11 Helpful Cat Products I Can’t Live Without

Here are eleven cat products I use every single day to keep our three indoor cats happy, healthy, and entertained at home.

As a cat mama of three, I think I may have tried just about every “cat hack” and “kitty product” on the market. I’m always looking for ways to keep my cats healthy, happy, and enriched (and out of trouble), so in the many years of living with kitties, I’ve tested lots of products.

Every time I do an AMA in Instagram Stories, I’m asked about cat product recommendations, so I thought it would be fun to round up all the things we use for our kitties that I just can’t live without. If you have cats (or you’re considering adopting soon) this list is about to make your life so much easier. Here are my top cat must-haves.

My Most-Used Cat Products

1. Litter Genie XL

This tops the list because if you only get one thing, it needs to be the Litter Genie. It’s basically a trash can with a bag inside that you drop clumps from the litter box into. Instead of putting cat waste in individual bags, all the waste gets collected into one super-bag, like a giant sausage of, well, you know what. It saves you time when you’re scooping litter, is completely odor-free because all the smells are trapped inside, and reduces plastic waste. I can’t recommend it enough.

2. Water Fountain

I used to think a cat water fountain was just a bougie marketing gimmick—until I got one. Not only does it filter water so it’s healthier for our kitties, but I’ve also noticed a way cleaner food and water space. When we had regular water bowls, there was always water all over the floor. And fur, food crumbs, and a random ladybug or two would always end up in the bowl. All that gets filtered out now, and my cats are drinking much more water than they used to.

3. Scratch Tape Sheets

When we got our new upholstered bed, I was so nervous that the cats would shred it to pieces. And within an hour of setting it up, they already had their claws in it. What is it with cats wanting to ruin beds? I found these scratch tape sheets on Amazon and decided to give them a try, and oh my gosh, they worked! They’re pretty much just a huge sheet of double-sided tape, but my cats wouldn’t touch it. After a couple of weeks, I pulled off the tape and by then they had lost interest in the bed. Never scratched it again.

4. Spike Mats

Another deterrent option here for those of you with little stinkers like mine. I first ordered these spike mats to keep the cats away from our tree and ornaments during the holidays. The mats are harmless, but uncomfortable. Our cats avoided the tree area completely. Now we use the mats on my husband’s nightstand to prevent them from chewing the hose of his CPAP machine. I highly recommend them if your kitties like to get into areas they shouldn’t, and they can be used outside too.

5. Bird Feeders

Speaking of outside, bird feeders are the best thing we’ve ever bought for our cats. They have every type of toy in the world, but nothing entertains them more than the bird feeders we hung up outside the windows of our living room. They’ll watch them for hours, and sometimes launch into the window to scare them away. The birds are smarter now because they know the cats can’t get to them, and I’m convinced their chirps are mocking our imprisoned kitties.

6. Duvet Cover On The Bed

Despite all the cat trees scattered around the house, their favorite place to lie is on our bed. Switching from a regular quilt to a duvet combo has been such a game changer. A duvet cover is way easier to wash, the fur comes off much easier, and having two on hand allows us to not have to rush to wash one if it gets stained.

7. Chom Chom Fur Remover

When I tell you that I’ve tried every fur remover on the market, I’m not joking. With three cats and a dog, we are no stranger to fur being…everywhere. Out of all the products I’ve tested, nothing compares to the Chom Chom. It actually does pick up fur better than anything else and is reusable so you don’t have to deal with disposable lint roller sheets. And I’m not going to lie, it’s super fun and satisfying to use.

8. Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Let me preface this by saying that no self-cleaning litter box is completely self-cleaning. You still have to empty the waste tray and scoop flat clumps that stick on the very bottom of the basin. But the purpose of a robot litter box like I have is more for the health of your kitties and less for the convenience of your routines. Once a cat uses the bathroom, it removes the waste into a hidden compartment. You cats aren’t having to step on their own waste (or their housemates’) until you clean it out. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to step on my family’s poop every day.

9. Cord Covers

What is it about cats wanting to chew on cords? They must like living life on the edge, because it happens all the time. If your kitty likes to sink their teeth into electrical cords, covers are a must-have. You can choose racetrack options like these for cords that are along a wall, or chew-proof covers like these for cords that hang around out in the open like your laptop charger.

10. Folex Upholstery Cleaner

One of our cats has a chronic illness that causes him to throw up very frequently; sometimes multiple times a day. And he will run past every hard floor in the house to find the fluffiest rug under the most awkward spot just to make cleanup nearly impossible for me. Rude, right? I’m no stranger to testing out upholstery cleaners, and Folex is where it’s at. It removes any stain and odor, works on every fabric in our house, and no other brand can match it, in my opinion.

11. Cat Door Opening

This isn’t something everyone needs, but if you have a dog that likes to sneak into your cats’ food bowls or litter boxes, or if you keep the litter box in a closet, this cat door opening is so handy. You do need to cut a hole in a door with a jigsaw, so it’s not an option for renters, but it is very easy to install. The cover is so cute with the ears on one side and the tail on the other, and it allows our cats to get into their room (aka the laundry room) even when the door is closed. No more late night snacks for our dog!

My Most Used Cat Products Recap

1. Litter Genie XL
2. Premier Pet Water Fountain
3. Panther Armor Cat Training Tape
4. Scat Mats
5. Stokes Bird Feeder
6. Boll & Branch Duvet Cover
7. Chom Chom Fur Remover
8. PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box
9. Racetrack Cord Covers and Chew-Proof Cord Covers
10. Folex Upholstery Cleaner
11. The Kitty Pass XL Cat Door

Want More Organized-ish Pet Tips?

Get all the advice, ideas, projects, and organizing inspo for your pet supplies in the Pet Category of the blog. You’ll find a variety of blog posts about helping your pets live their best life and helping you manage them in a functional routine. Let me know in the comments if there’s a cat product you love, too! I always like hearing about other pet parent’s favorite finds.