Deterrents

General

Product Reviews

By Craig / October 31, 2017

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Product: Feliway Multicat

Cheapest Place to Buy: Find the Best Deal

StuffCatsWant Rating: 4 out of 5

Feliway Multicat Product Overview

This product is ideal for introducing new cats to one another or for reducing the amount of conflict between cats that have been living together for months or even years.

Feliway Multicat does this by emitting synthetic pheromones that make your cat feel calm and safe.  The product works similar to incense in that it comes in an oil and is heated to distribute it into the air.

I foster cats constantly and in most cases I introduce them to my resident cats. Feliway Multicat goes a long way in  reducing how much my resident cats meow/paw at the door where I keep the foster cats which is nice.

But most important is that when I introduce them it has a noticeable impact on how quickly they all come to an agreement to not hiss at or attack one another. It makes fostering cats much much easier, end of story. It made my now two resident cats come together much faster than I’d expected, days instead of weeks or months.

Using Feliway Multicat is super easy. You just insert the refill container into the diffuser and plug it in and you’re good to go. It may take a week or two to see noticeable results given the pheremones need to distribute into the air. The diffuser will spread the pheremones over an area of about 500-700 square feet if you have a single open room. Homes with many doors or multiple levels will likely see decreased coverage and may need more diffusers to see an impact.

Note the diffuser is designed with a rotating plug head so if you have horizontal or vertical plugs you’re still in good shape.

The Pros:

• It uses pheromones to create a calming environment for multi cat households that experience fighting
• It is great for introducing a cat to a new household or a new place (even with no other cats)
• It is excellent for introducing new cats to one another, especially if you foster or recently adopted
• It is hands off once you plug it in, just insert a new refill after about 4 weeks 
• Feliway has been clinically proven unlike many other products on the market
• It is drug free so it won’t have any addictive impact on your cat
• It is 100% scent free for us humans, we won’t notice it a bit

The Cons:

• It can take time to start having an impact, sometimes a week or more
• The refills are rather expensive, especially if you need to use them over the long haul
• Covers a limited range and may require multiple diffusers if you have a large or multi room household

How to Use It Best:

• Place it in the room your cats will be spending the most time in together
• Be sure to place it in a spot where it is unlikely to get dinged or run into on accident
• Plug it in a week before you bring home a new cat to help calm your existing cats down
• Replace the cartridge about once a month to ensure there aren’t any breaks

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How long does a single refill last?
  • Each refill should last about one month
• How much space does it cover?
  • The package indicates about 500-700 square feet, but if you have doors you close often etc. then this will be far more limited
• What’s the difference between the Multi Cat Product and the standard Feliway Product?
  • The Multi Cat Product is intended to help reduce tension between multiple cats
  • The Standard Feliway Product is aimed at reducing spraying and scratching behavior
• Will the Multi-Cat Plugins work with the standard Feliway Diffuser?
  • Yes, both types of refills work with the same diffuser.
• How do I know it is working?
  • If the diffuser is warm to the touch that means it is working.

Wrapping It Up on Feliway Multicat:

Feliway Multicat is an ideal solution if you’ve got multiple cats that are fighting in your house or if you plan to introduce a new cat to the household in the near future. It is super easy to use, it doesn’t take any skill or practice, and it has a scientifically proven impact on cats. I’ve had great experiences with Feliway and I’d highly recommend it to anyone having trouble introducing cats.

If you’ve used Feliway Multicat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: Feliway Multi Cat Site

General

Health Care

By Craig / October 29, 2017

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If you’ve just recently adopted or are considering adopting a male cat then neutering him should be one of the first things on your to do list as a new cat owner. There are a wide variety of reasons that you should neuter your male cat and they can be broken down into a couple of simple categories.

But one of the most common questions out there is what is the best time to neuter a cat? So let’s take a look at key reasons to neuter your male cat and also everything you need to know about how and when you can get this procedure completed.

If you happen to have a female cat then please check out this article for details on females & spaying.

Behavioral Reasons

Have you ever had the joy of smelling cat urine? It isn’t a good smell to say the least. If you’ve not experienced it and wish to then keeping your male cat intact is a likely way to give you an opportunity. Male cats that aren’t neutered commonly start spraying at some point or another in their life. This is partially about marking territory and partially about letting females know he is about and available for mating.

On top of this males that hear or smell a female in heat will be very prone to yowling and attempting to escape the house to get to that female. They’ll be incredibly loud and you will not be able to quiet them down until they get where they want to go, it can be beyond frustrating. Neutering will remove this tendency to yowl and to escape the house too.

Neutering also decreases the chance for your cat to be hit by a car because your cat is much less likely to roam far from home after he has been neutered.

