Cats
Little guides for a lovelier life together: what a puzzle toy does for a busy mind, how to choose a bed, a feeder or a harness, and the finds we think are worth a closer look. Written to be useful whether or not you buy anything.
How to Put a Harness on a Cat (and Choose One That Stays On)
Measure the neck and chest, pick a vest, H-style, figure-8 or step-in harness, fasten it snug enough for two flat fingers, and practise indoors with treats before any walk.
Litter Box Furniture: How to Choose an Enclosure Your Cat Uses
Choose litter box furniture by its inside size, not the outside: a few inches of room around your box, a doorway your cat walks through easily, airflow and a finish that shrugs off moisture.
Types of Cat Beds Compared: Caves, Donuts, Hammocks and Cots
The main types of cat beds are caves, donut beds, felt pods, window hammocks, warming beds, raised cots and beds built into cat trees. Match the bed to how your cat sleeps: curled, stretched, hidden or high up.
Where to Put a Cat Scratching Post So Your Cat Actually Uses It
Put a scratching post where your cat already scratches, wakes up and walks past: beside the sofa, near beds, by doors and windows. Make it tall, steady and easy to find.
What to Put in an Outdoor Cat Shelter: A Winter Checklist
Put loose straw inside an outdoor cat shelter, never hay or blankets, and add a self-warming or outdoor-rated heated pad if you can. Raise it, shrink the door and face it out of the wind.
Cat Litter Mat Buying Guide: Mats, Boxes and Scoops That Stop Scatter
A cat litter mat works when it is big enough that every paw lands on it as your cat steps out. Pair it with a high-sided or top-entry box and a good scoop.
Bringing Home a Second Cat: A Room Setup Checklist
Before a second cat comes home, set up a quiet base room with its own litter box, bowls, bed, hideout and scratcher, then add a see-through barrier, swap scents and give each cat its own perch.
Best Brush for a Shedding Cat: The Right Tool for Each Coat
Short coats do best with a rubber curry or grooming glove; long coats need a wide-tooth comb and a slicker brush. Deshedding blades are for once a week, with a light hand.
Types of Cat Litter Compared: Clay, Crystals, Pine, Tofu and More
Clumping clay is the easiest to scoop, silica crystals are the lightest on dust, and plant litters like pine, wheat, corn and tofu are lighter to carry. Here is how each type compares.
Cat Collar Myths vs Facts: Breakaway Buckles, Bells, ID and Fit
Most cats, indoor ones included, do best in a light breakaway collar with an ID tag, fitted so two fingers slide underneath. Here are eight collar myths and what is actually true.
How to Trim Cat Nails at Home: Tools, the Quick and Calm Steps
Wait for a sleepy moment, press the toe pad so the claw slides out, and snip only the sharp, clear tip in front of the pink quick. One or two claws a session is plenty.
Litter Boxes for Multiple Cats: How Many, Where and Which Type
Plan one litter box per cat plus one extra, spread them across different rooms with a clear way out, and choose big, easy-entry boxes with unscented clumping litter.
How to Choose a Cat Carrier: Hard, Soft, Backpack, Expandable
Choose a hard carrier for easy cleaning and a top that lifts off, a soft carrier for light everyday trips, and a backpack or expandable style for longer outings. Size it so your cat can stand and turn.
Automatic Cat Feeders: Timed, Wi-Fi, Wet Food and Microchip
Choose an automatic cat feeder by the food you serve and how many cats share it: timed hoppers for kibble, rotating ice-pack trays for wet food, microchip feeders for multi-cat homes.
How to Choose a Cat Tree: Height, Stability, Sisal and Wood
Choose a cat tree by your cat's size first: a wide, heavy base, thick sisal posts and platforms your cat can lie flat on. Then match height and footprint to your room.
Sisal vs Cardboard Cat Scratchers: Texture, Mess, Placement
Sisal is stiff, tidy and long-lasting; cardboard is softer, crumblier and easy to renew. Choose by how your cat scratches, upright or flat, and place it where they already scratch.
How to Choose a Cat Water Fountain: Material, Pump and Size
Choose a cat water fountain by material (stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or glass), by how the pump is powered and by a size that fits your pets. Then let your cat pick the flow.
Heated vs Self-Warming Cat Beds: Which Keeps a Cat Cozier
A heated cat bed makes its own warmth from a plug-in pad; a self-warming bed holds and reflects your cat's body heat. Choose heated for cold rooms and shelters, self-warming for cozy indoor naps.
Outdoor Cat Houses for Winter: Insulation, Heat and Placement
A warm outdoor cat house is small, raised off the ground, insulated on every side and bedded with straw, not blankets. Add a safe heated or self-warming pad and turn the door away from the wind.