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3 Best Cat Harnesses For Hiking (Guide, review & Pics)

If you are looking for a cat harness. No doubt you want a good one, but what is a good one? what should you even be looking for? Let me explain…

What is my best cat harness for hiking? In my opinion, this is the best cat harness for hiking (Click here for the price on Amazon). I like this one because its comfortable while keeping secure. Also, it’s adjustable to fit most cats and ideal for hiking.

Now that know my best cat harness, let me explain what things are important when you are looking for a harness (my guide), why you even need a harness, my other two cat harnesses (one is great for smaller cats) and so much more. Keep reading…

Quick Cat Harness Comparison

Name	Image	My Rating
01. Gauterf (Best Overall) Universal Cat Harness with Leash Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Pupteck (Best for Small cats) Adjustable Cat Harness Click here for the price on Amazon
03. Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness with Leash Click here for the price on Amazon

Why do you need a Cat Harness?

You may be thinking, what is the reason for a harness in the first place? Well, there are a few reasons. Let me explain a couple of these reasons now.

Firstly, attaching a lead directly to a cat collar is dangerous and arguably cruel. But, why? Simple, cats have soft throats. They are not like dogs. They are not built to take the same impact on their necks.

Therefore, a harness is the solution to use a cat lead safely. It removes the stress of dragging their neck and risk choking them.

Also, in recent years, there has been a big surge in the number of cats classed as “Indoor cats” (click here to see if indoor cats need grass). So what? Well, this means there are a lot of bored cats stuck indoors.

Some of these cat owners require a safe way to expose their indoor cat to outside. And they see a cat harness as an important part of that reality, are you with me?

How do you measure up a cat harness?

One of the important things, before you buy a harness is getting the sizing right. Therefore, I will spend a few moments with your now to explain how you can measure up for a harness correctly.

Each harness has its own sizing guidelines because they have slightly different styling. Therefore you should follow their instructions to measure the areas required.

However, a general rule is to make sure you measure the areas but make sure you make a snug fight. The idea is it must be secure enough to reduce the chances of your cat escaping. But, not too tight, because your cat needs to feel comfortable, are you with me.

One finger rule

To help you get this right, the idea is to fit it so you can still fit one finger in between the harness itself and your cat. This is some necessary breathing room.

Be mindful that your cat will need some time to adjust to the harness. And, especially in the early days, it will try its best to escape. So a snug fit is important.

What are the styles to look out for?

Before choosing your harness its important to understand the different styles available. Why? Well, different styles have different advantages and disadvantages based on your cat. Let me explain…

The “H-Shape”

This style gives a good secure fit, It has special straps that wrap around the cat’s neck area as well as its waist. This helps by distributing the pressure. Which makes it more comfortable for your cat.

Vest Style

Like the name suggests this wraps around the cat’s chest, like a vest. Then the straps are located on its back. This is a great fit for your cat.

Step-In Style

This style is arguably not as secure. It avoids putting the harness over your cats head by allowing your cat to step its front two paws in first. The idea is to avoid the trauma of getting your cats head in place like conventional styles.

My Best Cat Harnesses for Hiking:

In this section, I will list my best cat harnesses. These are ideal for hiking, comfort and keeping your beloved secure while on the move.

01. Gauterf Universal Cat Harness with Leash (Best Overall)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Secure – Eliminates the chances of escape.
• Comfortable fitting.
• Adjustable straps – Helps to fit most cats.
• Great for hiking – comfortable for hiking journeys.

Cons:

• A bit heavy for younger cats.
• Neck opening may be a bit too big for smaller cats.

What I like about this Gauterf harness

This harness is great for security. It has solid secure straps and design to keep you cat firmly in place while you take her out for a walk. Also, while it is secure, it is still comfortable. Meaning they have not sacrificed security for comfort, are you with me?

If you are worried about this harness fitting your cat, relax! Why? Because it has some great adjustable straps to cater to most cat sizes. In a nutshell, this is a great harness for people that love hiking.

What I don’t like about this Gauterf harness

If you have a younger cat, you may find that this harness may be a bit too heavy for them. You will have to try and see, but this is my opinion. Also, the neck opening can be a bit big for some smaller cats.

02. Pupteck Adjustable Cat Harness (Best for Small cats)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to put on.
• Great for hiking.
• Good support and security.
• Adjustable – To fit most cats.
• Quality material (good build quality).

