunately only 2 made it through.
The mostly white boy is Briar. The mostly orange female is Rory. The mum is Rose. They were surrendered to The Cat Rescue Network based in Ottawa.
Matt is their foster. They were brought to him a couple of week ago. Rose was super skinny at first, but she’s really starting to put on weight. She’s a little shy and protective of her kittens. She has her own room with the kittens so she doesn’t get stressed.
The kittens are lovely. They are starting to explore on their own and play with each other. They’ve been getting along well with Matt’s cat Pebbles and the two dogs who are boarded with them. The dogs a 12 year old boxer / lab mix and a 9 year old poodle / labradoodle.
Matt thinks that Rose will be best suited for a quieter home, but he think the kittens will grow up well adjusted to a busier home.
As with any rescued kittens they are very fortunate to have been snatched up and brought to safety.
They now have a roof over their head and food in their bellies after such a hard road.
Matt (and I) both look forward to the day when they go home to their new families. They’ll be ready for visitors in just a few days now. Kittens get adopted quickly but Rose might be with Matt for a while longer.
For everyone reading, please do keep in mind that rescues work really hard to keep their doors open. The The Cat Rescue Network works almost exclusively on donations and adoption fees for veterinary care.
They are made up on a series of foster homes and there’s no building and so very little overhead. The money goes to care for the cats. If you would like to donate to the Cat Rescue Network then check out this link: http://www.catrescuenetwork.org/donate2.html
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Matt for submitting Rory and Briar as this week’s Cats of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This week’s cat of the week and Memorial Day Cat of the Day is Nala! Nala comes submitted to us from Nick and Chelsea in Michigan!
Nala is a 7-year-old cat who just found her furever home a few years ago. Prior to her current family she was in an environment with tiny dogs that would steal her food constantly. When she first joined her new family she would gorge her food as she used to have to fight for a meal.
She would eat so fast that often she would get sick and then not receive the nutrients from her food. Her new parents were first time cat owners so they had no clue what to do. A quick trip to the vet gave them a few options:
Option number one was to place food in small containers around the house so that she could learn to “graze”
Option two was to feed her in her same feeding location multiple times per day in smaller portions
After a little research her new parents bought her an automatic feeder (this one in particular)! The automatic feeder worked wonders. She is fed 4 times a day and even leaves some food in her bowl when she is full. If you are wondering about how often you should feed your cat, you can check out this article that covers the topic.
Now that Nala is not worried about her next meal she is fully enjoying life! One of her favorite activities includes sitting at “her” window and scoping out all the wildlife on the other side. Nala’s house has tons of wildlife around, including rabbits. Look closely and you’ll see the bunny too!
Nala’s other activities include playing with her various toys like her fishing pole, her chirping bird toy and playing with the laser pointer. She also adores cuddling with her humans. Speaking of cuddling, she is still quite shy, probably because of her neglectful former family, she only cuddles with her parents.
Her parents’ friends all want to meet the newest addition to their family, but Nala does not comply. She took a long time to warm up to her parents and does not trust anyone else. Even with just cuddling with her parents she gets plenty of cuddles in.
Her humans often wake up with Nala smack dab in the middle of their chest waiting for pets. Her humans like to think that she is there because Nala loves them so much, but it could entirely be because Nala is heat obsessed. So much so that her humans got her a heated cat bed. If you’re interested you can check out some of the finest heated cat beds here, Nala uses this one specifically.
Nala’s humans hope that she lives a nice long life because they absolutely love her to death. Cheers to many more cuddly nights!
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Nick and Chelsea for submitting Nala as this week’s Cat of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This week’s Cat of the Week is Smokey and comes to us from Reddit user rawrimaliz, thanks so much for your submission!
rawrimaliz got Smokey in September 2013 when he was 4 months out from a friend’s farm. She got him to be the little brother to her and her husband’s other cat, Bandit. They both had other gray kitties as children that they loved very much and when they saw Smokey he reminded them so much of their childhood cats that they chose him right away.
Smokey is definitely a snuggly kitty! He will hop up on anyone’s lap for pets and cuddles, but as soon as you get up he’s going to steal your seat!
He can also be very passive aggressive and will let you know if you’re not giving him enough attention by knocking over anything he can get his little paws on too. He loves to sit by the patio doors, soak up the warmth of the sunshine and watch the birds fly by. I bet he’d love a window bed!
Smokey’s other hobbies include laying all over his human mom’s yarn and projects, trying to sneak into his human baby brother’s room, and running his laps around the house. He really enjoys play-fighting with his big brother, he will randomly walk up to him and sit on him.
Though Smokey is a very lovable cat, he is the reason we can’t have house plants. He lays in or tries to eat every one we’ve ever tried having, even cacti. For anyone else reading, be sure your house plants are cat safe!
Despite his affinity for house plant destruction everyone in the family loves Smokey so much. They can’t wait for the years ahead with him, and for him to be the gray kitty to their son, like they had as children.
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Smokey for gracing us as this week’s Cat of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Everyone knows that cats simply love lazing about in the sun. They do it all the time. If I could do it all the time I probably would too, seems like a pretty sweet deal. This is an awesome video of my cat Lexi enjoying her cat window bed more than I’ve ever enjoyed any bed ever:
Not only do cat window beds provide a wonderful place to sleep, they have the benefit of not taking up space on the floor like a cat castle. If you’re cramped for space (I’m looking at you city dwellers) then a cat window bed can be a very wise investment.
You’ll also be providing a nice solid view of the great outdoors for your feline friend. If your cat normally sleeps all day on your bed and keeps you up at night then a window bed might help alleviate this behavior.
When your cat is in the window they’ll be watching everything that passes by with a keen eye ensuring that when the lights go out later they’ll be ready to sleep. If they still don't sleep at night check out these 17 tips to help get your cat to sleep when you do.
So if you’re looking for an awesome way to let your cat relax in the sun then check out a quick rundown of the best window beds on the market.
There’s a reason this window bed tops the list, it is the first of its kind and they have continued to improve it over the years to ensure they provide a top of the line product. It is hands down the most reliable standard window bed on the market and is rightly dubbed the ‘Worlds Best Cat Window Bed’ by the creator.
The Original Kitty Cot does a stellar job of providing your cat a spot to relax in the sun, there’s really no reason to look elsewhere unless you have a uniquely shaped window or a different need like a multi cat window bed. The key features of the Kitty Cot include:
The bed mounts to windows using four gigantic suction cups & provides a 26″ x 14″ relaxation area
The Kitty Cot is rated for a 25 pound cat, but it can probably hold more as each cup holds 15 pounds
This is the only bed I’ve found that is Humane Society Approved
The Kitty Cot is super easy to clean with soap and water if necessary
The frame is made of PVC plastic pipes and fittings so it is durable but also super light weight
The fabric that slips over the frame is rugged and has lasted through tons of use from my cats
Kitty Cot uses stainless steel support to ensure there’s not concern from a safety or durability standpoint
"Makes my cat feel just like Alladin on a magic carpet ride!
As with any window bed, you'll need to consistently check the suction cups and make sure not too many of your cats climb into them at once.
This is The Ultimate Cat Perch. And to be clear, while it is awesome, that is its name, not my opinion on it! This perch provides the same kind of space for a cat to sleep on, but notice the support comes from underneath the bed instead of on top of the bed. This is what makes it a perch as opposed to a typical window bed.
