The Best Cat Doors

--Top 3 Cat Door Comparison--

--Detailed Cat Door Descriptions--

The SureFlap Microchip Flap

If you're looking for a door that will give you the absolute best security on the market then you'll want to go with a model from SureFlap. SureFlap also makes amazing feeders and other cool products, but their claim to fame is really in that they use your cat's microchip to grant access to their door.

If you don't yet have a microchip in your kitty then no worries, they send you one to attach to your cat's collar! And if your fur ball is going outside I always highly recommend a collar just in case!

Considering a cat tracker of some sort may be worthwhile too if your kitty disappears for long periods. But the key features of this door are:

"Works great for our two indoor/outdoor cats. They can pop out whenever they want it and has so far stopped anything foreign from coming in."

It is very important to note the following before purchasing the SureFlap:

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The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door

Do your cats constantly paw at interior doors because they want into some room where you've closed the door? I know mine certainly do! They do it pretty much every time I close any door in the house.

The Kitty Pass Interior Cat Door is the perfect solution to this problem! Not only is it super easy to install, but it'll grant your cat full access to any room you desire in only a few minutes.

A few other things worth noting about this door:

"We keep the litter box for both of our cats in the closet in the office. Once or twice my wife and I have accidentally fully closed the door which has left our poor kitties scratching at it the door for access. This door solved that problem immediately."

It is worth noting the following before making a purchase:

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Ideal Pet Products Basic Cat Flap

If you're in the market for the pure basic locking cat door then Ideal Products has you covered from head to toe, and they have it done at an amazing value. This cat flat doesn't have any microchip driven security features, but it will get all of the basics done.

Ideal Pet Products developed this product for those of us that just want a simple door that will let our cats in and out of the house. You can of course lock the flap down overnight if you want want your cats going anywhere!

A few other key items worth noting on this option:

"These flaps have been a staple of my house for well over 20 years. They are super easy to use and dirt cheap. You simply can't find a better door for the price."

It is worth noting the following before making a purchase:

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Perfect Pet Soft Flap Door

The Perfect Pet Soft Flap Cat Door is a traditional cat door that is intended for installation on a door that lets your cat go between the indoors and the outdoors. It'll meet all of the basic requirements of a cat door and then some, but it is not one of the more full future models.

Instead of using microchips or a magnetic locking mechanism it is designed to simply close itself tightly with magnets until your cat pushes on the flap.

A few key items worth calling out on this model are:

"I have a pretty large lady at home at about 15 pounds and it works great for her. She took a week or two of adjust to it with the flap taped open, but after that it was smooth sailing!"

The only thing worth noting on this model is:

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Petsafe Aluminum Screen Door Panel

If you've got a sliding screen or glass door and you want to easily enable your cat to get outside without damaging the door then this model from PetSafe is the best choice.

This option basically gets inserted between your door frame and the door itself and creates a new section of the glass door that has an entry/exit flap.

There are tons of different sizes to choose from that will fit any traditional sliding door. Installation is a snap and you'll immediately create a way for your kitty to get in and out. On top of this you get a great seal that will minimize any heating/cooling costs too.

A few additional items worth noting:

"It took my fur ball about a week to get used to using it with help (treats on the outside and inside). After that though she was in and out without even noticing the flap!"

It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

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Moost 4 Way Locking Cat Door

Moost has one of the most well respected basic cat doors on the market. You'll notice many similarities to the Ideal Pet Products model as they have a lot of the same features and are even close to the same size.

This door has also been proven to work extremely well on both hollow interior doors as well as solid exterior doors. If you've got your kitty's litter box squirreled away in a closet or something this door will allow for easy access while maintaining scent control.

A few other features worth noting:

"This thing works great for a feral cat we have in the yard. We keep food and water for her in the back room of the house and she figured it out in minutes. She's safe and sound now whenever she needs shelter, but she has her freedom too!"

You'll want to consider the following before you make a purchase:

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Cat Mate Electromagnetic Cat Flap

Need a little bit of added security? Cat Mate has been in the market for years and has you covered. This cat door that will ensure your kitty can get in and out with ease!

This door comes with a small tag that your cat attaches to her collar and it serves as a key to open the door. If your kitty isn't used to wearing a collar you could consider attaching it to a harness too.

No longer do you need to worry about animals from outside managing to sneak through the door. Cat Mate has you totally covered! Check out the additional details:

"After a week of effort our kitties figured it out! Now we no longer have other animals like raccoons sneaking into our back room at night to ravage our cat food!"

You'll definitely want to consider the following before making a purchase:

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The Cat Mate Extra Large Cat Door

Are your cats bigger than your average feline?  If they are and you're still looking to let them get in and out of the house easily then you should take a look at the Cat Mate Extra Large Cat Door.

This model covers all the basic needs of a cat door and it was designed specifically for larger cats. You can also see the little green and red sliding lock mechanisms on it that will ensure you can lock cats in or out whenever you want!

A few key items worth noting about this model:

"I installed this thing in 30 minutes and I'm definitely not Tim the Tool Man Taylor (or Al Borland for that matter). The cats were using it by the end of the day without issue."

You'll want to consider the following if you don't have a cat that learns easily:

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The Cathole Interior Grooming Door

If you don't like to brush your cat as consistently as you should and you can't stand vacuuming then you might want to consider the Cathole. This internal cat door was designed specifically to help cats groom themselves as they move between rooms!

It has brushes built right in that will pull away loose hairs as your kitty goes through it. Most cats love the feeling and will walk back and forth through the door just go get some grooming done!

There are some really great features worth calling out on this model:

"I was originally concerned with a hollow interior door because I thought it would end up way too flimsy. I was wrong. This has worked extremely well across 3 different doors in the house!"

It is important to note the following before making a purchase:

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The Kitty Pass Wall Passage

Most cat doors that are designed for interior doors are not designed as complete circles or squares, they are instead designed in U shapes to make the installation easier and faster. 

But if you've got two rooms you want to connect that don't have a doorway then you actually want a complete circle or square! This ensures that there's no open dry wall or interior wall pieces that might scratch your kitty up.

The Kitty Pass is designed for just this situation!  So let's take a look at it in more detail:

"We keep our litter box under the staircase and this made access way easier. We no longer have to keep the door open all the time for either our 9 or 14 pound cat."

It is worth considering the following before you move forward with purchasing this option:

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Ideal Pets Cat Door for Windows

If you've got a window you're trying to turn into a cat door then this Ideal Pets option is the perfect fit. It is specifically engineered to fit right into an existing window and provide your kitty an entrance and exit!

The most common use case I've seen for this type of cat door is to give your cats access to a catio or to a segmented off outdoor area just for the cats! But let's look into it in a bit more detail:

"I live in Florida and prefer to keep the litter box outdoors in our cordoned off catio area. The window to the area is raised up so this was the perfect fit and to let them in and out without leaving the window open 24/7."

You'll definitely want to consider the following before making a purchase:

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Additional Information

Cat Door Types

Exterior Door Cat doors

This is the model type that most people are familiar with. When you hear cat door or cat flap you immediately think about the old rectangular version installed into the back door of the house that dogs and cats could go ahead and run right through.

The general use of these models hasn't really changed, they are intended to let your cat in and out of the house. But there are tons of new features and functions available that make it easier and safer for your household to install and use one of these exterior doors.

Exterior cat doors are by far the most extensive when it comes to variety available. So in a bit more detail I'll break down the main kinds:

Interior Door Cat Doors

Interior cat doors are quite straight forward. They basically enable your cat to get between rooms in the house without actually opening the door. You can install these on pretty much any standard door and can be used for access to any room you would like in the house.

By far the most common use case I've seen for an interior cat door is to let a cat into a room that has the litter box. My family keeps the litter box in a closet and instead of keeping the door propped open we use an interior cat door.

Not only does it look nice, but it can keep the entrance away from the actual box to help minimize smell too! This is a great option if you're looking for a cat door for an interior garage door too! Let your cats get into the garage with ease.

Another common use case is to keep your cat's food bowls in another room and provide access to it without letting larger animals, like the family Golden Retriever, into the same room.

Interior Wall Passages

You may have seen a few of these floating around as well. If you're looking for a way to let your cat get between rooms or sections of the house that don't have an actual door then you could leverage one of these instead.  A great example comes from The Kitty Pass:

They install in mostly the same way as a traditional cat door, but the inside of the kit is designed to be a complete circle instead of a half circle like most cat doors are. This gives you full coverage for all parts of the wall once installed!

Some of these models also provide a "tunnel" that is a couple of inches long because a wall is traditionally much thicker than a door. This means there's a lot more space your cat will need to sneak through.

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Cat Door Key Features

Size of Flap

Most cat doors out there come sized for an average cat somewhere in the area of 9-12 pounds.  There are of course doors like the Cat Mate Door for Large Cats that are designed specifically to accommodate cats that are quite a bit larger.

But to be sure you're getting a door that your cat can use easily. Some interior doors, like the grooming door, are designed to be a tight squeeze and help pull hair off of your cat. In this case a smaller fit is on purpose. But for most doors you'll basically want to get a few measurements of your cat before purchase:

• Width: Measure your kitty from side to side and add an inch for comfort (half an inch for each side)
  
• Height: In this case you're not measuring your cat's overall height, you're instead measuring how tall your cat's torso is. Basically you want to measure from the bottom of the chest to the top of the shoulders.

Depth

This is basically how thick the overall door and device are. You want to make sure that whatever door or wall you're planning to install your cat door in will be totally covered by it.

Most doors are quite consistent in size so this shouldn't be too big of a concern, but if you're installing your cat door into a wall then you'll definitely want to do some measuring up front!

It is worth noting that there are specific doors designed to handle extra thin applications as well. In the case of a screen door or a garage door for instance you might need one of these special thin doors that don't require a much larger casing.

Access Control

The cat doors and cat flaps of the past didn't really have any access control features. It was basically open to the world and anything or anyone small enough could slip on into the house.

