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    40 Things To Help Solve The Few Annoying Things About Your Cat

    I love my cats. I would do literally anything for my cats. But if your cats, like mine, are sometimes agents of chaos, these things can help.

    1. A double-layered litter mat with a honeycomb design that catches and traps litter so it doesn't scatter across your floor. You can then 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!

    2. Or a Gorilla Grips litter box mat if your cat likes to leap out of the litter box and sprint away like they're on a mission, causing the mat to slide around. This is designed to stay in place by gripping the floor, with deep grooves and mesh on top made to trap excess litter until you're ready to dump it. (Bonus: It comes in cute colors too — the light purple shade is popular!)

    the light purple litter mat in a reviewer's litter box room
    a grey litter mat under a hooded litter box

    Promising review: "How did I live without this? I've only had the mat for a couple of days, but I already love it! I really enjoy the spongy feel of the mat and how it's not too abrasive — and so does my cat. It says that you need to give your cat some time to adjust to the new mat, but my cat seemed to be OK with the texture to the point of her sitting on the mat just for fun. I really enjoy the fact I'm not sweeping up cat litter every day as well! Love your product, will recommend!" —O truant Muse

    Get a large mat from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in seven sizes and in 15 colors).

    3. A ChomChom roller (with over 133,000 5-star ratings!) in case 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 5-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. 

    Promising review: "Where has this been all my cat-loving life? Sticky rollers work fine for clothes, but this is the only product that has ever COMPLETELY removed all the cat hair from my bed. I have a long-haired 20-pound tabby and if you run your hands up his back a few times and fling the hair everywhere, it looks like it's snowing — he never stops shedding no matter what I do. After using the ChomChom, I can put on a black dress and roll around on my bed and not get a single hair on me. It's absolutely amazing. Everyone is getting one for Christmas, even if they don't have a pet. I don't care, it's THAT good." —Stephanie

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99

    4. 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

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

    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.

    5. A pair of professional nail clippers because trimming those claws will help immensely if they're tearing up every bit of furniture in your home. It can also help if you have two cats who like to play a little too roughly and prevent them from accidentally hurting each other.

    6. A jar of clear Museum Gel, a reusable nontoxic gel that'll secure your belongings so they don't get knocked over by your mischievous cat who needs attention RIGHT NOW, or else... (*cue the sound of glass shattering on the floor*). 

    A customer review photo of a finger holding a tiny amount of the Museum Gel
    a graphic showing a cat walking around a glass jar

    Promising review: "When our spicy baby cat needs attention RIGHT NOW, she employs her skills of destruction and mayhem by knocking anything and everything off every surface her lil' paws can reach. Typical terror time is around 4:30 a.m. to make sure she gets her 5 a.m. breakfast. So unnecessary — that’s where this museum gel proved itself to be a miracle product. She was distraught to realize she could no longer push my fragile vase and perfume bottles, my wife’s glasses holder, ANYTHING to make a commotion alarm. I think she was surprised when she still got her 5 a.m. breakfast without setting off her usual crashing/banging/breaking chain of events. Great product with dozens of uses to discover." —Lexie

    Get it from Amazon for $11.01.

    7. A purring 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.

    a kitten face-first sleeping on the toy
    reviewer's cat napping on the sloth purring 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. Also, please watch this reviewer's video of their kitten [pictured above left] kneading and rubbing their face on the purring toy because 😭 it's so cute.

    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 of 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 them from Amazon: the blue sloth for $7.93 and the purple cat for $14.99

    8. A set of transparent couch protectors when absolutely nothing else will distract them 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 your kitty will learn they have to scratch elsewhere.

    9. 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 out how easy it is to set up in this TikTok!

    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: "Honestly, I wish I had bought this years ago. We have to keep our door closed at night and our kitties have practically destroyed the carpet around the door trying to get in. We ended up using a baby gate for the longest time but it got so annoying having to hop over it when we needed to go in and out of our bedroom. We put this down and even though the cats still claw at the floor, this prevents them from doing damage to the carpet. Great product, could not recommend more!" —Melissa Corey

    Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five sizes).

    10. 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 and 2. it's not an eyesore.

    Cat scratching the oval wall-mounted sisal post

    11. An organic cat grass growing kit if they love to taste-test your indoor plants (some of which can be toxic!) or who struggle 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, nontoxic 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 (also available in two other styles).