Health Related Reasons

Male cats that haven’t been neutered tend to roam much further than their neutered counterparts. This puts them at risk of encountering and fighting with other male cats over territorial disputes.

Fighting means the cat is put at much higher risk of serious infectious disease such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus, both of which are transmitted through puncture wounds from bites.

Monetary Reasons:

The cost of neutering your male cat is far less than the cost of having your male cat start a fight and come home needing a vet trip to clean up the wounds.  Or in a more serious fight the potential for getting a lifelong disease will also clearly have a monetary impact.

Community Reasons:

Stray animals are a massive issue, especially in major cities.  This has driven multiple rescues to aim for no kill cities, but the simple fact is this isn’t possible due to scale the overpopulation.  Every year, millions of cats of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers come from unplanned litters that could have been prevented by neutering your male cat.

Cats are also quite damaging to local wildlife, research has shown they kill billions of birds per year. Minimizing overpopulation of cats will minimize the impact they have on local wildlife.

When is the Best Time to Neuter a Cat?

Most cat owners decide to get their cat neutered when they are about 6 months old. That being said, I would personally recommend getting your cat spayed as early as two months. Kittens are pretty impressive little creatures, male cats can sire kittens as young as five months old and females can get pregnant as early as 4 months old!

Given this early neutering is highly recommended, especially if your cat is an outdoor cat. Many animal shelters, including the one I volunteer at, neuter male kittens at about the 2 month mark.  There are of course other things we take into account, for example the weight of the cat, but if possible we spay at about the 2 month mark. We do this before they are ever even put up for adoption to ensure they won’t contribute to overpopulation.

How To Get Your Cat Neutered

Any veterinarian that performs services for cats will be able to help you get your cat neutered.  Your veterinarian can also help you decide if neutering your individual pet at an earlier age is appropriate. The vet will take into account all necessary considerations like the weight of your cat to ensure the procedure is safe.

If going to a traditional veterinarian is not an option for you due to costs then you can work with one of many local rescues in your area. Most rescues work with local veterinarians to provide heavily discounted or even free services for getting your male cat neutered. The ASPCA even provides a tool to help animal owners locate a low cost spay option, you can check it out here.

Wrapping It Up on What Is the Best Time to Neuter a Cat

There are a ton of good reasons to get your cat neutered and on the overall it is a quite affordable procedure.  If you’re wondering what is the best time to neuter a cat, the short answer is as soon as possible, assuming of course your cat is large enough and old enough.

If you have any other thoughts on spaying your cat then please do leave a comment below or shoot me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this post.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

General

Litter Mats

Product Reviews

By Craig / October 27, 2017

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If you’ve got a problem with cat litter tracking then you’re just like one of about 36 million other US households that own a cat. It is a rather frustrating problem, particularly when you’re walking around with bare feet and you step right one a bit piece of litter that jabs into the bottom of your foot!

I’ve written another article on cat litter tracking in general, but the cat litter mat is by far one of the most important pieces. The cat litter mat is the first line of defense in stopping litter from getting past the first few feet outside of the litter box. Once it gets past the first few feet you’ll find it everywhere.

There are a wide variety of mats out there and while you could choose one randomly you’ll be far better served by selecting one that’ll fit your specific cat/situation. I chose the top four mats out there and not only are full reviews of each available at links below, but a side by side comparison is available for ease.

What Else Should I Look For?

Beyond the obvious it traps litter, what other things are important in choosing a cat litter mat? The key things that I like to keep an eye on are:

• The litter trapping method: How does the mat capture the litter? There are two main types of mats:
  • Single Layer Grab: The grab method uses complex interwoven fibers to pull the litter off of your cats feet as they cross.
  • Double Layer Drop: The drop method uses a series of honeycombed holes so the litter falls through into a second layer.
• Litter emptying method: How does the litter get out of the mat once it is trapped?
  • Shake & Vacuum: This means you’re typically dependent on a vacuum or on shaking/smacking the mat against a wall to get litter out of it.
  • Pick Up & Pour: This means the litter mat allows you to easily dump litter right out of it into the garbage or a litter box.
• Is it waterproof: Will urine or other liquids leak through to the floor below?
• Is it skid proof: Is the mat going to slide all over the place or does it have a backing built in to hold it in place?
• Is it the right size: Everyone has a different amount of space available for their litter mat, will the mat fit?
• Production Material: What’s it made of? This is important for those of you that want something that won’t absorb liquids and scents.