These days there are several security features available on cat doors. You can get features that are as simply as a manual lock all the way up to microchip based security that will keep some pets inside and some pets outside. There are even features available that will let you only let a pet in if they happen to have snuck out through an open window or door.

Most security features work on the microchips you can get to identify your cat. If you're unfamiliar with microchips you can read more about them here.

But at a high level they are a simple RFID with a unique code that can be scanned at any time. These chips can be linked to the door as a key and the door can lock/unlock based on whether or not your cat is close to it.

Since each cat has a unique chip you can link only the chips you want to the door and restrict access. This will not only keep strange animals out, it can ensure that only the right animals get out the door in the first place.

Note that most doors with microchip security can handle upwards of 30 different microchips. Unless you're running a cat hotel you should be in good shape to cover even multiple cats.

Installation Complexity

If you're worried about installation complexity then you can always hire a professional, but most of these doors are relatively straight forward to install on your own if you have the right tools.

Read here for more info on installation and to see an example.

Shape

There are a couple of different shapes for these doors, but mostly they fall into three categories:

Door Color

Purchasing a door that will match with your decor in your house may be an important factor for some people. Do note that the bulk of these doors only come in white plastic for the frame.

As for the door itself you'll generally want to choose something that is clear plastic when possible. Most cats can still be trained to use more opaque doors, but they prefer a door they can see through. No surprise, I like to see what is on the other side of the door before I open it as well!

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How to Install a Cat Door

Installing a traditional cat door in your interior or exterior door is a pretty straight forward process if you're relatively handy around the house and you have the right tools. Most people will be able to do it even if they aren't terribly handy so long as they have the tools.

The general process usually involves the following steps:

1. Remove your door from the doorway (depends on the cat door)
2. Attach the included template or the cat door itself to your actual door temporarily
3. Trace the outline with a pencil
4. Drill holes at each of the major corners
5. Cut out the outline
6. Insert the door into the cut out space
7. Secure the inside to the outside

The primary tools you'll usually need are:

1. A pencil or pen
2. A jig saw
   
3. A power drill with a traditional bit
4. A hole saw bit for the power drill

To get an idea of what you might expect you can also watch this video from Sure Flap on how to install their door. Not every door will be identical, but this will give you a really good idea of what it would be like and what tools you might need:

If you're not handy or you simply don't have the tools necessary then you may want to simply ask an expert from a local business. There are tons of options out there these days, but some of the most common would be: to use Amazon Home Services, Angie's List & Yelp.

Each of these can connect you with licensed contractors or handy men that will get the job done easily.

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How Do I Keep Raccoons Out?

If you're looking at exterior cat doors then you'll definitely want to consider how you keep wild animals (and other peoples' pets) out of your house!  

The good news as that most of these cat doors are engineered to stop raccoons from prying their way in so long as you actually lock the door. This means you'll need to remember to flip the lock before night time though!

One of the key exceptions to this is the SureFlap Microchip door. It has been identified as a model that raccoons currently have a relatively easy time prying open.

One other thing you'll need to be careful of with any microchip or magnet driven door is the idea of tailgating. Some raccoons have been reported as being smart enough to realize is they are speedy enough they can sneak in behind a cat after their chip unlocks the door.

These are of course rather daring raccoons and not too common, but you'll want to be mindful of it. If you're worried about raccoons you might want to install a security camera for cats to keep an eye on the space!

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Are They Weather Sealed?

All of the cat doors designed for exterior doors (or windows) are engineered to maintain proper seals against the weather. This means they won't let rain or snow in and that they will also maintain a proper weather seal for hot and cold air.

You should of course keep in mind that you are basically cutting a large hole in the door. This will cause additional in and out action from your pets and will let some hot and cold air in and out. This may drive up your heating and cooling costs to a limited extent, but the cost should be minimal.

Note that electronically driven cat doors will generally seal much more effectively than traditional cat flaps or models that lock with small magnets.  If you're looking to ensure the door stays firmly shut when not in use then you may want to open for an electronic option.

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Wrap Up On The Best Cat Doors 2021

If you've got a cat that is both indoor and outdoor, or you're just looking to more easily let your kitty between rooms inside the house, then a cat flap or a cat door is an excellent idea.

They easily enable you to stop thinking about things like 'Did I leave that door open for Fluffy?' or 'Do I need to stay up and ensure that Captain Nemo gets back inside tonight?'  Cat doors make this all a no brainer, your cat can come and go as he or she pleases.

If you have any experience with cat doors or would like to share a product that has worked well for you in the past then please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

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

The Best Cat Cameras 2021

Top 3 Cat Camera Comparison

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--Interactive Cat Cameras--

Skymee's Cat Cam & Treat Dispenser

Skymee is a newer entrant to the cat monitoring space, but they have done an excellent job in bringing a top of the line pet camera to the market! It has all the features you could ask for as a cat owner.

It has the ability to throw treats, it functions at night and it even has two way audio so you can both see and hear your kitty cat while you're away from home.

 A few other key features worth noting:

"This is a great option for a cat owner looking for a camera that has no monthly fees associated to it! Not only was it easy to setup, but it is super easy to use from my phone too."

It is worth noting the following before purchasing the buy button:

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Furbo's Treat Tossing Camera

If you're looking for one of the most highly sought after pet cameras on the market then the Furbo is probably the best bet for you. Not only does it have all of the features and functions you could ask for, it has also been featured numerous times as an excellent product on TV!

The Furbo has many basic functions that are included with your purchase, but some of the more advanced functions will require you to consider an ongoing subscription fee. Read below for more details about this great pet camera:

"The customer service is absolutely great. I had an initial issue getting it setup becaues of a problem with my cellular network. A quick call to Furbo and they told me exactly what I had to say T-Mobile to get things going!"

It is worth noting the following before purchasing the Furbo:

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Pawbo's Pet Treat Cam

Pawbo is an excellent option if you're looking for a camera that you can use to play with your cat from afar. On top of this Pawbo also features an interactive treat dispenser so you can reward your kitty for a good play session or for coming to your call!

You should definitely consider this model is your primary goal is to play with your cat from a remote location. Not only does it dispense treats and have a built in laser, but you can accessorize by adding additional Pawbo toys to your arsenal and control them remotely as well!

A few other key items worth noting:

"The picture quality has been great so far and it was a breeze to set it up even though I'm not a techhie at all."

A few other items worth noting before you make a purchase from Pawbo

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PetCube Bites Pet Camera

Petcube has been around for years in the pet monitoring space. Their original Petcube is also listed below as a more affordable and less feature rich version, but I wanted to share this option because of the amazing built in treat dispenser!

The Petcube Bites model not only enables you to drop treats to your kitty at home, but it also comes fully equipped with excellent video quality and the ability to look at up to 4 solid hours of playback at anytime.

A few other key items worth noting:

"I love this thing. Not only does it work as a motion sensor security camera, it gives me peace of mind that my pets are doing well at home too. It is an added benefit that I can launch treats to my cats whenever I want!"

It is worth noting the following before completing your purchase:

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Petzi Wifi Cam & Treat Dispenser

Petzi definitely differentiates on being a basic model that for more price sensitive owners when it comes to the cat camera market. But in my opinion that's a good thing. It doesn't that take anything away from the quality of the product they produce! 

This camera will get the job done in almost any case and it'll do it on a budget. The Petzi Treat Cam is designed to handle all of the traditional features and functions of a more expensive version, but to do so without running up high subscription fees or a huge investment up front. Key features worth noting:

"This is an excellent first iteration of a new pet camera on the market. I love it and can't wait for the next release to come out!"

A few things worth noting on this more budget friendly model:

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PetChatz HD Digital Daycare

PetChatz HD was designed by top pet experts to be much more than a simple treat camera to launch treats at your kitty from work. The PetChatz Digital Daycare System can be controlled from anywhere using an iOS/Android app or desktop computer and has tons of cool features and functions.

It is worth noting that the because the PetChatz system is designed as a premium product it also comes in with a premium price tag associated to it.  Let's discuss some of the differentiating features and functions you might find useful:

"We have three dogs and two cats that love sitting in front of the screen every time we turn it on! We were skeptical that the cats would use it at all, but so far we've been super impressed with how much they love it!"

A few key items worth noting about the PetChatz before you make a purchase:

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The Original PetCube

This is the original PetCube and the claim to fame with this model is the built in laser pointer that you can play with directly from your smart phone! If you are worried that your cats are getting too much sleep and might need some exercise you can login from your phone at any time and do a play session!

On top of this it has many of the core features other cat cameras have too including HD video, two way audio, sound and motion alerts and more! Let's take a look at the key features and functions:

"The laser pointer is the key reason I love this model. Being able to hop on at lunch for a few minutes and get King Odin some exercise is a huge perk. It helps ensure he sleeps at night instead of playing with my hair ties all night."

It is worth noting the following before pushing that buy and ship button:

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--Cat Monitoring Cameras & Systems--

Kamtron Pet Camera

If you don't want any interactive features to play with your cat and you just want to see what is going on then you'll want to look at Kamtron. Kamtron is a top of the line camera that gives you comprehensive coverage and tons of features at a budget cost.

As an added benefit, this option is really economical as you can substitute micro SD cards for storage purposes instead of having to use a subscription based cloud service like many options. A few other things worth noting:

"Spying on your feline friends is a breeze with the Kamtron. We have two in the house, one in the living room and one in the office. Our cats spend 90% of their time in those rooms so it makes life easy!"

It is worth noting that Kamtron does make outdoor cat cameras as well, but this model is specifically designed for indoor use only.

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The Canary All In One

If you're looking for a security driven camera that will also help you keep an eye on your cats then the Canary is one of the best options on the market. It gets its name from the old 'canary in the coal mine' phrase. 

This system is designed to keep an eye on all sorts of important things in your house and let you know if there's an issue. It will alert you if the air quality changes, if motion is detected and even if the temperature dips or rises into a dangerous level. 