Key features worth noting are:
It is incredibly safe for your cat because there are no wires for cats to get tangled in like many beds
The fabric is made for outdoors so not only is it durable, but it’ll maintain a tight fit and ensure there is no sagging so your cat has a solid landing surface
You’ve got 4 giant 3.25” patented suction cups that can hold up to 80 pounds which means increased stay-on reliability
The frame is made of thick walled tubing so it won’t bend or warp over time
A glued frame ensures that it won’t come apart during regular use, many other options aren’t glued together
It is made in the USA
"Excellent design and doesn't even sag one bit with my 20 pound Maine Coon hanging out in it"
The real claim to fame on this particular bed is that it is supported from below, instead of above, which also means it can easily fold up against the window. This means that the bulk of the strain and weight is pushed downward against the window instead of pulling downward on the suction cups above.
While not a huge different in overall functionality it does remove the ability for your cat to push against the suction cup chords/bars while they are sleeping on or laying in the bed which can help decrease the likelihood of the cat pulling the suction cups off.
Key features worth paying attention go:
Features support from below instead of above and folds flush to the window
Comes in two sizes for varying numbers of cats
Rated to hold up to 50 pounds of cat, that's a lot of cat!
Super easy to assemble and hang, you can do it in minutes
The cover is 100% machine washable so you can easily keep it clean
Comes in three different colors: tan, gold and grey
Comes in at a very affordable price
"My big fluff ball absolutely loves it, and if it can hold him it can hold anything!"
You have to be careful when you collapse it against the window as it could slam into it and break it
K&H Manufacturing has totally changed the game when it comes to window mounted beds. The most traditional form was always a few suction cups and a cloth fabric on a PVC frame.
K&H really broke the mold when they took one single piece of plastic and simply attached the whole thing right to the window with a couple of suction cups. On top of this the sill is pretty darn comfy for cats. Let’s take a look at key features:
3 industrial strength suction cups mount the whole sill directly to the window
It is totally open on the top for easy access for your cat(s)
The weight limit here is up to 60 pounds, that’s even a bump up from the Oster 50 pound bed
It comes with a comfy cat bed / pad that drops right inside the sill and that is 100% washable
The sleeping surface is 18″ long by 6″ wide, note that’s half the width of standard mount beds
You’ll need a space about 30″ long by 14″ tall to successfully mount the bed, so do measure your window first
If you have an extra large window you could mount numerous beds almost like shelves up a wall
"My cat saw this and thought to himself 'If I fits, I sits.' and that's what he did.
There have been some complaints about the small plastic pins that attach the suction cups to the plastic breaking. They can be replaced manually, but K&H doesn't provide an alternative.
As mentioned above, K&H has really changed the game up when it comes to window beds for cats. This one isn’t so much a bed so much as it is a pod or a bubble that is attached to create a fully enclosed space for your cat to relax in.
Very similar to the other version, this mounts on most any window with a set of super high quality suction cups, the key difference here is that it your cat will be mostly shut off from anything indoors and can totally focus up on what’s going on outside. Key features include:
4 industrial strength suction cups mount the whole pod directly to the window
It is mostly closed off to keep your cat in a nice safe spot where they have a view outdoors
The weight limit here is up to 60 pounds, though it is hard for more than one cat to get in it
It comes with a comfy cat bed / pad that drops right inside the sill and that is 100% washable
The sleeping surface is 18″ long by 7″ wide, note that’s half the width of standard mount beds
You’ll need a space about 30″ long by 24″ tall to successfully mount the bed, so measure first
With an extra large window you could mount numerous pods to create a sort of step system up to the top
"Nice and roomy, even my Ragdoll fits in without problem, but my 4 month old kitten loves it most!
Now this is where the real fun comes in, K&H has taken things to a whole new level with this particular model. The other window beds above all only have a single level. This particular model has a base level and then a second layer on top.
You could consider it a Duplex Up for those of you that are city dwellers. On top of this, it is designed to handle a massive amount of weight so it could easily accommodate two cats without problem. Key features include:
6 industrial strength suction cups mount the two levels directly to the window
A steel frame that is designed to hold up to 100 lbs of cat(s) – That’s a lot of cat!
The is also designed to fold right up into the window so you can close the shades without taking it down (see video @ 1:10)
It comes with a comfy cat bed / pad that drops right inside the sill and that is 100% washable
The sleeping surface is 23″ long by 12″ wide, note that is times two, one for each level
You’ll need a space about 24″ long by 30″ tall to successfully mount the bed, so do measure first
Check out this awesome video for more details on this innovative design:
"The perfect fit for our multi cat home, no more battles over who gets to look out the window and be comfy!
The Sunny Seat Cat Cat Bed is designed for cats large and small. 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.
Living in a garden unit in Chicago, this bed lets both of my cats see out the window up at street level. This keeps them entertained when I’m not around because they have people, birds, dogs & even other cats to keep an eye on. This bed is loaded with great features to keep your cat happy and safe:
It uses 4 large suction cups to latch onto the window and keep it in place
It is rated to hold up to 30 pounds, I’ve had both of my cats in it at the same time and that is a combined weight of about 22 pounds
It is a great size that will fit most windows, it comes in at 22″ inches in length and about 12″ inches in width
It comes with a nice washable piece of lambs wool that you can place in the bed for extra comfort
The cover for the frame is 100% machine washable as is the lambs wool
I have left it up through multiple seasons where it is exposed to changing window temps and constant abuse from the sun, it took over 2 years before the suction cups finally gave out
This is definitely one of the more affordable cat window beds on the market
My cats constantly rub their faces against the wires and nibble on them, there’s no sign of fraying or damage
The CO-Z Kitty Window Bed is a slight variation on a common design. They key difference that CO-Z Kitty brings to the table is in the material of the frame and the actual bedding. This particular bed has a very nice steel frame in comparison to many of the beds on the market that are made of PVC.
Not only does this make it feel a lot more sturdy than its PVC counterparts, but it also carries a much higher weight capacity than the bulk of the beds on the market. The material the bedding is made of is also extremely durable to ensure it lasts for an extended period of time. Key features include:
4 heavy-duty suction cups that are rated to hold up to 88 pounds, the bed itself is recommended to hold 40 pounds just for the sake of safety
The frame is made of solid steel as opposed to the more common PVC versions
The bedding itself is made of Dacron, the same material sailboat sails are made of, it is extremely strong and lightweight & UV proof which is perfect for the sun
The bedding wraps around the frame super easily for installation or for temporary removal for cleaning
Built in folding capability without removing it from the window for easy use of the blinds
The size of the resting area is 23.6” in length by 13.4” in width
If you’re looking for something even more novel than the other items K&H has brought to the market then you might consider this. The K&H EZ Mount Cat Scratcher is basically a combination of a window bed with a cardboard cat scratcher. In reality, the scratcher is the bed.
The scratcher hangs up very similar to other cat window beds, it uses a couple of suction cups and a lightweight frame. The key difference here is that this scratcher is also fully interchangeable with new ones as they get wrecked from use by your cat. Pretty darn cool idea! Key things included in this model:
It attaches to the window with 4 industrial strength suction cups and a lightweight frame holds the cardboard bed/scratcher
No longer do you need to worry about your cat scratching up or biting your furniture, this model is designed to encourage your cat to scratch it
The cardboard is 100% recyclable so you can feel good about it from an environmental perspective
It is rated to hold up to 60 pounds, way more than any single cat I’ve ever seen
The sleeping surface is curved to hold your cat comfortably and it is sized at 20” long by 11” wide there’s plenty of space to relax
"Nice and sturdy and both my cats love it, even at the same time!