    12. Feliway calming spray designed to address multiple common cat problems, from scratching on furniture to peeing on the bed. Oftentimes, this behavior can be a stress reaction to their environment, so the calming pheromones can put them at ease and put an end to the damaging habit.

    A person's hand holding the Feliway Classic spray and a cat sniffing it

    13. Or a more budget-friendly calming spray that can 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.

    A cat belly up sleeping on a cat bed

    14. A pair of food storage containers for particularly smart kitties (like mine) who will tear open their food bags if left out. These BPA-free bins keep your cat's food fresh for longer and also make it easy to reach in and scoop out the amount you need.

    15. An automatic water fountain so your cat stops trying to drink out of the kitchen faucet. Cats prefer to drink from running water, and this fountain maintains a steady stream that should actually encourage them to drink more water, a healthy habit that can help with kidney issues down the road.

    16. And 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.

    17. waterproof feeding mat that does the job of keeping your cat's eating area clean while also looking ridiculously cute. It's made of a waterproof silicone material to prevent sliding and make it super easy to clean.

    the rainbow feeding mat
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    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 have this adorable rainbow mat above from Happy & Polly, and I get compliments on it from everyone who steps foot in my kitchen. Besides the obvious — that it's C-U-T-E — I love how easy it is to clean, because my cats are prone to spilling dry food, dripping wet food, and sometimes even vomiting (🙃) on it if they've scarfed down their meal too fast. It keeps all the mess off my floor so I can easily slide any scraps into my trash can. And for any wet messes, I can easily wipe the top clean with a damp rag thanks to the waterproof (non-toxic) silicone material on top, which *also* helps prevent bowls and dropped food from sliding around. There are plenty of feeding mats out there, but this one might just be the cutest I've ever seen, and adds a nice pop of color to my kitchen! 🌈

    Promising review: "Adorable and easy to clean. This was a perfect addition to my cat's food bowls. It’s a decent sized mat and super easy to rinse off!" —Elizabeth Tarnof

    Get it from Happy & Polly for $23.99.

    18. 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.

    a multi-colored persian cat with a clean coat

    19. 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 cat pee and not knowing where it's coming from.

    20. 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. 

    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. 

    Promising review: "I have six elderly cats, and a few of them oftentimes leave smelly pee puddles to register their disdain at whatever cats get 'peed off' about. It's not a litter box problem and, although I've caught one or two of them doing it, I can't blame them all. This product works great on fresh messes as well as dried ones. After blotting up fresh pee pods, I saturate the area with Rocco & Rossi's odor remover and let dry. For dried stinky stuff, I just saturate the area and let it dry. It has a pleasant odor and completely eliminates the ammonia odor. Believe me, I've tried all kinds of products, and this one works the best. I buy gallons now just to have on hand. It's better than smelling that awful pee!" —mona mia

    Get a 32-ounce bottle from Amazon for $19.16 (also available in a gallon size).

    21. Plus, a pack of Bissell Stomp 'N Go stain-removing pads capable of lifting and removing old stains from YEARS ago. As the name implies, no scrubbing is needed here — just set a pad down, stomp, and dispose of it. Keep 'em on hand for your kitty who's always puking, peeing, or coughing up hairballs.

    several stomp and go pads sitting on stairs absorbing a brownish stain
    before and after showing a stained rug, followed by the stian completely removed after using the stomp n go pads

    These are also great for busy days when your cat has an accident and you just don't have time to deal with it at the moment!

    See them in action on TikTok!

    Promising review: "This is everything it says it is! Life changing! We had several stains on our carpet from we suspect our cat. She's spoiled and doesn't like it when we've been gone longer than she wants. Anyway, followed the directions and presto! They're gone. Fantastic item!" —Alicia

    Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $27.48.

    22. 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 cats really enjoy how this glove feels.

    23. Or, a self-cleaning slicker brush capable of detangling and removing all that loose hair on your cat — then, with the press of a button on top, you can retract the bristles to wipe that excess fur away. Reviewers love it for how gentle it is, the easy cleanup, *and* the way their home feels less ~furry~ afterward. 

    gif of a reviewer showing how easily the hair comes off the brush
    a reviewer holding the brush and the cat rubbing up against it

    This slicker brush retracts so the fur comes off the bristles cleanly and in one easy-to-toss chunk. You can see how effective it is (and how unbothered the cat is) in this TikTok!

