Cat Mom Approved: 27 Must

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A bestselling fur remover, a highly effective litter trapper, and more things that keep me *and* my feline babies happy.

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BTW, no, they're not related and were adopted a few years apart! They just look like twinsies. 🩶

The tens of thousands of 5-star Amazon ratings 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 (on the left) 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 $24.99.

I've been using this trapper mat for over a year 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.

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

According to Amazon, I have ordered this stuff 53 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, 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 carry out as they exit, you won't end up with it all over your house.

Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in two sizes).

Carpet messes are undoubtedly the worst to clean up — it's "funny" how they always choose to have their accident there — 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.

When it comes to my own experience with Rocco & Roxie, well...let's just say we're no stranger to cat accidents 'round these parts, and I keep this stuff stocked at all times. Between Chicho's hairballs and Sneaky's vomiting, I've accidentally stepped in piles of yuck more times than I care to count, and this bottle is what I reach for whether the mess is on my hardwood floor or carpet. It always lifts the stain, without any detectable odor left behind.

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.

Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in two sizes).

FYI, 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. Depending on your usage and environment, it's recommended to replace the filter every 3–6 months — replacements available on Amazon.

I picked this air purifier up a while back to help manage the ~smell~ that sometimes wafts from my litter box when it starts to get full, and to help keep my NYC apartment air cleaner in general. I'm also (lol) extremely allergic to cats, and though I get allergy shots for this, it's also nice to help cut down on the pet dander for myself and any visitors with allergies. This thing makes a DIFFERENCE. It cuts down on any noticeable smell from the cats, my air feels cleaner, and my allergies are usually non-existent in the apartment.

I was *especially* grateful to have this recently when Canadian wildfires brought smoke all the way down to NYC, where the AQI (air quality index) was over 400 at some points (for those who don't know, that's BAD). It helped keep the air inside my apartment as clean as possible, which made me feel better for myself and my kitties. Since I have a one-bedroom, I'll likely pick up a second one just so I don't have to move it back and forth at night. Oh, and it's fairly quiet — it basically functions as white noise, which can be handy if you run this at night in the bedroom too. I've already recommended this to a friend whose roommate has a cat, and she loves hers too!

(BTW, that's my filter on the right above — it's supposed to be pure white, FYI, and mine is gray with dust, dander, and all sorts of irritants that it's filtered from the air. Will be ordering a replacement soon!)

Get it from Amazon for $54.97 when you clip the $35 off coupon.

I've owned this exact cat tree for over two years 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 Chicho has done to it (which, for $70, I'm not mad about). Now, there are some parts of this tree my adult cats simply weren't interested in using: the hammock on the first level, the cubby hole on the second, and the tunnel on the third. Those seem to be 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 Sneaky (who is very thick) 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 have a pack of kitties and haven't gotten them a dedicated cat tree yet, take this as your sign that it's worth it!

Get it from Amazon for $78.59+ (available in five colors).

YES, I have two cat trees currently, though when I move, I plan on only keeping the Mau tree. I've loved my Go Pet Club tree and consider it an excellent option with plenty of bang for your buck, but is it the most aesthetic option to have in your living room? Not exactly. I was ready to invest in a tree that was high quality, attractive, and a bit simpler, offering the main features my adult cats really care about: baskets for napping in and scratching posts they can claw up. After extensive market research, I realize Mau had everything I was looking for: the quality and durability, the chic modern look, and the option to replace parts that my cats will inevitably wear down with time. Also, you can purchase the cushions and pom-pom balls for your tower in different colors, with some really gorgeous shade options yet! I definitely plan on making this upgrade for my tree soon.

Most importantly, though, my cats ADORE this tree. They took to it instantly and are in it every single day. Chicho loves to scratch on the sisal rope and also climb all the way up the tree, sometimes playfully swatting at his brother napping in one of the baskets. It's been the best purchase and makes my cats so happy. So if you're looking for something a little nicer, I can't recommend this brand more!

My exact tree, the Ivy 3, isn't on Amazon, but many of their other trees are, including the popular Cento tree (pictured above on the right) that has two baskets, tree branch posts, and a cozy cat cave at the bottom. This tree actually has my favorite look of all of them, but since my cats don't really like hanging out in caves, I decided to opt for the style with three baskets instead. I'd recommend any of them, though, depending on what you're looking for!