The scratcher can move and shift in and out of the frame with heavier cats which is a bit annoying, and also can be dangerous depending on how much it shifts around
The Oster Sunny Seat Window bed has a claim to fame of being able to hold up to fifty pounds, that is a heck of a lot of cat you’re dealing with if you need that kind of coverage. That of you’re definitely letting multiple cats into the window bed at the same time.
That being said, you’re not going to notice a heck of a lot of difference between this model and the Sunny Seat Listed above. They key difference is the weight limit. That being said, here are the key features:
The real big claim here is the 4 industrial strength suction cups and frame can hold 50 pounds of cat(s)
It is a great size that will fit most windows, it comes in at 22″ inches in length and about 12″ inches in width
The strings that hold it onto the window are made of plastic (not metal), but still proved incredibly durable with my cats nibbling on them and rubbing their faces against them constantly
The cover for the frame is 100% machine washable
This was the first window bed I ever bought for my cats and it lasted about 18 months in the window, through multiple seasons (Chicago) where it is exposed to changing window temps and constant abuse from the sun, that’s a pretty good run
This version doesn’t come with a lambs wool blanket for comfort
It only takes about 2 minutes to put the entire frame together and install it
Preferred model for larger cats or multi cat households where the cats sleep on top of one another
If you thought your cat was spoiled before, wait until you check out this penthouse window bed. Did I say penthouse? Yes I did! This window bed’s claim to fame is that it is by far the most luxurious of the beds on the entire market.
How you might ask? Well as you might be able to see from the picture here to the right it is a fully enclosed bed with multiple viewing portals out the sides. On top of this it has a nice ‘porch’ area for your cat to jump up and enter the penthouse, wouldn’t want your kitty tracking any dirt or litter into her gorgeous little home now would we?!
Key features include:
6 EZ mount suction cups that are make installing your new penthouse in the window a total breeze
A fully enclosed penthouse with 6 viewing portals that give your cat a view of anything outside
There’s also a sill on the front for your cat to jump up onto as an entry way and on top of this the rooftop is open for business as well, to say the least there’s a lot of space!
The penthouse is rated to hold up to 60 pounds which means your cat can invite a friend over, so long as their willing to share that is
The size of the sleeping area is 23” long by 15” (both inside and on the roof) wide which means there’s plenty of space for even a large cat inside
Elevator service delivers your cat to the penthouse so they can truly feel like royalty, it also comes with champagne and a cat water bed (totally kidding!)
Cats love sleeping in the sun and they also love looking out the window. Cat TV as many people call it. My cat Lexi absolutely loves lazing about in the window and watching people come by.
She has also picked up the hobby of bird watching from her window bed, it keeps her awake and engaged for hours at a time.
If you’re having issues with your cat staying up all night then a window bed, while counter intuitive, may actually help. You can consider installing bird feeders outside the window so your cat always has something to keep an eye on.
Essentially, window beds are a great way for your cat to stay engaged and alert.
On top of this you might also consider a window bed simply to get your cat’s bed up and off the floor or to keep your cat off the rest of your furniture. Cats love sleeping in high places and window beds provide an excellent view to help your cat feel safe!
After multiple years and multiple window beds I have had zero safety concerns. It is key to remember that each of the suction cups alone will hold the weight of a traditional house cat, so even if one of them lets go there’s still plenty of support for your kitty.
You’ll also want to verify you installed the bed properly before you let your cat into it. I highly recommend waiting for about 2 hours post installation before you let your cats use the bed.
This will make sure none of the suction cups slip off. If the suction cups to fall off then be sure to clean the window surface thoroughly with something like Windex and use a little water on the suction cups themselves to ensure they have firm suction.
You should also consistently check on the bed every couple of weeks to make sure that the suction cups are still securely attached to the window. If even one of them seems loose then take the whole bed down, clean the window, and reattach it.
Do note that over time suction cups will break down due to sun exposure. You’ll need to replace them after a few years as they will simply stop working as well as they used to. Be sure to check the bed constantly as noted above to make sure your kitties stay safe!
The short of it is these window beds will not damage your window if you properly hang them. The most likely time you might end up damaging your window is while you are originally hanging the bed.
This is because you’ll be pushing firmly against the glass to get the suction cups to take.
The weight of the bed and a cat against a modern window is not likely to cause any damage. Just be careful when hanging the bed and you’ll be in great shape.
Ensure you aren’t pushing too hard against the glass when applying the suction cups. If you can open your window and press from both sides at the same time this makes it even easier.
I’ve used various beds on two of my front windows over the past 4 years and not run into a single problem with either window. Just be sure to measure your window before purchase, especially if you have a multi-pane window.
When you’re looking for the best cat window beds a lot of things probably come to mind. But the most important items on your mind are probably the safety of your cat and the integrity of your window.
You want your cat safe and you don’t want your window to get damaged in any way.
After testing multiple window beds I can honestly say the likelihood of damaging your window seems slim to none. My beds have had both of my cats in them several times and that’s a combined weight of over 20 pounds on a pretty consistent basis.
Unless you hang multiple beds on the same window and really overload it with weight you shouldn’t have trouble with the window.
This means you’re basically down to the safety of your cat as the key deciding factor. All of these beds are designed to hold way more weight than that of a single traditional domestic house cat.
Those of you with Maine Coons or much heavier cats will want to ensure you choose something rated to hold more weight like the K&H Double Decker or EZ Mount Sill.
No matter which bed you choose you should consistently check the status of the suction cups. Over time, especially in changing weather, they are bound to loosen and become unstable.
You’ll also want to keep in mind that sitting in the sun for several hours a day degrades every material out there, it doesn’t matter what it is. Be sure to test your bed every few weeks to ensure it seems stable and if you need to take it down and reset it after cleaning the window.
If you’ve got a window bed you’ve used and it isn’t listed here please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.
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While there’s an ongoing debate about whether or not your cat should be let outside, there isn’t much debate on if your cat should wear a collar. The only discussion on this topic is what is the best kind of collar.
There are a huge number of collars out there. They range from purely decorative to purely functional. Various features are available too: safety releases, D rings, embroidered name plates, metal name plates, personalization, etc.
So which should you choose? This article is focused on finding the best personalized cat collars with safety releases (for more info on safety releases read below) out there today. Every collar in this article has a breakaway safety buckle and you can personalize it. This means you can add your cat’s name and info right to the collar before purchase!
This option is specifically marketed as a collar for cats that have escaped the house. This is part of the larger #KittyConvict project that is intended to help get more lost indoor cats home to their families.
That being said it’ll work just fine for cats that are allowed outside, but you’d probably want another collar for outdoor cats just to avoid any confusion if people see your cat and think it is lost.
Features worth noting on this collar:
You have two options here, you can directly personalize the collar or you can personalize the tag for the collar.
If you go with direct embroidering it comes in black and has up to 22 characters of text space
Each tag allows up to 4 lines of personalized text, each line takes up to 18 characters of text. The tags are about 1 inch by 1 inch.
There is only one color available, orange. It is used becuase it is bright and reflective and a single color is used to indicate the cat is outside and isn’t supposed to be outside.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
A safety clasp ensures that if your cat gets caught on anything they are released without any injury.
Go Go Cute Cat Personalized Nylon Cat Collar w/ Bell
These nylon collars are not only durable, but they look great too. On top of this they give you a lot of options from a personalization standpoint. As with all collars listed here it of course features a break away safety mechanism in case your cats gets caught on anything.
A few things worth noting:
They are made of nylon and canvas and will hold up to even the most adventurous cats.
They are embroidered for long lasting good looks. You have room for up to 25 characters of customization.
There are 5 options for the collar color: Blue, Black, Pink, Red, Purple.