    Promising review: "My cat hates to be brushed, but since he's not going outside anymore, he's not shedding his coat quickly, so hair is just getting everywhere. We HAD to do SOMETHING. I got this brush just HOPING he would let me brush him and the hair factor would be reduced. He LOVES it to the point where he'll jump up to where I keep it on the shelf and cry until I brush him. The brush is super easy to clean. You just push the button on the top, and a piece lifts up, pushing the hair off the bristles to the top. Two things: Make sure you clean over a trash can because it gets everywhere, and the brush doesn't hold much because it's so small. If your cat is as hairy as mine, you might have to clean and brush three or four times to get all the hair off. It feels kind of like a massage, though, and my buddy seems to like it. Super easy to use and clean." —Phoenix

    Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in four colors). 

    24. A motion-activated spray deterrent for cats who just LOOOVE 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: "What it won't work for: keeping animals out of open areas. They can sprint past it and it won't register until they're gone. This spray senses heat more than motion, so the heat of the animal needs to register before it'll spray. What it'll work for: keeping animals away from objects or locations that you don't want them near. It'll keep them away from an area you don't want them to scratch or sit on. We close our bedroom door at night. Our cats' new 'game' was to jiggle our door handle in the middle of the night until one of us woke up and told them to knock it off. Then they would wait and do it again in an hour. Cats, am I right?! I came across this and read reviews and decided that it should work for what we need. We close the door at night, and place this beside our door frame so that it sprays when they're approaching and getting ready to jiggle the door. It works for us, and it may work for you if you're needing it for a similar situation." —Jesse Byahhh

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

    25. 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).

    26. An Aspen self-warming bed if you're tired of buying cat beds that your kitty simply ✨ ignores ✨ — this bed broke that years-long cycle for me and I've now bought *two* of them so each of my cats can have their own. Aside from just being irresistibly cozy and the perfect shape, this smartly designed bed uses their own body heat and reflects it so they have a toasty place to nap at all times — including when you're not home to cuddle them.

    two cats in the red aspen self warming cat beds
    Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    This is THE cat bed, y'all. Neither of my cats have ever really taken to a cat bed and much preferred to doze on their cat tree or curl up on a regular blanket — until I finally caved in and bought the Aspen self-warming bed a while back. IMMEDIATELY upon placing it on my couch, one of my cats crawled into it and happily began napping. As soon as he moved away, my other cat jumped in to take it for a test run as well — and immediately curled up as well. After about a week of them taking turns using it (literally, the cat *not* in the bed would lay next to it waiting for the other to leave — my polite boys 🥹), I realized I needed to buy a second one. They immediately took to that one as well, and now, they both have access to their favorite bed whenever they like! 

    Whenever I put my hand underneath them, I can definitely feel how warm they are underneath, so the bed's self-warming feature seems to work well. I think what they love most about it is the shape and how unbelievably cushy it is. And the sides of the bed are supportive enough for them to put their heads on, but still flexible enough for them to stretch out however they like. While the listing recommends this bed for cats under 10 pounds, larger cats will be just fine, as my older cat Sneaky is quite large (his affectionate nickname is "Chonky"), and he adores this bed. Most of all, I love knowing they won't be cold at night, especially when I'm away from home. Knowing I'll never have to waste money on another cat bed that sits unused is just the cherry on top. Highly recommend!!

    Get it from Amazon for $23.88

    27. Matatabi cat chew sticks as an alternative for cats who don't respond to catnip! Just rub some of the bark off the stick to release the natural, cat-safe oils, then give it to your fur babe for the purr-fect distraction so you can go about your day.

    A cat chewing on a Matatabi stick
    Meowy Janes / Etsy

    Matatabi is a plant native to the mountains Japan and China and grows like an ivy on trees and rocks. It is more commonly used in East Asia instead of regular catnip.

    Meowy Janes is a small New Jersey-based business that sells all natural catnip and alternatives such as whole silvervine fruit.

    Promising review: "Love em! Both my boys are big chewers, and finding safe, durable non-plastic kitty chew toys is near impossible and very frustrating. So I thought I’d try these out, and lemme tell ya, the second these came out of the bag, my boys were hooked! Great quality, as after a half hour there was barely a dent in either, and I’m thrilled to find something they can safely chew AND helps to clean their teeth. 10/10 recommend." —kimberlyklewis

    Get it from Meowy Janes on Amazon for $11.21 or Etsy for $11.85 (with free shipping).

    28. And speaking of chewers, 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 $8.99+ (available in 15 sizes and three colors).