And of course it will let you keep an eye on your cats while you're away. The Canary really is an all in one security system. A few other items worth noting:

You'll definitely want to consider the following before purchasing Canary:

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The Amazon Cloud Cam

Amazon is breaking into many markets and anything that requires cloud data storage or can take advantage of cloud computing has their name all over it. Security cameras are no different. The Amazon Cloud Cam is an excellent option for both indoor and outdoor monitoring of your home.

Amazon is also constantly evolving the features and capabilities available on their equipment where many other companies are unable to invest as heavily. This means you'll get a product that is constantly innovating which is always nice! A few other key items worth mentioning:

"Super easy to use these cameras to keep an eye on my cat while I'm away during short business trips!"

You should definitely consider the following if you're looking to use Cloud Cam for whole home coverage:

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--Cat Collar Cameras--

Eyenimal Cat Collar Camera

If you're looking for a pet surveillance camera that will actually go with your cat wherever he or she goes, then you want a cat collar camera.  While these are far more common in the UK right now than they are in the US, they are growing in popularity.

The general idea is that you can charge it up and attach it right to your cat's collar. Then as your cat goes out and about you can watch what they've been up to all day from their perspective.  If you don't care about seeing what your cat sees you can instead consider a tracking device for cats.

There are a few things you'll definitely want to note before purchasing:

"I was skeptical if this would work at first, but I've actually really gotten to know my cat and his routines after strapping this onto his collar and letting him roam!"

You should definitely consider the following if you're looking to purchase:

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Additional Information

Why Would I Need A Cat Camera?

There are a couple of key reasons people generally consider buying a cat camera, interactive or not. We'll dig into each of these in a bit more detail to help you make a decision on if you need one.

Working Long Hours

Stuck in the office late or waiting out traffic before jumping in the car? Wake your cat up with the 2 way audio on all of the interactive models and throw a treat her way. Or let her chase the laser pointer around the bed in the dark if you're stuck out late and won't be home for a while!

Extended Vacation

If you go on vacation for extended periods of time then you can easily start to miss your cats. Usually you end up waiting for your cat sitter to send you a picture or two every day or every other day. This can be so frustrating!

If you can just login to your cat camera and say hi to your kitty from across the world it is a huge bonus! Not only do you have additional peace of mind, but you also get to play with your cat too!

Bond Development

Interactive cameras enable you to help build your bond with your cat even if you're not around. This is great for people who travel for work constantly or those that work long hours.

Not only will it keep your voice top of mind, but if you play with your cat or dispense a few treats too it'll make your cat associate with you positively. Big win for when you're stuck at the office late or waiting for a bus or something.

Medical Needs

If your cat happens to have any unique medical conditions you may want to get yourself a camera so you can check in on your feline friend throughout the day from pretty much anywhere.

This is especially helpful for cats that have issues like diabetes where a spike or a dip in their blood sugar can prove fatal if it isn't addressed quickly. A camera check in might be all you need to see your kitty is acting odd.

Security Purposes

Cat cameras are not specifically designed for security purposes, but they can bring an additional layer of security by letting you check in on the house from time to time!  If you notice anything out of place or odd you can easily make a call to a neighbor or to the police if you're unable to get home.

Some of the models shown above are also designed as security systems and will come with things like days of video backup as well as monitors for changes in air quality. While this isn't the goal of most pet cameras it is certainly a nice perk!

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Key Features To Consider

Resolution

These days most of us are pretty turned off when a video doesn't render in at least HD. There are two core types of HD that most Pet Cameras film in: 720p and 1080p.  If you're not terribly familiar with the differences, no big deal. The short of it is that 1080p is higher quality than 720p.

If you really want to see your cat in super high precision detail then you'll want to go for a 1080p pet camera. If you're ok with a little less quality 720p is going to get the job done fine.

It is worth noting that traditionally 720p is going to be cheaper and it is also going to take up less data to send the video to your phone. This might matter if you're often in low coverage zones or you don't want to chew up your data plan.

Swivel and Tilt

Traditional security type cameras and web cameras were static. They basically showed you whatever you pointed them at and that was that. 

Many of the newer cameras through allow you to swivel the camera (spin it around on a base) so that you can see different parts of the room more easily.  The best ones even allow you to tilt the camera up and down so you can do things like look up on top of the cabinets and see if your cat is roaming the counters.

Swivel and tilt are usually measured in degrees, the more degrees they have the more versatility you are getting!

Optical Zoom

Optical zoom is the ideal method for zooming in. If you have large rooms or you just have a need to see fluffy up close then this is definitely what you want. Optical zoom uses the lenses built into the camera to bring the image closer and maintain appropriate quality as you zoom in.

Digital Zoom

If you have really large rooms or if you feel the need to be able to zoom in across the room and see exactly what your kitty is up to then you might want to consider a camera with digital zoom.

Note that if you're going for digital zoom you'll probably want to go for a 1080p camera. Digital zoom is completely dependent upon the original image taken, it isn't actually using lenses to zoom in and out. This means the better the quality of the original the more you can zoom in without muddying up the image.

Treat Dispenser

Pretty straight forward, this is a feature that enables you to drop treats out of the pet camera while you're talking to your cat or playing with her. Most of the pet cameras have a limited treat capacity so if you're leaving for a long period of time they might not solve your problem.

There are a few dispensers that hold nearly 100 treats, but they are the rarity and not the norm.

Laser Pointer

A simple laser pointer is the the core built in toy for any pet camera. They are cheap and easy to build and they are also very easily controlled on the touch screen of a mobile phone application.

Laser pointers obviously tend to work better when it is dark out so placing the camera in a place where you don't get a ton of direct sunlight might be worth considering. You'll also want to ensure your camera has night vision if you're bothering with a laser pointer!

Night Vision

During the day most cameras film in full color to provide a vibrant experience for you to check out. Once it gets dark though your camera has a tough time gathering any light and can't display much.

Many pet cameras feature a night vision mode that will send you the video in a black & white type format that is optimized so you can see what's going on easily even in a very dark room. This is ideal during those winter months or if you're somewhere with a significant time change from your home.

Two Way Audio

Want to talk to your cat while you're away? Two way audio ensures that you can send your voice right on through to a speaker built into the cat camera. This means your fluffy friend can hear you from across the world!

This is a great way to build your bond with your cat. Every time you drop a treat you can call out to your kitty and say hello so they know it is you at work behind the scenes!

Cloud Video Storage

If you're interested in keeping track of what your feline friends have been up to for the past few days or past few hours you can always rely on a model that has cloud video storage. This will ensure you have playback capabilities as opposed to only the live image.

Do note that some models with cloud video storage require a monthly subscription fee to ensure you have access to the recordings.

Alexa Compatibility

Many cameras have an ability to interact with smart home systems like Alexa. This means you can basically provide voice commands to have Alexa do things like drop a treat for your cat.

So far capabilities with these integrations are significantly limited and I personally wouldn't consider this a huge factor for purchase unless you just like to use new technology.

Cat Calls for Treat Time

Several of the treat dispensing models allow you to add the equivalent of meal time calls to each treat dispensed. This basically allows you to use either included or recorded voice messages that let your cat know that a treat is being dropped.

Most cats will quickly catch on to the sound of the cat camera dispensing a treat so these aren't a necessity, but they are nice if you want to help develop your bond with your kitty by using your own voice!

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Can I Use It As An Automatic Feeder?

Even cat cameras with treat dispensers shouldn't be treated as an automatic cat feeder. They don't have the capacity to hold enough food and nor are they designed for this specific purpose.

If you need a full on automatic cat feeder you can find my favorite automatic cat feeders in this article. I've provided extensive details on all of the core functions and the types of problems you might be solving with an auto feeder!

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Do They Store Historic Footage?

Cat cameras are designed to allow you to login and monitor what your cat is doing at any time during the day.  This means you traditionally have a live feed directly from the camera and you're able to login and see your cat in action.

But we all know that cats don't necessary move when we want them to and they might not be right in front of the camera when we decide to login! If you want history most cameras do keep a few hours of history available for you to scan through.

There are also cloud based subscription options with many of the cameras that will let you store anywhere from 7 to 30 days of comprehensive video history. The more you decide to store or keep available the more you'll end up paying in ongoing fees. Some of these subscriptions also do enable certain features and functions on the pet cameras like social sharing etc.

Be sure to read the product descriptions and choose carefully based on how much history you may want to maintain!

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Will These Cameras Work Outside?

With the exception of the model from Eyenimal none of these cameras is specifically designed to work outdoors. There are indeed monitoring cameras that are designed for outdoor use, but they are not designed to be interactive or allow you to play with your cat.

If you're looking for high quality outdoor monitoring cameras you can simply click through on the Kamtron links and then switch over to the available outdoor models.

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How Easy Are They to Setup?

Setup with most cameras is a breeze.  They come with detailed instructions and typically require only a couple of simple steps to get them going.

The steps are usually as simple as:

1. Plug the wireless camera in
   
2. Download the associated app
   
3. Connect the app to the camera using Bluetooth on your phone
   
4. Configure the camera to access your Wifi
   
5. Watch and interact with your cat(s)
   

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Will They Work In The Dark?

The short answer is that most pet cameras are designed to work quite well even in dark rooms. Obviously the image won't come across in full color. You can read more details about this in the features and functions section above.

There are some monitors out there that will not work in the dark, this is usually noted in the product description quite clearly. Note I haven't included any options that don't have night vision.

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Do They Require Batteries?

No batteries are required for any of the pet cameras noted in this article. 

Most pet cameras do not require batteries because they require a direct connection to a wall outlet for ongoing use.  Batteries would quickly die on a video recording device that is on all day.

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Wrap Up On The Best Cat Cameras

There are clearly a lot of different factors to take into account when you're looking into selecting a cat camera for your home. The biggest and most obvious is whether or not you want an interactive camera or simply a camera that will allow you to monitor your fluffy friend from afar.

After that it mostly comes down to the amount of money you're willing to spend as well as the specific features and functions you find important.  If your cat isn't food motivated then a built in treat dispenser probably isn't going to be much use to you!