Best Cat Litter Mat Side by Side Comparison

Litter Mat	Smiling Paws Cat Litter Mat	Easyology Cat Litter Mat	iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper	Moonshuttle Blackhole Cat Litter Mat
Photo
Rating
Litter Trap Method	Single Layer Grab	Single Layer Grab	Double Layer Drop	Double Layer Drop
Litter Empty Method	Shake & Vacuum	Shake & Vacuum	Pick Up & Pour	Pick Up & Pour
Water Proof	Waterproof	No	Waterproof	No**
Skid Proof Bottom	Skid Proof Bottom	Skid Proof Bottom	No	No
Special Notes	Best overall combination BPA Free	Huge variety of colors	Space available for an absorbent pad to catch liquids & minimize spills	Easiest mat to pour out captured litter from
CatGenie Compatible	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible & Easy to Return Granules	Compatible & Easy to Return Granules
Sizes Available	Rect. Jumbo 47″ x 33″ Rect. Lg. 35″ x 23.5″	Rect. Jumbo 47″ x 36″ Rect. Lg. 35″ x 23″	Rect. Jumbo 42″ x 36″ Rect. Lg. 30″ x 23″ Rect. Small. 23″ x 21″	Rect. Lg. 30″ x 23″ Rect. Med. 23″ x 21″  Cat Shaped 23″ x 21″
Purchase Options	Show Me The Lowest Price	Show Me The Lowest Price	Show Me The Lowest Price	Show Me The Lowest Price
StuffCatsWant Review	Full Review	Full Review	Full Review	Full Review
Material	Commercial Grade BPA Free Vinyl	PVC Plastic	EVA	EVA

**Moonshuttle indicates the product is waterproof, but numerous consumers have indicated it is not.

Given all the mats available I’ll freely admit that I would personally lean toward either the Smiling Paws Mat or the Blackhole Litter Mat.  The key deciding factor for me would be whether or not my cat is a long haired cat or not.

Long haired cats in general tend to get more litter stuck in their hair and thus I would aim for the Smiling Paws mat that has the ‘grabbing’ type system available. Short haired cats on the other hand would typically push me to lean toward the Blackhole Litter Mat instead.

Wrapping It Up on the Best Cat Litter Mat Side by Side

I know there are a ton of mats out there and it can be difficult to see which mat best fits the needs of you and your cats.  Hopefully you found this article helpful.  I know seeing all of the details in one place helps me come to a decision more quickly and easily.

If you’ve used any of the above mats and have any additional experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts. If you’ve got another mat I should review please also message or email me.

Please do ask me any questions you might have regarding any of the mats!

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: Moonshuttle Blackhole Cat Litter Mat Website, Smiling Paws Website, iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Website, Easyology Cat Litter Mat Website

General

Litter Mats

Product Reviews

By Craig / October 25, 2017

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Product: Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat

Cheapest Place to Buy: Find the Best Deal

StuffCatsWant Rating: 5 out of 5

Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat Product Overview

This Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking in the house. Not only does it work like a charm, but it comes with several other benefits that most other mats don’t combine into a single mat. I’ve featured as the top mat in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.

The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material that is specifically designed to  lightly grab at litter and other “stuff” that might be stuck to your cat’s paws. It does a great  job of this and successfully stops the bulk of litter from being tracked all over.

It also doesn’t have a rough feeling to it that will cause a lot of cats to avoid walking on it like many mats do.

Smiling Paws also comes fully equipped with a built in non slip backing AND it is waterproof. So not only will it not slide around, but in case of any accidents it also won’t be letting the urine drain through to the floor. Since you can easily spray it down with a hose or shower head as well it is easy to clean.

CatGenie owners have also indicated that this product successfully captures CatGenie granules and ensures they don’t get far!

The Pros:

• It is large in size to cover a wide area outside of the litter box (or boxes).
• It is quite affordable coming in at the middle of the road price wise.
• It comes in a nice variety of colors (though as of now only Grey/Black are on Amazon).
• It has a no-slip backing built into it, it won’t slide all over.
• It is very durable and easy to shake the litter out of and wash the litter out with a hose or shower head.
• It is waterproof, nothing will leak through it if your cat has an accident.
• It is BPA & Phthalate free.

The Cons:

• It isn’t nearly as easy to empty the litter out of as mats like the Blackhole Litter Mat. You’ll have to shake it or vacuum it.
• If you have an older cat or special needs cat that pees constantly on the mat it may still pick up a scent (any mat will in that situation).