Cons:

• Mid-section needs to be adjustable.

What I like about this Pupteck harness

This harness is great, it’s easy to put on and a good one for hiking. Once it’s on it provides good support and security. Also, it caters for a good range of cats with its adjustable straps. I like the fact that the build quality is good.

What I don’t like about this Pupteck harness

Although it is adjustable, the midsection does not appear to be adjustable. It’s a shame because I feel that if they added this it would greatly improve this harness.

03. Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness with Leash

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Adjustable (with what they call “Magic Tape” enclosure).
• Comfortable (Padded. Chest and neck strap, have soft material).
• Escape proof (without using plastic buckles).
• Great ventilation (Layer of mesh underneath).

Cons:

• Sizing tends to be smaller than expected (Size chart not quite reliable).

What I like about this PUPTECK harness

This harness is an interesting design, in fact, it is one of the things that I love about it. It is nice and adjustable, so you should not have an issue securing your kitty.

One of its biggest benefits is its comfortability, in my opinion. It has a padded design with the chest and neck strap perfectly soft for maximum comfort.

Even though it’s padded, that does not mean it is insecure, in fact, quite the opposite. The manufactures claim its escape-proof, and I can believe them. They use what they call “Magic Tape”, instead of conventional plastic buckles. This keeps it secure while also keeping it comfortable, are you with me?

It also has great ventilation. It achieves this by having an extra layer of mesh underneath that allows the fur and skin to breath.

What I don’t like about this PUPTECK harness

My only criticism is the sizing. Mainly my gripe is with the sizing chart that is provided. To cut a long story short, it isn’t quite accurate in my opinion.

I Found that the harness comes in smaller than expected. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider before you order one of these. You may just find it a bit annoying if you have to return and swap the item to get the ideal fit for your cat. You may be lucky and totally avoid this altogether.

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Vet’s Best vs Tropiclean Cat Shampoo (Waterless & Flea)

If you are looking for cats shampoo, no doubt you stumbled across Vet’s Best vs Tropiclean. But, which one is the best for your cat? Let me help to explain…

What is the best Shampoo overall (Vet’s Best vs Tropiclean)? This is the best shampoo overall (click here for the price on Amazon). The reason I like this is that it smells really nice, lathers up well and has great ingredients.

Now that you know my overall best one. What about if you have a cat with fleas or just want a waterless shampoo instead? I got you covered, keep reading…

Quick Cat Shampoo Comparison

Name	Image	My Rating
01. TropiClean (Best Overall) Papaya and Coconut Pet Shampoo Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Vet’s Best (Best Waterless) No-Rinse Clean Waterless Cat Shampoo Click here for the price on Amazon
03. Vet’s Best (Best Flea Treatment) Flea & Tick Waterless Shampoo Click for the price on Amazon

Why do you even need cat shampoo?

In general, cats do a great job of grooming themselves. They instinctively clean and groom their fur from as early as a kittens age. However, there are occasions when their normal grooming tactics, e.g. licking themselves, is not enough.

Sticky messes that are not to be licked

If your cat gets her fur in a big mess, such as getting paint, caked in mud, etc. Then ideally, you do not want your cat to go ahead and try and lick this off. Not only is it not practical, but it can also be a potential health risk, are you with me?

Health-Related Issues

Then there other issues like fleas, ticks, dandruff, etc. All of these issues cannot be resolved with your cat’s normal measures of just licking its fur.

Can’t you just use regular Shampoo?

You may be thinking to yourself, why the big fuss with Cat shampoo, I can just grab my own bottle of hair shampoo and be done with it, right?…

Wrong!

You can’t use normal, conventional hair shampoo on your poor kitty. But why?…

Simple, there are different PH levels in your shampoo, that just won’t work well with your cat. The PH levels in your shampoo at home is not compatible with your cat.

This is one of the reasons why there is cat-specific shampoo in the first place.

What should you be looking for?

In this section, I will give you an idea of important things to look out for before buying your cat shampoo.

Important Ingredients

Ideally, you want to look for a shampoo that has natural ingredients. This is a good sign of high quality and more quality for your cat’s skin & fur.

However, there are exceptions. If your cat has issues with fleas (more on this later), then you will need a shampoo that deals with this issue, that uses chemicals.

