We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
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!
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 can't live without it now. My cats are a big pain in my butt when it comes to pushing litter out of the litter box. Sometimes they even just play with it (which I don't understand) and this product saves me so much time and energy on cleaning up their mess!" —Naomi
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).
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!)
Promising reviews: "Love it, can't live without it. Keeps the litter box area clean." —Arthur K.
"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 $16.98 (available in seven sizes and in 17 colors).
3. 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.
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: "I can't live without it now. This is a must if you have a cat. I mean an absolute must. I can’t express how much it doesn’t smell, it’s incredible. It makes just doing a quick scoop so easy so you don’t put of cleaning the box until your whole house smells. (I know I’m not the only one.) it stores more stuff than you’d believe. Pair this with a metal scoop and you’re in poop-scooping heaven. Or at least purgatory." —LuxuryJunkie
Get it from Amazon for $21.73. Liner refills are also available from Amazon.
4. 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.
It comes with three replacement filters and a mat.
Promising review: "My cat adores this fountain!! He never uses any other water source in our home but this constantly fresh water bubbling umbrella fountain. No noise for me, but he looks dismayed when I stop it to clean it or change the filter. He meows until I plug it back in. I can’t live without it now!" —Sandy
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 when you clip the coupon for $4 off (available in two colors).
5. 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!
Promising review: "This broom is so extra but it really works. I honestly don’t know how we lived without it. We have two cats who constantly make a mess and roughhouse, leaving fur and cardboard from their scratcher everywhere. Even when I couldn’t see the mess on the carpet and floor, I knew it was there, could feel it when I walked, and it just grossed me out. Every time I use this broom there is a decent sized pile of collected fur!! EVERY TIME! I’m a neat freak that highly recommends this product if you mix pets and area rugs like we do. I thought I was just ripping up my rug because the amount of fur collected every time I sweep is wild. I haven’t damaged my rug because the rubber on the broom is flexible and soft. The handle is adjustable and it is easy to store. My favorite part is that it doesn’t fling fur or crap up like a normal broom, it sort of clings to it making it easy to sweep everything into a pile. Idk how that all works but trust me, I love this broom, my allergies love this broom and my cats try to bite it." —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $19.29.
Check out our FURemover broom review for more satisfying photos of the hair it removed from one BuzzFeed Shopping editor's carpet.
6. Or a simple yet *highly* effective lint remover that'll leave you like 😱 when you see how much fur comes out of your carpet and rugs even after vacuuming. No bulk, no sticky residue, no cords or batteries needed!
Warning: Only use this for your sturdier stuff because it's a strong little device and might put holes in your more delicate clothing. It's best for carpet and rugs.
Check out its effectiveness in this TikTok from @morgan.bianchi_.
Promising review: "We have two cats who have medium/ longer hair and even with daily brushing they leave their mark with shedding. We have a decent vacuum, and even after vacuuming I can take this scraper and pull off or gather more hair than Donald has on his entire head. It's quite satisfying to do, because you really don't know what's there until it's gone. I won't live without one of these now. Also, the steps are the BEST! A hard-to-vacuum area can be so detailed it's wild. I'd not be surprised if the handle gave out before the actual blade or tool end of this item. Either way, it's great. Just be careful what you use this on." —Mom of 3
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
7. 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 cannot live without this! I can't begin to fathom what cat ownership would be like without this product. I inherited a sweet and playful cat who likes to use the bathroom on the sides of the litter box, and these bags help keep the poop in the box and make cleanup so much easier!! These bags are a godsend!! I will forever be buying these. Shipping was fast and the price is reasonable." —817Jenny
Get a pack of 15 from Amazon for $9.99.
8. And a litter box odor destroyer if your home definitely SMELLS like a cat lives there and you're tired of apologizing to guests about it. This stuff is fragrance-free and doesn't just mask the odor, but completely neutralizes it.