How to Use It Best:

• When you first get it you might have to apply a hair dryer to it so it’ll flatten out, this is a side effect of the material during rolled up shipping.
• Clean the mat frequently to keep it from getting gross, soaking it in water & dish soap will make it easy to rinse most things off.
• A vacuum works great to clean up initial layers or bits of litter.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Will it slide around on carpet and wood floors?
  • No, it specifically has a slide proof backing built into it to prevent this.
• Do things get stuck in the fibers?
  • Yes, from time to time things will get stuck in the fibers. The mat is easy to beat out against a wall though and that will remove most of them. You can also wash it with a hose or shower head without any problem.
• Is the mat waterproof?
  • Yes, it is waterproof so liquids (urine and vomit) can’t soak through to the floor below.
• Could you cut this mat to fit a smaller space?
  • Yes, using a utility knife or a pair of very sharp scissors you could cut the mat to fit a specific size or shape.
  • Just note that after you cut it the mat won’t hold liquids as well so things might leak out the side.
• Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
  • Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
• How big is it?
  • 35 inches x 23.5 inches

Compare Smiling Paws To Other Top Mats

Wrapping It up:

The Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat is another excellent mat if you’ve got a litter tracking problem at home. The biggest differentiator for this particular product is that it combines all of these features into a single mat: size, no slip backing, waterproof, BPA free & more. The biggest drawback I’ve noted is that it can take some time to vacuum the litter out of the fibers if they’re really suck in there.

If you’ve used the Smiling Paws Pets Cat Litter Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: Smiling Paws Website

General

Litter Mats

Product Reviews

By Snow / October 15, 2017

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Product: Easyology Cat Litter Mat

Cheapest Place to Buy: Find The Best Deal

StuffCatsWant Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Easyology Premium Cat Litter Mat Product Overview

This Easyology Cat Litter Mat is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking in the house. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason. If you’ve got a cat or cats that are prone to dragging litter all over the place then you should consider an Easyology mat.

The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material that is specifically designed to grab at litter and other “stuff” that might be stuck to your cat’s paws. It does a great job of this and successfully stops the bulk of litter from being carted all over.

As an added benefit it is one of the few litter mats out there that comes with a built in non slip backing on it so it won’t slide all over wood or tile floors.  Easyology has a ton of different colors to choose from, most other mats only come in black or beige.

I don’t personally have a CatGenie, but numerous people have indicated that this product successfully captures CatGenie granules without any problem. Getting them out is a bit more of a hassle though if you want to put them back into the system.

The Pros:

• It is large in size to cover a wide area outside of the litter box (or boxes)
• It is very affordable compared to most large and effective litter mats
• It comes in a huge variety of colors
• It has a no-slip backing built into it
• It is easy to vacuum litter out of it
• It is very durable and easy to beat the litter out of and wash the litter out with a hose
• It doubles as a doormat if you want a decent doormat

The Cons:

• It isn’t waterproof so vomit/urine can leak through to the floor. Note it is only listed as water resistant, but just calling this out
• It isn’t nearly as easy to empty the litter out of as mats like the Blackhole Litter Mat
• It can be a hassle to clean due to its size and that things like stray poo and vomit stick to it

How to Use It Best:

• Clean the product frequently to keep it from getting gross
• Soaking it in water & dish soap will make it easy to rinse most things off
• A vacuum works great to clean up initial layers or bits of litter
• Blot up any urine or vomit before it has a chance to soak through

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Will it slide around on carpet and wood floors?
  • No, it specifically has a slide proof backing built into it to prevent this.
• Do things get stuck in the fibers?
  • Yes, things will get stuck in the fibers. The mat is easy to beat out against wall though and that will remove most of them. You can also wash it with a hose or shower head without any problem.
• Is the mat waterproof?
  • It is not waterproof so liquids (urine and vomit) can soak through to the floor below.
• Could you cut this mat to fit a smaller space?
  • Yes, using a utility knife or a pair of very sharp scissors you could cut the mat to fit a specific size.
• Can you clean the mat in case of an accident or vomit?
  • Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
• How big is it?
  • 35 inches x 23 inches

Compare The Easyology Mat To Other Top Mats

Wrapping It up:

The Easyology Cat Litter Mat is another excellent mat if you’ve got a litter tracking problem at home. The biggest differentiator for this particular product is the large size and the fact that it has a built in no slip pad on the back. The biggest drawback is that it isn’t waterproof which may be a deal breaker for many people, especially if you’ve got a cat prone to missing the litter box.

If you’ve used the Easyology Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: Easyology Cat Litter Mat Website

General

Litter Mats

Product Reviews

By Craig / October 13, 2017

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Product: iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper

Cheapest Place to Buy: Find The Best Deal

StuffCatsWant Rating: 4.5 out of 5

iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Product Overview

This iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper is a top of the line mat designed to help control litter tracking using a unique two layer design. If you’ve got a cat or cats that are prone to dragging litter all over the place then consider an iPrimio mat. Cats that jump out of the litter box will have a lot of their litter trapped by this mat. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.

If you have a cat that has urine accidents from time to time this model is designed to allow for the insertion of an absorbent pad that can easily soak up urine. The base is also water proof so nothing will leak through onto the floor below.

