This week’s cat of the week is Speed. He is currently 8 years old. Speed comes submitted to us from Reddit User Maximus_A113 and we thank him for his generous submission!
Speed was found laying in the snow as a kitten. His humans determined he must have been the runt of the litter left to die. Their family dog Daisy actually found him.
Speed’s humans picked him up and heated him up in the truck. Once he got home the family decided to keep the “little” guy at the time.
The name Speed came from Maximus’s little brother. The name Speed came from Speed Racer out of all things. The name quickly stuck and his family can’t imagine him with any other name.
These days Speed is actually a pretty big cat, so it’s a bit of an oxymoron in a way. That is unless he hears food being poured into his bowl then he is quite speedy!
He also seems to be able to move between comfy locations pretty quickly too! Can’t blame him, our cats love their comfy beds! Somehow he sneaks right on by his family without them knowing.
His favorite things to do are sleep, eat, play with his pals Cinnamon and Sugar, and antagonize his first friend Daisy. Those two have bonded like siblings.
Speed tends to be a love bug even though he tries to pretend to be mean sometimes. He loves being hugged, putting his head into your hands and he’s a first class lap cat.
Speed also has his own cardiologist. He has a defective heart which interferes with blood flood so they need to keep a close eye on him! He was also taken to Cornell to have a lot of his teeth taken due to tooth disease.
Some of Speed’s funny habits are kicking his feline pals off the food bowl stand and stealing their food. He is quite sneaky about it too! My cat Lexi loves to steal food too and the SureFeed cat feeder (full review) helped solve that problem!
As with most cats he loves sitting in the most inconvenient places (as you can see in one of the photos).
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Given we’re getting into the heart of winter here in Chicago I was wondering what’s the right temperature for my cats. Especially when I’m gone during the day at work and nobody is home.
Is it alright to let it cool down to 65? Or maybe even a bit lower? Or will my feline friends get too chilly?
On the opposite side of things this got me thinking about when summer rolls back around. Do I need to keep the AC on a low temperature, or is it ok to let it get up there pretty high?
My understanding is cats originally came from being desert hunters, but does that mean that they can handle the highs and lows that come with living in a desert environment too?
So what is the ideal temperature for a cat? Let’s dig into this in a bit more detail. If you happen to be looking for details on cat body temperature then check out this article here from PetMD.
Most domestic cats are going to complain if the temperature gets any lower than 60 degrees unless they have a nice warm cuddly spot to hang out.
If you live in an extra cold environment, especially in the winter, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got some warm cuddly blankets available for your feline friend.
My personal favorite is to provide a cave for my cats because they each like to cuddle up in nice dark warm spots anyway.
You’ll of course be able to fiddle with this temperature a little bit depending on the type of cat you have. If you have a huge fluffy Norwegian Forrest Cat then you probably won’t have as much of a problem at 60 degrees as you will with a standard Domestic Short Hair.
If you're truly worried about your cat being chilly you can also always ensure your cat has a very warm place to sleep. There are hundreds of cat beds on the market, but finding the right one can make all the difference both in general use and in making sure your cat stays nice and cuddly warm.
Be sure to check out my article on the top cat beds on the market if you're curious about good ones to choose from!
You might consider a heated cat bed if your place gets really chilly. Or if you just happen to find that your cat sleeps on top of you for warmth and it is interrupting your sleeping.
My little fur ball Beast loves to sleep right next to me on the bed which makes me hot as can be. Given this I tried a heated cat bad and voila she decided that was the place to be! If you're interested you can check out my article on the best heated cat beds.
Most heated cat beds run on low electricity and they are also designed to only turn on when the cat is in them. This means they aren't running up your electric bill all night long if your cat is sleeping out on the couch.
What About the Hot Side of Things?
Similar to the above, there’s no specific temperature where every cat will be too hot. It’ll obviously vary if you have a Sphynx versus a Maine Coon. That being said there’s a good rule of thumb that cats are generally comfortable up until about 80 degrees Fahrenheit and after that they might start to get too hot.
If you notice your kitty seems uncomfortable with the heat then you can help in a lot of different ways. The best one is to ensure your cat has a constant supply of fresh water. Cat water fountains can help ensure your kitty drinks plenty of water.
You can drop ice cubes into the water to ensure that it stays cool. A running water supply usually helps your cat drink more consistently.
There are also special pads and mats out there made for cats to help keep them cool in the summer. They work based on simply physics and thermodynamics and will provide several hours of cooler temperatures than whatever the air temperature is in the room.
Be sure to find one that is completely free of toxins and such in case your kitty decides to chew on it or accidentally punctures it with his or her nails.
One additional thing you can do is wipe your cat down with a nice cool washcloth. Just dunk it in some cold water with ice cubes in it and wipe your feline friend down. This is good for removing excess fur, but it will also help your cat cool down a degree or two.
How Will My Cat Let Me Know If the Temperature Isn’t Right?
Cats are kings and queens of making themselves comfortable. If the temperature isn’t just right they’ll initially compensate by choosing a new spot that makes them more comfortable.
You’ll often see cats moving across the room throughout the day so they can continually lay in the sunny spot on the floor if they aren’t warm enough.
You might also run into cats that love to cuddle themselves right up under a blanket head and all, this could be a sign your kitty is too cold! You might also see them hop into tight spots like the ones we call caves to get a nice warm nap in.
Or if your house gets a ton of natural light and heats up pretty quickly you may notice your cat hiding in shady spots or laying right near your AC vents. Either way cats will try to find a comfy spot on their own.
If a cat can’t find a good spot because the temperatures simply aren’t bearable no matter where they go then some cats will let you know vocally. Meaning they’ll basically meow up a storm.
You might have to figure this out by trial and error, but if you happen to find that late at night when you let the heat turn off your cat meows constantly and is cuddled up right next to you that might be a pretty darn good hint that she is chilly!
Your cat's body position can also help you figure out how your feline friend is doing. When cats are cold they’ll curl up in a ball with all their paws and such wrapped up tight.
If your cat is a bit warm they’ll likely sprawl out and they’ll likely choose a good spot for it like a tile floor that might be a bit cooler than the rest of the house.
Anything Else I Should Consider?
Age and health are two other considerations to take into account. Most cats tend to lose weight as they grow older and this results in a loss of body fat. No surprise, just like us humans, the less body fat you have the more likely you are to get cold more easily.
Having extra blankets available or even a cat bed warmer is a good idea to help your elderly cats’ joints stay more mobile. Cat warmer beds are very similar to a heating pad for a human, they use a little electricity to warm a spot up for your cat.
The same can be true of a cat that might be will. Any creature with a rundown immune system will typically struggle to stay comfortable compared to their healthy counterparts so be sure to account for this if your kitty is in a tough position from a health standpoint.
Wrapping it Up on The Best Temperature for Cats
While there will be obvious differences in the right temperature for your cat depending on short hair, long hair or no hair at all, it is safe to say there are some good windows to work within where most cats will be comfortable.
That’s usually in the range of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. For anyone reading outside the United States that’s about 15-25 Celsius.
You should monitor your cat and keep eyes out for signs that he or she might be uncomfortable and adjust your temperatures from there. It is pretty safe to say that if you are freezing cold your cat is likely to be chilly too. The same goes for if you are extremely hot!
What temperatures do your cats like? Do they like it extra warm or do they get chilly when it drops below 65 degrees? Every cat is different and we’d love to hear about your cat!
If you have any experiences you’d like to share about your cat at the temperatures he or she is comfortable at then please let me know by leaving a comment below.
This week’s cat of the week is Jill. It comes submitted by none other than me. In traditional fashion I’ll gratuitously thank myself for my submission of Jill. Thanks me! Just kidding :).
If you’re much of a follower you know that I foster on a pretty consistent basis from the shelter I volunteer at, PAWS. When I have a cat that I find particularly fun or special I’ll write up a post about her. Jill is one of those cats!
Jill came to PAWS as a recent mother (see her profile here!). She finished taking care of all her kitties and they were adopted out to wonderful families! Jill is now looking for a family of her own.
Jill was having a tough time in the shelter and needed a break in a home. We have had Jill for just about a month now and she’s fully relaxed and ready to get back on the market looking for a forever family.
I wanted to a little personal promotion for Jill, or as we’re now calling her, Jilly Bean, to make sure she gets off to a good home ASAP! So here we go…
Who is Jill?
Jill is a 2 year old black cat with some salt and pepper in her fur. That means she’s got a few white spots here and there as if she was going grey. But she has way too much energy to be going grey already.
Jill is curious. Super curious. You know the phrase curiosity killed the cat? Jill is just a hair shy of being too curious for her own good.
Jill loves to be right in the middle of whatever is going on. She loves following you around the kitchen. She loves sniffing the ingredients going into your food.
You have to be careful when you’re walking through the house because she easily gets right in front of your feet without you seeing and it is easy to accidentally kick her!
What Are Jill’s Favorite Activities?
Jill will need a friend to play with, that is the short of it. Jill loves hassling our resident cats. She loves chasing them, she loves pouncing on them, she loves wrestling with them.
Jill is full of energy and she wants to use it. She plays on her own. She plays with our resident cats. She plays with us. She just likes to be busy.
Any toys you buy for Jill need to be sturdy toys. Jill has yanked my Cat Dancer wand out of my hand numerous times and just carted it around the house as a trophy. She’s quite strong for the lanky little feline that she is!
Jill doesn’t mind being held in the slightest, in fact she seems to relish it for short periods of time (minutes not seconds).
Jill likes hanging with her humans on the couch. Jill does not however like being a lapcat. She’s just too busy to fall asleep in your lap.
What Does Jill Eat & Drink?
You know how people say cats are picky? Jill isn’t picky. Jill will eat any cat food you put in front of her. And she’ll eat all of it. And then she’ll meow for more if she thinks you’re heading toward her bowls.
Jill eats wet food. Jill eats dry food. Jill eats snacks and treats and she gobbles them all up with delight. Jill is only 7-8 pounds so she awes me with the amount of food she eats!
Jill is also one of those wonderful cats that drinks tons of water on her own out of a non moving source. Jill has had some exposure to the water fountain our resident cats use but she hasn’t tried it herself. She prefers a traditional stainless steel bowl.
Does She Have Any Quirks?
Jill is all in all an awesome cat. Her only two behavioral quirks are that she loves counter surfing and if she gets bored she’ll let you know that she’s bored.
Counter surfing was easily resolved with the SSSCat Automated Cat Deterrent (full review of the SSSCat here). We tried all the traditional methods that the pros recommend and had very little luck, but the SSSCat kept her off the counters within a few days.
If you ensure Jill has lots of play time or a buddy to play with (she should definitely be paired with another cat!) you’ll probably rarely encounter any poor behavior. But when she gets extremely bored she will start chewing on headphone wires and may “mouth” you lightly.
She’s never broken skin or destroyed anything and she doesn’t go after cords like electrical cords even when left alone all day. She seems to just want to let you know she wants play time!
How Can I Adopt Jill?
The easiest way to adopt Jill is to first get in touch with PAWS by emailing them at adoptions@pawschicago.org. Until July 4th Jill will be hanging out with me at my place, but you’re still able to come visit her and adopt her if you like!
First and foremost though get yourself in touch with PAWS and they’ll connect you to me once you pass all the initial steps.
More On PAWS
If you’re curious about PAWS as an organization then check out their page that discusses their Mission Statement.
In simple terms though PAWS is trying to build a No Kill Chicago by ensuring that homeless pets go to good homes and by ensuring that animals are spayed and neutered to decrease the overall population of homeless animals.
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Does your cat drink enough water? What’s enough water to begin with? Tired of cleaning and refilling bowls with fresh water cause hair floated into it or your fur ball dropped bits of food in it?
If you answered yes then a cat drinking fountain is the right choice for you. Not only do they encourage your cat to drink more by giving them a moving water supply, but they also filter the water to keep nasty impurities out.
There are loads of drinking fountains on the market, so let’s take a look at the best cat drinking fountains out there.
The Catit Water Fountain is a kind of like a unicorn, minus the coloring. It is the best in class, but it is the best in class across a variety of different areas of interest. It performs well in pricing, noise, ease of use for humans, variety of options for cats and in quality too.
Catit is also known to be an awesome company when it comes to customer service which is an added perk when it comes to any product. This is honestly one of the best cat fountains on the market and my personal favorite.
Accounting for everything I think this is an excellent product and you can’t go wrong with the purchase. Features worth noting:
It encouraged both of my cats to drink on a more consistent basis.
It comes in at a great low price of just under 30 dollars.I
t is super quiet compared to most fountains so long as the water level stays topped off.
It has a large tank that doesn’t need to be refilled often.
It is very easy to take apart and clean on a weekly basis.
Saves you from refilling bowls daily or from running a dripping faucet depending on the cat.
"This fountain does an absolutely amazing job in my home. Both of my cats drink way more often than they used to and it is a breeze to clean it when it needs it."
The only negative item I've noted in my experience is this:
Once in a while the filters start to heavily slow the flow of water and it can stagnate on the top. I've drilled a few extra holes in the green plastic filter holder to let water flow more freely.
This is one of the newest entrants to the market and it comes from Miaustore. This model is an absolute must have if you're looking for a ceramic fountain. Not only is it beautiful, but it has everything you'd want as a cat owner and as a cat too!
Let's take a look at some of the most coveted functions:
It has a whopping 8 different drinking areas available.
It is whisper quiet and will not keep you or your pets awake.
It has a comprehensive video guide available to help you configure it!
All ceramic pieces are 100% dishwasher friendly making cleaning it a breeze.
You can add on a mini pot of cat grass (grow some yourself!) as a special addition.
Comes in 5 beautiful different colors, each hand fired in Europe.