Promising review: "I won’t live without this product. If you love your pets like they are your very own children then this kitty litter additive is just what you need. Parents get nose blind to poopy diapers and pet owners get nose blind about their own home smell. I thought my apartment was odorless until I tried this stuff and ran out of it. Then...I was appalled! I won’t be the stinky cat lady. Try this product and make sure you never run out!" —Fam
Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (also available in packs and an 8-pound bag).
9. 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.
Promising review: "This thing is so evil. Exposes all urine stains, past and present. Was able to see where our new cat had sprayed all over the walls and kitchen counters. Also, we're getting new flooring in our bedroom now, three dogs later. That carpet was trashed...even with shampooing, but it didn't show. So be careful, this little tool can change your life and make you feel dirty. But you can't clean what you can't see, so I won't be without one ever again." —Nicole M.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
10. 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.
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 non-carpet use.
Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING. With five cats and occasional fosters, I can't live without this. I've even called a professional cleaner out to clean my couch after my cat had peed on it. After several visits the smell was still very strong. One use of this and it was completely gone! I wish I would have found it sooner." —Kayla Mason
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.
11. 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.
12. A calming spray designed to help tense, aggressive cats chill the heck out. Whether they're attacking other cats in the household or cry every time you load them into their travel carrier, this calming formula can give them a little bit of zen and make your life easier.
Promising reviews: "My cat is pretty much the worst traveler. She cries nonstop for at least the first hour, then periodically throughout the rest of the trip. She bangs her head and claws the sides of her carrier trying to get out, sometimes ripping entire claws out. She also always vomits. Mind you, the furthest trip she had been used to was three hours. Bought this on a whim for an upcoming six-hour move. I sprayed her carrier (probably too much) and put it in a room with her so she could familiarize herself with it. Came time for the drive and she was completely silent for the first half — to the point I was actually concerned and had to check on her lol. Three hours in, she started getting antsy and jumping around in her carrier. I sprayed more on the corners of her carrier and it chilled her out for the remainder of the drive. She also didn’t vomit! She didn’t seem drowsy or out of character upon arriving to our destination. Made the move less stressful for both of us! Never going without!!!!" —Kenzie
"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 $9.89.
13. Or a Feliway multi-cat calming diffuser kit that'll work quietly in the background if you have cats who don't get along, whether one of them is new to the household or a life change has caused them to become aggressive. This 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.
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 have three cats. Male and female are brother and sister and get along well. I acquired a third cat (female) through a rescue situation several years ago. The two females have always tolerated each other, at best. We usually hear a minimum of one to two hissing matches daily with them. We also recently moved from the only house all three have ever known, and male cat begin to walk the house and cry in the middle of the night. We also noticed a strong urine smell coming from one of the boxes, even though it’s cleaned daily. I mentioned the crying and urine smell to the vet. He said both could be a result of stress from the move and recommended this product. I bought one for upstairs and one for downstairs. I’m shocked in the change in just a few days. First, the crying has nearly stopped and male cat is now settling in at night to sleep in bed with me. I’m not noticing the strong urine smell from the box. The conflict between the two females has also basically stopped. All three can now be found enjoying the new sun room and sitting on the couch together (even the two females). I will never go without this product in my house; I don’t know or care how, but it has resulted in three very happy cats!" —Amy B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
14. 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.
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: "This is my cat’s nighttime comfort routine. He has a special spot he favors and when he is done suckling it, he goes to his spot on the bed to sleep. The sounds just went, so I bought a new one...he didn’t like the new. I ended up moving the sound cube of the new to the old. It’s a toy he can’t live without." —xmas
Get it from Amazon for $16.46.
15. A pair of professional claw clippers if your cat's nails are starting to feel like little daggers digging into your skin — the small, curved blades make the process *much* easier on both of you. Trimming their nails once they get sword-level sharp will prevent them from accidentally hurting you or other cats as well as damaging your best furniture.
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 reviews: "Don't live another day without this! I’m not sure why it never occurred to me cats would have their own nail clippers. But now I am enlightened. Holy crap I can’t believe I’ve been doing it so wrong all these years. This is SO much easier to use 💯." —Melanie
"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.
16. 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 cats.