The mat covers a large surface area and is made of a very durable material called EVA.  It is easy to wash with a hose or a shower head, but do note that the edges are not made to reflect water and will absorb it. This means it may take time to dry if you soak it down.

Another item worth noting is that this is not the type of material that is often used to “grab” at litter from the paws of your cat. This means it is nice and smooth and less prone to irritate your cat’s feet ensuring they won’t try to avoid the mat.

The extra large design of the holes also make it a perfect pairing with the CatGenie and since it is easy to dump the granules out of the mat it is easy to retain them.

The Pros:

• Large size and extra large holes make it excellent at trapping litter.
• Two layer design keeps the litter in place and enables you to dump the litter out quickly.
• The surface is designed specifically to be cat paw friendly.
• Designed to let you place an absorbent pad in the bottom in case urine is a consistent problem.

The Cons:

• On the pricier side of litter mats.
• Doesn’t come with a non-slip bottom included so it can slide around.
• The edges can get saturated with urine and stink.
• There are only two colors, beige and black, pretty boring compared to the Easyology Cat Litter Mat.

How to Use It Best:

• Empty litter from this daily to ensure it doesn’t pile up inside of it, be sure to have your litter box or garbage can handy.
• Keep an absorbent pad in the middle of the mat if you have a cat that has urine accidents constantly.
• Set the edge of your litter box on it to keep it in place or get a no slip rug pad to keep it in place.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Are the holes really bigger than other mats?
  • Yes, the holes are larger than those on the Blackhole Mat, maybe by about 20-25% or so.
• Does the material encourage cats to try to scratch it?
  • No, the material is not one cats would be inclined to scratch/claw.
  • It is specifically designed to be smooth so it doesn’t irritate your cat’s paws.
• Is the mat waterproof?
  • It is waterproof, but it is also recommended to place an absorbent pad inside so when you pick it up it doesn’t dump all over.
• Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
  • Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
  • Note you’ll have to let the edges air dry off as they absorb liquid.
• How big is it?
  • 30 inches x 23 inches

Compare The iPrimio Mat To Other Top Mats

Wrapping It up:

The iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper is an awesome mat, especially if you’ve got a cat that tends to miss the box with urine or with vomit.  The biggest differentiator for this product is that it is completely waterproof on the bottom, so anything that lands on it will not leak through onto your wood/tile/carpet below.

The other major benefit is the holes are larger than that of the Blackhole Mat so even with larger formats of littler you won’t run into problems.

The biggest drawbacks I’ve noted is that similar to the Blackhole Mat in that it is easy to accidentally dump litter all over the place when emptying it and it is on the pricier side.

If you’ve used the iPrimio Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Website

General

Litter Mats

Product Reviews

By Snow / October 12, 2017

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Product: Blackhole Cat Litter Mat

Cheapest Place to Buy:   Find The Best Deal

StuffCatsWant Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blackhole Cat Litter Mat Product Overview

This is hands down one of the best purchases we’ve made for our cats since we got them.  I’ve already got an article out there on helping control kitty litter tracking, but I’ll freely admit that this is by far one of the best methods for controlling it. I’ve featured it in my top 10 best cat litter mats article for exactly this reason.

The Blackhole mat has a special design that has two layers, the layer your cat steps on and the layer that the kitty litter falls into and gets trapped in.  The two layer design ensures that once litter falls down it doesn’t get kicked back out.

This mat is super easy to pick up and dump trapped litter out of (just be careful since both sides pop open) back into the litter box or into the garbage.

It should also be noted that the mat is made of super easy to clean material. You’ll also be happy to hear this mat can be sprayed off with a shower head or a hose with a little bit of soap and water. Good as new.

I haven’t used a CatGenie, but according to other reviews the Blackhole Litter Mat is 100% compatible with the CatGenie and will have you no longer stepping on plastic granules throughout your house! Wohoo! Added bonus.

The Pros:

• Awesome proprietary two layer design that really traps the cat litter as it falls into the mat.
• Minimizes the amount of mess just outside of the litter box significantly.
• Very simple to pick up and dump extra litter back into the litter box or into the trash.
• Super easy to clean up if there’s any accident on it or if your cat vomits on it.
• Large in size so covers a wide area and you can set part of it right under the litter box to keep it from moving around.

The Cons:

• It is the most expensive litter mat I’ve come across.
• I wish it only opened on one side, be careful when you pick it up so the litter doesn’t dump out.
• Since the mat has bumps on it some cats don’t like the feeling and will try to avoid walking on it.
• The mat is not waterproof and things will get absorbed by it / leak through it.
• It can slip and slide on the floor, I place it partially under my litter box to avoid this.