There are a total of 11 thread color options: White, Grey, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow, Light Blue, Blue, Black, Pink, Purple.
The collars are adjustable for cats with necks about 8″-12″ and are 3/8″ in width.
Each collar comes with a bell & ring to attach licenses, the bell is removable.
This is one of the flagship products made by GoTags. GoTags is by far one of the most well known companies in the personalized cat collar business. It is a simple, but safe and effective safety release collar for your cat.
The key features on this model worth noting are:
The collar is made of no-snag nylon material so it is less likely to get caught on things outside.
If it does get caught it has a safety release clip to let your kitty out without any danger.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
There are 5 different Collar Color options: Black, Blue, Red, Pink or Orange.
There are 15 different Thread Color options: White, Black, Navy Blue, Red, Neon Pink, Baby Pink, Sky Blue, Purple, Neon Yellow, Neon Green, Orange, Gold, Turquoise, Cotton Candy, Jolly Rancher.
You can add up to 22 characters to the collar to personalize it.
GoTags Reflective Cat Collar With Stainless Personalized Tag
GoTags has another option available that is completely reflective to ensure your cat can be seen in darker conditions. Given many cats go out exploring at dawn and dusk (they are crepuscular after all!) this is a great option for an outdoor cat.
While the collar itself isn’t personalized, it comes fully equipped with a tag of choice to carry all your kitty’s info.
A few things worth noting:
Your cat’s ID is laser engraved onto a stainless steel pet tag, you can choose between a cat face or a paw print.
Each tag allows up to 4 lines of personalized text, each line takes up to 15 characters of text.
The tags are about 1 inch by 1 inch.
There are 5 color options: Black, Blue, Orange, Pink, Red.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
A safety clasp ensures that if your cat gets caught on anything they are released without any injury.
DayDay Patch has recently released this collar which is loaded with bling. Not only is the collar itself shiny and sparkly, but it also comes with an awesome cat shaped safety release buckle for extra safety for your feline pal.
They’ve also included a jingle bell for extra flair (Office Space anyone?) to make some noise and warm people your kitty is around.
Key features worth noting on this collar:
There are 6 colors to choose from (for the collar/bell combo) : Hot Pink, Blue, Gold, Purple, Orange & Multi-Color
Cool cat shaped safety buckle and D ring for the personalized tag.
Your cat’s info is lasered onto a stainless tag to ensure it lasts long and won’t wear and tear even in the roughest conditions.
The laser engraving is clear, permanent, and attractive on a polished mirror-finish surface.
The collar is 3/8 inches wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
You get 25 characters of space to include on the tag for your cat’s name and phone number
Another great option available from GoTags is this reflective collar set. you’ve got a wide variety of colors to choose from and of course the collar has a nice tinkling bell on it for additional sound to ensure your kitty can be heard as well as seen.
A few other features worth noting:
The reflective strip is extremely visible even with just a little bit of light. It can be seen from 0ver 100 feet away.
Your cats details are lasered directly into the reflective strip and you have a total of 25 characters of space to work with.
The color of the lasering will appear black on all collars.
There are 5 color options: Black, Blue, Orange, Pink, Red.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
A safety clasp ensures that if your cat gets caught on anything they are released without any injury.
Flower Town brings a great collar to the market that will ensure your cats safety if they get outside the house. Key features worth considering on this model are:
Your cat’s details are embroidered onto a piece of fabric that is then sewn onto the collar.
You have a total of 25 characters of space to work with.
There are 6 color options: Black, Red, Purple, Blue, Light Blue, and Pink.
There are 12 different options for the embroidery: Yellow, Blue, Black, Red, White, Pink, Light Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, Brown, Blue.
The collar also has a jingle bell and a D ring for additional tags or items you want to attach.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
A safety clasp ensures that if your cat gets caught on anything they are released without any injury.
If you’re looking for a high quality collar that is depended on by thousands then this is an excellent choice. Not only does it bring a wide variety of options to the table for you to personalize, but it is also a very reliable, safe, and well respected collar.
The key features on this model worth noting are:
The nylon webbing has smooth, tapered edges for a comfortable fit for your feline friend.
The safety release clip ensures your kitty gets out of any sticky situations out without any danger.
The collar is 3/8″ wide and adjustable from 8-inches to 12-inches in length.
There are 5 different Collar Color options: Black, Blue, Red, Pink or Orange.
There are 15 different Thread Color options: White, Black, Navy Blue, Red, Neon Pink, Baby Pink, Sky Blue, Purple, Neon Yellow, Neon Green, Orange, Gold, Turquoise, Cotton Candy, Jolly Rancher.
You can add up to 22 characters to the collar to personalize it.
Looking for a basic tag that will just get the job done and don’t care about frills? These tags let you add your own personal cat information and they are made of stainless steel for durability.
That being said, they don’t bring a lot else to the table from a personalization standpoint. What they do however bring is a wealth of community support on being some of the best tags on the market.
They have over 15,000 reviews on Amazon as of the time I am writing this and an average rating of nearly 5 stars. If you want a verified and well respected product you can’t do better.
Key features include:
Nine different shapes to choose from: Bow Tie, Flower, Heart, House, Ranger Badge, Rectangle, Round, Star, Bone (not for cats)
Two sided engraving and up to 8 total lines of text so you can fit tons of information about your pet
The tags are made of stainless steel and user laser engraving, these will hold up in almost any conditions
Shapes average about 1.3 inches by about .9 inches
Some owners may already have a collar they love, or a collar their cat loves. That collar may not provide any details about your kitty though. If that’s the case you will probably want to add a personalized tag to your cat’s collar.
Even if your cat has a microchip not many individuals have a scanner available. This means that tags are the fastest and easiest way for people to figure out who owns a cat and get in touch with the owner.
Key features of these tags:
Your cat’s ID is laser engraved onto a stainless steel pet tag that is made to last for years and years.
The lasering looks black in the photos, but it will appear with a mirror finish.
Each tag allows up to 4 lines of personalized text, each line takes up to 20 characters of text.
The tags are about 1 inch by 1 inch.
Will easily attach to the D ring on any standard cat collar.
There is one simple response to this question. If your cat gets outside or gets lost a collar is the easiest way for someone to identify your cat and get in touch with you as quickly as possible.
Collars are by far the easiest way for a fellow human to identify a cat and the owner of the cat. Especially if the collar itself is personalized with the cat’s information.
There are also several movements among pet owners (for example the #KittyConvict Project) that make it easy for other cat owners to recognize a lost/escaped cat. This means fellow pet owners are more likely to make an effort to help return a clearly lost pet.
Research shows that cats that get lost are far more likely to be returned to their owners if they have a collar on when they get lost.
Will My Cat Really Wear a Collar?
Many owners simply assume that their cat won’t wear a collar because they’ve mostly seen cats that don’t have collars on. There may be an adjustment period to get your cat used to a collar, but most cats will wear a collar if you as an owner insist on it.
Research has shown that owner perception is the biggest indicator of whether or not a cat will wear a collar. Basically, if owners don’t think the cat will wear a collar then they simply won’t try to get the cat to wear a collar.
But reassuringly, the most recent research shows that over 72% of cats wore a collar through the end of a study period. So if you are dedicated to getting your cat into a collar you can make it happen!
There’s no specific trick to getting a cat to wear a collar. As with most things, it requires time and persistence (and in a lot of cases treats). You’ll want to introduce your cat to a new collar slowly and gradually expand the amount of time the cat wears the collar until they wear it all the time.
Why Only Collars With Safety Releases?