If you've got experience with monitoring your pet from afar then please do let us know! Tell us all about the model you use as well as any other models you've used and like (or hate!).

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

The Best Tracking Devices for Cats

--GPS Devices--

Meet the Whistle 3 GPS driven Cat Tracker from Whistle.  If you're looking for a smarter way to keep track of your kitty cat then you've found it right here.  The Whistle 3 uses GPS to keep track of your pet and uses AT&Ts cellular network to communicate the location back to you on your mobile phone!

If you're looking for a reliable and well trusted tracker then Whistle 3 is the go to choice today. Whistle is compatible with both Android and iOS so as long you're not still hanging on to a Blackberry or a Windows phone you'll be in great shape!

A few other key features worth noting:

"​This GPS tracker followed my cat Mr. Fluff all through the neighborhood with pinpoint accuracy. I did an update while watching TV and realized he was at the front door and wanted in! What a relief after he got lost a few weeks ago!"

​It is also worth noting the following:

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If you're set on a GPS based tracker, but you also don't like the idea of paying a recurring monthly fee, then Findster is the best option out there for you.  Not only does it have all of the major benefits of a GPS based tracker, but it doesn't have the one key drawback.

It is also an excellent option if you've got multiple pets as they have upgrade packages that will let you add additional trackers at a great cost. This means you can track up to three pets on the same account without paying any recurring monthly fees. That's a huge benefit since most GPS trackers require a separate subscription per tracker.

Let's take a look at a few other items worth noting:

"​Our cats love to roam over a ​large space and it used to take me hours to track them down. With Findster I can easily locate them both pretty quickly and bring them home if I need to!"

​It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

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If you're looking for a durable pet tracker that will take on pretty much any situation you throw at it then the Pawfit is an excellent model for consideration. The shell is waterproof and dustproof and it is specifically designed to withstand drops and bites too!

Pawfit utilizes GPS with a combination of WiFi and cell technology to give you some of the the fastest and most accurate location tracking services for your cats!  On top of location tracking it also features a ton of great activity tracking metrics to keep an eye on your cat's health!

A few other key items worth noting:

A few things worth considering before purchasing this model.

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​Tractive is a lightweight & waterproof GPS tracking device, recommended for pets above 9 pounds, perfect for most house cats! You can use it to easily pinpoint the location of your pet and even easily share it with family and friends, great if your pet hops between households or if people are out looking for a lost animal!

It functions in over 150 different countries worldwide and you can access the location either through your mobile phone or the Tractive website. A few additional items worth calling out:

"The tracker is a little too large for our cat's collar, but it attaches well enough to his harness. He got used to it after a few days and is back to roaming and we are happy knowing where he is!"

A couple of key items worth considering before making a purchase:

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This tracker's claim to fame is really the fact that it is designed in the shape of a pawprint which makes it clear it is designed just for your pet!  That doesn't take anything away from the great job the product does though. As with any GPS tracker this is geared toward long range tracking in outdoor areas.

It is of course 100% waterproof and will continue to function even if your pet decides to go for a dip in the local pond or lake!  Another huge perk here is price. Though it does require a recurring subscription it is on the cheap side when it comes to the device investment.

A few other things worth noting:

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Pod trackers have been around for years now and they are now onto their third generation tracker. ​Pod trackers are amazing and feature several great capabilities, specifically around switching out rechargeable batteries and attaching them to your pet / pet's collar!

I did however want to include them in my list because they are one of the pioneers in the space and they have also had some great deals in the past where they don't charge a recurring subscription fee even though they are GPS driven.

A few other items worth noting on the POD related option:

"Our cat Peter Pan can now roam free and pretend he is flying with the lost boys! He absolutely loves it and the size doesn't seem to bother him one bit!"

It is definitely worth noting the following before making a purchase:

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--Radio Frequency Devices--

If GPS doesn't sound like the right path for you because you know your cat likes to get in places that GPS doesn't work then RF is a great alternative.  This RF tracker has one of the longest ranges of RF based trackers on the market at about 1600 feet.

Do keep in mind that RF trackers do not show you your cat's location on a map, but instead use more of a hot and cold type system to point you in the right direction.

RF trackers are primarily known for working inside as well as outdoors. This means you can use it to locate your cat even in a busy house or if they've snuck into the garage of a neighboring household while running from a loud noise!

A few key items worth noting on this model:

"It has excellent range in open areas, it is fairly straight forward to use if you're even remotely technically savvy!"

It is worth noting the following on this model before considering it for purchase:

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Eureka's MarcoPolo tracker is definitely one of the best pet trackers on the market. It works using tracking devices that can be attached to the included MarcoPolo collars or any other collar over 7 inches long. This works similar to radar systems you've seen in all the movies. 

When your cat goes outside simply flip on the base unit and you can follow her with ease! If you so happen to live above the areas your pets love to roam all the better as you'll have a better line of sight to your kitties.

A few other things worth noting:

"I've got 2 cats that love to roam the surrounding area. Sometimes they disappear for longer than expected and this unit has always helped us find them within just a few minutes."

It is worth considering this before making a purchase:

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--Bluetooth Devices--

This particular model is actually driven using Bluetooth technology. It works in a very similar fashion to an RF driven tracker in that it will have a much shorter range, but unlike most RF driven trackers it won't require a specialized base unit.

Cat Tailer broadcasts a very low power homing signal that is picked up by your smartphone when you download and install the app. Based on the strength of the signal the application determines how far you are from your pet. Cat Tailer is an effective method for finding your pet within your yard or neighborhood or even indoors!

A few other things worth noting on this option:

"My girlfriend's cat often manages to bolt out the door on me when I stop by to feed it. This has made it so much easier to track her down in the neighborhood. The app is super easy to use and immediately found the tracking device."

It is definitely worth noting the following before considering this for purchase:

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TabCat is the go to option if you've got several cats and you want to be able to locate them with ease, but you don't want to pay for ongoing subscription fees!  TabCat is an RF driven option that comes with 2 tags and can easily pair with another two tags giving you an easy way to keep track of four cats at once!

TabCat is great for shorter distance tracking like in a neighborhood, around the house or even out in your larger backyard. It has a range of about 120 meters which is about the length of a football field and it'll track your kitty down with pinpoint accuracy!

A few additional items worth noting:

"It works quite well for exactly what it is designed to do, short range cat tracking. It helps me find my kitty when she goes out in the yard near our rural home."

It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

Back to the Quick Guide

You might not immediately consider Cube as an option for your cat tracking desires, but you'd be surprised at how effective it can be as a cat tracker. Cube is actually designed to keep track of common household items, purses, keys, etc.

Since this functions off of Bluetooth there aren't any recurring subscription fees like with a GPS model or a need to carry around a special tracking device as you often have to with RF driven options.

A few other things worth noting:

"Even though it isn't made for a cat it has worked great for me to let me know when my cat has arrived home and I need to let her back inside! I'm usually on the second floor and don't hear her so this is super handy!"

It is worth considering the following before you make a purchase:

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Additional Information

Connection/Operational Type:

There are three core types of technology available:

Attachment to Your Cat

Most GPS trackers allow you to simply snap them or slide them onto an existing collar.  GPS related trackers will ​sometimes come with their own custom collar that you'll then have to get your kitty cat used to. Many of these collars are quite weighty and may require some time to get your cat used to it. 

RFID trackers can often directly attach to your cat's existing collar. Simply hook it onto the D ring built into the collar and you're good to go. The same is true for Bluetooth trackers, simply attach them to the D ring.

Weight

The weight of the tracker is a key item worth considering as well.  Most tracking devices come with their own collar and their own attachment mechanism to ensure the tracker won't fall off. Many of these are quite bulky for cats, especially smaller cats. Given this you'll want to consider how much the tracker weighs.

It is worth noting that GPS related trackers tend to be larger and weigh more than RF trackers.  This is because of the battery power required to run a GPS based tracker. 

Cellular Coverage

If you decide on a GPS driven model you'll want to significantly consider the cellular coverage in your area. If you live in the middle of nowhere then you're unlikely to have great coverage. Without decent cell coverage you'll have difficulty getting a location from a GPS tracker.

Be sure to check which network your GPS driven tracker will use and then cross reference it with the associated coverage map from that network. This will ensure you get the coverage and accuracy you need for good tracking.

Note: Some models require a 2G or 3G network specifically. 2G networks aren't as commonly available in the United States anymore so be sure to check for coverage before purchase!

WiFi Connection

Some RFID driven devices will also be able to leverage and ping WiFi networks. This is especially true of devices that are more generic trackers and don't tend to be designed specifically for pets in mind. A great example is the cube.

What this means is that whenever your cat gets in range of a WiFi network (they don't have to connect to it or anything) the device will log the location. If you're in a more urban area this is a heck of a lot more useful than if you're out in the middle of nowhere. Generally I wouldn't depend on this capability unless you live in the suburbs where lots of small businesses or homes may have networks. 

Range

Range doesn't come into play when you have a GPS related device, but it certainly does when you decide to use an alternative technology. Many RF/RFID driven devices have varying ranges and you might need to be within a relatively close proximity to actually find your cat.

If you've got relatively wide open spaces around you and you don't mind walking a little bit then this shouldn't be a huge consideration. Cats in general don't tend to have gigantic territories, so unless something has happened to your cat a couple hundred feet should be plenty.

Bluetooth devices have a very limited range, usually around 100 feet. Bluetooth has very specific use cases so be sure you are ok with that range before making a purchase.

Battery Life

Definitely keep an eye on battery life. While most of these options will easily last a few days you'll definitely want to consider how often you might want to reconnect the device and charge it up. If you tend to be forgetful definitely lean toward a model that has a longer battery life.

You can also set reminders in your phone quite easily to take the batteries or the device out and recharge it, just be sure your cat won't go outside during this time!

Waterproof

This is outside of the device or the app where you will perform the tracking. This is for the tracking beacon itself.  Be sure your tracking beacon is waterproof if you live anywhere that gets quite a bit of rain.  Beacons can easily get damaged or become unusable if the electronics inside get wet and that renders the entire system useless.

