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    36 Products To Address All The Annoying Parts Of Living With A Cat And Make Your Life *Way* Easier

    My cats are my entire world, but that doesn't mean I love the 4 a.m. wakeup calls or stepping on litter 24/7. 🙃

    1. A ChomChom pet hair roller if your cat loves to sprawl out on your furniture and leave a thick layer of hair behind. The ChomChom roller doesn't mess with sticky tapes or paper; instead, you get a reusable brush that grabs up every bit of hair and lint as you clean — just empty it out after, and you're good to go again!

    a blue velvet ottoman covered in cat hair, with an after photo of it 10 seconds later looking clean and hair-free after using the chomchom
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    The tens of thousands of five-star Amazon reviews are reason enough to add the ChomChom to your cart immediately — but let me add my own personal review to the stack. I've been using the ChomChom for quite a while now, but I took the photos above literally just now to show just how quick, easy, and effective this roller is. It took 10 seconds to rid my velvet couch ottoman (yes, velvet...a terrible cat owner choice, I know) of the hair my two gray kitties are constantly leaving everywhere. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of using this roller — at first, I thought you only brushed down in one direction, and was confused why it wasn't picking up hair. It's important to do a push-and-pull brushing in *both* directions so it actually pulls the hair inside, which does require you to apply a bit of pressure. Afterward, you'll just dump out the hair that's been trapped inside. The ChomChom is best for large flat surfaces like couches and beds. 

    Get it from Amazon for $28.95.

    2. And a FURemover carpet rake for your rugs and carpets, because it's basically a magnet for all that embedded fur, and you won't have to lug around a vacuum. The built-in squeegee is also effective on hardwood, tile, and other flat surfaces to clean up any messy spills. Plus, the handle extends up to 5 feet long!

    Reviewer photo holding a huge chunk of cat fur that they brushed out of the carpet
    the brush next to a pile of pet hair

    Promising review: "LIFE-CHANGER. We have two very floofy cats, and I have long, thick hair, so needless to say, there is a lot of shedding in our house. I could tell our vacuum wasn't quite doing the trick, and I happened to stumble upon this item that looked to be the solution. WOW. First of all, it's a bit of a workout if you've got a medium-pile carpet like I do. I use short, firm strokes with the squeegee side, and it pulls the hair up instantly. It is tedious work to do a whole room, but the satisfaction you get when you see all the hair makes it so worth it. Then, you'll do a second pass in high-traffic areas and see how much MORE hair there is and wonder how you ever lived like that. Once you've got a nice pile, you can pick the clump of fur up by hand. I like to give it a quick vacuum after to get the dust and dirt that comes up. I haven't used it on our laminate flooring, but I'm sure that will blow me away, too. This item is a complete must-have for anyone who owns a furry pet. This broom will absolutely outshine any expensive 'pet-rated' vacuum cleaner out there." —Leanna G.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.98.

    Check out our FURemover broom review for more satisfying photos of the hair it removed from one BuzzFeed Shopping editor's carpet.

    3. Or a robotic vacuum that'll (literally) stay on top of the endless cat fur and litter (along with other dust and dirt) that builds up on your floor, freeing up some of your time for other things. They'll likely prefer it to the loud full-sized vacuum and might even have fun stalking it as it quietly moves around cleaning your floor.

    The robo vac cleaning the floor against the wall
    reviewer showing how much dust and dirt the vacuum sucked up

    This robo vac can easily move between hard floors and low-pile carpets/rugs and can pick up all the accumulated dust, dirt, and hair while you go about your day.

    Promising review: "So we have three cats and three large breed dogs. I was seven months pregnant with a 10-month old at home when I realized I had no energy trying to keep the floors clean vacuuming every day so my baby could crawl freely. A friend of mine got this vacuum and was really pleased with it so I decided to try it as well. Oh my god...I fell in love instantly!! We have uneven floors/drop steps and it gets around no problem. With all of our pets I choose to run it at night and sometimes once in the afternoon when the kids are napping. This thing is amazing and picking up everything. I really don't find it to be too loud and I don't mind the maintenance cleaning it requires from working in our house with all the pets. If you're on the fence on this purchase, just give it a try. You'll wonder why you ever lived without it before." —Ecaclan

    Get it from Amazon for $139.99+ (available in two colors).

    4. A double-layered litter mat with a honeycomb design that catches and traps litter so it doesn't scatter across your floor and get tracked all over your home. You can press in on the sides to open up the mat and dump the trapped litter back into your litter box, or slide it into the trash can, whichever you prefer!

    A reviewer's photo of the trapper mat set up under their litter box on a carpet floor, with litter visible trapped in the honeycomb
    A close-up look at the litter trapped inside the mat's honeycomb design
    www.amazon.com, Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    I've been using this trapper mat for months now, and while it's pretty much impossible to eliminate all litter from your home if you own even one cat, let alone multiple, this mat has made keeping the floor of my litter box room MUCH more manageable. Unlike other mats, where the litter just kind of sits on top and eventually gets kicked elsewhere, this mat is designed so that the litter falls through the holes and stays inside the mat until you're ready to dump it. It's made out of an EVA material that's supposed to be gentle enough for cat paws, and my two kitties don't seem to have a problem walking on it. I *highly* recommend getting the larger 30-by-24-inch mat to extend the coverage area — I initially got the smaller one but went back for the larger size and it's perfect. Note that the mat will probably have a fold down the middle when it first arrives, but just give it some time and weigh it down with something if needed; it'll lay flat.

