Author: Linda Rodgers

You don’t want to waste your hard-earned money on cat luxury beds your kitty will spurn, so ask yourself these questions as you shop around for the purr-fect picks for your pet. What does your cat like to snooze on in general? “Cats have individual preferences. They definitely like things that are soft and plush, but then they also like cardboard boxes, paper bags and packing paper,” Van de Kieft notes. So look at where your cat likes to go to doze and try to replicate that in at least one of the cat beds you pick. Remember, cats like variety. How big is your cat? The best cat bed is one that’s just a few inches longer than your cat, explains Van de Kieft. Cats feel more secure in small spaces, but they also need room to change positions and move around, she notes. So measure your cat and get a bed that will let your cat curl up comfortably but still feel cozy. How firm is the bed? Cats generally don’t like to feel as if they’re sinking, says Van de Kieft, but they also like to knead—it’s their way to self-soothe. So you’ll want to find a cat bed that’s on firm side but still has a bit of give to it. It can be difficult to tell just how firm a cat bed is when shopping online, so be sure to read the reviews to get a good sense. How thick is the bed? Some cats like softer, plusher fabrics to nap on as long as the bed is firm enough to avoid the sinking feeling, says Van de Kieft. Look for a cat bed that’s between one to three inches thick, depending on your cat’s taste. Bonus points if the bed has an extra pillow or padding. How cozy is the bed? Cats crave heat, says Van de Kieft, which is why self-warming cat beds or ones with removable heating pads are like catnip to felines. Or go for a Sherpa-lined bed, which will also make for a cozy and warm resting place. Now that you have a better understanding of cats’ preferences in general and your cat’s individual tastes, you’re ready to check out your options.,You know your cat loves to sleep, but do you know what type of cat bed they’d prefer for their catnaps? There are many to choose from, including hanging cat beds that attach to windows (perfect for bird-watching), covered cat beds for shy felines who dig privacy as they snooze, and heated beds to help soothe achy bones. Felines can be picky, and the best cat bed for one pet may not work for another. To find the perfect cat bed for your pet, you’ll want to take their personal preferences into account as well as other factors, like their age and size. Then find a bed that meets the criteria. It’s also a good idea to get a few different cat beds, not just one, to give your cat options. They love choices, says Jennifer Van de Kieft, a certified advanced feline training and behavior professional in Brooklyn, New York. “Anyone who’s had a cat knows—one week they want to sleep on your bed and then the next week they’re sleeping on the box in the living room. It’s like they’re always changing spots.” Ready to find the cat bed of your kitty’s dreams? First, let’s cover the questions you should be asking yourself before you even start shopping.

On the go with your cat in tow? Whether traveling by car or plane, you’re going to need a cat carrier. The best cat carriers will keep your pet safe and make it easy to load and unload your precious cargo. Even cats who only leave the house to go to the vet still need a secure way to get there. “If you had a fender bender on the way to the vet, a cat could easily be injured in the car without a safe travel carrier,” explains Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP (feline), owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Bangor, Maine. Another reason to own one: Say there’s a fire in your home—you’d want a carrier that’s ready to go so you could load your cat quickly, Dr. Mitchell notes. Your travel cat carrier needs are going to be slightly different, depending on whether you’re taking your pet across the country or strolling to the park to get some fresh air. We break down the different types and what to consider before you buy so you can be sure to pick the best cat carrier for your fave feline.

When you get a cat, a litter box is always at the top of your shopping list. To you, it’s nothing special, just a hulking piece of plastic you’ll shove in some out-of-the-way corner of your home. But to your new cat, it’s their bathroom, and cats care about the place they do their business. That’s why you need to keep your kitty’s needs in mind as you search for the best cat litter box. Otherwise, there will be messy consequences. “It is a rare day I don’t examine a kitty not using the litter box, and most of the time, it is a box problem, and not a cat problem,” says Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP (feline), a cat vet who practices in Maine. You’ll know you’ve got it wrong when your cat takes to doing their business everywhere but the litter box. To avoid these accidents, you’ll need to bone up on some general litter-box basics before you decide on which type to spring for.

All cats need to scratch something—it’s in their DNA. “It’s a big part of how cats interact with their environment and even interact with other cats,” says Marci L. Koski, Ph.D., a certified feline behavior and training consultant and founder of Feline Behavior Solutions in Vancouver, Washington. Scratching keeps cats’ claws healthy, so they can catch critters (or toys) and protect themselves. Scratching also stretches their back muscles, which feels especially good to your fur-friend after a snooze. Bottom line: Your pet has to scratch something up, so get the best cat scratching post you can find. Otherwise, there goes your furniture! But as you’ve probably discovered, felines are finicky. And not all cat scratching posts are created equal. We’ve rounded up a variety of scratching posts, cat scratch pads and everything in between to help you find the best one to suit your kitty’s scratching needs.