Has an optional motion sensor to only flip on when your cat comes near it.
"It’s a lovely thing – very zen! The cats drink out of it from all the different levels and don’t splash water everywhere as with the more open bowls. Also the filter is much simpler than other fountains, and easy to clean Overall I’m very pleased with the fountain." -Miaustore Reviewer Linda
The only drawback I can find at all, and this applies to US customers, is that shipping time can be quite long due to it being manufactured in and shipped from Europe.:
PetSafe has been around the block and back when it comes to developing high quality pet products. They’ve been around for 37 years at the time of writing this article. That means they know a thing or two about creating a high quality product.
This pump comes loaded with all sorts of great features worth noting:
It has a capacity of 128 oz. (3.78 L) which is great for multiple cats.
You’ve got 5 changeable free-falling streams attachments to provide options to get your cat to drink.
This has a two part filter, a replaceable carbon filter to removes tastes and odors and a foam filter to remove hair and debris.
It also has an adjustable flow control cap so you can slow it down or speed it up if your cat is extra picky.
The plastic is BPA-Free and the fountain is top-shelf dishwasher safe.
A pump can be purchased separately if it happens to break.
Also note it doesn’t require a filter to operate if you don’t want to buy them.
"My cats love this thing. I bought this the day I found it (over 5 years ago) and it is still working to this date. If you clean it and keep the filters cycled it'll run forever!"
The key drawback worth noting on this model:
This model runs quite loud compared to other models.
PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Dog and Cat Water Fountain, Ceramic, 70 oz
This ceramic fountain uses a quiet pump to push the water up and out of two streams at the top of the pump. The foam filter removes debris and hair and the activated carbon filter removes any bad tastes and odor from the water.
The water in your pet’s Pagoda fountain is constantly moving, inhibiting the growth of bacteria while also encouraging your pet to drink more.
Dual free-falling streams add oxygen for freshness and encourage pets to drink more water.
It has a carbon water filter that removes bad tastes and odors, keeping water fresh.
This model is ceramic and thus more hygienic than plastic models.
This is an excellent option for a single cat since it has an overall capacity of 70 oz.
There are both an upper and lower location to drink from.
Nice and easy to clean since it is top shelf dishwasher safe.
It can also be run without a filter in case you’re using filtered water already.
"Works great for my adult cat (12 pounds) and my brand new kitten (2 pounds)! They both love it!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
The pump can sometimes have difficulty with pulling water through the carbon filter. You can remove the filter to resolve this problem, but it does expose the pump to jams.
The Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain is a100% BPA free & dishwasher safe. The rubber feet keep it from sliding around wood floors too!
The fountain features a huge built in reservoir, 168 oz. in total. This means it doesn’t require refills on a daily basis like some smaller capacity models. The pump is an adjustable flow pump so you can figure out the right speed to keep your cats interested in the fountain.
A few key items worth noting
The plastic the fountain is made from is BPA Free.
The fountain is 100% dishwasher safe.
The pump has an adjustable flow to slow things down or speed them up.
It has a huge reservoir size at 168 oz.
Has a built in pre-filter to help maintain the integrity of the pump, but note you can’t replace the pump.
Uses a carbon filter to keep the water clean for your cat(s).
"This fountain lasts forever. I've had mine for years! With proper maintenance you'll probably never need another fountain.
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
This model can be a bit of a hassle to deconstruct and clean each time.
Mospro is a less known name in the cat product industry, but wow have they made their mark with this fountain. And for good reason too, this fountain is worth raving about. It definitely has some of the best reviews of any fountain I've managed to find online. People are a fan no matter where you look at it!
That aside, there are tons of great features and functions worth calling out:
It has a solid 2 liter capacity which is plenty for a single cat for about a week before the pump starts to run low.
It is constructed of antibacterial PP resin and the bowl is BPA-free, non-toxic and odorless. It even has a food-grade certification to show you how safe it is!
It is built so you can quickly deconstruct it to clean it and reconstruct it after.
The pump is incredibly quiet and you’ll hardly hear the sound of the water.
The pump is tested to run up to a total of 10,000 hours and it can even run dry for up to one week in case you forget to refill it.
There are 3 different settings for the water: waterfall, bubble and fountain mode.
The recessed sink and water circulation system are designed to increase the contact area of water and air, and provide more oxygen to the water, bringing health and vitality to pets.
To ensure you have odorless and tasteless water it uses replaceable activated carbon filters.
Given design this model can run without the carbon filter, but since the carbon and mesh filters are combined be careful of damaging the pump as debris from your pets gets in the water .
"Such an amazing addition to the house. We keep it right in the bedroom for our cats at night and it is so quiet we hardly even notice it."
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
Some owners have had difficulty with the pump lifetime.
Pedy Cat has followed a tried and true method in creating their own version of the cat water fountain. This fountain looks very similar to that made by Catit and in general the features are very similar as well. This model comes in a bit cheaper than the Catit version which is the key differentiator
Key features and functions worth noting:
It has a total capacity of 2L which is about 68 oz. You’ll be refilling it once a week or so to ensure the noise level stays low and the pump doesn’t dry out.
Other similar models can end up overflowing if the filter hasn’t been changed, this model has multiple overflow holes to ensure drainage.
The fountain is made of antibacterial PP plastic and is BPA free. It has a food-grade certification to gain your confidence.
The pump is ultra quiet and is expected to operate for 20,000 hrs.
It is super easy to deconstruct it and hand wash each part with dish soap. It can be done in less than ten minutes.
It has a multi stage filter to remove sediment and debris, as well as remove tastes, odors and toxins.
You can run this model without the filter if you’d like, but the pump will be more susceptible to damage.
"It looks adorable and it was easy as pie to put it together! The cats love it."
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
This model causes more splashing than the Catit option and it may soak your floor.
Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Stainless Steel Fountain designed with one key feature in mind, it is made of stainless steel. If you don’t like the idea of your cat drinking from plastic then this is a huge perk.
Stainless steel is safer int that it isn’t porous so it can’t harbor bacteria as easily as plastic. The second important features is that this doesn’t provide the waterfall or the human drinking fountain type water supply. Instead it uses a water slide.
If your kitty likes a gentle flow this a great option that is also very sanitary.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind though, the fountain has a pretty low water capacity. While it won’t necessarily run out of water quickly it will end up making a lot more noise as the amount of water in the fountain gets lower and lower.
The open design allows lots of hair and other things floating through the air into the filter, but if you clean it consistently this won’t be a problem.
It has a capacity of 60oz of water & uses a charcoal filter to keep the water clean
Stainless steel is 100% dishwasher safe & more sanitary than plastic
It provides a nice gentle flow of water as opposed to falling water like many other pumps
It is a great looking water fountain compared to plastic
There are two available drinking areas for your cats to ensure they have options available to them
If the pump breaks you can buy a replacement
"Stainless is the way to go. You can throw this thing right in the dish washer and save the hassle of hand washing it!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
The way the wires are connected to the pump motor causes them to crimp and snap. The more frequently you clean it the more likely this becomes a problem.
The Pioneer Pet Raindrop Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain is a high quality fountain designed with a few features in mind. It is made of ceramic namely. This is benefit to folks who dislike plastic.
Ceramic is safer because it isn’t as porous as plastic. This means it can’t harbor bacteria which means it is less likely to get your little fur ball sick.
The second major feature is it uses a slide instead of a full on waterfall. The water shoot out like a human drinking fountain. This means if you’ve got a cat that likes a gentle flow instead of splashing or falling water this is the fountain for you.
It also comes in both black and white if you want to match decor.
It has a total capacity of 60 oz. of water
Ceramic is dishwasher safe so it is very easy to keep it clean
It provides a nice gentle flow of water as opposed to falling water like many other pumps
It is a great looking water fountain given that it isn’t traditional plastic, it has a sheen on it
There are two areas to drink from for your feline friend
A broken pump can be replaced without buying a whole new water fountain
"After over 5 years of owning cat fountains and going through over at least 10 I can honestly say this is the best one I've used!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
Given the lower capacity you can easily end up burning the motor out if
The Cat Mate Water Fountain is a great choice among the plastic fountains on the market. It has a special pump design called the Isolated Pump System which keeps the pump as quiet as possible. The IPS is the highlight of the model.
The second feature is giving your feline friends multiple drinking locations. There are three pools the slides between them. This ensures that even cats with different preferences will have options.
Key items worth noting on this drinking fountain:
The pump is one of the quietest on the market being an IPS – perfect for small homes or apartments
Drinking areas at three different heights mean lots of options for your cats
The plastic bowls are 100% dishwasher safe so you disinfect them often and easily
The pump has adjustable flow, perfect for picky cats
It is very affordable and replacement filters are affordable
It has an extra-long power cord (10 ft) which is a perk
You can buy a replacement pump without replacing the whole fountain
"Although you do have to clean it on a very consistent basis it is definitely one of the best fountains I have owned for my little princess!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
The open nature of this fountain makes it easy for things to grow in it, constant cleaning is a necessity.
This is Uniclife’s flagship model for cat and dog water fountains, as I’m sure you can see from the photo above. You might also note that it is on the smaller side. This model is great for single cat households and works will for kittens because it sits much lower than many other models do.
Many models sit as high as 8 inches which can be very difficult for a young kitten to reach, this model is only about 4 inches tall meaning the bowl sits right near the ground and can be easily accessed.
A few other features worth noting:
This version is much more like a human drinking fountain than many other options, it actually has a jet of water pumping out. This makes water fresh, clean and better tasting. And the movement of the water encourages cats to drink more.
There is an adjustable flow control to increase or decrease the speed of the water pumping out. The blue LED in the water area makes it easier for your pet to find the water at night and ensure you don’t trip over it.
It is made of high BPA free plastic that is food grade meaning it is nontoxic and odorless.
A dual layer filter uses carbon to extract bad tastes and odors while foam catches hair and debris to ensure the pump isn’t damaged.
It has a 60oz water capacity which is great for a couple kittens or a single adult cat for about a week.
"I'm happy as a clam with this purchase. All you hear is a gentle flow of water when it is running!"
PetSafe Drinkwell 2 Gallon Dog and Cat Water Fountain
If you’ve got a multi pet household, especially one with dogs and cats, then this is an excellent model for you. Not only is the capacity huge, but because the capacity is huge it is also very difficult for even large animals to accidentally knock it over or tip it and spill the water.
Petsafe knows that tons of families have this multi pet situation and they wanted to ensure there was an option that could accommodate all the pets easily. Let’s look at the detailed features:
The capacity is 256 oz (7.5 liters) which is huge and will easily support multiple cats or cat/dog households.
The water fall helps encourage your cats to drink more and helps infuse more oxygen into the water as it falls.
The water flow can be adjusted to enable you to customize the speed for your pets. It is made of BPA free plastic and you can easily deconstruct it for cleaning.
It is specifically designed to not have difficult to reach corners and crevices meaning faster cleaning too.
Foam filter catches hair and dirt before they reach the pump, and the constant water circulation in the bowl helps prevent bacteria growth.
"By far the best option on the market if you've got numerous pets in the house and any of them are HUGE!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
Because of the gigantic size it can be a pain to clean it. It won't fit in many smaller sinks.
If you’ve got a specific location you need to place your fountain in but it doesn’t have a plug available then you might need a battery operated option. This is the only battery operated fountain on the market so it would be your go to.
I would note that this is a newer product to the market and so far it has had some hiccups that need to be fixed before it will be as reliable as plug driven models. That being said if you need a battery operated model this is your best option.
Key items worth noting:
It requires 4 D batteries to operate, battery life is hard to predict given the variations in battery brands and types
It has a 75 oz. capacity which is plenty for a cat for a week
The pump pushes water from the reservoir up to the top and it then falls through the tube in the middle and into the pool below
To conserve power it only pumps water about every 20 minutes (keep in mind this limits filtering/movement)
Two different types of water flow and two different locations encourage
Lid allows water to pool at the top, creating a secondary drinking location
"If you don't have a power plug available and you need a fountain this is pretty much the only option out there. It fits a very specific need."
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
This product does not run constantly. It isn't meant to. It only runs every once in a while to cycle water which may not be a good fit for your cat.
If you have a need to provide a water source in a location without a plug and you don’t want to try a battery operated model then this is a solid tried and tested option. While this was originally designed for dogs it is a viable option for cats.
Note that it is more of a bowl than a fountain. It won’t constantly cycle water nor will it consistently filter it. This is an option for those of you that might not have other options given the situation you’re in. Basically, as water is consumed more water comes out from the covered area into the bowl.
Key things worth noting:
It has a solid capacity for a single cat at about 2 liters (68 oz)
It is travel friendly and you can easily take it with you if your cat is going on a tripIt maintains limited water in the bowl to decrease the amount of water that might get dirty
You can easily flip the closure switch, dump dirty water out of it, and flip it again for new clean water to flow out
It is very low to the ground meaning it is difficult to flip over or tip
"If you're going on a trip with your cat it is a great and easy option to work with."
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
It doesn't have a constant flow of water like a traditional fountain would.
iPettie Tritone Ceramic Pet Drinking Fountain, Water Fountains for Cats 2.1
iPettie brings their own ceramic model to the market and you’ll definitely notice some similarities to the YOUTHINK model above. The filters and the pump are largely interchangeable because the products are so similar, but they are sold by two different companies at different price points.
The main difference you’ll likely encounter with them is just customer service and since both of them sell through Amazon you’ll likely not have any issues if you run into a broken product.
Key features worth noting:
This fountain is made of high-quality natural ceramic that is completely non-toxic.
It has a 2.1L/71oz capacity which is enough for a cat to drink for about a week before you’ll want to top it off to ensure the pump doesn’t get noisy.