According to Amazon, I have ordered this stuff 48 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: "I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever live without this cat litter as long as I own cats. Where have you been all my life? We have four cats in a 1,500 square-foot house — that can be a lot of smell in a small space if not kept under control. I try to get to the litter box once or twice a day, but that is not always possible. This product keeps odor down. I also love how the clumps are very hard and do not disintegrate as your trying to scoop out the box. What's the point of paying a lot of money for clumping litter that just falls apart? Bonus: I think the price is fair given the high quality of this product and how happy it makes me. I'll pay anything (within reason) to keep my cats happy and my house clean. I also appreciate Amazon Prime delivery for those times when you waited too long to order and the boxes need cleaning out immediately." —SweetWoodruff
Get a 40-pound bag from Amazon for $19.99.
17. A 90-count tub of gentle, pre-soaked sterile eye wash pads if your poor kitty is prone to having "boogers" and goop build up around their eyes. This'll let you wipe it away without irritating their face or spreading bacteria.
Promising reviews: "I have a white Persian cat, and these keep her eyes very clean, bright and white. Would not go without these, highly recommend." —Luca Artese
"Oscar gets really bad infections around his right eye; it causes his whole area to get red and crusted up. We tried this and it worked great! Even after the first use we could see a big difference. I don't use it as directed, maybe once a day but it still works great. Will absolutely buy again. P.S. forgive the before pic (left); he was helping me size baby hats I was making. No cats were tortured; he just acts like he was." —April Mcleod
Get 90 presoaked pads from Amazon for $10.49.
18. A FURminator pet grooming rake with super thin rotating metal teeth to remove loose fur from undercoats and prevent tangles and mats, especially on larger kitties with thick fur or dense double coats (like Maine Coons or Persians). You won't believe how much loose fur can come out of the undercoat — it's almost enough to make a brand-new cat!
If you have dogs as well, this version of the FURminator is a good option since it works for both!
Promising reviews: "Works very nicely on the challenging coat of my big, blind, senior long-hair tabby. I've been searching for a rake or brush that was effective at removing dead hair and gently detangling yet glides through long cat hair well enough that I don't need three hands to hold a slightly less-than-thrilled cat while brushing. This definitely serves the purpose 'nearly' perfectly — I only wish this rake was available in about half the width. It is perfect in every way other than it is much too wide to fit between the two biggest problem areas on a long-hair: those two annoying spots between the front legs and rear legs that seem to be a breeding ground for mats and snarls. Otherwise, I will never be without one of these handy, effective coat rakes ever again." —Lianimals
"If you have a pet with medium to long fur, a thick undercoat, and blows their undercoat twice a year (yet still sheds all year-round), then you NEED this rake. I've had generic versions but always go back to this one (I lose them a lot lol). I would be dead from allergies or brushing my whole life without these." —Monique
Get it from Amazon for $11.
19. Or a much slimmer version of the FURminator tool designed specifically for cats under 10 pounds, with thin teeth that'll reach through the topcoat and remove loose hair from the undercoat. The smaller size will be easier to manage if you're working with a petite kitty.
Promising review: "I can't believe I am calling a cat brush life changing, but it is so. The Furminator has made a huge difference in my cat's appearance, no doubt her health, my comfort level (we can cuddle without leaving me covered in fur), and the cleanliness of my home. If my cat and I were stuck on a deserted island, the Furminator would be on the list of things I could not live without." —B
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
20. A self-grooming cat toy that, OK, maybe you can live without, but your cats likely won't want to once they realize they can get those good, good neck and cheek scritches when you're not available (or capable) of showering them all with attention at once.
Promising review: "My cats LOVE THIS as much as they love food and sitting in my lap. My only regret is buying just one — I plan to buy two to three more. One of the kitties took a little while to adopt it, but now neither of them can live without it. (How dare I take it off the wall to clean out the cat hair and replenish the nip!)" —TechFam
Get it from Amazon for $5.50.