Get the Ivy 3 tree from Mau for $319 (available in two colors) and see more options on the Amazon storefront, including the Cento for $289 (available in three colors).

Since this pad was designed for both cats and dogs, it comes in a wide range of sizes — I have the extra small, and it should be the perfect size for most cats. I keep mine on top of my Go Pet Club cat tree, on a platform that's fairly flat and hard otherwise. This turns it into the comfiest dozing spot, and it's easily their favorite spot on the tree! When I have to take a cat to the vet, I love to throw this pad in their carrier — not only does it provide extra cushioning, but it also has the comforting smell of home they'll recognize even when I have to take them to the scary vet clinic. If you have a window hammock, this would also work great on top of that too! FYI, I've also run this pad through the wash with no issues.

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in three colors and six sizes).

When I say that the thought of having to evacuate my cats during an emergency (like a fire) is one of my worst fears, I mean it literally keeps me up at night. I live alone, and hauling both adult cats around in the individual bulky carriers I have is hard enough as it is without any extra stuff I may need to take with me, so I was desperate to find a solution for times when I would need to quickly take both cats on the go.

Having this dual-cabin carrier has been a weight off my shoulders — just knowing I have a way to easily transport them during emergencies is a relief, and though I haven't had a chance to take it to a vet visit yet, it'll be fantastic for the next time I have to take them both in at once (I still use an individual carrier for solo trips). I can put my heavier cat (Sneaky) in the bottom and my lighter cat (Chicho) in the top and heave the backpack over my shoulders fairly easily. They're heavy and it's still a bit awkward to wear, yes, but it's way more manageable than heaving around two regular carriers on my own.

Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in two sizes and three colors).

It's best to use clippers actually designed for cats, like these, since you can see exactly how much you're trimming off (should be just the sharp tips!) and the curved, sharp edges make snipping easy and painless.

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. 😊

Get them from Amazon for $7.68.

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.

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in other packs as well).

It comes with three replacement filters and a mat.

I have this exact fountain (though I did pair it with a cuter mat), and both of my cats took to it immediately — I do feel like they drink *way* more water with it around, and I love not having to stress about refilling their water bowl every single day. It's super quiet with only the lightest trickling sound (which is honestly kind of relaxing), and it gets louder when the water gets low inside, signaling to you that it's time to refill. I always do a quick clean with soap and water at that point, too — it takes no more than a few minutes. Just be sure to do a deep clean of the filter every so often, too. It pops open really easily for cleaning!

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in two colors).

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 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 $19.74.

I decided to finally give these cord protectors a go recently and can absolutely vouch for their effectiveness. 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 14 sizes and three colors).

Having had multiple cats with cancer and other chronic conditions, I'm well-acquainted with giving daily meds. It's never fun, but having a good pill cutter around is a non-negotiable at this point because of how much easier it makes the process, even compared to using a regular knife. Sneaky currently has a medication that comes in pills that are *already* super small, and he can only get a quarter piece every 72 hours, and that would be pretty much impossible without having a pill cutter on hand. Of course, you can use this for human meds too if needed!

Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in three colors).

I love this brand for storing my cats' dry food — especially the fact that their products are made of food-safe polypropylene, aka BPA-free. I got the smallest size this container comes in so it would fit above my fridge, sliding out easily for mealtime when I need to scoop out their portions, and I wash it out with soap and water every time before adding more kibble to keep things fresh. Some people also like to put the bag of food directly inside this for added protection / freshness, and that's a good option too! Though Sneaky loves to sniff around this, he can't tear into it like he used to with regular bags of cat food, so I can leave it out without worry.

Get a 10-pound container from Amazon for $15.99.

Simply B Vermont is a small business located in, you guessed it, Vermont. They make all kinds of adorable pet accessories and toys for cats AND dogs.

I love these little felt ball toys! My cats are both suckers for balls that they can bat around, and the catnip only makes these all the more enticing. The refill tin is a genius design. I just recommend storing it out of reach of your babies, because one morning I woke up to catnip scattered all over my floor — Chicho had broken into the tin and ripped the bag. Pair this with a good toy stopper so they won't disappear underneath all your furniture, and you'll have a reliable (and pretty!) toy that should last a long time.