There are three free-falling streams of water that will help oxygen to the water which promotes overall health.
There’s a two stage filter system, the first stage is a foam filter to remove hair and debris.
The second phase is a carbon and charcoal filter that removes nasty odors and bad tastes from the water.
The pump is whisper quiet so the only noise you’re likely to hear is the water dripping into the reservoir, keeping it topped off minimizes this.
It is super easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and maintenance
"Got my old kitty to start drinking again which was a huge relief since she had stopped drinking from her tall water glass!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
Replacement filters for this model run on the expensive side so overall cost is high.
PetSafe Drinkwell Multi-Tier Cat Water Fountain,100 oz
Another great model from PetSafe, this is the multi tiered drink well! It easily accommodates multi pet households with its huge reservoir (100 oz) and varying locations to drink from. It has a huge open area of water too which is a nice perk in the case that the power happens to go out.
Key features worth noting on this model:
The 100 oz. water capacity is great for numerous pets including both cats and dogs.
The free-falling stream entices your feline friends to drink and the little ramp minimizes the amount of spray and sound from the water coming down.
It does leverage a carbon water filter to clean out tastes and odors which is great for picky cats.
There are 3 drinking areas, the upper and lower dishes and the actual waterfall itself too.
The pump is submersible (and you’ll want it submersed) and provides a very quiet experience.
This model is safe for the dishwasher, top shelf only.
The plastic it is made from is BPA free to keep your kitty safe and sound from toxins!This model can be run without the carbon filter if desired.
"The cats love it and it is SO easy to clean because it is dishwasher safe. It comes right out of the dishwasher and back to work!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
If you don't have a dishwasher available this model can be frustrating to clean by hand.
Vemtona Smart Cat 2L Ultra Silent Water Dispenser With Alerts
(No Image Currently Available – Click Below to see it)
Bet you never thought you’d hear the phrase ‘high tech drinking fountain’ right? Well, now you have. Vemtona has brought to bear the most tech enabled water fountain on the market and it has tons of cool features and functions to help keep your kitty hydrated.
So let’s dig right into them:
If there’s a water shortage that could damage the pump it will automatically power off and light up a blue light to let you know.
When the filter need to be replaced the filter replacement indicator will light up yellow to remind you.
The pump is ultra quiet so you’ll barely hear it running.
The pump is estimated to operate a total of 10,000 hours.
It has a 2L capacity which is about 68 oz, this is plenty for about a week with a single cat before you’ll want to refill it.
It is made of food-grade materials and is BAP-free to keep your feline friends safe.
High quality filters purifies and softens hard water and simultaneously filters hair, sediments and impurities.
The odors of the water can be eliminated and the taste will be improved, taking good care of your beloved pets.
"If you're looking for a tech savvy cat fountain then this is it!"
It is worth considering the following before purchasing:
Pump lifetime has been noted by many as a significant concern with this model.
This product is no longer available and neither are the replacement filters. Kept here at the bottom of the list for continuity purposes.
This ceramic model is produced by YOUTHINK. While the name of the company could use some rethinking they do produce an excellent ceramic water fountain. There are several features worth noting:
It is made of high quality natural ceramic, both eco-friendly and non-toxic. Note both the white and blue pieces are ceramic.
There are 3 different ways your kitties can drink from it: from the top, the falling water, or in the bottom the always available pool.
There is a two phase filtering system built in, a foam filter cleans hair and gunk while a carbon filter purifies the water.
You can barely hear the water flow with the silent submersible water pump.
The pump is tested and expected to work up to 20,000 hours.
You’ve got a capacity of 2.1 liters which is quite large for a single cat and will last several days even with multiple cats.
Water consumption is important because dehydration can cause health issues in a cat just like it can in a human. On top of this cats don’t have a sense of thirst like humans do. This means they don’t tend to go out of their way to drink like we do.
Dehydration can cause all sorts of health issues from minor problems all the way to potentially deadly issues. The most common are kidney issues and urinary tract issues which can be incredibly painful and difficult to get rid of.
The short of it is that you’ll want to ensure your cat drinks plenty of water to keep them healthy! You can read more details about that here.
Many things factor into how much capacity you’ll need, but the primary items are your environment and how much your cat drinks on a daily basis.
Most vets recommend somewhere between 8-10 oz. of water per day. Now if your cat is eating wet food that amount comes down because they are getting moisture from the wet food already. If you want to dig into the guts of it you can read in this article that covers the specifics on how much water a cat should drink daily.
But a simple calculation of 10oz a day will tell you that a 70 oz capacity fountain will last about a week with limited interaction from the humans. That’s of course assuming you get little to no evaporation from your environment which is a poor assumption.
Basically, if you want minimal interaction, say weekly, you’ll want over 100 oz of capacity for a single cat. I personally don’t mind topping off my fountain on a daily basis, it is easy with just a cup of water. But you’ll want to judge this yourself and choose a model accordingly.
Changing the filter will depend on many factors, but you willneed to change the filter on a relatively consistent basis. The major items that factor in will be:
Model Design: Open models with large pools of water tend to get more floating hair and debris in them and the filter has to filter it out.
Number of Cats: The more cats the dirtier your fountain will get. This is due to both hair floating in the air and them drinking from it.
Type of Water Used: If you use distilled or filtered water already this will minimize the stress on the filter, but using really hard water or well water for example may require more consistent filter changes.
If you’re not sure how to figure out when to change the filter you should just be able to take a look at it every week or two and tell pretty easily. The filters will turn gross color wise and they will just feel slimy and nasty on the outside.
If you don’t change the filter it is unlikely to harm your cats in the short term, but the longer it goes the filthier the water tends to get. This is true even if you keep adding totally clean water.
While the filter does a good job it only filters the water before it gets pumped back to the top of the fountain. This means all sorts of other gook and debris float around in the tank for a period of time and they can contaminate the water in non visible ways.
On top of this the pump itself can get contaminated and things can start to grow on it and in it if the filter isn’t changed.
Changing the filter and cleaning your cat’s fountain go hand in hand. It should go without saying that you’ll have to clean it on a pretty consistent basis. If you need to change the filter you should probably clean the pump.
I personally thoroughly clean my entire fountain, pump included, every two weeks. I just do it every other Saturday for the sake of ease. It only takes 10 minutes and it ensures it doesn’t get disgusting.
Cleaning it out should be a straight forward process, but every model is a little different. These are the generic steps I use to clean mine:
Deconstruct the fountain & separate the filter & motor from the other parts
Wash the basin & distributors with a non abrasive cleaner (dish soap is fine)
If the filter contains too much gunk (cat hair and such) then you should replace it
If the pump appears dirty then open it and clean it with a cotton swab and a pair of tweezers
Be extra careful with the pump motor because it is fragile and some of them can’t be replaced easily
Reconstruct the fountain and fill it with water before turning it back on
Note some models you can’t get directly to the motor and some you can’t open the motor up even if you can get to it. These directions
Ceramic fountains have been around for a few years now, but they are not nearly as common as plastic fountains. This is for a few reasons, but the primary reason is ceramic costs more to make and it is heavier so more costly to ship.
That being said there are a few benefits worth noting for owners and cats alike:
Ceramic will not scratch easily: Plastics can scratch and dent quite easily and this lets bacteria seep into them. Ceramic doesn’t have this issue.
Ceramic looks excellent: Ceramics tend to have a beautiful reflective sheen to them that most plastics simply don’t. If you’re looking to match decor ceramic can be an excellent choice.
Ceramic is 100% dishwasher safe: Ceramics are dishwasher safe. They can withstand super hot temperatures and not melt like some plastics. This is great for deep cleans and disinfecting your fountain.
Stainless Steel fountains have become more and more prominent in the last few years. There are a couple of key reasons for this:
Stainless Steel is not a porous material: Many plastics can absorb things that flow through them, in particular bacteria. This can be dangerous for your cats, especially if you’re not on top of cleaning your water fountain on a consistent basis.
Stainless Steel isn’t produced with toxic chemicals:Plastics used for anything pet related have significantly changed in the past few years and it is rare to find any with toxins, but using stainless is an additional level of safety.
Stainless Steel looks great: It has a beautiful shine to it and it is easy to wash and clean any blemishes with dish soap.
Stainless is 100% dishwasher safe: You can disinfect it using any dishwasher of any temperature and not risk damaging it at all.
Stainless Steel is durable: Cats and dogs can be rambunctious and it is easy for a fountain to get tipped over when they are having fun. Stainless steel is unlikely to chip, flake, shatter, etc. The worst you might get is a dent.
There’s nothing particularly dangerous about letting your cat use the sink to get a drink of water, but it does have other potential drawbacks.
First and foremost if you want your cat to use the sink for moving water you’ll have to approach it one of a couple ways:
You’ll need to be there to turn the faucet on
You’ll need to get a faucet adapter and train your cat to use it
You’ll need to leave your faucet on a constant drip so your cat always has access
I’m not a fan of any of the methods above for numerous reasons. I want my cats to have access to water all the time so that knocks out the first one.
I don’t want to waste a ton of water by letting it drip all day all night and have my cats take a drink 2 minutes of the day. That knocks out the third one.
Faucet Adapters are actually really cool and slick products, but they require quite a bit of know how to setup and they also can’t be moved or relocated. You’re also going to have to let your cats have free range of your counters if you want to use this method.
I don’t really like my cats up on my counters because they are prone to accidentally (or worse purposely) knock things over. That and in the kitchen especially I’d prefer to avoid having their paws up in places where I prepare food.
Given this I prefer a dedicated place just for the cats, a fountain fits the bill perfectly for me!
Most of the pumps I’ve listed will use what has become the go to form of filter technology, a carbon filter with a mesh netting surrounding it. The mesh netting is used to catch all sorts of gunk and debris before it ever makes it to the pump.
This part of the filter is imperative to ensure normal pump operation. Filtering out cat hair, food bits and anything else that falls into the fountain will make sure your pump doesn’t get jammed and break.
The other aspect to these filters is charcoal. Charcoal absorbs toxins can be ingested by cats with no ill effects. You’ll even hear of it being used in tablet form to remove impurities from the human body.
In water fountains it removes odors and tastes from the water. Given how picky some cats are this could be a necessity for you and your cat. While carbon filters vary in size, shape and quality they typically last somewhere in the area of 4-8 weeks before a change.
Note there are some fountains out there that only have the mesh/foam type of filter that stops things from getting to the pump. I personally wouldn’t recommend only this type of filter, but if your cat already drinks the water out of your tap it might work just fine.
Potential Spills
Given that cats tend to get the zoomies (they run all over the place) from time to time there’s a chance that your fountain may get knocked over. If you’ve got kids in the house or a dog this is just as likely.
You might want to put your fountain in a tray with a one inch lip around the edge. This will help minimize the amount of spillage if the fountain does get tipped over for any reason.
Surge Protectors
You might want to ensure your fountain is plugged into a surge protector. This is especially true if this is your only source of water for your cats and you plan to leave them for any period of time.
Many fountains provide no standing water surface for cleanliness so if the power surges and blows the pump your cats simply can’t get to the water. A surge protector can help protect against this and ensure that when the power comes back on your kitties have accessible water.
Most people aren’t really familiar with the fact that cats aren’t prone to drink much water. Because we humans have a thirst drive we mostly assume other animals do as well and that their body will just let them know they need to drink more.
I’m lucky that in my volunteering and in my research on keeping my cats healthy I discovered this pretty early on in cat ownership. My cat Beastling really doesn’t tend to drink much water at all unless it comes from a moving sources.
If I hadn’t found that out she might still only be taking a few laps of water a day from the bowl we had for her. While wet food will definitely help fill some of the gap it isn’t going to fill your cat’s entire need for water every day.
Given this a pet water fountain is an awesome alternative for your feline friends. Not only does it filter the water and keep it cleaner than a traditional bowl, but most cats are far more prone to drink from a moving source too.
More water consumption means better overall health for your fur ball, although it does mean you have to scoop more litter!
Do you use a drinking fountain for your cat? Do you have a favorite or a recommendation that I didn’t include in my list ? If you have any other ideas for please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article.
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This week’s Cats of the Week are Charlie and Winston! They come submitted to us from Reddit user bannnanaburger (Alannah).
Alannah and her boyfriend D have had Charlie and Winston for about a month now. They just moved into their first apartment together in March and it was D’s lifelong dream to be a pet owner.
To her own surprise she was the hesitant one to adopt due to worrying about whether or not she was making a brash decision. As soon as she agreed to one kitten D upped the anti and said “what about *two* cats so they don’t get lonely??” “Oh jeez… Okay!” said Alannah!
For those of you who don’t know, adopting kittens in pairs is highly recommended by cat behaviorists & rescues.
Luckily, the adoption for Charlie and Winston fell right into their lap! D’s brother told them about how his boss’s cat had given birth to a litter of 4 kittens and two of those kittens were constantly side by side. We decided to take the plunge and they are so glad they did.
Charlie and Winston are still very much inseparable brothers. They learn something new about their personalities every day! Charlie, the orange kitten, is consider to be the disturber for how much he likes to rough house with Winston.
At first we were worried he played a little too rough so we tried giving him time-outs…Only to find that Winston would paw at the door wanting to be with his brother! Winston is shy but hates being alone, so he constantly follows Charlie.
Sometimes we think he likes to copy Charlie’s actions, and whenever he wanders off to a room by himself he starts meowing when he realizes no ones in the room with him.
Charlie and Winston are indoor cats, but with each passing day they become more adventurous and want to explore more. Their favourite spot to sleep is under our couch; they’ve made a little hammock for themselves where the couch cover gets tied underneath.
As you can see they still have quite a bit of growing to do! This kitten toy is still as big as the kitten!