How to Use It Best:

• Empty it often, every other day if possible. If the holes get clogged the litter tracks like it normally would.
• Be sure you’ve got your litter box top removed or the trash can nearby if you’re going to empty it.
• Be sure you shake it out or bang it on a wall once or twice outside before you wash it out in a shower/sink, cat litter clogs drains.
• You may also want to consider a non slip pad to drop under the Blackhole Mat if your litter box doesn’t hold it in place.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How large are the holes in the mat?
  • The holes are about .25 inches in size.
• Is this compatible with the granules from a CatGenie?
  • Yes, it is compatible. The granules will fall through the holes safely.
• Is the mat easy to clean in case of an accident or vomit?
  • Yes, soap and water can be used to clean the mat, a shower head or shower sprayer on a hose will help clean the small holes out.
• Does the material it is made of have any sort of scent?
  • There’s no scent I’ve ever smelled.
• How big is it?
  • The size linked above and below is 30″ x 23″. 
  • There are 3 other sizes as well: Super Large (36″x25″), Medium (23″x21″) and Cat Head Shaped (23″x21″)

Compare The Blackhole Mat To Other Top Mats

Wrapping It up:

I really can’t say enough good things about this mat. If you’ve got a litter tracking problem then this is definitely your solution. It is super easy to use, super easy to clean up and it comes in at an affordable price for those of you being driven insane by constantly stepping on cat litter.

If you’ve used a Blackhole Mat and have any addition experience or info you’d like to share please comment below or shoot me a note at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article to reflect your thoughts.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

References: Moonshuttle Blackhole Cat Litter Mat Website

General

Health Care

By Craig / October 12, 2017

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In my initial article on cat health insurance I gave an overview of key things you need to look out for when you start looking into health insurance for your pet. This article is specifically geared toward providing additional detail on the key terms worth knowing for cat insurance. Most of them will overlap heavily with health insurance for humans, but if you’re not too familiar then it is worth taking a quick read through the glossary.

Glossary of Cat Health Insurance Terms

Here are a few need-to-know terms in alphabetical order:

• Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment Allowance: Most plans will list a  maximum reimbursement limit for chemotherapy and radiation treatment. These amounts are generally split in two separate values and the allowance for radiation is typically much higher than that of chemotherapy.
• Code: The “code” is the unique identifier the company uses to identify the diagnosis given to your pet. It is typically a unique number of some sort and each diagnosis will have its own code.
• Co-Payment: Just as it applies to human insurance, the co-pay is the amount of out of pocket expense you must cover per incident after your deductible. The co-payment is usually a percentage, for example 90/10 means that the insurance will cover 90 percent of the balance after your deductible is paid and you have to pay the remaining 10 percent.
• Deductible: Deductibles apply to pet insurance, too. They are the exact same thing as they are in human health insurance. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay yourself before you receive reimbursement from your pet’s insurance plan. Keep in mind that for pet insurance you might have to pay the deductible for every single incident. Be sure to read closely as many plans don’t have a yearly deductible like human health insurance. 
• Endorsements (Add Ons): Some insurance companies give the opportunity to purchase an “endorsement.” The most common one you’ll find is a cancer endorsement. This is basically an add-on to your purchased insurance plan and extends the amount of coverage your pet receives for the specific illness listed. Another very common Add On is a Wellness Add On which is used to cover preventative care.
• Exclusions: Pretty straight forward, but these are items not covered by your insurance. This can include: pre-existing conditions, certain musculoskeletal disorders, congenital disorders, hereditary disorders, intentional injuries caused by you or your family and elective or cosmetic procedures. You’ll want to pay special attention to this if you have a pure bred cat because they often have special exclusions due to known genetic issues.
• General Anesthesia Allowance: Companies will outline the maximum limit for general anesthesia costs.
• Incidents: The term incident is used to refer to the condition that is causing you to visit the veterinarian. Chronic conditions such as skin allergies are considered to be a single incident even if you pay your veterinarian multiple visits.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Every major pet insurance company has exclusions built in for pre-existing conditions. This means that any ongoing condition your cat was diagnosed with prior to being covered by their policy. These are typically not short term conditions, but things that will last the entire life of your pet.
• Primary Condition Maximum: This means the financial limit that the insurer places on a primary condition. This will include everything from injections, hospitalization, exams, surgery all the way through to the specific treatment.
• Primary Diagnostic Testing Maximums: This refers to the cost limit the company places on primary diagnostic testing. This allowance is generally made per bodily system. In many cases, this benefit limit does not extend to specialized diagnostic tests.
• Schedule of Benefits: The document that is provided to you when you sign up for your pet insurance policy. This document outlines conditions that are covered under your plan and the monetary allowance you are provided for each diagnosis.
• Secondary Diagnosis or Condition: If your pet is treated for a second condition that occurs as a result of the primary diagnosis it will be covered under the benefits listed as a secondary diagnosis or condition. This secondary condition will receive financial reimbursement in addition to the primary diagnosis or condition.
• Waiting Period: The amount of time you have to wait before you can file a claim to be reimbursed. There are two main kinds, illness and accident. Most plans carry a short waiting period for an accident, but a much longer waiting period for illness.