    Promising review: "I have three indoor cats, and they used to track cat litter everywhere in my house! I mean, it was everywhere! Since I've been using this mat, the amount of cat litter that gets tracked around has been reduced by about 95%. I'm not exaggerating. I used to have to vacuum up the tracked litter several times a day. Now I vacuum it up about once a week and it's still less than I used to have in 1 day. I wish I had gotten this mat years ago. My cats even love the texture of it, and roll around on it frequently. You don't really even have to empty it, you can vacuum the litter out of it with a dust buster or hose attachment. It truly is miraculous!" —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $16.49+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

    5. A cord protector to end your cat's cable-chewing days for good so you're not constantly having to keep a close eye on them. It can also double as a cable organizer if you have multiple in one area to conceal.

    a chewed white cable and text
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    I decided to finally give these cord protectors a go recently and can absolutely vouch for their effectiveness. One of my cats, Sneaky, is a notorious cord chewer and particularly loves going to town on the charging cable for his automatic water fountain — you can check out the damage above. I was getting to the point where I was afraid it'd stop working entirely, so I ordered these protectors in the 1/2-inch size. They snap on and off *so* easily — flexible enough for removal, but thick and durable enough that your kitty's teeth are no match against the thick wire loom. Sneaky pretty quickly realized he'd finally been defeated once he discovered these on his favorite chewing spots (I also applied a protector to my poor MacBook charging wire, which was another target), and I haven't seen him even attempting to chew anymore. 

    I like that these come in multiple colors as well as different lengths and sizes so you can order as much as you actually need. You just snip off as much as you need for a particular area, so I used a shorter piece for my water fountain cable and a much longer one for my MacBook charging cable to protect the whole area. I ordered the 1/2-inch diameter ones, but you could definitely go down to the 1/4-inch or even 1/8-inch sizes if you're only planning to cover a single thin cable so it's not quite as bulky as mine looks above. If you're planning to cover multiple cables at once, you'd want to stick with the bigger sizes.

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 14 sizes and three colors).

    6. A ceramic cactus-style water fountain — yep, the same one mentioned above — so your cats *always* have access to fresh, bubbling water, because refilling multiple bowls on the daily quickly becomes a hassle. Cats prefer not to drink out of stale water in a bowl anyway (if you've ever seen them patting the water before drinking, that's partially why) so the gentle, quiet flow of this fountain actually encourages them to drink *more* water.

    cat drinking out of a light green cactus water fountain
    Happy & Polly

    Happy & Polly is a small business with an incredible collection of cutesy cat and dog products, from carriers and scratching posts to water fountains and even apparel.

    I've been using this cactus water fountain for months now and absolutely love it. I've used the cheap plastic kind in the past and noticed that 1) they get dirty fast and are annoying to clean, and 2) cats can knock them over or push them around. This ceramic fountain has solved all my problems, and the best part is that both of my cats actually love drinking out of it! It's hefty and doesn't shift around as they are trying to drink, and there's been no attempts to dismantle it either. It gives off a good flow from either side of the cactus in the middle, and my cats either like to nibble on that or drink around the hole the water flows into. This fountain is also super quiet, though you'll notice it making a bit of a noise when the water gets low (which helps remind you to clean it out and put in fresh water), and it shuts off entirely when out of water for safety. Ample hydration is *so* important for cats, especially if they're mostly on a dry food diet, so it's worth it to invest in a proper watering fountain that's built to last. And this one is.

    Promising review: "This fountain is adorable, first of all. It's also incredibly quiet. However, my biggest challenges with a water fountain is my one cat who tries to dismantle every one we try. I had hoped given that this is ceramic and heavier, she'd have a harder time knocking it over or flipping the lid. We've had this in use for about a week, and so far, so good! Even better, she actually likes to drink from it. It's a similar flow to a faucet, which is her favorite water source. I also think because most of the water is under the lid, it doesn't get as filled with fur and food as other open bowl fountains do, so the water seems a lot cleaner, too. Very happy with this purchase!" —K.H.

    Get it from Happy & Polly for $89.99 (replacement filters and pumps are available from them too).

    7. Plus an automatic cat feeder, because those early morning wake-up calls from your cat letting you know it's TIME TO EAT are plain exhausting. You just program this feeder to dispense a certain amount of food up to four times a day, and it'll make sure your cat gets fed at that time.

    The automatic cat feeder dispensing food into a bowl
    A view of the top of the automatic cat feeder, where a bunch of dry kibble is pre-loaded

    It plugs into the wall, but it also accepts batteries in case of power outages. Also, you can record a 10-second clip of your voice saying something like, "Maggie! It's time to eat!" so they get a consistent verbal cue that they recognize.