Charlie also likes to try and sneakily follow them out of the apartment when we leave for work, he is becoming such a cheeky little baby!! He definitely has a big personality compared to Winston, who in that comparison is a sweet little angel boy.
They are both adorable little fur balls and I’m sure they’ll grow into beautiful adult cats too! We at StuffCatsWant want to thank Alannah and D for submitting Charlie and Winston as this week’s Cats of the Week!
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
If you’ve arrived here you’re looking for a way to cover up the typically not very good looking litter box that your cats use on a daily basis. Most litter boxes are designed to be functional at best and some of them don’t even do that very well.
Those that are functionally effective still tend to leave a lot lacking from an aesthetics standpoint which can be frustrating, especially if you have a home with limited space where you can’t hide the litter box off in a corner or in a closet.
Enter cat litter box furniture to the scene. Recently there have been several companies that have developed pieces of furniture that are geared toward giving you an aesthetically pleasing piece for your home that is dual designed to house a litter box for your cat.
They come in all shapes and sizes and a bunch of different colors and designs. It really depends on what you’re looking for and the type of decor you are trying to match in your household.
So let’s take a look at the best pieces of litter box furniture out there! Below are the 10 best pieces of litter box furniture.
The Petsfit Double-Decker Pet House is a pretty cool piece of furniture that doubles as place for you to store your cat litter box or perhaps as a cat cave depending on your particular goals. As you can see it has a small entry way on the second floor of the stand and through there is a drop down into the bottom floor where you can easily store your litter box.
This is really the Cadillac of places to store your litter box and let your cat do her business. It is totally secluded and on top of this it has multiple forms of cat litter control:
The whole base is enclosed so any litter that gets kicked up will stay inside the stand
The cat has to jump out from the box up to the second level which shakes off a good chunk of litter
The cat again has to jump out of the second level which should shake off the remainder of any litter
This plastic crate makes a perfect litterbox for inside the nightstand
"Once we got past the instructions and got it together it worked like a charm! It took Big Bill a few weeks to get to using it every time (we left another box out), but after removing it he joined the night stand club..."
As with all pieces of litter box furniture you will need to buy a standard litter box to go inside of this enclosure. Be sure to measure before you purchase the litter box itself.
A few additional notes:
This is definitely on the pricier side of places you can store a litter box
Dimensions of the base are 21 inches by 23 inches and it is 35 inches tall
The inner shelf is 13 inches off the ground
The inner shelf is not removable in case you were wondering
The key thing that Merry Products brings to the table with this piece of litter box furniture is that it is designed to hold most litter boxes on the market.
The sizes gives it ample room to hold litter boxes large and small, automatic and manual, pretty much whatever you have will likely fit inside.
It also has a partition wall in the middle specifically designed to be removable which gives you tons of extra space to store all sorts of litter supplies or even a second litter box if you deem it necessary.
Another nice perk that not all pieces of furniture have is that the entry door can be moved to either side of the unit which is really helpful depending upon where you want to place it.
A few key items to consider:
The Interior Dimensions are as follows (D x W x H) : 20.20 x 35.00 x 19.00 inches
The front doors swing open to the front and give you tons of room to access anything inside
There’s a pre-cut hole in the back of the unit to run electrical cords inside for automatic units
It has a weight capacity of about 80 pounds which is quite a hefty amount for litter and other supplies
The material is a particle board with a solid laminate overlaid on top of it
"It looks great in our back entry way and Buzz is happy to use it without issue. The huge perk is it replaced our old bench and the kids can still sit on it and put on boots and stuff on their way in and out of the house.
Also worth noting before you click that buy button:
As with any wood, it is worth noting that if you don’t line the unit cat pee can soak into it
This is another winner from Merry Products, they clearly know how to make a solid piece of furniture that will hold up to daily use from cats!
This specific piece of furniture is designed as multi functional, it can serve as either a litter box cover or you can simply use it as a little house or sleeping spot for your kitty.
This unit comes in three different colors which is a nice perk: white, espresso & beige. It is made of fiberboard with a laminate covering to ensure it is strong/solid and looks nice.
The cabinet features wainscoting paneling and stainless steel hardware to keep it looking classy! You’ve also got a small magnet that keeps the door shut unless you pull it open manually. All in all a great unit!
A few other things worth pointing out:
It comes in five different colors to match varying decor
The interior measures 18.5″H x 16″W x 18.5″D
The cat door measures about 8″H by 7″W
The space between the top and the small shelf under it is 4.5″
The top shelf has a weight capacity of 50lbs which is a lot for a nightstand
If you care about the towel rack it can easily be installed on either side
Some cats are a bit leery of using the door at first so you may need to leave it open for the first few uses
We were really worried Fluffs McSniffs wouldn't use it because she's a huge wimp, but she went right in to check it out and peed on her first visit!
Keep these items in mind as you look at buying:
This unit is definitely no 'sealed' so if you have a high peeing cat you'll want to do it yourself
Given the unit size it can be difficult to find a matching litter box
If you happen to have a cat that misses often when peeing then this is the product for you.
The biggest driving factor in going for the Litter Loo is the material it is made from. The ecoFlex in the title is the materials this product is made from and its claim to fame is that will never absorb any moisture!
If your cat “misses” it will never soak into the product, you can simply wipe away the urine. The floor is also completely sealed so nothing will leak out, though it may be worth caulking it for 100% assurance.
Similar to other pieces of litter box furniture this particular model is designed to double as an end table.
While it might not fit with your decor from a material standpoint, it does come in 4 different colors including espresso, white, grey and russet. This at least gives you some opportunity to match it up with your internal decor.
Other items worth noting for potential purchasers:
Comes in five different colors to match your home
Has a jumbo size in case you need it for an extra large cat
The exterior dimensions are: 23.6″ (L) x 18.5″ (W) x 22.0″ (H)
The interior dimensions are: 21.1″ (L) x 17.1″ (W) x 20.5″ (H)
The cat entry door is about 7.9″ (W) x 7.9″ (H)
The whole front flips down for easy access to the litter box to clean it
There are no tools required for the construction of this unit
Unlike wood models it is resistant to warping, cracking and splitting
This model has vents built in for light and air flow
"Decided to replace our old wooden piece of litter box furniture with this and it was a total godsend. It is SO much easier to clean than our last one..."
The only things you should watch out for:
The door pops open easily because it is only held closed using magnets
It is much bigger than many people expect once put together, measure twice!
The Meow Town Concord litter box is a piece that looks really nice in pretty much any room. It has a wonderful looking mahogany finish and brass knobs to round it out.
The product it is made from is MDF, or medium density fiberboard and it is then finished for that great look.
On top of this it’s made for cat convenience with a side opening for discreet entry and exit plus a roomy interior. Each litter box cabinet is finished with magnetic-closure doors to allow you to easily remove and clean the litter box as needed.
There’s also a built in shelf inside that can be used to store all of the necessary equipment for scooping and cleaning as well as any other cat related items you might wish to keep nearby.
The drawer is also 100% removable if you don’t wish to install it due to a desire for more vertical room or you simply don’t want it.
A few other items worth noting on this particular model:
The exterior dimensions are: 28″ W by 19″ D by 24″ H
The interior dimensions (accounting for the the drawer being installed): 25.875″ W by 17.75″ D by 16″ H
The cat door opening is about 12″ W x 12″ H
The entry panel is not interchangeable, the cat door can only be placed on the right hand side
It may be worth caulking the bottom and laying down an absorbent pad if you have a cat that pees high
"Our living room looks great and it hides the litter box perfectly. We love it!
If you're considering a purchase you'll want to know:
The instructions are considered pretty difficult to understand by most, so if you aren't naturally handy this might be a real hassle for you to assemble
This is another piece of furniture designed to serve as both a nightstand and a cat litter box. I will admit I find it odd that anyone would want their cat’s litter box in their night stand.
I think if I could choose anywhere else I’d want it further from my head while I’m trying to sleep! But perhaps in the guest room? Anyway, back on track now, this is a nice solid piece of furniture that will serve as either a nice little house for your cat or as a litter box holder.
This model is made of good solid wood with a nice finish so it blends in with your decor. It also comes with a latch on the outside of it to keep the front door locked tight from getting knocked open.
Most other models use lightweight magnets for this purpose, so if you’ve had trouble with that before then this latching option might be a differentiator for you.
Looks very simple and modern and will fit with most dark finishes
Has nice ventilation and visibility for your kitty
Designer Catbox brings to the market a nice two compartment litter box enclosure where it opens from the top as opposed to opening in the front. This is nice for those of you find it easier to scoop while standing instead of getting down on your knees.
There’s a built in hydraulic hinge that will keep the top open for you while you scoop as well so you don’t have to worry about it slamming shut on you.
The two compartment design ensures that your kitty has to zig zag to get into the litter box which means not only will it minimize any litter getting kicked out, but they’ll also shake some litter off as they move through the multi compartment design.
Also note that you can put the entry point on either side of this particular model so you can hide it from view or if you just need it on one side you can move it there.
As an added bonus the two compartment design will stop any curious canines or children from easily reaching into the litter box and getting their hands or paws on things they shouldn’t.
A few additional things worth noting:
The exterior dimensions are: 29.1″ length by 20.6″ width by 20.8″ height
The interior dimensions are: 26.4″ length by 18-1/2″ width by 14.2″ height
The cat entrance hole is 7-1/2″ wide by 8″ high to fit most any size cat
Do note that the interior height is somewhat shorter than other cat furniture so if you have tall cats be sure there’s enough space for them before purchasing
You can leave out the interior divider if you desire more space on the inside for a larger litter box
A few things you might want to consider before you make your purchase:
You’ll probably want to caulk and waterproof the interior if you have cats that pee erratically as these wood products can absorb it
While the piece looks like a bench it is not designed to hold a large amount of weight so don’t count on this feature
Are you looking for the top of the line when it comes to a piece of litter furniture? If so, the Refined Feline is the choice for you. No one will suspect this beautiful wood cabinet contains an unsightly, odorous cat litter tray.
Both sturdy and functional, the Refined Litter Box from The Refined Feline keeps a cat litter pan out of sight all while matching your home’s decor.
More than just a cabinet, the Refined Litter Box features an internal plastic liner to contain stray litter or urine accidents. There are also rear slots that allow for odor absorbing carbon sheets, and a drawer to store litter accessories.
This baby is constructed of solid wood and ply with poplar veneer, no particle board here. It also comes in multiple sizes so you can fit even large or jumbo litter pans inside of it.
A few things worth noting for anyone interested in this beautiful piece of furniture:
The entry panel can flip from right to left if you have a preferred entry point
There is an awesome hanging drawer inside to keep your scoop and any other supplies
The wonderful looking litter trip for outside the door is sold separately
You may want to place a fan near the slots on the back to drive air flow through the filters since the doorway doesn’t have a flap
The external dimensions are: 27.5″ w x 28″ h x 20″ d
The internal dimensions are: 25″ w x 20″ h x 17″ d
There’s also this excellent video that will give you a nice walk around the Refined Feline Litter Box Cabinet! Check it out!
If you’re looking to keep your cat litter box hidden out of the way, or maybe hidden in plain sight, this is definitely the right choice for you. Good Pet Stuff designed this litter box to fit right in with your home decor while holding a litter box inside of it.
Or more accurately, simply being a litter box. It is intended to look just like a normal clay terracotta pot and they’ve hit the nail right on the head.
That serves to make the product even more of a gem compared to other versions. You’ve got an ok (fake) plant on top that will stay green and clean all the time, you can quickly dust it off if it ever looks a little down.
But most importantly, you simply turn the litter box entry door away from view and voila you’ve got yourself a hidden litter box!
It is worth noting that you can replace the plant with any kind of decor you’d like and many people do this with great success. Arts and crafts stores like Michaels will have everything you need to remedy that particular problem!
Most folks use some form of silk flowers and love their results. There’s a whole built into the top where you can slide most any kind of stem right into it in place of the included plant.
A few other things worth noting:
Dimensions: 19 inches in diameter & 20 inches tall without the plant
With the plant it becomes 42 inches tall
You don’t need to put a liner in it, or another litter box, but some folks do this due to personal preference
There’s plenty of room to scoop the litter box from right outside of it given the size of the entry
Many owners have spray painted this box to whatever color they like
"This was the perfect solution for my small apartment, just spin the 'door' toward the wall and stick it in a corner, my cat walks right in no problem!
The one key area a lot of folks have lodged complaints is this:
Some folks mention the top is difficult to get on, but if you start in one spot and slowly apply pressure all the way around it should snap right on
This is another option that you’ll want to consider that is at a lower price point. This option looks great and is widely respected is a both a litter box enclosure or as a cat house for your cats to sleep or relax in.
The key thing you’ll want to keep in mind with this option is you’ll want to buy a litter box that has a dip in the front of it for the entrance. Given the way the entrance is designed it sits a little lower than you might desire.
But if you choose the right litter box your cats will make it in and out just fine! Be sure you measure twice before you buy as the interior is a bit smaller than many litter boxes on the market.
A few other items worth noting on this model:
The entrance door is about 7″ wide by 8.5″ tall
The top is wide and can easily be used to put a cat bed on it or simply use it as an end table
There are two color options available, white and espresso
External Dimensions: 19” Width x 20” Depth x 20.25″ Height
Internal Dimensions: 17.5” Width x 19” Depth x 18″ Height
Definitely worth thinking about the following before buying:
Several people have said their cat has a hard time getting into it cause the door is too small and too low, if you have a bigger cat you might want to look elsewhere
The other biggest thing worth noting is that only one of these items can actually directly be used as a litter box on its own and that is the Good Pet Stuff Company model.
The rest of these are all actual pieces of furniture that will require you to purchase a litter box that you’ll then place inside of the furniture or find a piece that will accommodate your existing litter box.
