Best cat gadgets etc (feeding, litter trays, cat flap - the lot)

[HerculesMulligan]

We’ll be adopting a kitten in the next few months. We used to foster cats so have loads of relevant experience but it’s been 10 years and I feel like the kit and gadgetry will have moved on a bit. Recommendations very welcome!

Ooh exciting!!

Scratch pads - get a flat one and a vertical pole, most cats have a preference towards one

I use an under bed storage tray for litter as my cat is huge and Amazon clumping litter plus a big metal litter scooper

Feeding - I did use cheap wide flat pasta type bowls but mine is a piglet so now has a slow feeder, and a timed feeder from Amazon for overnight and also a feeder puzzle

A few toys until you know what they prefer to play with

A cat bed that they won't use, until you threaten to donate it and then it will be their favourite thing

One of these for cat hair removal when they've ignored the cat bed and slept on the clean laundry

amzn.eu/d/c4VBq0z

A curver picnic basket style carrier. Robust, easy to get them in and out of and comfortable to carry.

Honestly you don't need a lot of special stuff. I will always use flat plates to feed now - for years I thought my older cat was a fussy eater, but it turns out she just doesn't like eating out of bowls. They don't like their whiskers touching the side of the bowl, its too sensitive. My little one is very active and hyper and has millions of toys, but the absolute best to her are a simple wand toy and any cardboard box going. Also get litter mats to go under the trays - it catches the litter they kick and walk out and keeps the floor much cleaner.

I suggest:

1. a cat water fountain - we have two cats. I got it for our tom cat, who only drank running water from a tap; but his sister drinks way more from the water fountain than she used to
2. ceramic or metal bowls not plastic. The tom cat has got chin acne, which apparently is associated with plastic bowls

If you get a cat flap, get a smart programmable one - it’s programmed to their microchips, so no other cats can get in or out. You can set a timer, so for instance, it will let them in at night, but not let them out - to cut down the hunting and risk of road accidents. Likewise, you can completely lock it, if a trip to the vets is coming up!

We got rid of ours, because we got fed up with the live mice, being brought in to play with, but when he was bored, he let them go; so they lived in the house for a few weeks until his sister killed them. She doesn’t play about with prey!

We got igloo type beds for ours as kittens - they hardly ever use them, as adults!

You just need a litter tray, food bowls, some Molly's mice, a naturally subservient character, and a kitchen table to sit on...

Ping pong balls
Self cleaning litter tray
Your lap
A clean washing pile
Stuff to knock off the coffee table
Cardboard boxes