Mobile Phone Compatibility

Several of the tracking systems out there will come with built in smart phone apps that not only allow you to keep constant tabs on your cat, they even allow you to do cool things like setup geographic ring fences and such so if your cat goes too far from home it'll send you an alert.

Be sure to keep a close eye on any mobile apps in the details of the model you buy. Some of them do only have an app for iOS or for Android. You wouldn't want to go to all the trouble to find it isn't compatible with your phone!

Activity Tracking Metrics

On top of the features above, some of the more advanced trackers are also dubbed 'activity trackers.' This will keep track of all sorts of fun little metrics about your cat. It'll tell you things like speed, and distance traveled, body temperature and might even show you where they tend to stop for long periods of time.

This might shed light on how fluffy seems to keep gaining weight even though you're keeping her on a strict diet. Perhaps she is stopping next door to get a few snacks every day on the way home from her daily jaunt in the woods!  

Ongoing Service Fees

GPS related trackers usually have to ping a cellular network on a consistent basis. This is how you can always access the location of the tracking beacon. To do this the beacon usually uses a sim cards. You'll recognize the sim card from what goes in your cellular phone.

As with anything that has ongoing cellular service there are usually ongoing service fees. Some of GPS driven cat tracking systems you'll find out there do have prepaid fees and nothing is required on an ongoing basis, but be sure to read the fine print if you decide to go with a GPS driven system.

There are also a few out there that make you to pay a one time fee on top of the cost of the equipment. This will ensure you get tracking as long as the product is still working. Be sure to check as the long term fees can definitely add up.

Note that RF driven devices and Bluetooth devices should not require any form of ongoing subscription fee. 

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The technology behind pet tracking has actually been around for quite some time. Both GPS and RF related tracking have been used extensively for years.  The key considerations that need to be taken into account for applying them to pet use are primarily related to the three following items:

Location of Use

If you're buying a tracking device for your cat the thing you care most about is whether or not you'll be able to find your cat! No surprise. The location you use these trackers in will heavily impact your ability to leverage them.

See the section below to get a better rundown on ideal locations for trackers. The short of it is that the more concrete or solid objects in the way the less likely the tracker will work effectively.

Battery Life

This is the biggest reliability feature most people need to focus on. GPS related trackers do require constant recharging and having good battery life is key. But longer battery life also drives more weight in the device so you need to strike a fine balance to keep it online without driving your pet bonkers.

Durability

One of the key features many pet tracking devices feature is that they are waterproof. While obviously far more important for dogs, it is still something to consider for your cat. A waterproof tracking device will ensure it won't die in the rain or if your cat just gets it wet running through a field with tall grass.

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Trackers work best when there are very few large solid objects around. This is because signals can be blocked or can bounce of large solid objects which make sit harder to track your pet down.  The easiest way to think about this is probably to rank order the places that trackers work best.

1. A large open grass field that is well maintained
2. A field with tall grasses and the occasional tree or bush
3. A traditional suburb with lots of space between houses
4. A dense forest full of large tall trees
5. A semi urban area with mid sized buildings and low houses
6. A downtown area full of high rise buildings and multiple levels of concrete

A simple way to process this is to think about the amount of concrete around. Generally speaking, the more concrete that's around the harder it will be for the tracker to work properly. That's not to say it will not work, it'll just be more difficult.

If you've ever driven a car in a complicated downtown area and your GPS has gotten lost then you'll have a good idea of what will happen to the pet tracking versions.  

The same is true of RFID driven trackers, the more solid objects in the way of the signal the more difficult of a time you'll have getting a read.

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Weather can certainly impact your ability to track your pet effectively.  Clear sunny days are by far the easiest weather to track your pet through, but they are also likely the days you are least interested in finding your cat too.

Just like weather impacts the accuracy of GPS on your phone or in your car it can and absolutely will impact the GPS unit tracking your pet. If there are extreme storms or really heavy cloud cover you may run into difficulty getting an accurate signal.

RF driven trackers will be far less impacted by cloud cover because of the way they work. The direct line of sight and the range required will mitigate any impact clouds will have. You may still have difficulty in heavy fog or in snowy conditions, but generally speaking you'll see less impact from the weather.

It should also be noted that water in general can cause non waterproof units to malfunction or break outright. Be sure to buy a waterproof model if it rains often near you.

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​The short answer to this is no. Most ​trackers are designed to easily attach to pretty much any traditional cat collar that isn't over an inch in width. Cat collars in general tend to come in quite a bit thinner than this, some of the widest I've seen are about 5/8". If you need a recommendation on a cat collar you can find my favorites here.

An added benefit to Bluetooth and RFID driven trackers ​is they easily attach to D ring on an existing collar or to latch on to a harness with ease.  They are also very lightweight so they won't cause any hassle.

Any tracker that ​recommends a special collar (for example Marco Polo) comes with the collar directly. Even these can be rigged onto a traditional collar or harness, it is just easier with the recommended version.

​If your cat already has a collar but you decide on one of the larger models then you may want to consider using a harness to attach it instead. Some of the tracers are as big as 2" x 2" which can make it difficult for your cat to eat/drink and could potentially get in the way of him defending himself if needed.

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​This is actually a quite ​heavily debated topic in the United States, especially in urban areas. There are many studies that have shown that household cats kill local wildlife a​nd may have other types of impact as well.

Outside of the US ​this isn't nearly as hotly debated. A lot of high quality pet tracking devices have originated outside of the United States because traditionally cats are let outdoors whenever they want to go outside.

​My own point of view is that if you want to let your cat outside then go ahead and do so. Please just make sure your cat wears a collar and has a microchip so that if your cat gets lost or injured you have a much higher chance of getting your fur ball back home safe!

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There are clearly tons of considerations that you need to account for when you're looking to purchase a tracking device of some sort for your cat. This is true whether you decide to go with an RF driven or a GPS driven tracker or even if you decide to go with Bluetooth.

Every technology has its own application and finding the best tracking devices for cats totally depends on your own unique situation. What's most important is that you take the time to think about how your cat behaves and the types of situations you'll find yourself most likely to use the tracker in. Making the right purchase up front can save you loads of frustration down the road.

If you have any experience with cat tracking devices or want to ask a question please use the comments below! I'd love to hear from you!

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: CubeTracker, Eureka Products, 

The Best Leather Cat Collars

#1 Rogz Glow In the Dark Reflective

This is by far my favorite collar on the market, leather or nylon based. It is an excellent collar that has all the features and functions a collar should have for your feline friends.  

Not only does it have key safety features like a breakaway clasp and a D ring for tags, but it has a reflective strip built right in too. If you've got a cat that goes outside on a regular basis then you can't find a better leather collar than this one!
A few other items worth noting:

"I finally managed to find a collar that stays on my cats. The adjustable safety release ensures it doesn't come off at any old tug or pull and the collar is super bright at night!"

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#2 Outlaw  Studded Safety Collar

If you're looking for a leather collar that will make your cat look like a bit of a hard ass then this might be the collar for you. Not only is it black, but it comes fully equipped with a bunch of chrome pointed studs that make it look like only the toughest cats around would wear it.

This collar also features an elastic section to ensure that your cat won't get stuck in any dangerous situations. If they get stuck they can simply pull their way right out of the collar

A few other things worth noting:

"This collar has lasted several years even though it has been on my cat daily, great quality and it still looks awesome too!"

One item worth noting:

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#3 Pearl Leather Safety Cat Collar

Do you have a sophisticated cat that needs an extra nudge to put him or her over the top into high society? this beautiful leather collar is decorated with numerous lustrous pearls that will make your kitty look like a socialite!

While it isn't a break away collar, it does come fully equipped with an elastic section built in to ensure your cat can escape from any sticky situations he or she may find themselves in.

A few other things worth noting about this option:

"This is both a great looking collar and it has held up well over the year our indoor cat has used it..."

It is also worth noting:

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#4 Epic Rogue Leather Cat Collar

If you're looking for a completely functional no frills collar then this option from Epic Rogue is worth considering. It is a available in numerous colors and is fully equipped with stainless steel fittings so it'll never rust even from plenty of use.

This genuine leather collar will make your cat look great and will bring an added layer of safety if your kitty happens to escape the house and get lost!

"After ordering the extra small for my cat I am pleased with how great it looks!"

There is one key item worth noting on this option:

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#5 Cute Flower Collar with Bling

If your cat just needs an extra layer of bling or an extra layer of fashion to look cool then this is definitely the option for you. This collar is beautifully decorated with flowers and also comes with numerous rhinestones in the shapes of flowers.

It is the perfect addition for any cat that is perhaps attending a party or just wants to look extra classy! You could even use it as part of a costume for a Halloween event. 

A few other things worth noting about this collar:

"If you're looking for a great way to make your kitty appear extra feminine then this is the perfect option!"

Keep the sizing in mind on this option when you make a purchase:

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#6 Custom Engraved Leather Collar  

If you're looking for a collar that you get to customize then this is definitely an excellent option. Not only does this collar look great, but it also comes with a riveted on name plate that you can add your cat's name and phone number to for additional safety.

As an added bonus you also get an additional hang tag for your cat made of stainless steel. You can add additional information to the hang tag as well for any additional information you might need to include.

A few other things worth noting on this option:

"I have had this collar for months and the reflective band is super easy to see in the dark, it gives me lots of extra confidence when my cat is out at night!"

It is worth noting one item about this collar though:

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#7 Personalized Blingy Cat Collar

Trying to get your cat ready for the holidays and you don't want to consider a Christmas Costume? This collar is a great option to help your cat ring in the winter season!  

It has a bunch of jewels on it, but it also has numerous snowflake shaped jewel combinations and is bright red! Talk about a collar custom made for the winter holidays...There are of course other color options if you desire, but I absolutely love this color myself.

A couple of things worth noting before purchase:

"My little cat looks absolutely great in the red collar during the holidays!"