The thing I want to point out is that before you make a purchase be sure you measure once, twice, thrice. If you already have a litter box at home you’re tied to using you should measure closely.
You’re not going to want to get a piece of furniture and construct it only to find out your desired litter box will not fit inside of it. Given this be sure you check all of the dimensions of each of these boxes thoroughly before clicking the buy button.
I’d also personally recommend aiming for a high sided or fully enclosed litter box inside these pieces of furniture if possible. The primarily reason is that they are mostly made of particle board which is highly absorbent and traps scents easily.
This means if your cat happens to spray or pee erratically then you’re likely to get a piece of furniture that will start to smell pretty bad pretty quickly.
Given that most of these products are made of some form of wood composite like fiber or particle board you’ll likely want to take high peeing cats into account. If urine sits on particle board for any period of time it will absorb it and it will stink.
On top of this it may cause the laminate on top to bubble and break which is no good either. And last but not least you don’t want the urine leaking out onto your floor either.
There are a couple of things you can do to help solve this problem:
Be sure to caulk the interior corners of any of the units so that urine won’t leak out of them
Find yourself a waterproof litter mat or manually line your new unit with a plastic covering
Use a high sided litter box or even a covered box inside the piece of furniture to minimize peeing accidents
This section is intended for general scent control, not specifically from high peeing or missed peeing cats. The bulk of litter furniture (including every model I noted here) does not include any type of door flap which means that air flows freely in and out of the unit.
Several of the units also include built in ventilation for both air flow and light so your cat can see inside. While these are might look nice from a design standpoint or encourage your cat to use the piece they also tend to enable odors to sneak out.
There are many ways you can go about helping to deal with this, but here are the most common:
Be sure to use an odor controlling litter and scoop the box often, just because it is out of sight doesn’t mean it should be out of mind
Aim to use a covered litter box inside the litter box furniture piece, these normally have their own built in flap to minimize odor
You can install your own flap on the interior of most of these units by buying pliable plastic or rubber and attaching it to the interior
The larger portion of cats will have no trouble adjusting to using a litter box inside a piece of litter furniture. That being said if you do already have a cat that you know doesn’t like using a litter box in an enclosed space then you’ll definitely want to avoid a piece of litter box furniture, it’ll likely only exacerbate the problem.
As for getting cats used to the litter box furniture there are a few steps you can take to help ensure the adjustment goes smoothly:
First and foremost, don’t simply move everything inside the new piece of litter furniture on day one
If possible using a second litter box inside the piece of furniture is ideal to minimize the immediate change
You can leave the door / paneling open for the first few days while your kitty gets a chance to explore the new piece
Only after your cat has shown that he/she will use the litter box in the new environment should you remove the original box
Most people don’t particularly love displaying their litter box for everyone to see. Given this there are a few options you can pursue including putting it in a closet or finding a piece of furniture to hide it inside.
I’m fortunate that I’ve got an empty closet that allows me to keep my litter box for my two resident cats, but outside that a piece of furniture fits nicely in my guest room where I keep my foster cats.
If you do decide to go down the road of purchasing a piece of litter box furniture I’d highly recommend you make any changes with the litter box gradually.
Be sure to leave your original litter box in place while you transition your cats to the new location inside of a piece of furniture. And always keep in mind that some cats might not terribly like adjusting to going inside of a completely enclosed environment.
If you’ve never had a fully closed in litter box you might want to try that before you purchase a piece of litter box furniture. Check out my top 10 litter box recommendations here.
Which litter box furniture do you use? Do you have a favorite or a recommendation that I didn’t include in my list ? If you have any other ideas for please leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com so I can update this article.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Love taking your cat out but don’t like the single strap carriers? Who can blame you? With every step you take it bangs against your side and digs into your shoulder.
This is the why backpack cat carriers were created. They are really versatile and far easier on us humans. My favorite backpacks have a bubble built right in to provide a view for your cat and them look like an astronaut!
Every cat owner should have one! It will get you and your cat out more than any other method! Let’s take a look at the best cat bubble backpacks.
Texsens Innovative Traveler Bubble Backpack Carrier for Cats
Texsens is the most well known brand of bubble backpacks on the market today and probably the most trusted as well. They’ve they been one of the pioneers in developing this type of carrier so that’s no surprise.
Texsens has been producing high quality backpacks for both cats and dogs now for several years. This gives them an edge because they have a bunch of experience and feedback to build their products off of.
Key features worth noting on this bag:
You've got the sweet looking space capsule window built right in (you can interchange with a vent)
There is a ton of ventilation on this bag, 14 vents in total when you include the 3 in the window
The shoulder straps are padded and adjustable to easily find the right fit for you
Built in security leash connection for an added layer of safety for your cat
You can open top or either side making it easy to get your cat inside.
It comes with a built in soft washable pad so you can easily remove it between trips
You can also check out my full video review below or read the full written review by clicking the button below.
The Fat Cat is an excellent bag specifically designed for larger cats. It is difficult to tell from the picture, but it actually has quite a bit of extra space inside it compared to other cat backpacks.
The company that designed it has said it is rated to hold cats up to 19 pounds, that's quite a hefty cat to stick inside a backpack, but I honestly believe they'd fit given my experience!
Key features worth noting on this bag:
Provides plenty of space for large cats, rated to hold up to a 19 pound cat
There are a couple of mesh pockets built into the side to easily carry treats etc.
There's tons of ventilation built right in to keep your kitty cool even on hot days
The window is placed lower in the bag making it easier for your kitty to look out
The entire top of the bag unzips making it easy to load your cat in or let them out
Great for short trips or long adventures, I've taken Beast out on a 15 mile bike ride in it
Petforu comes to the market with what is one of the nicest looking and most versatile faux leather cat backpacks on the market. It of course still comes with the amazing astronaut bubble window to let your cat get a great view out.
This model has a ton of ventilation slots built into it so your feline friend stays has plenty of fresh air to breathe, but it also ensures that it stays nice and cool inside the backpack even if it is a little toasty outside!
Let's look at a few other major features worth noting:
Provides plenty of space for large cats, rated to hold up to a 19 pound cat
Loading your cat into it is easy with access from the top or from either side
Designed so you can wear the backpack on the front or back for comfort
High placed window so your cat can see out while sitting up
Rubber feet on the bottom keep it from sliding around on smooth surfaces
Great for cats up to the 11-12 pound range, 13 or 14 will start to get cramped
The dimensions of this backpack are: 12.6 wide by 10.25 inches deep by 16.54 inches tall
Comes with a comfy liner that is removable for easy cleaning
You’ll notice an obvious difference in the design of this bag right away, it isn’t your typical two shoulder strap backpack! If you want to be extra trendy with a capsule bag and give your cat plenty of space to lay down you can go for this messenger style bag.
This bag does of course include the coveted astronaut bubble that makes these kinds of carriers so darn cool! But let's look at other key features worth considering:
Awesome messenger style bag that will ensure you and your cat travel in style
The bubble can be switched out for an included mesh cover if you have limited space
Features a built in safety latch to hook your cat's leash and harness to
It has a built in pad (removable) on the bottom to make sure your kitty rides in comfort
The dimensions of this model are 15.4″L x 7.1″W x 10.6″H, great for smaller cats (10 lb or less)
While this is a really cool and trendy looking bag, do be sure you do some measuring first to ensure your cat will have sufficient room to move around inside of it. That or ensure your cat loves to lay down while bounding along on a walk with you!
Also keep in mind since this is a messenger style bag it is a single strap on your shoulder.
Giantex is a company that has been at making cat carriers and pet products for quite some time. This model is is of course their astronaut’s cat carrier to give your kitty a nice safe view of the outside world while keeping them in a controlled environment.
It features a large space inside with big air holes and mesh to ensure it stays comfortable and breathable for your kitty. A couple of key features worth noting:
It is made from a combination of high quality oxford cloth and scratch resistant plastic
This hard shell helps it hold form to stay looking nice for an extended time
Features a built in safety latch to connect your leash and harness to
This model is very budget friendly if you're looking for a good price point
The dimensions 15.7" tall 11.8" wide x 11" deep, good for cats up to about 15 lbs
Opens up from end to end giving you lots of room to get your cat into it
Two solid zippers that run on the same line make this mimic a true backpack
Pettom Large Breathable Bubble Carrier w/ Rolling Attachment
This is a relatively novel idea in the bubble carrier space in that Pettom has essentially designed a carrier that is primarily a backpack, but it can also be attached to an associated roller.
This means if you’ve got an extra long distance to travel or perhaps a nice smooth bit of road or sidewalk and you just want a break you can drop the backpack right into the roller and keep going.
On top of this you’ll notice a lot of other great features that this carrier includes
The ability to use it as a backpack or as a rolling bag depending on need
Numerous vents and two mesh panels excellent air flow and comfort for your kitty
Easy to load your cat in from both the front and the side
There's a built in leash attachment for added safety for your feline friend
Equipped with non slip feet to ensure it won't slide around while you load and unload it
This carrier has a larger weight capacity than most coming in at about 22 pounds
The dimensions are 12.6″L x 8.7″W x 15.8″H. Add in the wheels the height is 36 inches.
Note: You can buy this model without the wheel attachment and save yourself somewhere in the area of $15. If you don’t feel you need the wheels it is a nice option to have handy.
This is an excellent option for those of you looking to take your feline friend on a plane and you think a backpack will be easier than a traditional carrier. Given this carrier has already been vetted by multiple airlines you’ll be off to a great start.
Key features worth noting on this model are:
Specifically designed for airline travel and meets most airline carry on requirements
Large vents built into the side of the carrier ensure good air flow to keep your cat cool
It unzips like a traditional backpack so you've got lots of space to load your cat from all directions
There are a huge number of colors to choose from beyond the bright pink in the pictures
This model is rated to hold a cat up to 10 pounds
Comes with a removable pad built into the bottom for easy cleaning after a trip
The dimensions for this model are 11.8″ L x 11.0″ W x 17.3″ H
HBuir Innovative Diamond Traveler Pet Carrier Shoulder Backpack
You’ll notice a couple of distinct differences in this carrier right away. First and foremost it is a hard shelled carrier which is far less common. This means that it maintains its space integrity inside much more effectively than canvas or nylon carriers.
There are several features worth noting on this model:
Engineered in the shape of diamond for both looks and to maximize room inside for your cat
Fully equipped with a washable pad for the interior of the carrier to provide extra comfort for your cat
A built in safety latch is available to link up your cat's leash and harness
Numerous ventilation holes ensure your cat stays nice and cool even in hot weather
The bubble can be changed out for a mesh cover that is also included with purchase
This model is rated to hold a cat up to 14 pounds which is a pretty large cat
The dimensions of this carrier are 13.8″ L x 10.6″ W x 18.1″ H
Texsens Canvas Transparent and Breathable Capsule Portable Pet Backpack
You’ll notice a distinct difference between this bag and the other versions that Texsens has on the market, primarily in the overall design structure.
This backpack is designed with the intent that you’d be loading your cat from the top, there is no way to unzip either of the side compartments and let your cat enter the bag this way.
A couple of additional key items worth noting on this model:
Made of canvas to support adventures in all types of different conditions, holds up way better than faux leather in any wet or humid conditions
Equipped with two side pockets to store any necessities during your cat adventures
Amazing ventilation to ensure that your cat stays nice and cool no matter how warm it is outside
The measurements of this bag are 11.81″ L x 9.44″ W x 14.17″H
It is rated for cats up to 10 pounds and should hold them comfortably
The shoulder straps are designed with long trips in mind, they are well padded and comfortable
Designed specifically to load your cat in from the top instead of from the sides
Another variation on the Texsens backpacks above, this one instead moves the bubble to the top of the carrier as opposed to back side of the carrier. While clearly a preference option, this will provide a heck of a lot better view up and out as opposed to toward the back of the carrier. No surprise I suppose!
This model is also made of canvas specifically to encourage air flow for your feline friend while you’re out and about on your adventures. Your cat will stay nice and cool while going for a ride in this backpack.
A couple of additional features worth noting on this model:
Top side bubble ensures a completely unique experience for your cat, even among bubble bags
The shoulder straps that are designed for extra comfort with thicker padding
Numerous mesh panels and holes provide excellent air flow for long trips
Extra padding built into the back of the bag ensures it is comfortable on your back too
The dimensions of this carrier are 12.6″ W x 9.8″ D x 15″ H
It will hold a cat up to 13 pounds without any issue
Comes with an interchangeable mesh panel you can switch the bubble out for
If you're looking for a something a little bit beyond your typical space capsule backpack you can spring for the Keedo Pet Transparent Carrier. This one has a completely transparent back side so your cat can see everywhere the entire time.
There are of course benefits and drawbacks to the exposure. If your cat is super outgoing and loves new things then this is a great option and you'll get tons of compliments on your kitty!
A few additional things worth noting:
Super cool transparent design covering the entire back, your cat can see everything
Comes in 3 different colors: teal, red and yellow
A total of 9 built in holes for air flow and 2 mesh sections to maximize cat comfort
Has a built in safety loop to lock your cat's leash and harness to
Rated to hold cats that are up to a total of 13 pounds
The dimensions of this bag are 11.4” L x 10.6” W x 16.1” H
Lemonda Portable Travel Space Capsule Pet Carrier Backpack
Lemonda brings to the market another excellent looking space capsule type carrier with all the bells and whistles that will make you love it.
This backpack is designed with extra padding on the straps so you can take your cat for long walks or hikes and it is specifically engineered to allow you to wear it either on the front or the back!