Wrapping It Up

I realize this isn’t exactly the most exciting article I’ve ever posted, but hopefully you find it helpful if you’re in the market for cat health insurance.  If you happened across this article on accident and are looking for the key things to know about cat insurance then check out this article here.

And always remember one of the best ways to keep your cat happy and healthy is to provide lots of play sessions and a healthy diet while ensuring your cat gets to the vet at least once a year for a check up.

If you have any other thoughts on cat insurance (or pet insurance of any kind) then please do leave a comment below or shoot me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this post.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

General

Health Care

By Craig / October 10, 2017

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If you know anything about cats, you know they always land on their feet and that they have nine lives. At least that’s what we’re always told. That being said, we cat owners don’t wish to waste any of our cats’ lives if it isn’t necessary. Because of this a lot of us consider purchasing pet insurance for cats in case of an accident.

But before you move forward with insuring your cat it is probably worth understanding the ins and outs of pet insurance as a business. Cat insurance is it is quite a bit different than your typical human health insurance, in the United States at least.

What You Need To Know About Pet Insurance for Cats

Read the Details: Plans vary extensively in coverage and in costs. You need to make sure you know what you’re buying. Be sure to read every detail before clicking that purchase button, especially if you’re paying yearly.  Don’t just get the cheapest insurance out there, it’ll likely carry limited coverage.

Most Plans Don’t Cover Wellness Costs: Your own health insurance covers preventative services like a yearly physical. In pet insurance terms this is known as a Wellness Service. Most pet insurance plans do not cover wellness services unless you pay for an add on. Even with insurance your yearly visit to the vet can still run you a hefty chunk of money.

You Pay for Services Up Front: Pet insurance doesn’t work like your own health plan. You pay out of pocket for every service and then submit the receipts and the claim forms for reimbursement. They’ll then send you a check back minus your deductible.

For large scale operations and/or emergencies you’re still going to be responsible for out of pocket expenses and it could take weeks or months to get reimbursed.

State to State Differences: Pet insurance has many differences from state to state, both in price and coverage. Be sure whatever plan you’re researching is valid in your state and be sure to ask your insurance company what happens if you end up moving.

Age Limits & Premiums: Most pet insurance plans have age limits. Older pets get sick or need vet visits more often so premiums go up with age and at some point they will no longer insure your pet. The most common age I’ve seen for cats is around 14 years.

Premium Frequency & Fluctuation: Plans vary in how premiums are handled, some are paid monthly, some yearly, and some by visit. I recommend aiming for yearly and if you can’t do that then go monthly. I’d avoid anything where you pay each visit.

Also note premiums can and will increase. Be sure to understand how often this can happen and by how much.

Coverage Doesn’t Start Instantly: Companies build waiting periods into most policies for illness. This means once you purchase the plan it may take several days or weeks for the plan to go into effect. Don’t wait until your pet is sick to get insurance.

Pet Insurance Is a Business: While the marketing for pet insurance businesses makes it seem like the thing they care most about is your pet, always keep in mind insurance is still a business. I’m not saying insurers are trying to put you in a bad spot, but as with any insurance there is always fine print and they are aiming to make a profit.

Be sure to research any pet insurance thoroughly before purchasing so you know what you’re getting and more importantly, what you’re not getting.

The Major Providers

Here’s a quick rundown of the major providers in the market in alphabetical order as well as how long they’ve been around.  If you want to see a comparison of each of the major providers then check out the ASPCA’s comparison page for more details.

• AKC – The company that offers AKC Pet Healthcare Plan started selling plans in the US in 2003 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• ASPCA – The agency that provides ASPCA Pet Health Insurance was founded in 1997 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• Embrace – Embrace started selling plans in 2006 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• Figo – Figo Pet Insurance launched in April 2015 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• Healthy Paws – Healthy Paws started selling plans in 2010 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB
• Nationwide – Originally known as VPI, it started selling in 1982 and switched names to Nationwide in 2015, it is ranked an A by the BBB.
• PetFirst – PetFirst was founded in 2004 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• PetPlan – Petplan started selling plans in the US in 2006 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB
• Pets Best – Pets Best was founded in 2005 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.
• Trupanion – Trupanion started selling plans in the US in 2008 and is ranked an A+ by the BBB.