It is worth noting one thing before purchase:

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#8 Luxury Collar With Skulls

If your cat is a total rebel and likes to cause lots of trouble then this is the leather collar for you. Not only does the black leather bring a level of danger to the look of the collar, but the skulls make it even cooler and more intimidating for anyone looking on.

Your cat will be the talk of the neighborhood with this collar and all the other cats will know to walk the other direction when they see him or her coming! You can't go wrong with this option if you've got a cat that has a reputation to establish or maintain!

A few other things worth noting:

"This collar is super sturdy and it has held up really well even after over a year of use!"

There is one key item worth noting on this collar though:

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#9 Small Cats Studded Safety Collar 

If you've got a cat that is on the smaller end of the spectrum and you haven't been able to find a leather collar that fits then you're not alone. Small cats are often difficult to locate products for, but you shouldn't be concerned! This great leather collar is specifically designed with smaller cats in mind.

It has all the major features and functions of the studded collar called out above, but it is made for cats that have a much smaller neck than your average cat! Either way, let's review some of the key items it features:

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#10 Bowtie & Bandanna 2 Pack

If you have it in mind for your cat to look like a dapper little businessman, but you want to have a leather collar, then this is the right option for you.  This two pack of collars gives you a traditional bow tie collar and a bandanna collar where the collar itself is made of leather.

This is an excellent deal if you're looking to have options for your cat and you have a specific desire to keep leather as the core component of the collar. A few other things worth noting here:

"I have two cats at home and I bought this package so I had one for each of them and they'd match! They look like a dynamic crime fighting duo!"

It is worth noting this about the collars:

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#11 Leather Collars w/ Bell 2 Pack

If you're looking to buy collars specially for multiple cats, or you know your cat is likely to go ahead and lose collars then this is a great option. The price point for this two pack makes it as accessible as a single collar from almost any other company out there.

On top of this there are a few different color combinations you can choose from so you can get your kitties to match or you can match them up to your home decor! A nice perk at this price!

Also worth noting the following:

It is worth cautioning potential buyers of one key item:

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#12 Suede Collar With Fish ID

This is one of the only suede options out there that can be customized  and has an attached bell. It is a great option for a cat that you want to have a little flair built into their collar, but you also still want it to be functional and helpful in case your cat sneaks out the door and gets lost!

There are a couple of key items worth noting here:

"The fish attachment makes my fluff ball look quite dapper, I love it!"

It is worth noting the following two things before purchasing:

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#13 Leather Safety Collar for Kittens

This option is made out of soft genuine leather and it is designed specifically for kittens. It is hand stitched to ensure you’re getting a long lasting good quality product.

There's a built in elastic strap designed to allow your cat an easy release if the collar snags on anything. They also feature very bright colors making your cat easy to spot even in low light.

A few other things worth noting:

"I love all the colors! I bought one for every day of the week for my cat so he can have a new one each day."

Please pay attention to the following before making a purchase:

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#14 Classic Padded Leather Collar

Last, but certainly not least on the list, is this awesome collar that comes from AoLove. Made of high quality leather and padded on the inside for comfort, this is another great option for anyone looking to make their cat look extra cute and visible!

A few key features worth noting on these collars:

It is worth noting the following before purchasing:

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Additional Information

Are Leather Collars Safe?

Leather collars just as safe as any other type of collar on the market for cats. You just need to make an educated purchase based on the circumstances of your particular cat.

They key difference between many leather collars and many nylon collars is that a lot of leather collars still don't come equipped with a full on safety release or an elastic band. This means if your feline friend gets stuck they can get injured or even worse.

Note that I specifically called out every collar in this list with a breakaway latch or an elastic band. These features are becoming far more common, but they aren't quite yet the norm as they are with nylon collars.

One other item you may wish to factor in is how much additional safety comes from having a collar that won't fall off versus the likelihood of your cat getting stuck on something. If the likelihood of your cat getting stuck seems low, but the likelihood of your cat pawing the collar off seems high, then you may want to go for a more traditional buckle style option instead of a safety release.

You should make your decision based on the habits and behavior or your cat as well as the environment your cat spends most of his or her time in.

Behavioral Factors:

• Super Curious / Loves Exploring: Your should definitely consider a safety release.
• Relaxes All Day: This type of cat should be ok without a safety release.

Environmental Factors:

• Outdoor cat: You should definitely consider a safety mechanism.
• Indoor/Outdoor cat: You should think about having a collar with a safety mechanism.
• Indoor cat: I still recommend a safety mechanism, but if you are constantly with your cat and you don't have many obstacles indoors then a collar without a safety mechanism may be ok.

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What Features Should I Consider?

Safety Release / Elastic Band

This is by far the most important feature to consider for any cat collar, especially if you have a cat that is an indoor/outdoor or full on outdoor cat.  Outdoor cats tend to do a lot more sneaking around in potentially dangerous places than indoor cats.

With that additional sneaking comes the opportunity for your cat's collar to get caught on things. It could be a fence post or it could be something sticking out the side of a bush or tree. A collar without a safety release of some form could cause your cat to get stuck and end up choking.

Safety releases come in two major forms:

• Breakaway releases: The breakaway release is designed so that if the collar gets pulled on with any decent amount of pressure it will simply pop open and fall off.
• Elastic Bands: Elastic bands ensure that the collar stretches an inch or two when pulled on with pressure. This ensures your cat can't easily choke and can escape the collar.

Both of these features are definitely worth exploring if your cat is going outside. Even if you have an indoor cat it doesn't hurt one bit to aim for collars with this type of release built in for added safely.

The only drawback of these releases is that since the collars come off more easily your cat may lose them. This means an additional cost to replace lost collars and the potential issue of your cat getting lost outside and losing their collar in the process.

D Ring for Tags

Depending on the laws in your state or city you may legally be required to keep tags on your cat if he or she goes outside.  Even if you're not legally required though it is smart to keep tags on your cat. This way if your cat ends up lost or injured people can be in touch with you a heck of a lot faster and more easily.

A D ring is the traditional metal ring built right into the collar that you'll be able to hang tags from.

Personalized Name Plate

Not much different than your D ring for tags, but personalized name plates are usually much more secure than a typical tag.  The plates are often sewn right into the fabric or the leather of the collar to ensure they stay on unless the collar itself falls off. This is an added layer of security for your kitty cat.

Reflective Strip

A reflective strip is a huge benefit for any feline that is going out at night. The closer you leave to busy roads the more important it is for your kitty to have a reflective strip on their collar. The whole idea is so that your cat is easy to see when there are lights around.

Reflective strips make your cat visible from much further than they would be otherwise. If you have a dark colored cat it is even more important that he or she has a reflective strip to help keep them safe.

Color

You may not think of color as an important factor in your selection, but it is worth considering whether or not the color of the collar will stand out against your cat's fur.  

Not only will this help people understand the cat is not a stray, but it'll also help identify your cat in low light situations. Bright colors against dark fur make a stark contrast in fading light or on a dark road.

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Can I Walk My Cat With a Collar?

A very calm cat can potentially be walked on a collar, but a collar is not at all designed to stay on a cat in any situations of stress or hard pulling. I wouldn't recommend walking a cat on a collar no matter what type, but you should be even more careful if your collar has a breakaway component or a stretching elastic band built into it.

These collars are basically designed to come off or let your cat out when they encounter a stressful or dangerous situation. If your cat is out for a walk and encounters any form of danger they can easily slip out of a collar and disappear on you.

Collars are not designed for taking your cat on walks. If you want to take your cat out on a walk you should definitely look at a traditional harness and leash combination instead. Harnesses are specifically engineered to stay on your cat even when they are pulling hard against the leash.

This means additional safety for your feline friend and an easy way to pick your cat up when it is necessary.

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Should My Cat Wear a Collar?

Ideally all cats should wear collars. The simple fact is that most cats that get lost never make it home to their family. This is of course another reason you should microchip your cat, but a collar can make all the difference.

Collars not only provide an additional level of safety for your cat, they also let people know that a cat belongs to someone.  This means people are more easily able to look at the collar and make a quick phone call if they discover a lost or injured cat.

Without a collar your cat would easily end up in the Animal Care and Control center or even worse, ignored as a stray when in dire straits.

Even if your cat is completely an indoor cat you should still consider a collar. Most cats manage to escape the house at some point or another. They are curious after all, and every time the door or window opens it is an opportunity for your feline friend to get out.

A high quality collar is a great way to let people know that this cat belongs to someone and it likely wants to find its way home. With advancements in safety releases and latches you also have far less to worry about than you previously did when fitting your kitty with a collar.

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Will My Cat Wear The Collar?

Many owners don't think that cats are likely to wear a collar. But the research flat out shows that cats can and will get used to wearing a collar if the owners are committed to ensuring their cat wears it.

Research from a consortium of schools revealed that as long as owners insist on their cat wearing a collar the cat is quite likely to wear it.   Over 70% of cats in a 6 month study kept wearing their collar when the owners stayed on top of it.

The short of it is, as long as you take control of the situation you will be able to keep a collar on your cat. You may need to introduce the collar slowly, but once your cat is used to it there won't be so many problems.

There are all sorts of tips and methods available for getting your feline friend to wear a collar. You can check some of them out here on the  Humane Society website.

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How Do I Make Sure It Fits?

Making sure your cat's collar fits is pretty straight forward. It is mostly dependent on you measuring your cat before you purchase a collar and then fitting it to the point that it is snug, but not too tight that it feels like it choking your kitty.

You can measure your cat on your own with a piece of string and a ruler. The most important measurement for a collar is around the neck of your cat.  You want to make sure that your collar is going to buckle on snugly at the appropriate length, otherwise it will be prone to fall off easily and get lost.

The general rule of thumb for 'snug' is that you should be able to fit two of your fingers between the collar and your cat's neck. This will give sufficient space but also stay on well enough to keep your cat safe.

Check out the video below for more detail:

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Wrap Up On the Best Leather Cat Collars 2021

If you're in the market for a collar and you simply don't like nylon options then leather is a great option. It looks great and it will also do the job just as well as any nylon collar.