Has a super sleek design housed in acrylic and canvas to maintain shape and space for your cat
Comes in numerous colors (click the link below for a full list currently available)
A significant number of air holes will ensure you've got great air flow even on warm days
It is rated by the manufacturer to easily hold a cat up to 16 pounds
There's a comfortable velvet pad included for the interior to keep your cat extra comfortable
The interior pad is easy to remove and you can hand or machine wash it to keep the bag clean
The dimensions of this bag are 12.6 “L x 11.5 “W x 16.5 “H
The bubble is super easy to change out for the mesh cover that is included
Right, it isn’t a backpack. I know, I know! But it is still an excellent carrier and I wanted to include it because of the key unique feature. This carrier is so easy to break down and fold into a really small space.
Most of the backpack carriers I have indicated so far don’t really have a way to collapse. This means they take up a lot of space when they aren’t in use. This model can fold down to only a few inches tall. Great for storage!
What's worth noting on this option:
It also has 3 different entry points for your cat: two on the sides and one top
There are a total of 12 ventilation holes for great air flow to keep your cat cool
The bubble can be changed out for a mesh cover if you prefer less exposure for your cat
There's a comfortable shoulder carrying strap included as well similar to a traditional carrier
Easily folds down into a really small space for travel purposes
Why Use a Cat Bubble Backpack Carrier Instead of a Traditional Carrier
There are a couple of key reasons people prefer to switch over to a bubble carrier in place of a traditional carrier:
Comfort: The biggest factor I’ve found in making the switch is that bubble carriers are just far easier to get around with than a traditional single strap shoulder carrier. Backpacks were designed for this purpose specifically, and cat backpack carriers are just a heck of a lot easier on your shoulders than that single strap is.
Safety: The bulk of backpack carriers come equipped with additional safety features that traditional carriers don’t have included. While this is largely because they are often designed for Adventure Cats it doesn’t mean those safety features are any less helpful for your typical cat just going on walks.
Cat Happiness: A lot of traditional carriers don’t provide the best view in the world for your cat. They can of course hear a lot through the mesh, but they often can’t see much through it. This is limiting and makes the trip boring! The space bubble lets your cat see everything going on around them and gives them a chance to check out the world.
Style: Let’s be honest, they’re just plain cool looking compared to a typical carrier. And it is way easier for other people to check your feline friend out as you take a walk! What could be better?!?!
If you’re still curious about traditional carriers (I still have one myself) then I would also recommend you read my other article here on the best traditional carriers out there. It should help you make a decision if you’re not sold on a backpack yet.
When you bring a new carrier home you’re going to want to take some time getting your cat used to the carrier before immediately loading her right into it and taking her for a walk.
While I understand you just got this really cool carrier and want to show it off and show your cat off I would suggest a gradual approach to use. This will ensure that you don’t scare your cat away from the carrier right away and then have to spend weeks getting he or she acclimated afterward.
So how do you go about it? Well there are a couple of pretty simple steps you can take to ensure that your cat will end up loving the new carrier:
When it first arrives be sure to let your cat explore and sniff it without trying to put her in it
If you have any Feliway Spray you might also want to try spraying some of this on and in the carrier
Be sure to leave it out in the open and place some treats inside the carrier so your cat associates the carrier with positive things
Start out with short walks and don’t make the first trip to somewhere your cat hates (the vet or the groomer)
Take your cat on multiple trips a week, but keep them short and end them with treats when you get home
Over time work up to longer trips and start feathering in trips to the vet and other places
While it is not a necessity by any stretch of the word, many people that use bubble backpacks also have a desire to leash and harness train their cat to take it on adventures.
This is no surprise, if you want to show your cat the world you’d also want to let them out to actually get a chance to explore it a little bit.
There’s an excellent article available on AdventureCats.org that will tell you all about the best method to harness train your cat, but here’s a quick rundown just to get you started:
Introduce the Harness: As with anything else (costumes, collars, etc.) you’ll want to introduce your cat to a harness slowly to ensure they associate positive things with it. This means letting them sniff it, letting their scent get on it, and of course rewarding them with treats when it is nearby. You can also spray some Feliway on it for an added benefit.
Slip It On: Put the harness on your cat, but don’t actually tighten it up. This will let her get a feel for it without restricting her movement. Over time tighten the harness and then remove it after short periods of time working up to longer attempts. Again, treats and praise go a long way.
Attaching the Leash: Once you’ve got your kitty used to the harness you can attach the leash to it and take her outside. This is where your let your cat do the exploring. Go at her pace and let her figure out what is of interest. As she gets more used to the world outside then you can start encouraging her to follow you and keep pace with where you want to go.
A few other tips:
Always pick up your cat and carry them through the threshold of the door when you’re first harness training her. This makes her think that’s the only way to go outside. Otherwise she’s prone to learn the second the door opens she can bolt out.
Don’t leave your cat unattended outside, especially with a harness and leash on. This is an easy way for your cat to get stuck and injured.
Always ensure any cat that is going outside is microchipped at the least. I also recommend a breakaway collar with tags with your cats essential information.
Now if you don’t happen to trust me about how awesome these backpacks are then you should definitely take the word of YouTube star Anna Akana. Here’s an awesome video of her showing what happens when she goes out with her cats in her bubble backpack!
My personal opinion is that cat bubble backpacks are a heck of a lot more versatile than your traditional style carrier. First off, they look a heck of a lot better!
But they also give your cat a much better view of the outside world while still maintaining all of the important safety features that come with a regular carrier.
Another huge benefit is that you’re going to have a heck of a lot more comfort for yourself when you use a backpack style carrier. It is a heck of a lot easier on your shoulders and your back because it distributes the weight a lot more effectively than a single strap.
Do you use a backpack carrier for your cat? Does yours have the cool bubble to give your cat a view of the outside world? If I’ve missed any of the awesome bubble backpacks please send me a link.
This way I can track down those additional options and get them added to the article. Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Ut oh, your kitty is meowing at the chair again. Her toy must have ended up under it and she can’t get to it! While you get that one out you might as well search the whole house for all of the toys your fur ball has scattered while playing. I know it is always my favorite thing on my to do list…
Enter cat activity centers. Cat activity centers have numerous benefits in comparison with traditional toys. Now I’m not saying they should be substituted and you should toss all your traditional toys.
Both have their uses. But activity centers can be a huge time and hassle saver by centralizing play into a single location and enabling easy cleanup.
Note this article will notinclude any cat trees/castles. Cat trees and castles take up significant room and can’t be easily broken down so they’ll be addressed separately. Check out this article if you’re looking for a cat tree for a large cat.
Most cats love to sharpen their nails on rugs, mine included. I’ve even bought crappy rugs I expect my cats to destroy just so they don’t go after my good rugs.
But I never thought I’d find a rug specially designed for cats so they can scratch it up up and play with it! This is probably one of the most entertaining cat toys on the market. While it is simple in concept it allows for an endless number of configurations.
The Ripple Rug is unique in product design and use:
There are two layers to this rug:
The top layer is filled with large sized holes and has Velcro attachments to connect to the bottom
The bottom is solid and you can stick the top to it to create all sorts of different landscapes for your cats to explore
This gives you complete creative control and a bunch of flexibility, it only takes a few minutes to completely revamp the landscape
It is a pretty darn large rug coming in at 47″ by 35″ so you’ll have lots of space for multiple cats to explore & play on
Catit is known for cool and intriguing toys and products for cats. They are a powerhouse in the industry. While they don’t have a single “activity center” as a product they do have a bunch of products that can be combined into an activity center for your feline friend.
Their toys span the whole library. They have everything from their circuits to their cat grass option to their design circuit that lets your kitten or cat knock a ball around in a closed track. Catit basically enables you to easily build your own activity center with all the things you find interesting and entertaining.
Check out the video below for some great options and ideas of how to combine pieces together. I’ve also linked to a starter pack that is in the photo above that’ll get you the basics right off the bat!
The Trixie Pet Five in One Game Board is dedicated to keeping your cat entertained through food puzzles. It is by far one of the most mentally challenging toys on the market. If you’ve got a very curious cat that is always searching for the next thing to explore than this is for you.
Another thing worth considering this toy for is as a feeding puzzle for cats that eat too fast. If your cat tends to get sick from inhaling her food then this will definitely slow her down. The board, no surprise given the name, has 5 different ways to engage your cat:
There are numerous sphere shaped bowls that require your cats to scoop out food with her paw
The pegs make your cat move food between them to the edges so can eat eat
Wave shaped alleys or swim lanes are next in line and make your cat push the food out to the edges
The top is primarily for liquid treats since the slits hinder the cat from using its paws easily
The tunnel makes your cat reach out and stretch to reach a toy or a snack inside
All in all a great way to make a cat work for their food or treats, any cat that needs some exercise will love this activity board! This little video shows it in action:
Petty Love Cat Activity Center with Hanging Toy Balls, Mice & More
This is a more traditional cat activity center that is focused on a bunch of different cat toys centralized in one spot. The toys are exposed to your kitty using a simple plastic arch system and a lady bug shaped mat/rug that sits under the arch.
This toy features 4 hanging pieces that will encourage cats of all ages to swat, bat and bite at them
The built in mat will help contain some of the stray fur that is bound to come off your kitty as the lay on their back and whack at the hanging toys
Designed to easily fold up and fit in a zippered storage bag that comes included
The arch that holds the toys up is made of sturdy plastic, but a rowdier cat may manage to knock it over
Note: If you have a large cat or a very rough playing cat you may want to skip this toy as other owners have indicated the plastic can break with a lot of rough housing
This particular activity center is specifically focused on helping you slow down your pet from inhaling her food. That however doesn’t take anything away from all of the fun and entertainment it provides for your cat! The product is made of wood so it is very durable and easy to wash off or rinse off if anything gets stuck to it (like bits of dried cat food)!
Each of the different areas on the toy is designed to test your cat’s mind in different ways. This keeps them curious and entertained so long as they are food motivated. It also ensures your cat gets rewarded for her ingenuity! An additional few items worth pointing out:
There are numerous small bowls built into the wood frame and you can drop food in each
There are varying covers or tops you can place over each of the bowls which encourages your cat to move them to get to the food
You may need to show your cat how to move them the first few times before they get the hang of it
It is about 9″ x 9″ and a little over an inch thick
It is paw shaped which is a nice additional touch to make it clear it is a pet toy
This product is probably the most durable of all those on the list cause of its wood construction
Easily one of the most novel of all the toys and activity centers on the market. I’m sure you can see that by design alone. You’ve got a large mouse shaped activity center with a bunch of different options for your kitten to enjoy. Do note this one is aimed at kittens, not adult cats.
As an added bonus this activity center also doubles as a cat bed and comes fully equipped with a machine washable insert that is super easy to remove when your fluff ball dirties it up.
The ears have rustling foil built in to keep your kitties attention when they get moved
The back of the mouse has a fully built in scratching pad that’s made of sisal
There are two dangling pom toys (that look like the eyes of the mouse) for swatting
There’s a long tail attached to the back for pouncing and swatting
The dimensions: 14 x 26 x 13 Inch and weighs: 6 lbs
Note the toy is designed for kittens or smaller cats, large cats will have difficulty getting inside it
This fine looking piece of feline furniture is the Murica Activity Tree. It is lined with plush black fabric both inside and out. If you have a white cat and don’t want it to show then this is not the toy for you!
This may be considered a cat tree or a cat perch by some, but given the size and the attachments I have categorized it as an activity center. There’s good reason for this given the huge number of ways that a cat can play here:
You’ve got an awesome sisal scratching post to keep your cat’s claws sharp
There are a total of 12 holes built into the base giving your cat lots of ways in and out and lots of places to play peek-a-boo, if you have two cats they are bound to use these to pounce on one another
There’s a dangling pom pom toy hanging inside of the base of the activity tree
There’s another danging pom pom hanging from the top of the scratching post
You’ll note a significant amount of similarities between this product and the Petty Love Activity Center. The key difference between the two is the manufacturer as well as the price of this version comes in a bit lower than the Petty Love version (as of writing this).
Both products do a great job of entertaining your cat, they are mostly variations on the same product. In case you’ve used toys from either of these companies and have a preference I’ve included both in my list. Key features worth noting:
This toy features 4 hanging pieces that will encourage cats of all ages to swat, bat and bite at the
The lambswool mat that serves as the base is comfy and will collect cat fur as your kitty plays
It is super easy to deconstruct it and hide it away if company comes by or you just want to hide it to keep it mysterious
The arch that holds the toys up is made of plastic, but it can suffer from the same issue as the Petty Love activity center in that very active cats may knock it down or break it
The Poker Box Cativity Center is another food puzzle focused activity center for cats. If you’ve got a food motivated or prey driven cat that needs entertainment then this is an excellent choice. It is also an excellent choice for slowing your cat down if they eat to fast and end up vomiting because of it.
One of the more common complaints with feeding puzzles is they are often dedicated to only dry food given their designs. This version accommodates wet food without any problem at all! Here are some of the key features worth noting in more depth:
This center includes 4 different compartments that are each attached to the base
Each compartment must be opened using a different method: lid, drawer, rope and sliding knob
The bottom has non-slip rubber feet keep the base in place while your cat plays and explores
This model is 100% dishwasher safe, throw it right in after a meal or after a few uses
It also contains a small instructional booklet with tips and tricks to show your cat how to use it
This Cat Activity center is fully dedicated to making your cat think for food. If your cat isn’t food motivated you probably won’t have a lot of success with this particular model as there aren’t a lot of other ways to interact with it. If you’ve got a food driven fur ball that is really curious then this is an excellent option.
This model comes fully equipped with 4 built in puzzles and games to keep your kitty cat entertained and engaged while going after treats or food. Check out the video to see the games in action with a curious kitty at work! Here’s a quick rundown of the major items of note:
Rubber feet to keep it in place while your kitty plays
It measures 6.5″ x 8″ so it is quite small and easy to store
The Cat Gym & activity center from CProducts is an up coming toy on the market place. It was much more recently released than other options on the market but is already seeing a lot of positive feedback from cats and cat owners alike.
