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42 Cat Products You Just Need To Own

May 16, 2023

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed collects a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

But hey, now's the purrfect time to fix that.

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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).

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 my younger one's hairballs and my older one'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).

Promising review (get ready, this is my favorite cat name ever): "My cat Gambino Bambino would let you brush him bald!!! He loves to be groomed and comes running whenever the brush comes out. Though we love to accommodate, I know he wanted more. He was constantly rubbing his cheeks and ears on the corner of our walls to get even more scratching. I finally came across this product and knew he would love it! It took a little convincing but once he got a hang of it he’s been loving it! We have one in the living room, one in the kitchen, one at the top of the stairs and one in the guest room! He is having a great time!!! Very easy to put together and place on the wall." —T. Mangiaracina

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

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 $19.74.

I've had this post for several years, and it gets plenty of use by my younger cat, 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).

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 huge 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).

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 $35.99.

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).

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

Get it from Amazon for $9.21.

Seriously, using this should be part of your regular routine if it's not already! 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 😊

Promising review: "I have a new adult cat that I rescued who was scratching everything in sight. I ordered these and immediately sat her down to start work. I was terrified I was accidentally going to hurt her but it was so easy for both me and her!! I had to do one paw at a time because she started to squirm from being held still too long, but they worked great and I’m so happy with them!" —blushingsooner

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 $10.99 (available in other packs as well).

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

Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $17.99 (also available in other packs).

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 $66.05+ (available in five colors).

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 15 sizes and three colors).

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).

Promising review: "WOW!!! I brushed the cat with our regular brush and got a bit of fur...then I used the glove and got enough fur off that cat to knit a wig for my bald head! AMAZING!!!! The cat purrs and seems to enjoy the process, or maybe she just likes all the new attention she gets from everyone wanting to see how much fur we can get off her..... poor cat looks like she's lost 10 pounds. The best part of this whole thing is that there aren't cat hairballs all over our hardwood floors. We can pick up the cat without a cloud of hair trailing behind us. This product is every bit as good as described." —GS

Get it from Amazon for $12.47+ (available in five colors).

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 $9.58 (available in three 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 $19.25.

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.

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.

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).

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).

I picked this air purifier up a while back to help manage the ~smell~ that sometimes wafts from my cats' 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.

Depending on your usage and environment, it's recommended to replace the filter every 3–6 months — replacements are available on Amazon. (You can see the difference between my old filter and a new replacement one above!)

Get it from Amazon for $59.97 when you clip the coupon for $30 off!

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.

Promising review: "This is a lifesaver! I wish I’d discovered these sooner; it would have saved me several unpleasant litter box cleanings. It’s very sturdy and thick enough to withstand my cat’s feverish scratching and burying. This is especially great if you have friends cat-sitting for you, as they can just throw away the bag to avoid having to deal with the litter." —Gabriela

Get a pack of five unscented liners from Amazon for $9 (also available in a 7-pack that's scented for $4.89).

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 $27.99 (about a eight-month supply).

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.

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).

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

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

Get it from Amazon for $229.99 (available in two colors).

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.

Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

The tens of thousands of 5-star Amazon ratings are reason enough to add the ChomChom to your cart immediatelyIt's important to do a push-and-pull brushing in *both* directions so it actually pulls the hair insidethis mat has made keeping the floor of my litter box room MUCH more manageableI *highly* recommend getting the larger 30-by-24-inch mat to extend the coverage areaPromising review (get ready, this is my favorite cat name ever):We have one in the living room, one in the kitchen, one at the top of the stairs and one in the guest room! He is having a great time!!!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.While the listing recommends this bed for cats under 10 pounds, larger cats will be just finePromising reviewA must-have for ALL pet owners. 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.'both of my cats took to it immediately — I do feel like they drink *way* more water with it aroundPromising review:Her coat is clean and smells fresh now. No more heavy greasy feeling. Wish I knew about this years agoPromising review:it was so easy for both me and herPromising review:my cat no longer scratches that cornerThere are sisal-covered posts along the entire height of it for your cats to scratch My cats prefer the two top tiers of the tree and the side basketThey 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.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 cablePromising review:Promising reviewHe LOVES it to the point where he'll jump up to where I keep it on the shelf and cry until I brush him. It feels kind of like a massage, though, and my buddy seems to like it. Super easy to use and cleanit's easily their favorite thing to play with — and they have a lot of toysI'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. 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. It helped keep the air inside my apartment as clean as possible, which made me feel better for myself and my kitties.Promising reviewIt’s very sturdy and thick enough to withstand my cat’s feverish scratching and buryingPromising reviewThe refills are pretty economical; they last a long time and are easy to replace. I don't know how I did without it.Promising review:Sometimes he falls for it, and then she gets first and second breakfast. Well, we will be suckered no more!Promising review:We have uneven floors/drop steps and it gets around no problem. This thing is amazing and picking up everything. I really don't find it to be too loudYou'll wonder why you ever lived without it beforePromising review:As far as the flavor goes; the kitties seem to find it top notch!The cup opening keeps the shoots tight together unlike some you buy in the pet store.No mold problems if you follow watering directions.