Chemicals to avoid

In general, there is a list of chemicals to look out for and avoid:

• Petrochemicals
• Sulphates
• Parabens
• and artificial dyes

Cats with sensitive skin

If your cat has issues with sensitive skin. Best to look out for specialist shampoos that deal with this. The reason being is, they have ingredients that cater to this issue in particular.

When I say “sensitive skin”, this includes other issues such as dandruff, itchy skin, etc.

My Best Cat Shampoo (Vet’s Best vs Tropiclean)

In this section, I will compare my best cat shampoos by Vet’s Best & Tropiclean. This will be based on overall best, best for flea treatment and best waterless shampoo.

01. TropiClean Papaya and Coconut Pet Shampoo (Best Overall)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Smells great.
• Great ingredients: Papya, coconut, etc. (Keeps fur soft).
• 2-in-1: Shampoo & Conditioner (more value)

Cons:

• Smells good, but the smell does not last long.

Things I Like about this Tropiclean Papaya Shampoo…

First and full most, this shampoo smells great. You have to smell it to believe it. It will make your cat’s fur smell great. It lathers up well and has a great smell. This must be due to the great ingredients such as coconut, papaya, etc.

Another thing I like is the fact that it is not just shampoo, it also doubles up as a conditioner as well. Great value two in one product in my opinion.

Things I Do Not Like about this Cat Shampoo

My only gripe with this shampoo is the lastability of the smell. What do I mean? Well, it does smell great, no doubt about that. However, it doesn’t have that long-lasting lingering smell. After some time the smell wears off and you will be in need of another shampoo. And, as you may know, it’s not good to shampoo your cat too much.

02. Vet’s Best No-Rinse Clean Waterless Cat Shampoo (Best Waterless)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Really easy to use.
• Lovely light fragrance.
• Helps with cat dandruff.
• Has great natural ingredients.

Cons:

• The pump it comes with is not that effective.

Things I Like about this Vet’s Best Waterless Shampoo

I love the fact that it is really easy to use, childs play actually. I know this is subjective, but I love this smell. It is a lovely light fragrance, in my opinion.

It also helps with dandruff and the fact that it has natural ingredients, such as Aloe vera and oatmeal just adds to the appeal for me.

Things I Do Not Like about this Waterless shampoo.

It comes with a pump to funnel out the shampoo. However, maybe it’s just me, but, the pump is really not that great. It’s not a deal-breaker though, the worse case just apply it by hand.

03. Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Waterless Shampoo (Best Flea & Tick Treatment)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Gets rid of fleas & ticks.
• Quick & easy to use.
• Smells wonderful.
• No added perfumes.

Cons:

• You need a lot to cover your cat.
• Deals with fleas, but more will return.

Things I Like about this Vet’s Best Flea & Tick Shampoo

Firstly, it does the job. It will get rid of your cat’s fleas & ticks. Great! But there is more…

It’s really quick and easy to use and on top of this, it smells delicious. Well, I think so anyway! Also, it’s great to see they have achieved this great smell without loading the product with perfumes.

Things I Do Not Like about this Flea Shampoo

It does the job, as in it gets rid of the fleas that your cat may have. However, you may find that in time the fleas will return. I am not sure if this is the shampoos fault or not to be honest. But it does deal with the short term issue at least.

Also, bear in mind, this is a waterless shampoo. Meaning you won’t be lathering it up with water. So what? Well, it means you will need a fair amount to fully cover your cat, are you with me?

Related Questions:

In this section, I will address some related questions to cat shampoo to help you. If you feel there are other questions you have, that are not covered, feel free to comment below and let me know.

Can you over bathe your cat? Yes, you can over bathe cats. Why? Because cats have natural oils in their fur that helps to protect it. If you over bath them, it strips their body of these valuable oils.

If you want to have a general idea of what is classed as “over bathing” or what is acceptable, let me give you a guideline. Generally, long-haired cats can be bathed more than short-haired cats.

Long-haired cats should not be bathed more than once a week. As for short haired cats. They can go months without a bath. In fact, some people don’t even bath them. Really they only need a bath if they are covered in something unpleasant.

Can you use dog shampoo on cats? No, however tempting this may be, don’t do it. Dogs and cats have different needs. More importantly, they react to certain flea products different from cats. These products are specially formulated with these reasons n mind. That is why it is not a good idea to mix them.

