What is the best (or worst) thing you've bought for your cat?

[TheSecondOfHerName]

Our new Mistress will hopefully be coming to live with us very soon.

The time we had a rescue cat come to live with us was 1998. I bought a carrier, a bed, a basic litter tray, a couple of bowls, a simple scratching post, a brush and a few toys. There wasn't a big range to choose from, so it was all fairly simple.

These days there seems to be a vast range of cat-related paraphernalia to choose from. I'm also lucky in that as well as being able to offer time and attention, I have more money to spend than I did twenty years ago. I've seen a number of cat-related products that weren't even invented last time I was preparing for a new feline family member.

While I'm waiting for the Mistress to arrive, I'd love to know what is the most useful thing you've bought for your cat, i.e. the thing you can't live without or wish you'd bought years ago.

(If there's anything that you feel was a complete waste of money, I'd be happy to hear about that too).

Worst - clumping cat litter. I don't get it. Why buy something that makes big lumps of concrete and which are hard to shift out the toilet box? I find it much easier to buy the non-clumping stuff and deal with their mess straight down the loo. When the cat litter gets smelly I change it. Simple. Maybe someone has a great idea around clumping litter but I haven't figured it out.

Anything originally destined for me. My fleece throw for the sofa & my hot water bottle.

He likes his dog bed too.

Best thing is a huge scratching barrel about 4' with a bed on top from Zooplus - on our 2nd one now!

I like clumping litter but use natural stuff rather than clay based. I like that you can scoop out both pee and poo. We have a big cat tree/ scratching post that is used by both cats. Shoe boxes are great for sleeping in

Anything originally destined for me

Anything I've ever bought for our two cats has been completely ignored.
A cardboard box however is Christmas come early. Hours and hours of entertainment.

Microchip cat flap. That you can set to in only, when it is getting near bed time and I want my cat to stay in.

NB the clumping cat litter can make cats ill if you get an odd one that likes to eat it.

Best was bought by DD earlier this year: an igloo type basket that she absolutely loves. She's turned her nose up at all other baskets bought over the last 13.5 years.

Also use natural clumping litter (oko plus) and it is the best thing! Can't imagine leaving a tray until it gets smelly to change it, imagine how smelly it'll be for the cat
Agree with anything for me....currently mine is playing with a roll of sellotape he does however like the flying frenzy toy, you can get a lot of different attachments for them to chase around.

My cat really likes his... Advent calendar too.

RandomMess what happened to the first scratching barrel?

Microchip cat flap.
Big fat scratching post, she has used it every day for a couple of years and still going strong.

Her bed, she loves it and will happily sleep in it even when she has the run of the house, I’ve put an extra cushion in it to make it really snuggly.

And the microchip cat flap too, no more unwelcome visitors.

Zoom groom brush. Fantastic

they like the scratching post !!

Big paper bag from Primark, 5p. Lots of fun.

@TheSecondOfHerName at the moment they still use both. Original is looking tatty after at least 5 years use from 2 large cats!!!

They are in different locations.

My cat is huge - doesn't fit in a cat carrier so most cat scratch boxes / mats are too small for me, we bought him a big mama fat cat double wide cardboard scratch box with zoom catnip and it is his favourite thing. Sleeps on it, sits on it, has one outside that he sunbathes on. He now has several in his favourite places otherwise he tries to drag one to where he wants It to be. Downside for me - shredded cardboard scattered everywhere and I have to sweep it up every day or he grumbles.

Microchip cat flap is fab too although the original one was faulty and drained batteries in a month!! Replaced free of charge by manufacturer once DH FINALLY rang up and got serial number checked out...

RandomMess
I've bought a scratching barrel, so it's good to hear that nothing terrible happened to it.

If she decides it's beneath her, at least we can the interior hidey holes for expensive cat toy storage.

We have two kittens that we got three weeks ago.

They love the laser pointer toy and will chase the red dot around for ages. Catnip toys are not a patch on the laser!

They have a cardboard scratching box with balls underneath to chase and catch, that is rather popular too. And the cheapest covered litter box from zooplus is great.

We use chicken feed as litter- clumps beautifully and hides smells really well. Did have a corn smell when we opened the bag but that's worn off. The local cat rescue order it in bulk and sell at £10 for a 20kg bag.

The cat igloo bed has been completely ignored, thank goodness it was cheap! They'd much rather sleep in a cardboard box or under the kitchen cupboards.

Top loading cat litter box..... no mess/tracking.
Cat tunnel.... they go mad for it, they are entertained for hours. On the 2nd one.
High chair...... they like to sit in it while we eat.... a little unconventional I know.
The inside of a roll of carpet, covered in carpet and made into a floor to ceiling scratching post. It's fitted to three carpet covered triangular shelves in the corner of the living room. The man at the carpet shop has a machine to edge carpets and he made them for the shelves.
All cardboard boxes must be left for the cats to play with. I've turned them into castles, forts, houses etc.
They (the cats) are having a sheepskin for Christmas, they turn in Google eyed loons for a paddle on a sheepskin.

Worst thing ever........ catnip.... they just ignore it.

Laser pointer toy is fab, they here the click and come running to play and mine are elderly!!!

MaidenMotherCrone
Was the top entry litter tray easy for them to learn to use?