Get a set of four from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $15 (available in three color combos; refills for the balls and catnip available).

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 Chicho and needed to slowly introduce him to Sneaky, who I'd owned for several years already. The spaces 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 Chicho got braver, he was able to leap over the top of it, but Sneaky (being older and bigger) could not, which meant Chicho 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.

Get it from Amazon for $36.99.

I've had my microchip pet feeders from Sure Petcare for a couple of months now, and while it was a pricey investment, it's been worth every single penny and has alleviated a ton of stress around my cat's meals. Sneaky always wants to eat his brother's food and has a tendency to be overweight. Separating them for meals just wasn't working — they would whine at the door and simply not eat enough unless they could eat side by side and have free access to food throughout the day — but I also couldn't be sure that Chicho was eating enough with Sneaky gobbling up part of his meals, too. When my vet started throwing around the word "diabetes" as a very real concern if Sneaky didn't start sticking to controlled diet every day, I knew I needed to finally cough up the money for microchip feeders — I mean, it'd be a drop in the bucket compared to the longterm cost of cat insulin.

Surprisingly, there aren't many great microchip feeder options out there, but after extensive research, I found that these particular feeders are widely considered to be the best option currently available — and they go in and out of stock pretty often as a result. Setup is ridiculously fast, the open-close function works beautifully, and my cats learned how to use them almost immediately. Finally, Sneaky can *only* eat what's in his feeder, which allows me to control his calorie intake and see exactly how much food he's eating daily — and I can be sure that Chicho is getting *enough* food, too. This is also a fantastic solution if you have cats on different diets due to health reasons, and if one of them starts eating way less for some reason, you'll know immediately and be able to report that to your vet. I also love that the feeder comes with both split and regular bowls — I use the split bowls to serve my cats both dry food and wet food at once!

BTW, I have the basic microchip feeder (because it was the only option in stock), but there's also a Wi-Fi-enabled option that connects to the Sure Petcare app for monitoring eating habits, weighing food portions, and more.

Get it from Sure Petcare for $199 (feeder bowls available in four colors).

I purchased this feeder back in January 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 $17.

I have this exact toy for my cats, and it's easily their favorite thing to play with — and they have a lot of toys. I first noticed they loved string because they tore apart a mouse toy that was basically string wrapped around a plastic mouse shape — they didn't care about the mouse, but they loved the torn apart string (aka literal trash at this point). I got this rainbow toy because I realized they really just wanted to chase long tail-like objects, and they sure do light up whenever they see me pick up this wand and know that it's play time. I love that it's long, so I can just sit on my couch and whisk it around it the area, and even shy little Chicho, who likes to sit further back and watch while his older brother plays (as seen in the gif above), can still bat at it. It's a super simple toy, but the amount of joy it'll probably bring your kitty is worth every penny.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

Hoff-n-Paw Pet Toys is a small, Chicago-based biz that creates handmade, eco-friendly pet toys. Owner David says his cats Sweetp and Simba serve as his inspiration.

Chicho loves letting out his play aggression on this toy, especially whenever I give it a fresh spray of catnip. He does more than just kick it though — he licks it, rubs his head on it, rolls around with it, and generally just hugs onto it for a while, like you can see in the gif above. Though he tends to prefer more interactive playtime with me involved, this toy keeps him busy whenever I don't have time to stop what I'm doing and toss his toys around for an hour. Also, all cat owners know how cheap and flimsy many cat toys are, so I've been trying to pick up more high-quality toys for my cats that'll last for years. With its handmade wooden and sisal make, this is definitely one of those toys. Also, there's a rattle inside for extra sensory stimulation!

Get it from Hoff-n-Paw Pet Toys on Etsy for $15.25+ (available in sizes S–L and four colors).

These lickable cat treats are such a crowdpleaser — even Chicho, who generally turns his nose up at crunchy treats, loves to get in on the action whenever I offer him one of these lil' tubes. And considering it has an average 4.8 (!) out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 4,000 ratings, it seems my kitties aren't alone in loving them. It's so easy to tear open a pack, and I love being able to feed the treat to them directly like Go-Gurt. They also came in clutch a while back when Sneaky (who was later diagnosed with a low-grade form of lymphoma) stopped eating and was throwing up from his stomach being so empty. The Churu lickable treats were the only thing I could coax him into eating — and while they're not a replacement for meals, they're high in moisture and were able to tide him over until his vet visit. And if you have to give your cats medications regularly, these can help disguise the flavor.