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Iseebiz vs WOpet Automatic Cat Feeders (Reviews & Guide)

If you work all day or have a short trip planned in the near future then a cat Auto-feeder is ideal. Many people get stuck wondering which Auto feeder is best. Or, if the WOpet brand offerings are better than Iseebiz’s. Let me help and compare the best auto feeders from both of them…

Which Auto Cat feeder is better, WOpet or Iseebiz? Here is the best one (Click for the best price on Amazon.) This is because you can feed your cat from anywhere, HD camera to keep an eye on your cat, as well as voice recording to make her feel even more at home in your absence.

Now that you know my best choice. Let me explain how I arrived at this conclusion, other models that may suit you better and what things to look out for before buying any auto feeder.

Quick Comparison Table

Name	Image	My Rating
01. WOpet (Best All-rounder) SmartFeeder 6-Meal Auto w/ Wi-Fi Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Iseebiz (Best Iseebiz Feeder) Auto Pet Feeder w/ Voice Record Click here for the price on Amazon
03. WOpet Programmable SmartFeeder Click here for the price on Amazon
04. Iseebiz 6 Liter Cat Food Dispenser Click here for the price on Amazon

What is an Iseebiz or WOpet Auto feeder?

These are specific brands of Autofeeders for cats. These same feeders can be used for dogs and other small animals. So, they are favored by a number of pet owners.

There are a number of different styles, colors, and features, as you would imagine. There is also many other brands, other than WOpet & Iseebiz.

Ideal for keeping your cat feed during times when can you simply cannot be there. Such as an important weekend away that is not pet compliant.

Apart from this, it is also a great way to use portion control. This can help to prevent your cat from overeating. Which is a good added benefit.

Things to look out for, before you buy

Capacity & Portions

If you have a busy job or limited time (which is most of us these days) then you need the largest capacity within your budget.

This is because you can queue up more meals with a larger capacity, so it is definitely an important factor to look out for.

Timer Function (Programmable)

One of the biggest features of an Auto-feeder is the timer function. This allows you to program a schedule to feed your cat.

Usually, this is achieved by a lid that is open once your desired time is reached. This is the key feature for the power of remote feeding.

Accepted Food Types

Essentially some feeders are dry food only. While others cater for wet food as well. Majority of the ones reviews in this article only allow dry food.

Wet food auto feeders typically have a refrigerator feature as a bonus (which will cost more, in most cases) to keep the wet food fresh.

It depends on what your cat eats really. If she won’t eat dry food, then you have no choice. However, if she eats both you can decide if the dry food is more convenient for when you are not there.

Iseebiz vs WOpet Reviews:

In this section, I am going to reveal my top Iseebiz and WOpet auto feeders. I will highlight the pros and cons of each feeder to help you decide which on one meets your individual needs.

01. WOpet SmartFeeder 6-Meal Auto w/ Wi-Fi (Best Overall)

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Feed your cat from any location.
• HD Camera & Voice Recording features (To check up & make her comfortable).
• 2 x Food dispensers.
• The feeder can be customized (more flexibility for you).

Cons:

• The app doesn’t send notifications when food is low (only when finished).
• The camera doesn’t have night features.

Things I like about the WOpet SmartFeeder 6-Meal Auto w/ Wi-Fi

The beauty of these auto feeders is the convenience of feeding them from anywhere, while you are physically not there. And this feeder does not fail to deliver. With its wi-fi feature set, it is easy to use their app to keep tabs.

It has an HD camera so you can have a look at how she is doing back home while you are on the move or away on business. In addition to this, you can record a custom voice message for your cat, to make her feel at home in your absence.

It has two feeder dispensers, so you can even consider feeding two cats. These dispensers can be customized easily.

Things I do not like about the this WOpet SmartFeeder

More of an annoyance rather than a deal-breaker. However, I need to mention that while it does have a notification to prompt you to re-fill. It only triggers when the food is finished.

In my opinion, it would be a far more valuable feature to have it notify if the food is low. Therefore you get a chance to re-stock before the food depletes.

Lastly, although this is not something that was promised, it would be good to have night features. Meaning maybe a night cam so you can see your cat when it is low light or night time.

02. Iseebiz Auto Pet Feeder w/ Voice Record (Best Iseebiz)

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Customizable feeding portions (for your flexibility).
• Voice Recording (To make your cat feel at home).
• Double power sources (To keep it running all times).
• IR Detector Built-In.