    Promising review: "We held off for years telling ourselves our cat would eventually accept his feeding time if we were consistent in ignoring him. Well, here we are. Wish we bought this sooner; best money I've ever spent. Plus, we can more easily leave our cat for a few days without worrying as much. The battery backup is a nice feature, and it's easy to program, and once you get it set up you basically don't need to do anything except monitor the amount of remaining food. My only slight complaint is that the bowl itself is a hollow plastic, so the food hitting the bowl was actually loud enough in the other room to wake us up. So we now just have it dispense onto the mat we have." —Jen E.

    Get it from Amazon for $59.79+ (available in two colors and two sizes) — clip the coupon to save an extra 10%. 

    8. Or a set of ceramic food bowls and a matching stand if your cat, without FAIL, spills food everywhere at dinner time or straight-up knocks over their bowl. This stand has an anti-slip grip and holds the bowls tight so there's no moving around, and the elevation actually makes it easier on your cat to eat, as they don't have to kneel down as far.

    Two stands, one white and one mint green, with a high side and holding two white ceramic bowls
    Cat eating food from the stand
    Vanilla Bean / Etsy

    Promising review: "These are excellent! They're clean (keeping the floor and wall relatively clean as well) and beautiful. Great product!" —Vaughn Egge

    Get it from Vanilla Bean on Etsy for $78 (available in two colors).

    Vanilla Bean is a small business based in California that sells functional and beautiful home goods.

    9. A handy device so everyone in your house can stop asking each other, "Did you feed the cat" multiple times a day. Turns out, she's overweight because she's tricking everyone into getting four cans of wet food a day. 🙃

    reviewer holding the
    the magnet on a reviewer's fridge

    It has magnets, so just stick it on your fridge for some easy, nonverbal communication with the members of your household. If you want to stick it somewhere that's not magnetic, it also comes with adhesive for doing so.

    Promising review: "Don't be manipulated by your feline resident! She may look cute, but she likes to yell at me first thing in the morning for her wet food. So, of course, I feed her. When my partner gets up later, she tries again, yelling at him like the starving kitty she is NOT. Sometimes he falls for it, and then she gets first and second breakfast. Well, we will be suckered no more! This feeding tracker is magnetic, so we stuck it on the fridge, where the wet food lives. Now we will always know that she was fed, no matter how much she meows at us. We may not win the war, but we did this win battle!" —Purple Lotus

    Get it from Amazon for $10.95 (also available in versions for dogs, fish, and more).

    10. Heavy-duty litter box liners capable of holding up against feverish digging and scratching. There's nothing worse than trying to take out a bag of litter when it's already half falling apart with litter (and waste) spilling out the side.

    Cats who like to tear big holes in litter box liners make them pretty much pointless to use, but reviewers say these heavy-duty liners are sturdy enough to withstand the shredding. These are jumbo-size too, so they'll fit most litter boxes. 

    Promising review: "I have two indoor cats, and one indoor/outdoor cat split among three litter boxes. These liners hold up for several weeks without ripping, and are scooped daily. My cats love to pee in the corners, so I constantly have to scrub against the corners with the litter scooper and they have yet to rip. The other brands I tried, all eventually ripped." —Eric

    Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $18.34.

    11. A pair of food storage containers for particularly smart kitties who will tear open their food bags if left out. These bins keep your pet food fresh for longer, keeps pests out, and also make it easy to reach in and scoop out the amount you need.

    You get a large 33-quart bin and a smaller, stackable 12-quart bin, so you could store cat food and treats separately, or just use the top bin to store other pet supplies. You could also use the bottom bin for storing a cat's litter bag and the top bin for food — the options here are endless! The wheels on the bottom bin make it easy to roll around, a helpful feature for those with limited mobility or less arm strength. A scoop is included!

    Promising review: "I hated trying to dig into a 16-pound bag of cat food, especially when it got to be about half empty. This storage cart is exactly what I wanted. Pour most of a large bag into the bottom part, fill the top one and use a measuring cup to scoop the right serving amount. Only open the bottom part to re-fill the top container. I thought about putting the dry food in the bottom part and the wet food containers in the top part, but decided against that. I like opening the smaller top for daily feeding. We get mice from time to time and I was a little worried I might run into a mouse when reaching into that crumpled bag. So eliminated the crumpled bag and the worry of un-wanted mice. These containers also eliminate the possibility of any bugs getting into your pet's food. I like it and highly recommend it." —Linda

    Get it from Amazon for $32.89+ (available in eight colors).

    12. A set of transparent couch protectors when absolutely nothing else will distract your kitty from the grand appeal of ripping your sofa to shreds. You get 10 large self-adhesive pieces to apply around the spots they target the most, and eventually they will learn they have to scratch elsewhere.