There are also a lot of great looking options that simply aren't available with nylon when it comes to the decoration on the collars.  This means you can get some additional good looks or a bit of bling you might not otherwise see on traditional nylon collars.

The best leather cat collars feature a safety release mechanism like a breakaway snap and they also ensure that your cat's information is attached or included in case of any injury or a lost cat.  If you have any experience with the collars above or another option then please leave a comment below!

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: Rogz Collars, Humane Society, ASPCA

The Best Robotic Vacuums for Pet Hair

This is my go to Robotic Vacuum for cleaning up both cat hair and cat litter. I have it run in my house almost every day to help minimize the number of times I need to pull out my upright.

This thing is super easy to run. It rarely gets stuck or confused, and it finds its way right back to the charging station on its own to be ready for the next day. It is an absolutely awesome option if you're looking for a robotic vacuum and the price makes it one of the best deals on the market.

A couple of key items worth noting:

"It has made cleaning up the 'cat room' a once a week job instead of an every day job. It sucks up both cat hair and cat litter like a champ and is completely hands off" -Craig from StuffCatswant.com

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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If you're looking for an excellent robot vacuum that is going to run whisper quiet then this is the model for you. Digital Trends even voted the eufy Super Quiet IQ RoboVac as the best overall robot vacuum in 2018, that's quite the award to take home!

On top of this it was designed with a super slim profile so it slides in under those difficult to reach places to get a hold of those clumps of cat hair. It even features boost technology to suck up extra matted cat hair out of carpets and rugs!

A few notes worth adding in on this model:

"I have 4 cats and it does an amazing job picking up cat hair."

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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Samsung is well known for cell phones these days, but they've been a powerhouse in electronics for decades. This is the top of the line robotic vacuum from the Samsung arsenal and it is designed for those of us that love to show off our gadgets.

The claim to fame of this model is that it delivers 40x more powerful cleaning on all floor types when compared to a conventional robot vacuum with a circular design (they tested it against several of their own competitive models).

A couple of other really fool features worth noting on this option:

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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This is a slight adjustment from the rest of the options I've shown so far. It is both a vacuum and a mop. If you have wood floors this might be right up your alley. Not only will it clean all the pet hair off the top, it will also give them that nice shiny look once it is finished by mopping them too!

Talk about a hands free way to keep your house looking clean!  You really can't do much better than a robotic vacuum and mop. There are also several colors to choose from so you can match it with your home's decor.

A few other key items worth noting:

"Even with multiple cats and dogs in the house it keeps the fur manageable!"

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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If you only trust the most well known brands then the iRobot is probably the way you'll want to lean. iRobot was the first major pioneer of the robot vacuum with their Roomba series. 

After their initial release Roomba has continued to evolve in both specialty vacuums as well as in improving the technology to make robot cleaners smarter and more easy to use.  This is definitely one of the most technically advanced models out there if you're aiming for a feature rich robot vacuum.

The key features worth noting on this option are:

"With a long haired dog and several cats our house needed this....it has been perfect!!!"

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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Shark has made a name for itself in the vacuum world for how quickly they came into the market with a high quality product at a mid range price. Shark is known for great vacuums with excellent suction and for not having to pay an arm and a leg for the device. Surprising given the name right?!

This model really is an excellent solution for every day upkeep around the house. It'll up all sorts of cat hair, both short and long, and it'll clean up tracked litter for you too.

A few other items worth keeping in mind on this option:

"I have 3 cats in my home and this vacuum has no issue picking up their hair even though 2 are long haired."

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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If you're looking for a tried and true product then the Ecovacs N79S is an excellent option. It has sold over 5 million total units which means they have had lots of great feedback come in and they've improved the product based on it!

The N79s is the second generation of the original N79 which was already a great product, but this one really bumps it up an extra notch. Take a look at these awesome features to help you decide:

"No more fur tumbleweeds like my house is the old west of cat fur!"

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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Pure Clean's promise to you is that they will keep your home clean without you lifting a finger. You'll of course have to lift a finger to setup the robot vacuum, but once you've done that it should be pretty hands off from there!

The low profile design of the Pure Clean model is specifically engineered to help it fit in under low places to get those clumps of cat hair that are clinging to the bottom of the couch or hiding in the corners under your bed.

A few other things worth pointing out to potential buyers

"It is absolutely stunning how much cat hair it will pick up the first time you use it. You won't believe your eyes."

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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​Ecovacs is specifically known for their S Shaped systematic cleaning path.  The idea is that it employs a far more logical approach to cleaning floors so it doesn't have to go over the same spots a ton of times because as it crosses the room back and forth it will already cover every spot.

It also features a Max Power cleaning mode which can increase the suction power by 2x to get those hard to clean spots spick and span with no effort from you!

A couple of other things worth noting on this model are:

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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This is the top of the line model from iRobot when it comes to models specifically designed to suck up cat hair and cat litter.  It has extra power built in, better navigational sensors and it even features the ability to stop mid cycle for a recharge and start itself back up again.

If you've got anyone with allergies in the house or coming to visit the house this option also ups its game when it comes to the air filter. All in all it is a more evolved model of the 690 and it will show.

A couple of key items worth noting for anyone interested in purchasing it:

"This vacuum keeps up with mountains of pet hair from several cats and a dog"

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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​If you're looking for a great model at an entry level price then Pure Clean brings an excellent option to the table. This has all the major features a robotic vacuum needs and it has a cost that is one third of some of the Dyson models on the market.

This model is also built specifically for pets. It has all the key changes and modifications your house needs to ensure it can suck up all that cat hair you don't want stuck in your rugs or tumbling around on your wood floor.

A few key items worth noting:

Something worth considering before purchasing:

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Additional Information

Robotic vacuums are relatively unique in their features and functions compared to a traditional vacuum. They are all  basically designed to operate only on the floor and they don't have any attachments, but there are still lots of things worth considering before you make a purchase.

Scheduling Capability

If you're looking for a robot vacuum the scheduling capability is by far one of the most important features. You'll likely want it to run while you're away from the house to help minimize how often you actually need to vacuum with your traditional vacuum.

Every option listed here enables you to schedule it, but some work through a mobile phone app and some have to be manually programmed with a remote control or directly on the robot.  If you're less technically handy you might want to lean toward one with a mobile app.

WiFi / Mobile App Enabled

Options that are WiFi enabled bring many additional features and functions, but most important is that you can kick off a cleaning at pretty much any time from anywhere. This is a huge perk if you don't normally schedule your vacuum or if you know there's a bit of a mess and you walk out of the house.

The mobile apps range from pretty basic to extremely advanced. Even the basic ones though enable you to interact with your vacuum from anywhere with a connection.

They key thing to remember here is that many of the vacuums only work on 2.4 ghz WiFi networks. Be sure to check your Wireless Router before you make a purchase so you don't end up with a vacuum you cannot connect.

Special Cleaning Modes

There are several cleaning modes available depending upon the model you choose to go with. Some even automatically detect the surface they are on and switch modes as necessary (for example turning on the brush head on carpet).

If you have a lot of tough to pick up cat hair or messes you want your vacuum to get to then you might want to look specifically at some of the models with boost modes or extra power. This does drain the battery faster, but it'll certainly ensure that hard to reach pet hair gets pulled out of the rug!

Brush Head

Brush Heads are basically designed to help pull hair up and out of things, in particular carpet.  If you've got a lot of carpet in the house or numerous rugs you'll want to explore a model with a brush head. Simple suction will only pull the loose hair up and leave anything matted or weaved in behind.

If you have all hardwood floors you'll likely want to skip a brush head. Not only do you not really need it, but brush heads have been known to damage wood floors, especially if your cleaner gets stuck and keeps spinning the brush head.

Noise Level

Some companies claim you can run these robot vacuums while you sleep. I'm a light sleeper so I find it a little far fetched, but if you have multiple levels to your house you might be able to get away with it.

The other consideration is that if your cats are afraid of loud noises (as most are) then you may want to specifically choose an option that is on the quieter side. The easiest way to determine this is based on the power of the vacuum. The more powerful the vacuum the noisier it is likely to be.

This basically means that the Samsung and the Dyson options above are on the noisier side.

Corner & Edge Cleaning

Cleaning in corners and along edges is one of the most difficult things for robot vacuums to do, especially since most of them are shaped like a disc and the actual suction is right in the middle.  There are a couple of different options for dealing with this:

• Side Brushes: These are quiet common and they are small rotating brushes that pull things away from the walls and shove them toward the center of the vacuum. Very simple and quite effective.
• Samsung Edge Tech: This is a new technology only available on Samsung. The vacuum lines itself up with the wall and then drops a small plastic edge shovel and pulls the things away from the wall. It then goes back over that space and vacuums it up.
• Wide Brush Head: A few models feature an extra wide brush head that covers more of the area under the vacuum. The idea is it doesn't have to push everything right to the center to actually suck it up.

I find the side brushes on my iLife model very effective, even for tracked cat litter along the walls. I haven't tried the Samsung Edge Tech yet, but I've seen it in numerous review videos and it looks to work quite well also.

Digital Zones / Barriers / Pylons

If you have a lot of potential drops or hazards in your home and you'd like to keep your vacuum away from them you can use Digital Zones to do so. These are something you can buy and they are small infrared lasers that basically tell the vacuum there is a wall there.

Most of the vacuums have edge / drop safety technology built in so they won't simply drive off of stairs or over a ledge anymore, but this can still come in handy if you have complicated places or places you simply don't want your vacuum to go.

The only real drawback is these things are unnecessarily expensive for what they are. They tend to run well into the double digits and you'd expect them to be more like $5 or $10 dollars.

Cleaning Maps & Status

If you're a big techie or if you just like to know exactly what is going on at any point in the day then you might want to aim for one of the more advanced models. The sensors in these models will actually map out your floor and then keep you up to date on how much progress the vacuum is made.

You simply log into your mobile phone to bring up the current status and check out which parts of the floor are clean or not. Pretty slick!