Cons:

• Dispences small amounts.
• The cover is not tight enough.
• Portions are not always 100% accurate.

Things I like about the Iseebiz Auto Pet Feeder w/ Voice Record

One thing I love is customizability and flexibility. This is great for that. You can choose your own feeding portions to match your cat’s needs.

You can record your voice calling your cat for feeding time once, then play this recording over and over again. This will make her feel like you are at home, even though you may be away at the time.

To keep this unit fully powered, you have two power sources, batteries and mains power.

Things I do not like about this Iseebiz Auto Cat Feeder

Although you can customize the portions, one dispense is quite small. To put this into context, let’s say you want to to give your cat half a cup of food. You may need approx 10 dispenses.

Sometimes you may notice that the portions do not come out with consistent measures. Meaning, one portion may only have a few pieces of dry food, and the next has considerably more.

03. WOpet 7L Automatic Pet Feeder

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• HD Camera – To keep an eye on your loved one.
• Programmable settings (So you can set a food schedule).
•  Customizable Feeder (So you can select the best portion sizes).

Cons:

• Audio is not great.
• Directions are poorly translated.

Things I like about the WOpet Programmable SmartFeeder

The things I like about this one is the HD camera so you can see your cat anytime, to make sure she is doing ok. It is great that you can also incorporate audio as well (but, more on this later).

It has programmable settings allowing you to set up your own schedule to match your cat’s needs. It also allows you to customize your own portion sizes.

Things I do not like about this WOpet feeder

Although it has the ability to use audio. It is also a negative thing. Reason being, it does not have great audio ability. Granted, its better than not having it. But you can’t sem to talk and listen at the same time if that makes sense.

Also, the directions (or instructions if you like) appear to have been translated from another language or just poorly written, maybe it as outsourced poorly, who knows. You can get away without it, but its a shame.

04. Iseebiz 6 Liter Cat Food Dispenser

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• A large volume of storage.
• Protects against dust & crumbs.
• Easy to setup and program.

Cons:

• Buttons can be unreliable
• Doesn’t inform you when it’s low on food.

Things I like about the Iseebiz 6 Liter Cat Food Dispenser

Firstly it’s a good size. 6L means you can plan ahead for a long trip and not worry about her feeding times. Another thing I love is, it is designed to avoid dust and crumbs clogging it up. Which is an annoying issue with some other feeders on the market.

Lastly, it is simple to set up. Even more interesting is the fact that it is also easy to program your meal schedules.

Things I do not like about this Iseebiz Dispenser

I have to moan about the buttons. They do work, but not as responsive as I would like. Granted, once its set up you are done, so its a minor annoyance rather than a deal-breaker. Basically, sometimes it may take more than one press to register. Quite annoying.

Also could benefit from an indicator when the food is getting low, to help prompt you to refill.

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3 Best Slow Feed Cat Bowls for Wet Food (& Guide)

If you are concerned about your cat eating too fast and making itself feel sick, then you need to consider these slow feed cat bowls. Let me share my best ones with you…

What is the best slow feed cat bowl for wet food? This is the best (click here for the price on Amazon), I like this one because it’s toxic & odor-free. It also has a really solid base that stops it from moving around during meals. Most importantly great for wet food.

Now that you know my best choice, let me also share another two (three in total). Reason for this, each one has its strengths and weaknesses and could be better for your unique situation. Keep reading…

Quick Comparison of Slow Feeders

Name	Image	My Rating
01. Lorde Slow Feeder Cat Bowl (Best All Rounder) Click for price on Amazon
02. Simply Pets Online Slow Feed Cat Bowl (Best For Larger Cats) Click for price on Amazon
03. Mogoko Cat Slow Feeding Bowl Click for price on Amazon

What is the point of a Slow Feed Cat Bowl?

Some cats eat faster than others. Unfortunately, some eat too fast. You may be thinking, so what? The problem is, if they do this, they can make themselves sick, choke or gag. Neither of which is wanted. Because you will the one to clean it up.

The slow feed cat bowl is a solution to this problem. It is a product designed to slow down the eating speed of your cat. Obviously, there are many options out there. So, for this reason, I have selected my best three to review.

What Are the benefits of these bowls?

Apart from stopping them vomit, they also have other benefits, let me explain…

• Aids Weight loss.
• Prevents obesity.
• Extra exercise for indoor cats.
• As explained, prevents vomiting, gaging or even choking.