    Reviewer photo of the clear protector on the leg of a recliner
    Reviewer photo of the clear protector blending into a couch leg

    Promising reviews: "Easy to use and is the first thing that has ever protected my sofa from cat paws! I wish I’d bought this product five years ago!" —Carol Palmer

    "Our cat was destroying the corner of our brand-new sectional, so I was excited to try these out. I didn’t want to try sprays or anything with pins that puncture the couches. I was a little worried about the quality of the adhesive, but the screen has been holding up and my cat no longer scratches that corner. There are plenty of screens in the package to add more if she finds a new spot." —NKakanis

    Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $16.79 (available in multiple pack sizes).

    13. A motion-activated spray deterrent for cats who just LOOOOOVE to scratch your bedroom door at night or yank on the door handle (truly the loudest, most annoying sound ever). When it detects their presence within 3 feet, it'll release a harmless spray to scare them off and (hopefully) teach them to avoid the area.

    It's a somewhat pricey solution, but if you're someone who can't get a good night's sleep because of your cat's late-night antics, this might just put an end to your issue for good. Note that it uses four AAA batteries to operate.

    Promising review: "This product is awesome! I wish I had known of it three years ago. As a newlywed, I inherited five cats which love to sleep on our bed (never had cats before). Their constant rhythmical motion of their paws pushing in and out against our blankets kept me awake all night. I started putting them out of the room and closing the doors. This brought more sleepless nights staring at the ceiling as they would not stop scratching the door to be let back in. Nothing has work to deter this behavior until I learned about the PetSafe SSScat. It worked as advertised, flawlessly from day one. What kept me awake the first night was the sound of the psssssss compressed air scaring the heck of each one of the cats and their subsequent landing. Apparently each had to test the SSScat and when it worked, they jumped high up in the air, based on the loud thump they made when landing and taking off down the hall. It was hilarious! After only two nights, I can now sleep soundly because there are no more cats scratching my doors. When we open the bedroom doors in the morning, we find five cats sitting in front of the door, just out of the SSSCat motion detector range, patiently waiting to be fed and loved." —Jose Esteban

    Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (replacement cans available for $16.95).

    14. Or a carpet scratch stopper in case they have a fixation on the carpet under your door, which isn't just waking you up at night — it's causing damage that might force you to kiss your security deposit goodbye if you rent. It slides right underneath your door so that when they go to scratch, their claws won't find anything to grip onto, eliminating the habit for good.

    a cat attempting to claw the carpet underneath a door but unable to because of the clear scratch stopper inserted underneath
    Amazon

    Check it out in this TikTok from @kuzcopluscleo!

    KittySmart is a small business that invented the CarPet Scratch Stopper so scratched carpet would never be a concern, hoping to reduce declawing in cats.

    Promising review: "My cats were DEMOLISHING the carpet under the door of my bedroom and the front door. Yes, both! I had literally tried EVERYTHING I could think of to get them to stop, and nothing worked. I was getting terrible sleep because I'd be woken up by the scratching. Well, my friends, the scratch stopper has done it! It worked instantly, and my cats have given up their scratching. I love this product!! This is the ONLY thing that has worked for me. I was so grateful to find it online, and it has worked like a charm. I highly, 100%, absolutely recommend this product. I have one for my front door and one for my bedroom, and you'd better believe I'll be buying more when I move again. I had a sizing issue and had to call Joanne (who is the creator), and she called me back the same day, addressed my concerns, and provided fantastic customer service. My stress load is reduced as well because my cats have stopped waking me up. If your cats are scratching at your carpet, order the carpet scratch stopper RIGHT NOW." —Vickie S.

    Get it from Amazon for $30.95+ (available in five sizes).

    15. A pet grooming tool with super thin stainless-steel teeth to groom and detangle fur, especially on longer-haired cats. The result: a clean, healthy-looking coat and a pile of loose fur that's *not* all over your clothes, floors, and upholstery. 

    a short haired cat next to the brush and a pile of fur
    closeup look at the brush's metal teeth with fur caught inside

    Promising review: "This comb is so effective! I was surprised by how much shedding hair I was able to remove from my short hair cat [pictured above left]. I've noticed a serious decline in the amount of stray animal hair around the house since using this. Was effective on my short hair pup as well. Easy to hold, use and clean." —Dizzorderly

    Get it from Amazon for $14.97.

    16. Or grooming gloves for cats who shed huge wads of hair every time you go to pet them — at least now, your petting sessions can double as grooming time, and you can prevent some of that excess hair from ending up on your furniture. Plus, many animals really enjoy how this glove feels.

    Promising review: "These gloves work great! I usually only use one at a time cause it makes the process much easier. I have a Siamese cat that sheds like crazy so I groomed him a couple of days in a row and it made a huge difference. I groom him a couple times a week now and that's about all I need to do. It's nice to be able to pick up my cat without being covered in hair. Wish I would have bought these years ago." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in five colors).

    17. A UV black-light flashlight that, uh, may give you some very gross info about where your cat has been having accidents. There's nothing worse than detecting the vague smell of pee and not knowing where it's coming from — at least now you can identify the location right away.