Get it from Amazon for $33.26.

Tuft + Paw is a small business from founder Jackson Cunningham, whose high-quality products are inspired by both feline behavior and aesthetic design.

Tuft & Paw actually sent me this bed forever ago for testing, and I'll be honest: My cats ignored it for months. Then one day I looked around and couldn't find Sneaky. To my shock, he was curled up inside the Tuft & Paw bed! From that point on, he was in it every day and still frequents it regularly — I think especially on colder days, it becomes a cozy nest for him. The orb isn't attached to the gold base (but sits securely on top), so you can adjust the positioning of the window opening as needed!

BTW, my BuzzFeed Shopping colleague Chelsea Stuart has this bed too, and her cats took to it much more quickly: "It took a few days for my cats to warm up to this, but once they did, they were enamored. Whenever I can't find them, chances are they're in here. They like to use it as a space to spy on us because they seemingly think they can see us but we can't see them? Man they're so weird but I love 'em. Also, I gotta say that I loveee that there is zero assembly required — you just pop it out of a box. The sphere is also pretty rigid, so it stands up well to scratching, rubbing, and general rough play."

Get it from Tuft + Paw for $299 (available in two colors).

I've had this post for several years, and it gets plenty of use by Chicho, who looooves to fully stretch out while he scratches. The base really holds it down and doesn't wobble when in use, and it sits unobtrusively next to their cat tree — I honestly forget it's there until someone's scratching on it. All in all, a very solid option if you've yet to get your cat a scratching post, which is def an essential unless you like claw marks on your sofa and chairs.

Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in two colors).

When my mom first told me about this $500 automatic litter box she'd read about somewhere, my eyes just about popped out of my head thinking about spending that much on a thing that my cats poop in. But after thinking about it some more, I realized it's actually a pretty reasonable investment since I plan on owning cats forever but shamefully hate cleaning out their litter boxes as often as they really should be.

I've been using the Litter Robot myself for over a year now, and I'm pretty sure both me and my two cats are way happier for it. After a cat is done using it, the Litter Robot waits a set amount of time until the cat's presence is no longer detected, then begins to rotate, collecting the waste into a bag at the bottom while retaining the clean litter in the barrel. I usually don't detect a smell from it afterward, though once the bag starts to get really full, you might get a subtle reminder that you need to take it out. I only have to take out that bag about once a week, and a flashing light will let you know when it's full.

Initially, the cats were a little spooked by the sound of the Litter Robot during a cycle, and for the first few weeks, they would just sit and stare at it, as if it would get up and run at them if they took their eyes off it. At this point, though, they've completely adjusted and accepted it as their way of life, making my life a heck of a lot easier while ensuring they always have a clean bed of litter. It's a pricey purchase, to be sure, but if cleaning out the litter box daily or even every other day is hard for you and you'd rather not think about it much at all, I say the Litter Robot is worth it. One thing to note: It's quite large, so make sure you have a dedicated space for it.

Get it from Litter Robot for $549 (available in white or gray).

Looking for a cheaper option? Here's another self-cleaning cat litter box from Amazon that reviewers like — it's smaller and utilizes disposable trays instead.

Alex Yer Art is a New York-based small biz that makes beautiful watercolor galaxy-inspired pet portraits by hand.

I can't recommend this artist enough for pet portraits, as I've been fortunate to have not one but two (!!) art pieces commissioned from her, shown above. The first was a surprise from my sister-in-law after my dear kitty Maggie passed away, and the second was a piece I commissioned for my mom after our beloved family cat Jasper finally crossed over the Rainbow Bridge as well. The pieces are simply gorgeous in person, and the artist, Alex, is so friendly and communicative — you just send her a few good photos of the cat and explain what colors you want in the painting. Though many of her portraits have a more abstract galaxy background, she'll also add special touches from a specific photo if requested, like both of mine above.

I keep my framed portrait hung next to the cat tree so that whenever my kitties are lounging there, it's like Maggie is with them too.

Get it from Alex Yer Art on Etsy for $60+ (available in three sizes).