Cats are climbers and explorers and like to squeeze themselves into tight places. Collars without a safety release can easily get caught on tree branches, splintering wood, a hanging nail, etc. There are a laundry list of things a collar could get caught on in the wild, or even inside the home.
If a collar gets caught on these objects and doesn’t release easily then your cat could be seriously injured, trapped, or even strangled.
Enter safety clasps, buckles and releases. There are also the more uncommon elastic straps that serve a similar purpose, but aren’t as highly recommended these days. All of these are designed to ensure your cat has an opportunity to get out of an otherwise dangerous situation.
The short of it is, collars keep your cat safe if they get lost, but safety releases bring an extra layer of safety if they get stuck on something while out and about.
What if My Cat is an Indoor Cat Only?
Many cat owners don’t encourage their cats to wear collars because the cat is “indoor only.” The unfortunate thing is that the bulk of cats that get lost and don’t make it back home are cats that escaped from an indoor only life.
They may have snuck out the door or been spooked while the front door was open and simply scampered off. Most indoor cats will get outside at some point in their life so a collar is a great added layer of safety.
Unfortunately you can’t put a collar on your cat once they are already out the door. Indoor cats should have collars on even if you never intend to let them out.
What if My Cat Already Has a Microchip?
Microchips are one of the most effective tools ever created in tracking pets and ensuring they make it home to their owners when lost.
However, microchips aren’t something that an average individual can scan/read. And many people, non pet owners in particular, aren’t even familiar with their existence. The Humane Society recommends that even microchipped cats wear a collar with tags or identification included.
This means that for the microchip to be useful your cats has to make it it to a veterinarian, shelter or animal control center of some sort. Added steps mean added complexity and every additional step means your pet is less likely to make it home to you.
Now don’t get me wrong. I highly encourage you to mircochip your pet. It is an absolute necessity. But a collar will be something almost any person can read and use to get in touch with you the second they encounter your cat.
How to Measure Your Cat For a Collar
Average collars tend to measure between 8 and 12 inches for an adult cat. This will easily accommodate most cats out there, but for those of you with smaller or extra large cats you may have to look for something special.
Measuring your cat for a collar is a necessity to ensure the collar won’t simply slip off at any point and also to make sure it won’t choke your cat. Cats are also rather resourceful when it comes to their own comfort and you don’t want them to be able to easily shove the collar off.
Measuring your cat’s neck is easy, you can check out this short video how to for a simple overview. All you’ll need is a piece of string and a ruler. This video may help if you’ve never done it before:
Wrapping It Up On Cat Collars
The market is loaded with pet products, in particular about 1000 different variations of cat collars. There are nylon, leather, personalized, standard, accessorized, etc. The list goes on and on.
Each type of collar has advantages and disadvantages worth considering. No matter which path you choose you should aim to include the personal details of your cat on their collar to ensure they find their way home quickly and easily in the event of an escape.
You should also ensure your selected collar has a safety release just in case your cat gets into a sticky situation and the collar gets caught on something. There are several kinds of safety releases, just be sure to choose a collar with one. Note every collar on this page has a safety mechanism.
Don’t be afraid to try multiple types of collars! Some may irritate your cat far less than others and some are more effective for being seeing in the dark than others. There are a bunch of options and you should choose what’s right for your cat based on their personality and behavior.
If you keep a collar on your cat and it has personal details tell us which one it is below! If you’re having trouble getting your cat to wear a collar let us know too by leaving a comment below.
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Everyone say hello to this week’s Cat of the Week, Minnie! Minnie comes submitted by Reddit user Luciditi89.
When Minnie was born her human was living in Japan. After graduating college and making plans to move back to the States her human first heard of Minnie. Her parents wanted her to move back in with them knowing the transition would be hard and she decided she wanted a cat!
It was a dream she had since she was a child, but at that time she had severe cat allergies! Fortunately she grew out of the allergies and a cat was in her future!
When Minnie was born she was living in a house with her cat parents, her cat brothers and sisters, and a house full of human children. In New York, many people don’t spay and neuter their pets leading to lots of kittens in need of homes and in danger of being sent to a high kill shelter or released onto the streets.
Minnie came from a home with too many pets that weren’t spayed or neutered. Minnie’s brother was adopted by her human’s god sister who let the family know about the other kittens.
Minnie’s picture was passed along and her new human instantly fell in love and had her family pick up Minnie for her so she could enjoy shoulder rides!
The day Minnie came home was the same day her human got home from Japan. Talk about good timing for both of them! They got through that period of change together and have been bonded ever since.
Recently Minnie and her human moved to California together and Minnie was a champ the whole trip! Minnie is rather infamous with her human for being surprised during camera shots!
Minnie is polydactyl meaning she has extra toes on her front paws. She’s a notorious stress eater and likes to eat when she gets scared or nervous, but her family now portion feeds her and things are getting better! Minnie likes to lick plastic, loves finding new places to nap (sometimes getting stuck in weird places), and is a huge fan of the laser pointer.
She lays in bed with her human at night and wakes up with her in the morning. She even follows her human around through the morning and is usually waiting for her at the door when she returns from work.
Minnie is the friendliest and most sweetest cat you could ever meet! Even though her human has gone through so much in these past six years Minnie has been there through it all with her, playing in boxes and following her daily!
On the topic of boxes…Minnie loves boxes!!! They are her absolute favorite. She’s been jumping into them, napping in them and playing with them since she was a kitten. She might need to check out this new cat tunnel called the Hide and Sneak that’s just like a bag (cats that like boxes tend to love bags too!).
Despite buying her cat beds and all sorts of cat toys she mostly prefers empty boxes of all sorts. Even when the house is under construction (self furniture building) Minnie likes to chill on the boxes.
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Minnie for gracing us as this week’s Cat of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Cats love to get inside things, boxes, bags, suitcases and of course the coveted cat tunnel. Every time they come across a new object they can climb inside they can’t seem to resist going for a peek! I guess that’s where the phrase “Curiosity killed the cat” came from.
On the bright side, these days we can satisfy feline curiosity at home with purpose built toys. Namely, cat tunnels! Tunnels are super lightweight, easy to move around and on top of this most of them collapse into a tiny little package making them easy to pack up too.
They are well known for serving multiple purposes for your feline friends. They give them a new place to explore, a place to observe from, a place to hide and of course…a place to ambush their feline pals from. All in all they are some of the best toys money can buy, so let’s take a look at 13 of the best.
Prosper Pet is hands down the most coveted tunnel on the market today. With well over 3000 total reviews on Amazon and an average review rating of 4.8 stars you know they’ve hit a home run with this product.
There are a laundry list of reasons that this is the best overall tunnel around, so let’s dig right into them:
You’ve got a tri-tunnel design with built-in crinkle crackle paper that makes noise for your kitties to keep them interested.
The tunnels are spacious at about 10 inches tall, so there’s plenty of room for adult cats and kittens alike.
The center has an awesome peephole for your cats to stick their heads out and it (the center) doesn’t collapse like many other tunnels.
The end is equipped with a hanging toy giving the chute gives more ways to have fun, it provides hours of exercise & self-amusement.It comes in a bunch of different colors.
The picture says 11, but last I checked it had over 21 different options available.
It is made of extra durable and tear-resistant polyester wrapped around a sprung-steel frame with protective ends specifically designed to stand up to crazy cat scratching antics.
It is super portable and comes with an elastic band to keep it collapsed during transit. It takes only seconds to shrink it down.
Each tube, from the center of the toy, is about 17 inches long which gives you a little over 50 inches of total tunnel space.
You can also check out this video of several kitties playing with a brand new Prosper Pet 3 way tunnel, they are having an absolute blast!