    A carpet in a house
    A carpet shined with a UV black light

    Promising review: "OMG this is disgusting!!! I hope this isn't all just cat pee that shows up cause there is a lot! I bought this because I thought my cat was peeing in one room and couldn't find the exact spot so I bought this. Found the spot and more. Would recommend." —Momof3boys

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99.

    18. And an odor-eliminating spray you should have on hand for when you locate that latest carpet accident, because it's *much* easier than a professional cleaning. Not only does it lift away stains; it also releases enzymes that break down the deep and persistent odors left behind.

    a before and after of a carpet that was covered in all sorts of urine stains, with the after photo looking super clean with zero stains left
    the bottle sitting on a sofa with the words

    Carpet messes are undoubtedly the worst to clean up, but you can also use this on clothes and other surfaces like concrete and hardwood. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully for noncarpet use. 

    Promising review: "I honestly have no idea how we managed without this product before. We’ve tried most everything, from carpet cleaners to products that just cover scent. Nothing truly worked or lasted to get the cat urine odor out of our carpets. We were at our wit’s end when it began to happen in our own room — one corner of the room has become nearly unbearable. We didn’t even want to enter our own room. I purchased this product as a Hail Mary, hoping the positive reviews were true. THEY ALL UNDERSTATED THIS PRODUCT!! My fiancé followed the instructions down to the T and the smell is COMPLETELY GONE. Not even the slightest hint of urine anymore. I admit, I’m more of a citrus/floral girl for smells so this more minty scent isn’t my style, but the fragrance doesn’t linger too long. But what remains is a completely neutralized smell. In addition, the carpet seems generally cleaner. I am so grateful to this product." —Amazon Customer

    Get a 32-ounce bottle from Amazon for $19.97 (also available in a gallon size).

    Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a Labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys. Check out our in-depth Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator review for more!

    19. A clear toy blocker to stop all their toys and balls from *immediately* ending up underneath the couch and other furniture, putting an end to one of the most annoying pet owner chores: going around and "rescuing" their toys for them. And because it's made of durable plastic, it's not something your kitty will be able to rip up and destroy either!

    It can also help discourage them from hiding under furniture!

    Promising review: "A must-have for ALL pet owners. This contraption is genius and will save cat (and dog) owners insane amounts of time and frustration retrieving toys. We used this beneath our oven and it works PERFECTLY. Cat can't destroy it (the way she shredded the foam insulation we had stuffed under there before) and we no longer have to get the yardstick out when literally all of her toys are 'gone.' Yes, this is a challenge to install, but 100% worth it. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat." —Allison Goldstein

    Get it from Amazon for $13.98+ (available in three sizes).

    20. A tear-proof screen if your cat likes to use your screen door as a scratching post. It's made of tough polyester yarn so your kitty can enjoy some fresh air without bolting through the screen at the sight of a bird (causing yet another piece of destruction you have to replace).

    Promising review: "I have cats who like to hang on my screens and this stuff has held up now for almost two months without even one spot that has ripped. It is a little darker than my old screen but once it was in window, you can hardly tell difference. Regret not getting this years ago." —jen k

    Get it from Amazon for $16+ (available in three sizes).

    21. A pet gate to let cats through into areas where bigger animals may not be allowed (sorry, Fido!), also giving them a great escape route if your cats don't get along with a dog in the house. This is also great for safely introducing a new cat to the household!

    I've used this exact gate in the past and found it really easy to set up in my doorway, and it's *extremely* sturdy once you adjust the tension properly — I can't see any dogs being able to break through, and it's made of metal, which discourages chewing. I personally used it when I adopted my younger cat and needed to slowly introduce him to my older cat. The space between the bars were wide enough for them to see and sniff each other without any possibility of them fighting. I will say that once the younger cat got braver, he was able to leap over the top of it, but my older, bigger cat could not (which meant the younger cat always had a means of escape). So keep that in mind, depending on your use case. You can also install it a few inches above the ground to get some extra height.

    Promising review: "I wish we bought this gate years ago since it was a constant game of figuring out how to keep the dog away from the cat's food and box. We even occasionally used a rollaway suitcase in a doorway as our makeshift solution. FINALLY — peace, cleanliness, and less money spent on extra cat food that our dog would devour every time she got a chance. Great gate!" —HillsideHaven

    Get it from Amazon for $31.32.

    22. Or a clever Door Buddy latch that holds the door open just wide enough for a cat to slip through, but narrow enough to keep a dog out. It's perfect for blocking off a room with a litter box or cat food, or even for keeping the bedroom door a little propped open so the cat doesn't cry to be let out in the middle of the night. The strap is adjustable so you can find the gap size you need!

    Promising review: "We have a Boston Terrier who LOVES cat food but it makes him extremely sick. We needed something to keep him out but let the cats in so we tried this. It works so well, we bought a second one for our bedroom so the cats at night can come and go as they please but it keeps the dog in our room and out of their hair if they choose to wonder the house! I’m not sure how I lived without it but I won’t be without it now!" —Mickey Bergman

    Get it from Amazon for $16.94.