You’ll definitely notice some similarities between the other cat activity centers I mentioned above and the one from CProducts, this is because it is a formula that works. There are however a couple of key points worth calling out that might make a difference in your final selection:
There are 4 hanging cat toy pieces encourage your fluffy friend to bat, roll & reach
You may want this version simply for the Bengal tiger print, especially if you need to match it to some pants or some carpet in the house
It is super easy to pop it up or break it down which helps in maintaining mystery to keep your cats interested when it is out
It measures 22.5″ x 22.5″ x 13.5″
Check out this awesome video to watch a very playful kitty go bonkers with the Cat Gym
If you’ve got a cat that goes bonkers for crinkly noises then this is the activity center for you. The entire mat is loaded with crinkle paper to make sure that your kitty stays fully engaged!
On top of this the toy comes equipped with real bird feathers to engage your cat’s natural hunting instincts! It is quite the killer combo to pull your cat in and keep her entertained for the long haul.
A few other items worth noting:
It comes with several detachable toys that will provide tons of fun for your feline friend
There’s one pocket you can easily refill with catnip and the entire mat is filled with crinkle paper
The mat is 17.5″ W x 15″ L giving your cat plenty of space to roll around and play
The mat comes with a tube of Pure Bliss Organic Catnip to get your kitty started
If you’re looking for an awesome addition to your house for your cat that is very cutesy then this is a great choice. The design follows that of a giant lady bug and has all the key draws of other activity mats.
Key features worth noting on this mat:
The mat us super comfortable so not only is it great for playing it is great for snoozing too.
The plastic frame is strong and secure to ensure it won’t simply collapse or tip over when your kitties play with it.
The base material is non-slip won’t slide all over even if your kitties are playing with it on a wood floor.
There are four small toys hanging from the frame including a mouse, small bells and a very fluffy ball.
It is very easy to deconstruct quickly if you’d like to take it down and make room in your home.
Activity centers accomplish a few goals for you and your cat(s). The most important reasons are:
Centralized Fun: An activity center will help your cat associate a specific place in the house is for playing. Activity centers keep everything in one spot and they are more often than not easy to pack up and put in a cupboard when you no longer want your kitty to play.
Natural Instincts: Cats naturally want to hunt, stalk and pounce. Giving them a chance to play and do these things is great for exercising their natural instincts. Doing this at a time of day that you choose is far better than your cat deciding to do it at 3 AM while you’re trying to get some sleep!
Health Related: Just like us humans, exercising decreases overall stress and gives your cat a chance to focus on something. Not only is this great for producing endorphins (yes, cats have them too!) but it also helps them keep their weight down. A healthy weight helps deter health problems in general.
What Else Should I Consider?
Age: Definitely take into the account the age of your cat. Cat most of the items listed above are age agnostic, but some of them are definitely more appropriate for kittens or adults than others. You should also take age into account when deciding how often and for how long to play with your cat. No surprise, but the older your cat gets the less likely they are to spend time playing.
Variety: Remember that cats will get bored of the same thing if you use it over and over constantly. This is a nice perk of many of these puzzles and activity centers, you can simply fold them up and stick them in a shelf or closet when they aren’t in use. This helps them maintain a sense of mystery each time you take them out for your cat. Definitely remember to put the center away from time to time and keep them guessing.
Construction: You’ll want to take into account the material the activity center is made of. If you have a bit more of a rough and tumble cat then choosing one of the sturdier options like the Pyrus (made of wood) may be your best choice. If however you’ve got kittens and you want something super easy to clean in case of an accident then the Ripple Rug or one of the plastic options might be your best bet.
Why So Many Food Puzzles?
If you’ve read to this point I’m impressed with your dedication! You’ll probably also have noticed that several of the activity centers are food driven and force your cat to think to get rewarded. Cats that are extremely curious and like to explore are far more prone to require structured play sessions on a daily basis.
These cats also tend to enjoy activity centers because most of them are designed to encourage and reward curiosity. This is a great way to feed your cat and help them do both some mental and physical gymnastics at the same time!
There are certainly other alternative in the shape and form of cat condos or cat trees. Trees provide numerous caves and climbing areas and enable your cat to get up somewhere high which is another natural instinct.
The reason I did not include trees here is because they are normally large and not easily hidden or deconstructed if you need the space. Trees are a great addition to any cat home if you have the space!
Wrapping It Up On Cat Activity Centers
The market is loaded with all sorts of ways to entertain your cat these days. From remote controlled toys to apps to traditional tinkling bells. Every time I got into the shelter I volunteer at or walk into Petco for food I see something new and improved out there to engage my kitties.
Many of the one off cat toys are often great options, especially if you want to spread out costs over the long haul. But a single centralized spot for your cat to play can be easier to deal with and easier to pack up and put away when you want some peace and quiet.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works for your cat! If you have any cat activity centers you love that I totally missed then please please leave a comment below!
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This week’s Cat of the Week is Rori, and what a beauty! Rori comes submitted to us from Reddit user pudinglover.
Five years ago Rori’s human moved to Oslo from Lithuania to be with her mom and try to save up some money for University. While she was not planning to stay longer than 1 year her plans changed and she decided to stay longer.
After 2 years living in Oslo she was making a good number of friends and one of those friends adopted a kitten. But after a couple of weeks, she had to leave the country for a month and asked if pudinglover could babysit the kitten.
She of course agreed. Who wouldn’t?!?! Her friend fell out of touch and didn’t come back to pick up the kitten, so she kept it. She took Rori to the vet, got her documents, got her fixed and everything. She spent a hefty chunk of money on it since these things are pricy in Norway.
But it was worth it. Then crazily enough, 7 months later, the original owner came out from nowhere and demanded the cat back. As any cat parent would say it was quite the ridiculous request!
pudinglover had taken care of her, fallen in love with her and had spent so much money on her. And after abandoning her for several months with no contact you now just want her back? Heck no!
Unfortunately this was the end of that friendship, but Rori is more than she could ask for. pudinglover has now had Rori for 3 amazing years! She loves cuddles, especially laying down on her human’s chest and chewing on her hair. Rori even loves licking her neck.
Rori’s favorite game is fetch, she’s not like other cats, she is like a dog in a lot of ways. She always waits for pudinglover by the door when she comes home.
Rori is also very odd, she never eats or goes to the bathroom if no one is home! She eats when her human eats. She only poops when her human is home and always let’s her human know that she pooped and her litter box requires cleaning.
Rori also absolutely loves boxes. Rori lives by the mantra “If it fits I sits!” Rori and her human are inseparable, Rori always sleeps with her mom. Not just with her, on her pillow or on my head! All night without moving an inch! Talk about loving her human!
We at StuffCatsWant want to thank pudinglover for submitting Rori as this week’s Cats of the Week! To submit your cat for Cat of the Week please send at least 5 photos and a description of at least 400 words to Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
StuffCatsWant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
If you’ve never had a kitten before then you might be in for a bit of a surprise at age 3 months! Like human babies, kittens go through teething. It can last up until your cat is about 6 months old. While the
You’re going to want some kitten teething toys around when their adult teeth start to come in! Teething kittens get extra mouthy and extra prone to biting things. No surprise, they’re pretty unhappy with the pain and soreness that comes with teething.
It’s not all bad though. It is an excellent opportunity to train your kitten to bite approved surfaces like toys! So let’s take a look at some of the best toys out there for you to redirect kitten biting onto and then let’s talk about just how to do that!
Petstages is by far and away the leader of toys that are specifically made for teething kittens. They have a boatload of variations specifically dedicated to kittens and their teething time period.
They are all widely revered and reviewed positively by way more people than just myself. So let’s take a look at some of the key pros and cons of these dental health cat chews:
The key to alleviating pain in a teething kitten is massages the gums and this toy does exactly that
This product is specifically designed to cleans teeth, remove soft tartar for overall dental health
The netting is specifically designed so it won’t unravel and cause a choking hazard
It is filled with catnip and fibrous catnip stalks to satisfy natural desire to crunch and chew (they can hear the stalks crunch)
It is super lightweight making it easy to carry around, bat around or just chew on
It might be worth considering the following before making the purchase:
As with any catnip based toy you might need to spray on some liquid catnip as the toy ages
You may need to switch these out as your cat grows up as they are again on the small side, they are made for kittens after all
Kong has been in the pet toy business for ages so you know you’re getting a high quality toy when you buy through Kong. This toy is specifically made for kittens.
As with any Kong toy, it is super durable and will stand up to all the chewing your kitten can throw at it. Let’s look at pros and cons:
It has a soft and cuddly plush exterior so there’s no potential for your cat to injure herself
It has a crinkle sound built right in to keep your kitty fully engaged for long hours
It has premium north American catnip inside to driven even more desire for it
It is absolutely dirt cheap for a high quality cat toy
You'll want to think about these two items as you purchase this toy:
As with any catnip based toy you might need to spray on some liquid catnip as the toy ages
The toy is on the small side of cat toys in general so you’ll want to monitor play time for safety
If you’re looking for a little bit of quiet while your cat plays then this is a wonderful option that will help minimize the noise. Most cat toys are specifically designed to make a bit of noise to maintain interest.
Unlike most toys the claim to fame with these rolls is that they will minimize the amount of noise your kitten makes while she plays with them! This means you can sleep soundly or focus on work or watch your favorite TV show without the noise.
This toy is ideal for nighttime play, especially if your kitten is in another room at night
It is filled with 100% north American catnip to keep the interest of your kitty all night long
It is made of super soft, but extremely durable material to keep your cat busy but not crinkle or bounce off anything
The stick shape is excellent for biting, gnawing and chewing which is great to relieve pain in your kitten’s mouth
Keep these items in mind as you decide on your purchase:
The product is mostly nylon rope with melted/filed edges, you may want to review each piece and file/clip any sharp spots before you give them to your cat
Given there’s nothing novel other than the catnip you’ll want to use these toys in a rotation
Yes, Petstages strikes again! You’ll be seeing a lot of stuff from these guys on this page. In this case they’ve changed it up for some mouse shaped toys which is pretty traditional.
The key selling point here is that the mice are specifically designed for general dental care for your feline friends. If your vet has mentioned any form of buildup or tartar in your kitty then these might be the right choice!
The design is quite unique in that it has a special net around the outside that is extra durable and won’t unravel when chewed on
Specifically designed to help remove tartar and improve dental health for your kitty
The net helps act like floss between your cats teeth to remove gunk and stuck pieces of food
As with most toys on this page it is filled with catnip to keep your kitty interested
These mice are on the small side making them great for kittens to bat, carry and chew on
These two things are worth considering as you make your purchase:
As with any catnip toy you may need to buy some catnip spray to keep your cats interested if they’ve been out a while
They aren’t refillable with some toys, but the spray mentioned above can help
Does your cat get morning breath? Or just nasty breath in general? I really can’t say I’ve ever had a problem with my cats having terrible breath, but boy does this make them smell minty fresh after they play with it!
If you’ve got a problem with bad breath or just want a better smelling cat then give this a shot! It smells divine.
This toy is filled with sweet smelling mint to freshen your cat’s breath as she chews on it, mint is another scent that often attracts cats
Note there are no fillers inside this toy, it is strictly freshly dried mint
As with several other toys by Petstages this comes fully equipped with their very durable netting that will not unravel
You’ll notice this toy is very similar to the night time sticks in shape and size, it’ll also make a good night time toy
Keep this in mind while you consider what's best for your teething kitten
It is much harder to find a ‘mint’ spray for cats than catnip spray so you may have to depend on catnip spray to maintain interest as the toy dries out
Because the toy is relatively thin overall it can get easily batted under couches and chairs where you cat won’t be able to get to it
Another great toy from Kong that is specifically designed to keep your kittens engaged in many ways. This toy is a little bit on the larger side for a kitten toy if you look at it as a whole.
Fortunately each of the legs hanging off make for a great toy for your kitten to bat at, especially if you’re trying to redirect them to toys during teething. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons:
It comes with a built in rattle in the head so it makes noise as it bounces around or shakes
The Wubba comes infused with catnip to attract your kitten by scent and get her interested
The four tails crackle to main interest once your kitty starts to chew on it
The tails are also designed to simulate the tail of a real live animal your cat might prey on
It does come in a bunch of different colors, but do note you can’t select your color on Amazon
It is another toy that has a great price to value ratio, basically it is cheap and lasts a long time
There's only one major item you'll want to consider as you choose the Wubba Hubba:
If you have a kitten on the smaller side this toy may prove to be too big as it is about 7.5 inches long
Anyone wanting a pretzel with some mustard after looking at this guy? I feel like I’m ready to go to a baseball game or something!
Now one thing to note right up front is this toy looks big in the picture, but it is actually perfectly sized for kittens a little over 2 x 2 inches. That means your kitty will look adorable dragging around a soft pretzel all the time, and it’ll be much better for her teeth than the real thing!
The unique netting flosses teeth and helps remove soft tartar as your kitten chews on it
It has catnip on the inside to initially attract and keep your cat’s attention
It is perfectly sized for your cat to bat it all over or bite and gnaw on it or even to carry it all over the house
It is incredibly durable which is ideal given that teething kittens will bite it like crazy
You'll want to keep these two items in mind for long term ownership of this toy:
You’ll need to refresh the catnip scent with catnip spray from time to time
As your cat ages this toy may become obsolete due to the size of your cat or their preferences
Are you tired of hearing about Petstages and their wonderful dental focused cat toys? Well, if you’ve got a teething kitten I imagine you aren’t, otherwise you might have already zoned out.