    29. Heavy-duty litter box liners capable of withstanding your cat's feverish scratching while in the litter box.

    On the left, a litter box with a liner installed, and on the right, the liner with the drawstring tied and ready to take out

    30. Plus, an all-natural litter attractant that can help with litter box training *or* remind older cats that the carpet isn't where they're supposed to go.

    kitten sitting in a litter box
    reviewer holding the container of litter box attractant

    It's best to use this with unscented clumping litter (I *highly* recommend Dr. Elsey's!) — any litter that has deodorizing properties can mask the smell of this attractant, making it ineffective.

    Promising review: "Ok, so I specifically came on here to tell you about how much I spent on my cat in the past 2–3 months and tell you how spending $7 saved my life!! I think because my neighbors downstairs got a dog, my cat became anxious and started peeing EVERYWHERE. She ruined my floors, my blankets, I THREW OUT MY COUCH! I took her to the vet, which cost $650; I bought the anxiety plug-in, the anxiety collar, two new litter boxes, two new types of litter. Nothing, same thing was happening. I bought this powder as a last resort, not knowing what else to do. I gave it over a week before I wrote a review. She has not gone anywhere but the litter box since. Not even in the litter box with that litter that’s supposed to attract them. Saved my life!!!! She’s 8 years old and this was the worst few months ever. I’m keeping it on Subscribe and Save for sure!" —Bonnie S. Greenwood

    Get it from Amazon for $10.79.

    31. And 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 $29.99. Liner refills are also available from Amazon for $15.66

    32. An interactive cat toy that can help picky eaters slow down as well as ~stimulate their brain~ as they try to solve the puzzle of getting treats or dry kibble out of the various-sized tubes in a natural pawing manner. For bored kitties who're always stealing household items (or sometimes literal trash) to play with, this'll provide some much-needed enrichment.

    two cats playing with the interactive feeder
    gif of a cat digging dry food out of the cat toy and eating it
    www.amazon.com, Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    I purchased this feeder a year ago because Chicho is a little ball of energy and needs regular mental stimulation or he'll whine and stare at me and whine some more (super fun while I'm trying to WFH). Thankfully, he LOVES this. I literally put his regular dry kibble in there, which he already has full access to in his food bowl in the kitchen, but for some reason, putting his paw in these tubes and digging them out one by one really does it for him. I only use it as a playtime toy when he needs attention and I can't give it to him, not as a regular feeding device, but plenty of reviewers said their kitties eat full meals from it (and finally *aren't* throwing up). If your cat is often bored and meowing for attention, I say give this a shot!

    Get it from Amazon for $18.74.

    33. 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 $12.95 (also available in a version for dogs).

    34. A multilevel cat tree to give your cat something else to climb on besides your counters and curtains. It also has scratching posts throughout, offering another place they can use their claws (besides your furniture).

    a beige multi level cat tree with two cats on it
    a cat sleeping on a level of the cat tree and another sleeping in a basket
    www.amazon.com, Jenae Sitzes / BuzzFeed

    I've owned this exact cat tree for about a year and a half now and have to say, for the amount of use you (well, your cats) get out of it, it's a steal at this price. My cats are on this thing EVERY day. There are sisal-covered posts along the entire height of it for your cats to scratch, and the rope is just now starting to come apart from the amount of feverish scratching my younger cat, Chicho, has done to it (which, for less than $100, I'm not mad about). Now, there are some parts of this tree my adult cats simple weren't interested in using: the hammock on the first level, the cubby hole on the second, and the tunnel on the third. Those are absolutely designed for kittens, making this a great tree for cats of all ages. My cats prefer the two top tiers of the tree and the side basket — which my very thick older cat, Sneaky, curls up in for his afternoon naps every single day. I appreciate that this cat tree doesn't take up a *ton* of space either and fits very well in my NYC apartment. If you've got a couple of kitties and haven't gotten them a dedicated cat tree yet, take this as your sign that it's worth it! 

    Promising review: "We purchased this for our cats to keep them from scratching the furniture and maybe give us some space while we're enjoying a film on the couch. It took them a couple of hours but they're finally both loving it and enjoying the height." —Alyssa Corona

    Get it from Amazon for $66.06+ (available in five colors). 

    35. 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).

    36. And 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 $17.25+ (available in four sizes).

    37. 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 $34.99.

    38. 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.

    39. 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 $33.99+ (available in six colors and two sizes). 

    40. 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 $89.99 (available in black or white). 

    The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.