    23. For outdoor cats who like to spend their days rolling around in dirt, a waterless dry shampoo to clean their fur while also saving both of you the trauma of giving them a bath.

    Promising review: "Vet said I needed to start bathing my cat. She's older now and doesn't do the best job. No matter how much she grooms herself, she still feels a little greasy and has a lot of dandruff. This foam is so easy to apply. It goes on wet but a good rub followed by her favorite brush and it was easy-breezy. Her coat is clean and smells fresh now. No more heavy greasy feeling. Seems like the dandruff is not as bad either. Wish I knew about this years ago." —Runner

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99.

    24. A budget-friendly top-entry litter box discreet enough to place in multiple rooms if you have more than a few cats and really need to make sure they have ~options~. The grooved lid at the top helps remove leftover litter particles from your cat's paws as they climb out, and if you have a dog in the house who likes to go digging in litter boxes, this design can also keep them out of your cats' poop spots. Less mess, less stress.

    reviewer's cat on top of the top-entry litter box
    A photo of the grooved litter box lid and a cat inside of it

    Reviewers say it works for both small and bigger cats alike! One reviewer's tip: Make sure the side without the grooved lid is facing a wall so that cats can't jump out that way (the grooved side is what prevents litter tracking).

    Note that if you have a senior cat with limited mobility, you'd want to provide a litter box with low, easy access for that cat.

    Promising review: "This box is seriously amazing. My cat went right in and has plenty of room to go to the bathroom without missing or spreading litter everywhere. I would have loved to have had this six years ago when I got her." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in four colors and two sizes).

    25. A Litter Genie litter disposal system to make daily scooping much less of a pain. You still have to scoop the waste out of your litter box yourself, but you can then deposit it into this pail, which completely locks in odors and prevents you from having to put litter bags in the trash or carry it outside every day.

    the black and gray litter genie with a handle in the side for storing a cooper
    the inside of the litter genie, showing it's lined with a blue plastic liner

    For someone like me who lives in a fourth-floor walkup, cutting down on the number of trips spent taking litter bags outside is a *major* help. They say it can hold up to 14 days of cat litter for one cat, so you may fill it up quicker depending on how many kitties you have.

    Promising review: "Many years ago, I had a Diaper Genie for when my son was in diapers. Imagine my surprise finding the Litter Genie. It's ingenious. I'm so glad I found it. It's so easy to set up and use. I have it timed so that the waste goes in the trash once or twice a week, which is a lot better than every day. The refills are pretty economical; they last a long time and are easy to replace. I don't know how I did without it. Thank you Litter Genie!!!" —K.C. Clancy

    Get it from Amazon for $19.10. Liner refills are also available from Amazon for $20.97 (and with Subscribe & Save for slightly cheaper).

    26. A calming spray designed to help tense, aggressive cats chill the heck out. Whether they're attacking other cats in the household or flip out when it's time to go to the vet, this calming formula can give them a little bit of zen and make your life easier.

    Promising review: "Is your cat actually the devil? Does it poop up walls or start fights with the couch for no reason? Try this. Works like magic. I don't know what kind of dark magic is in it. I don't care. All I know is my cat does not try to eat the face of my other cats anymore. WIN." —graphicsgoddess13

    Get it from Amazon for $10.49.

    27. Or a Feliway multi-cat calming diffuser that plugs right into your wall and releases pheromones that mimic a nursing mother's, helping to not only calm cats down but also encourage social acceptance of each other. Now, you can leave home without worrying about leaving them alone together.

    the feliway diffuser plugged into a wall
    a pair of cats lounging back to back on a bed

    This starter kit gets you the diffuser head and one vial of Feliway; refills are also available on Amazon. Keep in mind that if you're introducing a new cat, you should *still* take proper precautions like keeping them separate for a while, doing smell introductions first, etc. 

    Promising review: "I can’t express enough how much this has changed mine and my cats' lives. Merging two households wasn’t easy on the cats. One male cat had a hard time moving into a new house with new pets. He had terrible behavior problems and would cause us and the other cats a lot of stress. His bullying led to the other two cats having health problems. He would get into moods where he would chase and attack the others and would not let up. We tried everything the vet suggested to reduce theses incidences, but getting Feliway was the only thing that worked. He is a completely different cat now. He is calm and his outbursts rarely happen. He has become a couch cat and has turned into the sweetest boy. The other cats aren’t stressed anymore and neither are we. We have three diffusers in the three rooms we have had incidences in. It definitely has more of an affect on the male cats than the female. If you aren’t noticing a difference with one diffuser I would suggest getting a second. We couldn’t believe that this one product could fix everything, but it did. If he starts to act out again we check the diffusers, and sure enough, one of them will be out. If your cats are having any behavior problems or stress please try this!" —Kristine Spencer

    Get it from Amazon for $24.97. 

    28. A pair of professional claw clippers if your kitties like to play a little too roughly sometimes — trimming their nails once they start to get sword-level sharp will prevent them from accidentally hurting each other (or you!). It'll also keep them from using those nails on your best furniture. 