If you’ve got cats that get bored of toys easily then this might be the best choice for you for a cat tunnel. Not only are you getting two different tunnels, but they have different toys attached to the ends and both are filled with crinkly fabric to make lots of noise as your fur balls run in and out of them.
This combo is an excellent choice for any cat owner and will provide hours of entertainment to a single or to multiple cats. Key features worth noting:
There are two tunnels included as mentioned, they are both about 10 inches in diameter leaving plenty of room for kittens or adults:
The long tunnel is a total of 35 inches in length.
The short tunnel is half that at about 18 inches in length.
The longer term comes with a peephole cut out of the center so your cats can stick their heads out and see what is going on.
Both tunnels come equipped with dangling toys on the end to provide extra entertainment.
They’re spring-loaded and pop open to be ready for play in an instant.
Since they’re spring loaded they can be collapsed for transit or to put away in a matter of seconds.
This set is great for a single cats and even better if you have multiple cats and want separate places for them to be able to hide and pounce from.
Check out this video to get a little better idea of what comes in the package:
Pawz Road has released one of the coolest cat tunnels on the market with this S-Shaped tunnel. Most tunnels on the market are designed as a single straight piece of ‘pipe’ or ‘chute’ to ensure they are easy to expand and collapse. While straight tunnels work well it is always nice to see something new!
Pawz Road decided to try something different with this tunnel and they’ve got a hit! Here are the key features worth noting on this awesome tunnel:
The S shape is unique and cats absolutely love running through it from end to end, the curve brings an added level of agility.
It has a built in peep hole so your kitty can easily see out from their hiding spot.It is designed with a sprung steel structure which easily pops out and collapses for so you can stand it up or take it down in seconds.
This same sprung steel frame ensures durability when your feline pals jump on top of it, it’ll spring right back into form, no damage!
Given the size it’ll easily accommodate both kittens and adults.
This is a nice long tunnel coming in at 47 inches in length and a diameter of just under 10 inches.
Easyology has been one of my favorite companies ever since I first picked up their awesome Cat Litter Mat (see review here). They make amazing cat products that are high quality and clearly well tested and I’ve had nothing but good luck with every product I’ve picked up from them.
One of the coolest things about the Easyology tunnel is that it is specifically designed to tie into other products to create a full on maze or cat hideout! Check out some of the other things worth noting:
A simple connector is included with the tunnel so you can hook it up to other Easyology tunnels or to their Zen Den Bed.
While things are specifically designed for Easyology you can probably connect other tunnels to it with relative easy as well.
Each tunnel is about 13 inches long (from the outside of the center) and about 8.5 inches in diameter.
It will easily accommodate most adult cats.
It of course has built in crinkle fabric to make lots of noise for your kitties!
!It is incredibly durable and will stand up to all sorts of cat antics, jumping, pouncing and even scratching!
Pawaboo brings to bear another awesome cat tunnel that comes in a variety of different colors to match your home decor. Pawaboo makes a solid tunnel that will easily appeal to both kittens and adult cats.
Not only does this tunnel weigh less than a pound, but it is super easy to pop open and collapse. It also comes with a nice elastic strap that will make it easy to shrink it down into a tiny little space for travel or storage. Key features that are worth noting for the Pawaboo tunnel are:
There are of course the 3 spacious tunnels that connect at the center.
It has a peep hole and hanging ball toys and bells in the middle to encourage curiosity and keep your cat entertained for hours.
Each of the tunnels measures about 38 inches long from the center point and they are about 10 inches in diameter.
The dark color minimizes light inside and appeals to your cats instincts to hide, stalk, pounce and chase. All great for cat health.
It has a strong sprung-steel frame with protective ends wrapped with tear-resistant polyester to keep your kitty safe from sharp edges.
This cat tunnel is durable and comfortable, no need to worry about scratching and deformation.
This cat tunnel pops open in seconds and can be folded easily and secured by the provided elastic band for easy storage and travel.
Purrfect Feline was one of the first to the market with the 4 way cat tunnel. A pioneer in the space of cat tunnels if you will. While they were the first to the market with the 4 way tunnel that didn’t stop that from producing a well thought out and high quality product. They definitely learned from other products that came before them!
While there are now other four tunnel vendors on the market this still stands as one of the best available for you and your kitties, check out some of the key features:
Each tunnel running from the center out to the sides is 21″ long which gives you a whopping 84″ of tunnel total!
The tunnel features crinkle paper to keep your kitties entertained as they run through it.
There’s also a ball toy attached to the end of the tunnel and a peephole giving your cat plenty of entertainment.
As an added bonus there are ties built onto the ends so you can easily connect multiple tunnels together to create a maze!
The tunnel is collapsible to under 2″ in height so you can easily take it with you wherever you like to bring a taste of home for your cat.
The frame is steal and wrapped in tear-resistant polyester that will not only keep it intact, but will also hold strong while your furry friends are playing inside.
If you’re looking for an incredibly economical tunnel then this is it. At the time of writing this the tunnel is a little over 8 dollars which makes it by far the most affordable tunnel in the entire list! But don’t let that fool you, that takes nothing away from the quality of this tunnel and how well it will entertain your feline friends!
Let’s dig into the specifics:
The tunnel has hidden crackle material built into the walls to intrigue and engage cats.
It has a built in side or top peep hole depending on how the tunnel has rotated, great for ambushes and pounces!
The tunnel is collapsible and pops open in an instant or breaks down just as quickly for storage or transport.
It has ties built onto the ends so you can’t lose them.The tunnel measures 34” long x 9.5” diameter when it is fully expanded.
When collapsed it is about 2” long.SmartyKat has been around for years and produces tons of great products, when you buy from them you know you’re getting quality.
Myguru followed in the footsteps of Purrfect Feline and went after the 4 way tunnel market. They’ve had a great success so far with their tunnel. Their key claim to fame is they have by far the biggest tunnel on the market in overall tunnel space, a total of 104 inches of tunnel length!
Outside the length of the tunnel Myguru has done an excellent job with their cat tunnel
One of the few four way tunnels on the market, each tunnel chute is 26″ long.
With crinkle paper inside the walls this tunnel will entertain your cats and maintain interest for hours of fun!
The tunnel is made of ultra-strong and tear-resistant polyester, the tunnel is fully usable both indoors and outdoors.
The tunnel will stay in great condition even if your cat scratches it and center does not collapse like many cat tunnels!
The frame is made of sprung steel and has protective ends to make sure there are not kitty injuries!
You can easily hand wash the tunnel if it gets filthy from the cat or from outside weather.
A ball toy is attached to the end for both batting and to make noise as your kitty runs in and out.
It comes with a storage bag meaning it is super easy to transport wherever you want to take it.
We’ve already discussed Pawz Road above, but the claim to fame on this version is obviously the amazing cheetah or leopard print coloring on the outside. Just kidding! It is that this particular model is the longest single tunnel I’ve been able to track down.
Most others are in the area of 36 or maybe 42 inches long and maybe 10 inches in diameter. This one comes in at 51 inches long and 12 inches wide. It is great for large cats! Outside being great for large cats though let’s look at the rest of the important pieces:
It has a strong & solid sprung steel frame that both pops up and collapses for easy storage.
The inside is faux fur with a durable leopard print on the outside.
The fabric also makes crinkle noises!
There are two peep holes built into the middle so your cat can pop out or hop out!
There’s so much room in this tunnel that even large cats can turn around easily.
Built in linking buttons make it easy to connect multiple tunnels together to create a true maze!