A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re looking for a far more comprehensive understanding of Pet Insurance then check out the very friendly and in depth guide over at SimplyInsurance.co. Not only will you it give you a full scale overview, it’ll answer several questions I haven’t yet covered in the scope of this beginner’s guide.

Wrapping It Up

There are a lot of differences between pet insurance for cats and insurance for us humans. Given this the most important thing you can do is educate yourself to ensure you’re fully aware of what it is you are buying. For a lot of people pet insurance is a great idea, especially for those with kittens. Kittens are the cheapest to insure (generally) and they are also very mischievous little fur balls that tend to get into trouble.

That being said in a lot of cases it might not make any sense for you to purchase insurance for your pet due to age, cost, or there’s simply not a plan available in your area that meets your specific needs.

If there are any insurance terms you run into that you’re not sure of be sure to check my glossary of cat insurance terms to know.  I’ve compiled it based on reading through multiple articles and doing extensive research to make sure you can make the best choice on insuring your feline friend.

If you have any other thoughts on cat insurance (or pet insurance of any kind) then please do leave a comment below or shoot me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this post.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

General

Health Care

By Craig / October 1, 2017

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If you’ve just recently adopted or are considering adopting a female cat then spaying her should be one of the first things on your to do list as a new cat owner. There are a wide variety of reasons that you should spay your female cat and they can be broken down into a couple of simple categories.

But one of the most common questions out there is what is the best time to spay a cat? So let’s take a look at key reasons to spay your female cat and also everything you need to know about how and when you can get this procedure completed.

If you happen to have a male cat then please check out this article for details on males & neutering.

Behavioral Reasons

Have you ever heard a female cat in heat?  If not check out this wonderful video of a female cat yowling so you’ll have an idea of what you can listen to for days at a time. Females that haven’t been spayed usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house and at all hours of the night!

On top of this females that are in heat will be very prone to attempting to escape the house to get out to male cats that want to mate. By yowling they’ll also draw male cats in the area which can result in all sorts of behavior your don’t want like cats spraying all over outside your home.

Spayed female cats won’t go into heat. Ever.

Health Related Reasons

Your female cat will live a longer, happier & healthier life. Spaying helps prevent all sorts of infections, but one of the most common is UTIs. These are in fact one of the most common infections in cats in general.

Other things that appear less frequently in spayed females are breast tumors which are malignant or cancerous in nearly 90 percent of cats. Spaying your cat before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

Monetary Reasons:

The cost of spaying your female cat is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter of kittens.

Community Reasons:

Stray animals are a massive issue, especially in major cities.  This has driven multiple rescues to aim for no kill cities, but the simple fact is this isn’t possible due to scale the overpopulation.  Every year, millions of cats of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers come from unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying your female cat.

Cats are also quite damaging to local wildlife, research has shown they kill billions of birds per year. Minimizing overpopulation of cats will minimize the impact they have on local wildlife.

When is the Best Time to Spay a Cat?

Most cat owners decide to get their cat spayed when they are about 6 months old. That being said, I would personally recommend getting your cat spayed as early as two months. Kittens are pretty impressive little creatures, so much so that they can get pregnant as early as 4 months old!

Given this early spaying is highly recommended. Many animal shelters, including the one I volunteer at, spay female cats at about the 2 month mark.  There are of course other things we take into account, for example the weight of the cat, but if possible we spay at about the 2 month mark. We do this before they are ever even put up for adoption to ensure they won’t contribute to overpopulation.

Early spaying has shown no impact to growth rates and there haven’t been any documented differences to physical or behavioral development between those animals spayed at a later age. Given this, if you plan to get your cat spayed it is logical to pursue this earlier than later.

How To Get Your Cat Spayed

Any veterinarian that performs services for cats will be able to help you get your cat spayed.  Your veterinarian can also help you decide if spaying your individual pet at an earlier age is appropriate. The vet will take into account all necessary considerations like the weight of your cat to ensure the procedure is safe.

If going to a traditional veterinarian is not an option for you due to costs then you can work with one of many local rescues in your area. Most rescues work with local veterinarians to provide heavily discounted or even free services for getting your female cat spayed. The ASPCA even provides a tool to help animal owners locate a low cost spay option, you can check it out here.

Wrapping It Up on What is the Best Time to Spay a Cat

There are a ton of good reasons to get your cat spayed and on the overall it is a quite affordable procedure.  If you’re wondering what is the best time to spay a cat, the short answer is as soon as possible, assuming of course your cat is large enough and old enough.

If you have any other thoughts on spaying your cat then please do leave a comment below or shoot me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this post.

StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.