    Reviewer photo of the clippers
    Reviewer photo of their cat's clipped claws

    Not to scare you, but I once had to take a cat to the vet because the other one accidentally scratched his ear while playing (unbeknownst to me) and it got infected. Now I make *extra* sure I trim those nails when they start to get extra sharp. If you're new to trimming your cats' nails, you can start with just one or two nails at a time to get them used to the process — and of course, be sure to give them a treat afterward for some positive association. 😊

    Promising review: "These were way better than expected. Most of my life, I have used human nail clippers for cats. I have tried nail scissors unsuccessfully. We also tried another brand of cat claw trimmers that were guillotine style, but splintered their nails. These cut so smoothly, easily (without needing a lot of pressure), and so cleanly with no splintering at all. Just mad at myself I waited this long to get them. I truly didn’t expect such an affordable pair would perform this well." —interiorlulu

    Get them from Amazon for $6.98.

    29. A cat door you can install in a sliding glass door or window to stop your cats from constantly begging to go outside...and then begging to come back in 10 minutes later. Especially when you have more than one, that starts to get old *real* fast.

    a cat going through the cat door
    the reviewer's installed cat door

    It has a slide-in closing panel with a lock so you can restrict access when you don't want your cats going out, and the whole thing is easily removed thanks to its spring-loaded frame that lets you lift it right out of the sliding door track.

    Promising review: "Our cats took right to it! I figured it was going to be a nightmare training them. One of them jumped through it as I was installing it, AND I even had the main door wide open. It was hilarious! Anyway, I wanted to say that the retractable top makes it so easy to install and remove at will! It wasn’t something I was looking for, but once I realized this awesome feature, I knew it was a bonus! So, I quit on installing it permanently with all the screws and went with it as is. Now, when we are going to be gone longer than a day, I can just simply pull the retractable top down a little and remove the door. I was a little bummed about the sealing, or lack thereof, where the door makes contact with the PetSafe insert. So, I just ran up to the store and grabbed a couple different weather strip seals and put one on the PetSafe insert and one on our sliding glass door, overlapping them so they seal each other as the door closes shut. We bought the medium-size pet door because we have 15- and 20-pound beast cats. Our biggest fits just fine. I also fashioned a bar to fit between the door to brace lock it when we are asleep or gone. Lastly, the weather stripping it came with for the back of the door is fantastic! Very simple, and the sticky stuff is great!" —Lookin4That1Thing

    Get it from Amazon for $164.95+ (available in three colors, five sizes, and two styles).

    30. A wall-mounted scratching post for cats who like scratching on vertical surfaces (like your couch!). The nice thing about this wall-mounted post is that 1. it takes up way less space than a standard scratching post so you'll never trip over it, and 2. it's not an eyesore.

    Cat scratching the oval wall-mounted sisal post
    Amazon

    It's also very sturdy, so bigger cats won't have to worry about this wobbling around whenever they scratch it. The material here is sisal wood, not cheap cardboard, so it should last you a long time as well.

    Promising review: "The average cat scratching post is a hideous blend of string and beige carpet that sucks the soul from any room in which it is placed. Not this one. This scratching post is sleek, well made and unassuming, blending easily into any room. It arrived well packaged and was easy to install with the hardware provided. Furthermore, it is robustly constructed and stands up to constant use by my cat." —D James

    Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

    31. Or a reversible cardboard scratcher lounge they can shred with their claws, then curl up on for a nap. Either way, better this than the back of your fabric chairs.

    Reviewer photo of their cat sleeping on the lounger
    Reviewer photo of their cats playing on the lounge

    It also comes with catnip. These boards from Amazon are a cheaper alternative if your kitty loves scratching cardboard.

    Promising review: "I’m so happy I bought this!! I was skeptical so I almost didn’t buy it. I have four cats and they all love it!! My worst scratcher is Apollo; he’s torn up doors, walls, door jams, carpet, couches...just about everything you can think of and he even chews on furniture. He has completely stopped all of that now that he has this!! You can see how happy he is. In fact, once he decided he was willing to share the lounger (it took about two days of all-out war) they all use it and they all love it and use it daily. They like it so much they don’t use anything else. The lounger does leave cardboard pieces on the floor after they scratch it, but it’s worth it! I wish I would have purchased this sooner." —AmazonCustomer

    Get it from Amazon for $49.95.

    32. An air purifier that'll quietly work in the background to clean your air. It can help improve indoor allergies from pet dander, not to mention those awful smells that waft around from the litter box — and if you've ever seen one of your cat's eyes watering, it's possible the poor thing could have allergies itself. All you have to do is replace the filter every six to eight months!

    The air purifier in white sitting next to a nightstand
    Reviewer photo of the filter showing how much dust it picked up

    It captures not only pet dander and odors but also dust, smoke, pollen, and other indoor irritants that you don't see but can be harmful for you and any children.