The Hide and Sneak is definitely the most novel of all of the tunnels out there. It is also the most environmentally friendly in that it is completely made of paper so it is 100% biodegradable. The Hide and Sneak is a cat tunnel that is is made of 100% paper, similar to the paper you’d get from a shopping bag. Admittedly it is quite a bit tougher than that!
Every step through this tunnel provides the sound that cats love and find so intriguing because it is basically a giant paper bag with two holes in the end of it. That being said, it is not nearly as durable as other tunnels on the market so you’ll have to weigh that in your decision to buy one. A few other things worth noting:
There’s a TON of room inside this 12 x 12 square tunnel, plenty for even the largest of kitties to run in and turn around.
It is about 32 inches long when fully opened up.
It folds up and folds out super easily for storage or for immediate access.
It is 100% handmade in the United States of America and was designed by a veterinarian.
It is worth noting this item before you choose this open for your cat:
This is a square tunnel not a round tunnel, it will not as easily flip and roll if your cats pounce on it etc.
Trixie Pet is known for all sorts of creative and unique combinations of cat toys and other cat products. The key claim to fame on this model is it is specifically designed for your cats to scratch it up. It isn’t made to just withstand it, it is designed to encourage it.
This model is basically two mini cat hideaways strung together with a tunnel in the middle and holes poked in it and in both ends. Both of the hide away rooms are covered in sisal scratching material which is perfect for your cats. A few other things worth noting here:
It has to built in hide away spaces with excellent scratching surfaces built right in.
At a solid 43 inches long there’s plenty of space for a single cat or multiple cats.
There are built in hanging toys at the end of the condo to encourage batting and playing.
You may want to consider this before you choose this tunnel:
It collapses down on itself, but is not designed specifically for transport like the polyester sprung metal versions.
Auoon has come to market with a creative version of the cat tunnel that is more a cat circle than a standard straight tube. This model zips together at a couple of joints to create a donut shaped tube for your kitties to hide in, play in and run through. It is by far one of the coolest models out there and it is definitely unique.
Not only do you have the tunnel itself, but it comes fully equipped with a nice sleeping spot in the middle. Your kitties will have to hop up over the tunnel into the middle to nap though, so good exercise and good rest! A few things worth noting on this model:
There are two zippers allowing you to close up the donut shape leaving only the one entry point.
A hanging ball toy is at the entrance to encourage batting and swatting.
Multiple colors are available, though the primary choices are yellow and pink as of writing this article.
Little ear like extensions are on the side for rubbing and biting and swatting.
If you’re creative you can order two and zip them together into a large S shape with two beds!
Most cats start exploring the tunnel before you even get it zipped together.
One thing worth considering before hitting the buy button:
The diameter of the tunnel comes in at just under 10 inches so it might be tight for extra large cats
Eyourlife has come out with one of the other most successful tunnels on the market. While it isn’t the most easily understood company name, it does provide an excellent cat tunnel your feline friends will absolutely love!
Here are some of the key things worth noting on this tunnel:
When fully expanded the dimensions of each tunnel are about 10 inches in diameter by about 27 inches long
It folds down into about a 12 x 12 square that is about 3 inches thick. It is super easy to carry and super lightweight.
The elastic band will keep it in fine form while it is in transit or storage.
Similar to most models it is made of polyester and has a sprung metal frame holding the ends open.
It is worth noting the center of this model is not supported by the frame (you can see this in the picture) so if your cats jump on it it will collapse until you pull the ends back out to stretch it out.
It won’t damage it, it is just more prone to looking caved in than some other models.
Cat tunnels are amazing toys because they play on numerous natural instincts that your cat already has. Tunnels are simply incredibly versatile products that help fill a lot of gaps for cats.
Curiosity
Cats are notoriously curious creatures. They love to go exploring and while they certainly don’t like huge changes they definitely love to check out new places in the house or slight changes in the house.
Enter cat tunnels. Tunnels provide a new space in the house that can easily be moved around to always have some level of novelty. You can also easily pack them up and put them in the closet or a drawer for a few days or a week to help maintain the mystery when you bring the toy back out!
Hunting
Cats love to hunt. It is a natural instinct. You’ll see them do it with their toys and even with their fellow cats in the house. From the minute they are old enough to pounce they are practicing their hunting skills.
Tunnels not only provide excellent places for your cat to hide and to stalk from, but they also provide an amazing place for your cat to pounce and ambush from.
Exercise & General Play
Whether it’s an open paper bag or a box, your cat likes to keep herself entertained throughout the day. They’ll often make their own games up and bat their toys all over the place or jump off of the wall.
Tunnels provide an excellent distraction for your cat in the sense that they are a new space and they are often equipped with built in toys. Many have built in crinkly paper to make new noise and almost all have hanging toys built into the ceiling for your cat to bat and swat at. Last but not least, most tunnels are somewhat see through and you can drag a wand or a finger down the outside and your cat will attempt to pounce on it.
Safety
If you have a new cat that spends most of her time under the bed or in the closet then a tunnel might be a good option to help her come out of her shell. Tunnels can be placed in strategic locations that are closer to humans so your kitty will come out, but they give an added level of safety for your cat as well because it minimizes the number of ways people can approach her.
The use of tunnels will allow a frightened cat to be able to feel protected enough so she can start to step out from her anchored hiding spot.
Systems & Mazes
Depending on the amount of room you have and the curiosity of your cat you can easily create an entire maze or a cat tunnel system. Most of the tunnels can easily be strung or clipped together even if they don’t come with the parts. This means you can always switch them out to create new and novel shapes for your cats.
I didn’t specifically note it, but many of these tunnels can be used indoors/outdoors. Any tunnels made of polyester and metal sprung frame can definitely be used outdoors. That being said, I wouldn’t leave them outdoors if they aren’t currently in use.
If the weather changes it can certainly damage them and on top of this most of these tunnels are designed to be super lightweight and can easily blow away in a strong gust of wind.
On the bright side, polyester is generally very easy to hand wipe or hand wash if the tunnel does get dirty. Just grab a wet washcloth and you can scrub most substances right off of the tunnel.
Cat tunnels are generally designed to handle adult cats, but kittens can easily use them too. I’ve not seen any kitty tunnels specifically, but every tunnel can and will accommodate small cats or even young kittens if necessary.
Some of the biggest users of tunnels are cats that are older or even senior. They love the quiet and safe space tunnels can provide for sleeping or just relaxing.
The only thing I’d be careful of is choosing a tunnel that will accommodate the size of your cat. Big cats definitely require bigger tunnels. The best two tunnels above for big cats are the Hide and Sneak and the Pawz Road Extra Large.
The market is loaded with all sorts of ways to entertain your cat these days. From remote controlled toys to apps to traditional tinkling bells. Every time I pop open Amazon or surf a pet site I see something I never would have expected. And I’m cat crazy so I normally consider myself on top of it.
Every toy has its uses and some cats will certainly be drawn to one type more than another. Cat tunnels do seem like one of those toys that are universally loved by cats. Given this they are a great option to consider whether you’re a new or an experienced cat owner.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for your cat! If you have any cat tunnels you love then please please leave a comment below! Or leave a note below so we can get some pictures of your crazy cat maze at home!
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Everyone say hello to Greyworm! Greyworm comes submitted to us by reddit user Missmel1722. His birthday is July 9th 2017 and she had the pick of the litter from a friend and chose him right away, but at first she didn’t know Greyworm was a he.
She had wanted a friend for her 6 month old calico Milky Way and thought another female would be perfect. So she brought Zelda (at the time) home and they were instant friends! Fast forward a few weeks and anatomy started telling her a different story…It turns out Zelda was a boy!