If you have zoned out by this point you’re probably just scrolling through all the toy pictures to see which one looks most interesting. This is definitely unique on the design side having a wheel in the center and some tied on fabric streams, so let’s talk a bit more about it!
The wheel in the center is specifically designed to stand up to hardcore gnawing or chewing by your kitten while at the same time massaging the gums to relieve pain and stress from teething
The little streamers on the side are primarily to give your kitty something to bat at, it also gives you a place to hold on to shake it around and attract their attention
It is dirt cheap, especially if you just want to pick one up and try it out for the first time
The two biggest items you'll want to consider here are:
It doesn’t come with catnip or anything that rattles or shakes so you’ll need to get your cats attention by playing with it yourself or with catnip spray
As with any toy made for chewing you’ll want to monitor your cat playing with it otherwise they may ingest bits that break off
Admittedly, these are less of a toy and more of a treat for your cat in that they are actual pieces of wood. A bit of a change from previous options I’ve shown you so far because they aren’t manufactured plastic and rubber.
That being said, these are a wonderful option for your cats to help relieve the pain of teething and they are also 100% green and organic. Be sure to keep these in a sealed container if your cat is not using them otherwise the scent will dry out quickly.
Chewing on the sticks can help clean your cat’s teeth and prevent oral disease by removing dental tartar
Each of the sticks is about 5 inches long and they are quite thin (think a bit thicker than a pencil) making the great for gnawing
They’re quite durable and you’re getting a solid number of them, if you keep them sealed they keep a long time
Definitely keep these items in mind when you choose these sticks:
You’ll want to be careful of these splintering and your cat potentially swallowing the splinters, be sure to monitor your cat during use
You may need to trim some of the bark off of them to expose the center of the wood which is the most appealing part for your cat
If you’re just not sure what toy to go with then you should take a look at getting a variety pack. This pack comes with 20 different toys in it sized for kittens and made to keep them engaged and entertained.
While not all of them are designed specifically for teething there are a few that work great for just that purpose.
You’re getting 20 toys for a little under ten bucks, hard to complain
There are numerous toys here that will engage any cat and it gives you the chance to rotate them easily
The only big thing you'll want to keep in mind when considering this variety pack is that:
None of the toys is specifically designed for kitten teething
This is a plastic toy that is specifically designed for your cat to chew on it like crazy and not fall apart quickly. The Wiggle Worm is made of non toxic plastic and is infused with catnip to get your cat interested and engaged from the moment you set it down!
Do keep in mind this toy is a bit on the larger side (6 inches long) so if you have an extremely small kitten it may be too big for them.
The material is designed to help massage your cat’s gums while she chews relieving the pain from teething
It is a little bit floppy so as your cat carries it around it will bounce up and down a little bit making it seem more lifelike
It is infused with catnip to get your kitten interested from the moment it comes out of the package
This toy has one key item that you'll want to keep in mind when purchasing it for kittens:
The size of the toy may be a problem for smaller cats because it is 6+ inches long, but as your cats grow up they should grow into using it
This wand toy isn’t specifically designed for kittens, but it makes an excellent supervised teething toy. Kittens love pouncing on and attacking anything that moves and wand toys are built for it!
Wave this around a few times and let your kitten jump on it and she’ll be chewing on it in now time. This wand is made to stand up to lots of abuse, even from adult cats. You’ll find that your kitten absolutely loves it too.
It has 4 feet of wand, way more than most, meaning it gets in hard to reach places like under beds and tables
It is one of the cheapest and most versatile cat toys on the market and will last until your cat is fully into adulthood
The wand itself is super durable, not flimsy like a lot of lightweight metal wands that bend and snap
The materials are color safe and non toxic so great for a safe kitty
If you happen to care it is hand made in Wisconsin, wohoo for American Made
If you’re looking for a couple of wonderful catnip scented toys that will keep your kitties batting and chewing on them then you’ve found them! These mice have catnip built right in to keep your fur balls interested.
On top of it they are more appropriately sized than many cat toys are for kittens. Coming in at 5 inches (including the tail) they are the perfect size for batting around.
Most importantly though they have crinkle paper inside them to make lots of noise. This is perfect for a teething kitten.
Right sized for kittens (they aren’t gigantic like many toys!)
Crinkle paper inside to keep your kitty chewing
They have catnip inside to get your kitten initially attracted
As with any other toy that you use for a long time you'll want to keep this in mind:
If your kitty is especially drawn to catnip it will wear off over time, try some catnip spray to alleviate this problem
This toy is a great option if you have a kitten that needs a bit of a safety net and likes to be on his or her own. The Purr Pillow has its own built in purr motor that is triggered by the touch of your kitty.
When the purring is triggered it lasts two minutes to keep your kitty company. It is a great companion type toy and it is also built for durability. Your cat can chew on it till her heart’s content and it’ll hold up well!
Super comfy for your kitty to lay on and even drag around if they want
Has a built in purr motor to calm and comfort your kitten
You can remove the purr motor easily enough to wash it
It is quite durable and stands up well to chewing
Keep this in mind before making your purchase:
It does require batteries and does pose a choking hazard if your kitten gets into the purr motor, be sure to supervise your kitten
If you’ve got a kitten that likes to show how big and strong she is then this is the right toy for you. It is specially designed for kittens to ‘kill’ after they pounce on it. It is extra long for hind leg kicking while they ‘go for the neck.’
But the additional perk is that it has crinkle paper and catnip built right in to keep your kitty’s attention.
Built in crinkle paper and catnip to build and hold interest
The extra length and noise promotes hind leg engagement for more exercise
If you have a smaller kitten you'll want to keep this in mind:
May be too big for some kittens to drag around or move around
What About Kitten Teething Do It Yourself (DIY) Options?
If you’re on a tight budget or if you simply don’t want to invest in kitten toys because they’ll have a limited lifespan then you can try a couple of do it yourself options.
There are a few great options that pop to mind right away to help your kitten get through teething without any big investment.
Frozen Washcloths:
Simple and easy, dip a wash cloth in water, wring it out then toss it in the freezer. Once it is frozen you can give it to your kitten as something to chew on.
Note this can leave wet spots on your floor and you’ll have to monitor your kitten to ensure he or she doesn’t rip a chunk off and swallow it.
Cat Grass:
Cats absolutely love to chew on cat grass and it is also completely safe for them. You can buy cat grass on your own, or you can grow it yourself as I recommend.
Growing it is super easy and very cheap and you’ll have a very long term supply. Check out this article on how to grow your own cat grass.
Sock Toys:
If you’ve got a ton of lone socks floating around like I do (I swear they escape out of the dryer!) then you can make some home made sock toys out of them.
Socks are quite durable and they provide a ton of options to create all sorts of different toys. Check out this great (2 minute) video on how to make sock toys.
Cardboard Toys:
Most cats absolutely love chomping on cardboard. Both young and adult cats seem to have a craving for it.
It is not a half bad item for them to chew on so long as they don’t end up swallowing it.
You can use toilet paper and paper towel rolls as the basis of your toys and then use things like small jingle bells and non toxic glue to make additions. The shelter I volunteer at makes toys for cats every couple of weeks.
You’ll definitely want to keep an eye on your cats when they play with homemade toys as pieces tend to be more likely to fall off of them. This is even more true with kittens.
There’s much to be said for keeping your kitten engaged until she’s ready to fall asleep. As you can imagine, sleeping kittens don’t bite that much! One of the best ways to do this is with structured play sessions.
Really all there is to it is to grab your kittens favorite toy and set aside 15-30 minutes to play with her until she tires out. Not only does this open the door to using pretty much any toy (because you are watching the entire time!) but it also helps you build your bond with your cat.
Exercise is great for your kittens overall health and it is also a wonderful way of getting her to focus on something beyond simply chewing on whatever is nearby to dull the pain.
One thing you might also note is that you didn’t see me recommend any specific electronic cat toys, most of these are interactive cat toys for the kitten or for the human and the kitten.
While you can of course get hands off toys I recommend you personally engage with and play with your kitten as much as possible. It is great for developing a good relationship with your cat!
You also might be asking yourself what to feed your kitten during this wonderful phase of teething. You might logically think that dry food would be ideal because it would help give them something to crunch on and thus relieve pain just like a chewing toy.
While there is some merit to this there is also the possibility that it would simply be very painful for your kitten to chew on hard crunchy food while her gums are already sore.
Given this there are a few options available. You can soften her dry food by sprinkling a few drops of water on top of it. Be sure to try this in an isolated bit of food first to see if she’ll eat it. Cats are very sensitive to texture and may find it gross and simply ignore moist dry food.
The other option you have is to integrate more canned food into your kitten’s diet. This is much less painful for her to chew and is also an excellent source of water which all cats need on a consistent basis. The shelter I volunteer at has the best luck with a combination of canned food and a bit of moistened dry food.
While there’s no particular difference in redirecting kittens or adult cats from biting you’re definitely in a much better place if you can get them to redirect at a younger age.
This means less overall hassle, and as with any animal, they tend to be more impressionable when they are young.
Given this, here’s a quick set of tips to help you redirect your kitten toward toys and desired surfaces as opposed to your fingers:
Always have toys nearby if you’re with your kitten. If it looks like your kitten is going to bite be sure to grab a toy and put it right in front of her so she goes for the toy instead of your hand.
When your kitten does bite you feel free to emit a slightly high pitched yelp or an ouch and then walk out of the room you are in. Cats, for all their aloofness, do desire your presence and attention and leaving them makes them associate biting with people going away.
Do not allow other people to rough house with your kitten with their hands. If one person does it they think it is ok with all people. Everyone should use toys.
Don’t yell “NO!” This is the biggest no no in training cats. Yelling at your cat will only scare your cat and make them afraid of you.
Common sense here, but never hit your cat, even with a rolled up newspaper. Same as above, they’ll just get scared of you.
Cats get bored of toys. Sad, but true. While this is far less of a problem with a curious kitten than it is with an adult cat, it may become something you start to run into as your kitten gets older.
There are a few things you can do to help combat this apathy toward toys you’ve spent a small fortune on:
Put the toys away:
Ever heard that distance makes the heart grow fonder? If toys aren’t in use then put them somewhere your cat cannot see them.
Not only is this often a good safety precaution, but it also makes the toys seem new when you bring them out.
Create a rotation:
While some cats go crazy for the same toy over and over other cats do not.
You might need to rotate different toys in and out every day or every few days to make it seem like it is something novel and interesting.
Catnip spray or a catnip jar:
You can buy catnip spray for your toys and just spritz a little on. If you prefer the real thing I’ve also had excellent luck simply sticking my toys inside a sealed plastic container of catnip and pulling them out when I need a good distraction for my cats.
You may also ask yourself whether these toys are safe for your kitten or not. A lot of them look small or have pieces that could easily be swallowed.
When it really comes down to it no toy is safe for a cat that ends up swallowing any part of it. You should always supervise your cat while they are playing, this is even more true with a kitten.
The toys here were selected as they are designed specifically for kittens in mind and should be more difficult for a kitten to destroy or get into their digestive track. That being said please do keep a close eye on your kitten no matter what kind of toy they are playing with.
It is important to keep in mind that while these are some of the most well regarded toys on the market for kittens…there’s still the chance your kitten will not be interested.
We’ve all experienced the joy of buying something for our cat we think they’ll love and they simply sniff it and walk away. Or worse yet, they enjoy the box it came in more than the thing we bought!
Because of this you’ll probably want to try a variety of toys to help alleviate the pain of kitten teething. Most of these toys are on the affordable side, and even if not there’s a few do it yourself options I’ve provided so you can help your kitten feel better on the cheap!
If you happen to be looking for the best set of cat toys for indoor cats then you can check out my other article on the Top 20 Indoor Cat Toys here.
What types of toys and methods have you found work well to help your kitten work through teething? Did out of the box toys work or did you try something else?
Tell us about your favorite method, or better yet what you’ve experienced across a bunch of cats! Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email at Craig@StuffCatsWant.com.
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Mospro is a less known name in the cat product industry, but wow have they made their mark with this fountain. And for good reason too, this fountain is worth raving about. It definitely has some of the best reviews of any fountain I've managed to find online. People are a fan no matter where you look at it!
This is Uniclife’s flagship model for cat and dog water fountains, as I’m sure you can see from the photo above. You might also note that it is on the smaller side. This model is great for single cat households and works will for kittens because it sits much lower than many other models do.
If you’ve got a specific location you need to place your fountain in but it doesn’t have a plug available then you might need a battery operated option. This is the only battery operated fountain on the market so it would be your go to.
It won’t constantly cycle water nor will it consistently filter it. This is an option for those of you that might not have other options given the situation you’re in. Basically, as water is consumed more water comes out from the covered area into the bowl.
Another great model from PetSafe, this is the multi tiered drink well! It easily accommodates multi pet households with its huge reservoir (100 oz) and varying locations to drink from. It has a huge open area of water too which is a nice perk in the case that the power happens to go out.
Right, it isn’t a backpack. I know, I know! But it is still an excellent carrier and I wanted to include it because of the key unique feature. This carrier is so easy to break down and fold into a really small space.
If you’ve read to this point I’m impressed with your dedication! You’ll probably also have noticed that several of the activity centers are food driven and force your cat to think to get rewarded. Cats that are extremely curious and like to explore are far more prone to require structured play sessions on a daily basis.
Another great toy from Kong that is specifically designed to keep your kittens engaged in many ways. This toy is a little bit on the larger side for a kitten toy if you look at it as a whole.
oks most interesting. This is definitely unique on the design side having a wheel in the center and some tied on fabric streams, so let’s talk a bit more about it!
You’ll find that your kitten absolutely loves it too.