    Promising review: "I foster kittens for a rescue, and no matter how often I clean the boxes, I still have an odor in the room. I got this product out of desperation. It was a good size and weight for kitties bouncing around. I am truly shocked and enormously happy with how it works! My husband was at wits' end with his sensitive nose. He goes in there now and is astonished, no smell. We are getting another for the kitchen! The room is 10x10, and I use it on the 2 setting. I also enjoy the night light. Very helpful without disturbing sick sleepy babies recovering from illness." —Victoria Mohagen

    Get it from Amazon for $89.98 (available in black or white and in a two-pack) — and clip the coupon to save an extra $15.

    33. A purring cat toy for anxious kitties who cry loudly and frequently. Designed for cats who struggle with separation anxiety, this soothing touch-activated toy emits a familiar purr that'll make it your baby's new favorite nap buddy — so when you aren't at home, you can worry a little less about them as well.

    Reviewer photo of their adult cat snuggling with the toy
    Reviewer photo of their kitty snuggling with the toy

    If you have a single-cat home or have a cat who's grieving the loss of a companion, this toy can be a hypnotizing source of comfort. It's a good choice for kittens recently separated from their mother as well.

    Promising review: "Works like a charm! I recently found myself a cat mama of an abandoned week-old kitten. I bought this knowing she needed just something to cuddle up to in her bed. Turns out it basically hypnotizes her to sleep. She crawls to it, kneads it, and eventually her meows turn to silence. I wish the purring lasted longer but for $10 it is a lifesaver. She's pooped on it a couple times so I've had to throw it in the washer and dryer minus the battery pack. It's held up great." —S Leytem

    Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

    34. An organic cat grass growing kit if you have a kitty who loves to taste-test your indoor plants (some of which can be toxic!) or who struggles with hairballs. Give them a taste of the outdoors with this cat-safe, fiber-rich grass, which includes a healthy mix of wheat grass, oat, barley, and rye and helps digestion.

    Cat chewing on cat grass in a white mug
    a cat nuzzling the cat grass in a window

    Plus, it comes in an adorable cat face mug!

    The Cat Ladies is a family-owned, southern California-based small business founded in 2015 by a mother-daughter duo, who wanted to create unique, organic, non-toxic products for other passionate cat owners.

    Promising review: "As far as the flavor goes; the kitties seem to find it top notch! Was tall enough after only five days; but we held off for day six to make sure 'little destroyer' didn't pull it out by the roots! The cup opening keeps the shoots tight together unlike some you buy in the pet store. We couldn't be more pleased. We ordered a refill at the same time and plan to order again just to have two cups so my kids don't fight for position. No mold problems if you follow watering directions." —Kathleen M.

    Get it from Amazon for $19.94.

    35. A robotic cat toy so you can actually get through a Zoom meeting without your cat crying and begging for you to play with them. Thankfully, this rechargeable smart toy will keep them plenty entertained, with erratic movements and various accessories you can swap out to see which one your cat likes best.

    A gif of one reviewer's cat playing with the robot cat toy, which rolls, twirls, and pauses to catch the cat's attention
    The robot toy with a feather attached at the top and a cat staring at it intensely like it's about to pounce

    Bonus: It can run on both carpet and smooth floors!

    Promising review: "I admit I spoil my cat and she has way too many toys, trees, etc. This one is a game-changer! She plays with everything for a very short time, then loses interest. I can't say enough about how much she loves this toy. The variety of attachments change it up, and she hasn't left it alone in days. I love that there are no batteries and it can be charged with a USB cable. It's durable and the sensor keeps it moving all around the room without getting stuck anywhere. Truly the best entertainment I've found for her!" —Stacey

    Get it from Amazon for $28.99 — clip the coupon to save an extra 10%.

    36. A 40-pound bag of Dr. Elsey's cat litter to keep you stocked up for your felines' bathroom habits — you can even put it on Subscribe & Save at Amazon if you're constantly running out before you remember to order more. It forms hard clumps that are easy to scoop, doesn't get tracked all over your house, and has a 99.9% dust-free, hypoallergenic formulation that's better for you and your cat.

    a bag of dr elsey's litter
    a litter box filled with the dr. elsey's litter

    According to Amazon, I have ordered this stuff 46 times going all the way back to 2017, and I swear by it. First of all, the convenience of putting a 40-pound bag on subscription and having it straight to your door can't be understated. As someone who lives in New York without a car, I don't really have another choice, but even if you can drive to the pet store and buy litter, this is way easier, especially when you're caring for a large number of cats. People have all sorts of opinions on the "best" type of litter to use with your cat, but a good clumping, low-dust, low-tracking formula is one you can't go wrong with, and Dr. Elsey's checks all those boxes. It does a solid job of covering the odor (as long as you're scooping regularly), and paired with a good trapper mat to catch what your cats track out as they exit, you won't end up with it all over your house. 

    Promising review: "Several years ago I saw this litter in a review on a cat veterinarian's website. I had tried many different brands and types of cat litter — clay, paper, corn, etc. — because I wanted to find one with minimal dust. I ordered a bag and have never purchased another brand since. I have found this litter works for multiple cats equally as well. No perfume smell, little to no dust, reduced tracking, clumps well, longer time between changes, and has great odor control." —mydogtate

    Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

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