The day she got him neutered she renamed him Greyworm (any Game of Thrones fans out there?) He is the first male Missmel1722 has owned and it’s been interesting. He’s SO loving! He wants love and pets all the time and belly rubs are his favorite.
He is also very vocal. He talks whenever he wants pets or food. And man can Greyworm purr. She’s never heard a cat purr the way he does. He purrs all the time. If he wasn’t purring then there might be something wrong with him! He even purrs at the vets office!
Speaking of food he is always hungry. He wants food all the time even if he’s just been fed. He gets so excited to eat and gets so vocal that he can’t even make sounds anymore. His fur is long and he has the biggest bushy tail. His tail is always fluffy regardless of his mood. This also means his fur is a lot of work. He gets matted fur quickly if he isn’t brushed regularly. Especially his belly where the fur gets wavy and curly.
Greyworm also, oddly enough, has a taste for veggies. He loves asparagus and brussels sprouts. He’s not allowed to have them, but if when his humans aren’t careful he will steal them off the plate.
He’s also fascinated by water. He loves watching Missmel1722 do the dishes or fill her water cup from the fridge. For a while he was in the habit of knocking over his water dish so he can walk through it and play.
Greyworm loves to drink toilet water (gross) so bathrooms have to stay closed or he will run in to get a drink. Many cats enjoy drinking from a moving water supply as it is theorized moving water is safer in the wild. If your cat doesn’t drink enough or drinks from unsanitary places you might a drinking fountain like the one by Catit (check out the review of the Catit water fountain here).
Greyworm also loves to watch tv with his humans, favorite shows include:
Planet Earth
The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross
The Office
His first Christmas included regular climbing of the tree and breaking every ornament his humans had. He also enjoys tearing up the couch and eating things he shouldn’t like hair ties, paper, etc.
Things Greyworm doesn’t like include:
Car rides
The vacuum cleaner
Sharing treats with Milky Way (his sibling)
Not being able to get in the window for bird watching (perhaps a window bed is in order!)
Not getting in the bathroom for toilet drinking
Not sleeping directly between his humans ( he will wake them up out of a dead sleep so we move out of “his” spot – see below for his most graceful sleeping position)
So that’s Greyworm. Everyday with this fluffy boy is an adventure and they love him and hope you do too!
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.
You can watch my video review of the product here or read further along for a written review. They cover all of the same items so it is completely up to you!
If you’re looking for a new and comfortable way to carry your cat then you’ve found it. The Texsens Cat Backpack does an amazing job on several fronts so I’ve broken it out into individual sections of interest. All in all this is an awesome cat bubble backpack and I’ve been ecstatic with my purchase.
Comfort for the human:
Whether you need to carry your cat near or far this carrier has you covered. Not only is it easy to pick up and easy to get up on to your shoulders, but the straps are well padded and comfortable whether you’re you’re walking 5 minutes or 5 miles.
Since I live in a downtown area I constantly take my cats out for neighborhood walks and they love sniffing the fresh air and bouncing along.
Comfort for the cat:
The carrier has a nice lambs wool bad in the bottom that is stock, but you can easily fit all sorts of blankets or other soft materials to improve upon the basic pad.
There’s tons of room in this carrier. Either of my cats fits in it perfectly fine and they weigh 9 and 12 pounds respectively. I wouldn’t put them both in it at once and I would suspect cats over 15 pounds would be cramped.
Ventilation:
The carrier is loaded with ventilation. Your cat will not overheat in this carrier. It has 12 ventilation holes and 2 large mesh panels built right in. On top of this you’ve got additional ventilation whether you have the mesh panel or the bubble in place. You can even go without either for added fresh air.
Durability:
The product itself is very sturdy so the likelihood of your cat getting out is slim unless they have dedicated time to claw at the mesh panels without supervision.
Mine has gone on at least 50 walks since I’ve gotten it and it is in excellent shape. You do have to clean the plastic bubble off on the inside and outside from finger and nose prints though. Windex works wonders, hurray for no streaks!
Safety:
The carrier comes fully equipped with a cat leash/harness safety connector inside. You can easily snap either of the two to the connector.
Just in case your cat does find a way out (likely while you are opening or closing it as with any carrier) you have an added level of cover.
There’s also a top handle built in specifically to allow you to run a car seat belt through it so you’ve got added safety while driving your fur ball back and forth from the vet or groomer. Bonus!
Novelty:
If you like being the cause of conversation or excitement then this pack will definitely do that. People absolutely love seeing your cat’s head bobbing along in the bubble and they’ll immediately start chatting with you about it.
I rarely make it more than a few blocks before someone asks ‘Is that a cat in there?! I’ve never seen a carrier like that before!’
Ease of Use:
Getting your cat in and out of the carrier is a breeze with 3 different entry points available. After taking my cats for walks and rewarding them afterward they’ll now walk right into the carrier for a treat.
The only real negative I’ve found with the carrier so far is that the directions for switching out the vent for the bubble window definitely need some improvement. Once you know how to do this it is super easy to interchange them or just pop them out, but it is a hassle to figure it out the first time you try it.
Summary of Pros:
✓ There’s plenty of room for either my 9 or 12 pound cats (not both at once)
✓ It has tons of ventilation to ensure your cat stays cool even if it is hot
✓ There’s a connector for your leash/harness for added safety
✓ The pack is super comfortable on the shoulders for hour long walks/hikes
✓ People love seeing your cat in it, city or country, you’ll start lots of discussions
✓ My cats absolutely love it, Beast now sleeps in it even when it isn’t in use
✓ There are numerous entry points for easily getting your cat inside
Summary of Cons:
☓ Switching out the vent for the bubble the first time is kind of a pain in the neck, if you need any help check out this short how to video
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do you switch the vent out for the window? I can’t get the darn thing off!
Yes, you can definitely just leave them both off and give your cat access to the open air. Be sure they are leashed and harnessed though.
Can you use it for hiking?
Yes, I’ve taken Beast hiking with it and it works just fine for hour long hikes. She’s comfy in it and it doesn’t bother my back or shoulders.
What size cat can fit in it?
My 9 pound and my 12 pound cats both fit in it fine for short or long walks.
If it was for an extended trip like an airline flight I wouldn’t recommend it for a cat larger than 12 pounds as they’d have a hard time laying down.
What are the dimensions/specs?
13.4″ L x 10.2″ W x 16.9″ H.
Carrier Weight: 4.4 pounds
Tips for Getting Your Cat to Use Her New Carrier
Cats notoriously dislike carriers. No matter your reason for buying this carrier you’ll definitely want to slowly acclimate your cat to it so she isn’t afraid of it.
These tips will ensure your cat won’t despise the new carrier:
Be sure you purchase a carrier of sufficient size, this carrier wouldn’t be comfortable for a Maine Coon
Introduce your cat to it over several days: let her sniff it, feed her treats while it is nearby, let her go in and out without closing or zipping it up
The first time you close up the carrier don’t keep it closed for long before you open it up and feed your cat some treats
Take your cat on short walks or for rides in the car that don’t end in a trip to the vet (or anywhere else she might hate like the groomer) and feed her treats when you let her out
Don’t only pull the carrier out when it is time for a trip, keep it out and visible often with treats inside it
Be patient, most cats don’t love any carrier, so adjusting may take time
Have you tried out a cat bubble backpack? Please leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on the Texsens Cat Bubble Backpack (or any other!). You can always check out the Texsens website for more details too!
If you don’t love this carrier then check out my post on the top 10 backpack carriers. While this is my favorite there are tons of other options out there.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.