21. And an interactive Cat Dancer toy, which is quite literally steel wire with some rolled cardboard at the end — and yet, it'll likely bring your cat an unreasonable amount of joy as they jump, flip, and twist trying to catch it. With over 23,000 5-star reviews, it's proof that sometimes the best toys are the simplest ones. Once you see how wild your kitty goes for this, you'll probably want to keep two or three on hand so they never have to go without it.
Promising review: "My friend told me to buy this. I was dubious. My cats have 8,000 toys and I did not see what a piece of wire with some cardboard stuck to it could really offer. Oh lord, was I mistaken. I have two resident cats and a rotation of fosters through our local shelter, and every single cat thinks this thing is a gift from God. They bend it out of shape and destroy it pretty fast, but they're like two bucks so it's fine. I have to keep them in stock all the time now. I have a drawer full of them. I don't think my cats could imagine life without them." —Kit
Get it from Amazon for $2.65.
22. 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.
I decided to finally give these cord protectors a go recently and can absolutely vouch for their effectiveness and say I won't be living without them going forward. 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 group multiple cables together and cover them, you'd want to stick with the bigger sizes.
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 14 sizes and three colors).
23. A tube of allergy drops if you're not the only one around your home with allergies — this can bring relief if your kitty has symptoms like watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, and congestion.
This liquid medicine can be given orally or added to food or other liquids! Of course, be sure to see a vet if symptoms persist in case of a possible sinus or nasal infection.
Promising review: "I adopted the neighborhood stray cat. He has bad allergies. Sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose as well as green gunk in his eyes. He also has FIV. This has helped him so much. I put it in his wet food and he eats it up and is doing so much better. I have this on auto delivery. Can’t live without it!" —TylernGavins Mom
"This product came yesterday and we saw immediate results with our 15-year-old cat. She has had a chronic condition for several years, labored breathing, constant sneezing and thick snot she tries to clear from one nostril. Our vet has told us that in old cats this condition is fairly normal and there is no 'magic bullet' that will treat it effectively. Yesterday we put five drops of this product in her wet food and she immediately stopped sneezing and blowing mucus. She seemed far less stressed and her breathing appears to be far less labored. We gave her a second dose yesterday afternoon and then another one this morning. In that time she has sneezed only once or twice...when before she was sneezing dozens and dozens of times each day. She is not blowing mucus...when before her nose was running constantly. I doubt this will cure what ails her, but it did relive her symptoms drastically and we are truly surprised to see such improvement in such a short time." —JHO
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
24. Silicone pet food lids capable of keeping that open can of wet food fresh in between feedings, which your kitty would probably appreciate! These lids fit most can sizes thanks to multiple rings on the inside, and their versatility doesn't end with pet food — you can use them for storing open cans of soup, tuna, coconut milk, and all sorts of random ingredients.
I've been using these for YEARS and they have held up well for storing my cats' wet food in the fridge as well as for covering any other open cans — particularly useful for those recipes that, for instance, call for 6 ounces of something and you only have a 10-ounce can. I've never had a can not fit one of these lids. I love them because they don't just keep things nice and fresh for longer; they also keep the smell from spreading around my fridge, *and* they're reusable — I just pop them into the dishwasher after use. Now that I feed my cats small wet food portions morning and night from the same can, I truly can't live without these; they're a staple in my kitchen.
Promising review: "Not sure how I lived this long without these! Perfect for different sizes of canned cat food, which I deal with daily. Super easy to use and clean. Keeps the food fresh!" —Alyssa Marie
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $9.95 (available in other packs as well).
25. Finally, an oatmeal conditioning spray if your cat has flaky skin and a dull, dry coat that's seen better days. This cruelty-free conditioner is designed to penetrate their coat and revitalize it while retaining moisture — just spray a bit on and brush it through to help it feel soft and shiny again in no time.
Promising review: "I have long-haired Himalayans and could not imagine being without this. I ran out and could not get it for a short time, and life was miserable for my kitties and me. Shiny soft coat and skin...nothing else could take the place of this. Best coat-conditioning spray ever." —Cyndi H.
Get it from Amazon for $5.61.
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