HEPA Filter or Traditional Filter

If you've got someone with allergies in the house or someone that visits often enough then definitely opt for a model with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters will pull out 99.97% of allergens and dust in the air to ensure that as your vacuum cleans it isn't letting any cat dander (or much of anything for that matter) escape.

Note that HEPA filters do usually require hand washing or they need to be replaced on a relatively frequent basis if you're running your vacuum daily. This means additional work for you or an additional cost, but it can also mean a night and day difference for minimizing allergic reactions.

Battery Life

Battery life is mostly relevant if you have a very large house and you don't have one of the models that will automatically return and resume cleaning. More advanced models can simply recharge and keep going when the battery runs low.

If you decide to opt for a less high tech version keep an eye on the battery life as anything under 60 minutes is probably not sufficient to do a very good job on any large space before it needs to return and recharge.

Mop Capability

Pretty straight forward. Vacuums only clean up dry messes and they certainly won't pull anything off the floor like mud that has since dried. The mop capability will basically wet things down for you and then clean up.

My experience so far is that if you're really in need of a full scale mopping you're probably going to have to do it yourself. Very similar to a traditional vacuum versus the robotic counterpart.

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If you've got a long haired cat then you know their hair can be even tougher to get out anything and everything. The real question you need to ask here though is whether or not you have rugs and carpet.

If you've got all bare floors like hard wood, tile, and laminate then any of the options above will do an excellent job sucking up long hair just as easily as short hair.

When it comes to rugs and carpet long hair seems to grab hold and just stay there no matter how many times you run a suction only vacuum over it. So you're probably wondering if a robotic vacuum can do much about it. 

The short answer is absolutely. They can do a great job at helping pull hair out, but you need to ensure you go for a version that has a brush head if you truly want them to pull long hair out of anything it can grab hold of. Many of the vacuums above are simple suction based vacuums that don't have this capability.

Be sure to look for an option with a brush head above. One of the best is definitely the Samsung Powerbot.

Another option for helping decrease the chances of long haired cats jamming your vacuum or leaving behind tumble weeds is to be sure to brush them daily. There are tons of great brushes and deshedding tools out there for long haired cats that can help with this problem.

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You've probably heard the stories. Someone who has a robot vacuum and they kicked it off when they left the house and found it 3 feet from the charging station flipped over when they got home.

While this of course can happen, it isn't the norm.  Especially if you think intelligently about where you deploy your robot vacuum and what your home looks like.

There are a few things that can of course be difficult for robot vacuums to navigate. You should do your best to be careful of these things before you start your vacuum. Key things worth looking for:

• Electrical Cords
• Strings/Wires of any kind
• High lipped rugs
• Room transitions / dividers

I would highly recommend you stay home and watch it the first few times you run it. This ensures you can look out for problem areas and either adjust the layout of a room or pick up a problematic cord that your vacuum is getting stuck on.

There are also a few other ways you can help your vacuum along:

• Leverage digital barriers to stop your vacuum going places you don't want it to go
• Build or create your own small physical barrier to keep the vacuum where you want it. A chair on its side does a great job in barring the robot vacuum from specific areas.
• Close doors to rooms you don't want it to go in or that don't need cleaning.
• Use the remote when necessary to have it spot clean a specific area with more diligence.

The vacuums have a lot of capabilities and a lot of sensors. Be sure to put them to use!

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While this probably isn't the key question you're considering in making your purchase it is probably something that has crossed your mind. I'm sure you've seen plenty of YouTube videos of cats riding around on robot vacuums, and if you haven't here is one of my favorites.

The short answer to this question though is that most cats will be too scared of the robot vacuum to go anywhere near it. While this certainly won't apply to all cats, it will to most cats.

For those that are not scared I would encourage you to deter your cat from riding your robot vacuum. While most of them probably won't suffer terrible, especially from a small cat, they will eventually cause damage to the motor which can break the vacuum.

Given these vacuums are no small investment you'll want to do your best to ensure that the life of your vacuum is as long as possible. Keep your cat off your vacuum if you can. There are plenty of videos you can watch of cats on robo vacuums on YouTube already.

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Robot vacuums will not replace a traditional vacuum. Although the technology is getting better and getting smarter on a monthly basis, there's simply some places that a robot vacuum cannot handle.

There are a few key things you'll probably still need a traditional vacuum for:

• Stairs of any kind - Robot vacuums are good at avoiding them, but not good at cleaning them
• Low profile furniture - Robot vacuums often get stuck or simply bump into low furniture
• Long carpet - Most of these vacuums simply can't handle long carpet
• Upholstery - If you want to be able to vacuum off your couches or chairs look elsewhere
• Drapes - Vacuuming drapes with a robotic vacuum is simply out of the question

You might be saying to yourself "Well what the heck are they good for then?!?!"  They are great for many things, in particular keeping things manageable on the floors of your house between deeper cleanings.

I use mine on a consistent basis to:

• Quickly run over my hardwood floors near the litter box
• Run through the living room while I'm gone at work to suck up hair and tracked litter
• Do single room cleanings when I am too lazy to vacuum myself

Kicking this thing off once a day is an excellent way to help control the amount of fur you'll find scattered throughout your house.  On the bright side it might also wake your cats up while you are gone if you run it on a schedule. 

I purposely run mine in the middle of the day just because it keeps my cats from sleeping the entire time I'm gone. They aren't afraid of it like a traditional vacuum, but they keep their eyes on it none the less. Added bonus to help them sleep at night!

If you're looking for great traditional upright or canister style vacuums for cat hair and litter then check out my guide here.

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If you haven't decided whether or not to add a robo vacuum to your arsenal of tools at home that's quite alright. There are so many features and functions it can be tough to make a decision.

I would however highly recommend you do consider one. Adding one to my home has decreased the amount of fur I find floating all over and also heavily decreased the number of times I find litter stuck to the bottom of a foot.

Robotic Vacuums are a huge benefit when you set the right expectations for them. They'll make your life a heck of a lot easier if you're willing to kick them off each day and then just empty out the dust bin.

If you have any questions or a robotic vacuum that has worked well in your house please leave a comment below and tell us all about your experience!

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: iLife, Shark, Roomba, Samsung

Bissell has been in the market for a long time and they have a name that means trust and reliability when it comes to vacuums. The Cleanview Bagless Pet model is one of their most recent options to come out and it is specifically designed for cat hair and cat litter.

It is super lightweight for an upright and the swivel steering will make it easy for you to navigate around any and all home obstacles. It is also multi surface so you can use it on bare floors or carpet! A few other things worth noting:

"Finally, I managed to find a vacuum that picks up the cat hair!"

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Shark brings to bear one of the coolest vacuums on the market. It is primarily an upright vacuum, but if you need to get into a tight spot and use the attachments you can easily lift the canister and move into the desired area.

Tired of not being able to reach that last step? Or tired of not being able to get that tuft of cat hair floating around and hanging off the cabinets? Shark has you covered. Just push a button and lift the canister to reach whatever you need to.

A few other things worth noting on this model:

"This thing works spectacularly on sucking up cat hair!"

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Dyson has made a name for itself with high quality products that tend to both look and feel innovative. They've broken the mold in vacuums, hand dryers, even home fans. Purchasing a Dyson will of course get the job done, but it'll also ensure you get any job done in style. That includes sucking up cat hair and litter.

This vacuum features some of the best suction of any vacuum on the market. On top of this Dyson outfits this model with all of the accessories you'll need to get cat hair out of pretty much anything or anywhere.

A couple of other things worth noting:

"I have four long haired felines and it is the best thing ever for giant clumps of fur!"

One key item worth noting before before purchase:

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​If you're tired of heavy vacuums that are hard to navigate through tight places or up and down stairs then this is the vacuum for you. Canister vacuums in general are much lighter and are easy to move almost anywhere.

This vacuum is specifically designed to be lightweight and it features an easy carry handle so it is comfortable in your hand.

"Never had a better vacuum. We have two cats who spread litter all over the house and it picks up litter as well as fur and dirt. Highly recommended." ​

One key item worth noting before before purchase:

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​If you're looking for power but don't want something heavy then the Mighty Mite is just for you. ​Weighing in at less than 9 pounds this is an amazing canister vacuum. It is super mobile when on the ground, but even more so because it is so light to pick up!

It also features full scale HEPA filters ensuring that you'll not only suck up cat hair and cat litter, but you'll also filter all that darn cat dander out of the air!

A few other key items worth noting:

"This is the perfect solution for lightweight and powerful kitty litter pick-ups which is what I wanted and needed."

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​If you love the ​mobility and lightweight features of a canister vacuum and you don't want to deal with bags then Ovente has you covered. ​This is ​best bagless canister vacuum out there with pet focused attachments.

It'll help you pull pet hair out of those hard to reach places and it'll still be just as mobile as any other canister vacuum you might want to consider.

"It sucked up all the litter from the nooks and crannies, even in the chairs in my living room. That was a huge relief."

One key item worth noting before before purchase:

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​If you're looking for a cordless vacuum with serious power then look no farther. Dyson has basically made a name for itself with extremely powerful vacuums and this one is no different. It is the power powerful cordless vacuum on the market.

This means it'll have no trouble sucking up both cat litter and cat hair. It'll even help you suck up those bits of cat food your little mess makers have knocked out of the bowl and ignored.

A few other things worth noting on this model:

"It is perfect for cleaning pet hair off my furniture and blinds. It also does a nice job on tracked litter in my apartment."

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​This ultra lightweight model from Shark features DuoClean Technology ​which means it has a bristle brush to deep clean carpets and a soft ​brush ​that gets those larger particles ​to leave floors looking polished. Because it doesn't have a battery it is lighter weight than many of the other stick and handheld models.

This model was specifically put together to feature a pet multi tool which allows it to easily suck up all that pet hair that gets so stubbornly stuck in pretty much everything! A few other items worth noting:

"We have way too many cats and even a few dogs...and it didn't sling anything back on my feet while in use. It literally polished the floors and picked up all of the hair and litter too!"

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