Let me just elaborate on some of these benefits…

Aids Weight Loss

Although it is not a weight loss product, it does “aid” weight loss. But what am I talking about exactly? Well, they help with portion control and slowing down the consumption of food.

When you slow down the conception of food, it gives the brain time to acknowledge the food. This will make your cat feel full up sooner. Which, in turn, make her eat less. This feature will aid weight, get it?

Prevents Obesity

Following on from above, one of the knock-on benefits is obesity prevention. If your cat starts to eat less, in time, she will start to reduce her weight and combat obesity.

Extra exercise for indoor cats

If you have an indoor cat, you will benefit from these feeders. These interactive feeders keep them entertained and provide another exercise outlet.

My Best 3 Slow Feed Cat Bowls for wet food:

In this section, I will share with you my best 3 cat bowls. These have been specifically selected for their usage with wet food. They also have many other features that will benefit you.

01. Lorde Slow Feeder Cat Bowl (Best All-rounder)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Toxic & Odor-Free.
• Fun Shape (Your cat will love the maze & Fish shape).
• Reduces the chances of indigestion.
• Stable Base (Avoids unnecessary food mess).

Cons:

• Breakable (Made from ceramic).
• Can’t repair (If broken).

Things I like about the Lorde slow feeder

Its always reassuring when the material is toxic and odor-free, to protect her as much as possible. The playful maze shapes will be appreciated by your cat as well. A small thing, but never the less, its a bonus.

The design reduces indigestion to give you peace of mind. The thing I like most, weirdly enough, is the stable base. It saves you some hassle by avoiding unwanted spillages, are you with me? (high five!)

Things I don’t like about the Lorde Slow feeder

In a way, my favorite feature, is a small negative, in my opinion. Basically, it’s a breakable item. While it has a nice strong heavy base, if you accidentally drop this bad boy, you are stuffed! It will surely break.

This is not a deal-breaker for me, to be honest. Because I feel this is not a high risk of this happening. But, I feel I need to let you know.

02. Simply Pets Online Slow Feed Cat Bowl (Best For Large Cats)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Simple to use.
• Works for wet food.
• Ideal for larger cats.
• Two cats can chomp away in this!

Cons:

• Not ideal for small cats.
• Grooves are quite deep.

Things I like about the Simply Pets Feeder

This thing is big, in a good way 😉 You can have two cats chomping away in this mo’fo. Or, if you have a bigger cat, say a Maine Coon (Click here to see why Maine Coon cats are so big) then this is bang-on.

It’s great for wet food, that’s why you are here, right? And, finally, it is really simple to use. You will love this big cutey!

Things I don’t like about the Simply Pets Feeder

Ok, the bad bits…

Although it’s ideal for the big’uns, it’s not ideal for the smaller cats. If you have one of these, maybe look at the other options I have provided in this article. Basically, the grooves are a bit too deep for a small cat. And, the general size is just too big for them.

03. Mogoko Cat Slow Feeding Bowl

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Eco-friendy material (Made using hard plastic).
• Reduces the chances of her puking (A known symptom with Fast feeding cats).
• Soft spikes (So it won’t irritate her).

Cons:

• Not good on hard floors (gets dragged around).
• Some cats may struggle to get food from the inner section.

Things I like about the Mogoko Cat Feeder

First, let’s address the environment. This one is classed as “Eco-Friendly” by the manufacturer. I always like to hear this. This is largely due to the fact that it is made from hard plastic.

As you may have already seen, if your cat is a fast feeder, she is likely to eat so fast she pukes, right? This feeder is built to reduce the chances of this happening. It is also designed with nice soft spikes to make it comfortable when eating.

Things I don’t like about the Mogoko Cat Feeder

I have to be honest, it does not have a strong solid base. Basically, while your cat is attempting to eat, you may notice that she will drag around the feeder, not ideal.

Finally, you may notice, due to the design, that some cats may not be able to get to the food in the inner section of the feeder. This is because of the length of the inner spikes.

Is there any alternatives to these Bowls?

Yes, there are, hower, in general, they are more time consuming and not as effective. But, let me explain for your benefit.

Many small meals

One tactic is to substitute the bigger meals with multiple smaller meals. This means you will provide more meals but they will much smaller.

The idea is to manually control their portions. This effectively forces them not to overeat on each meal. This is effective and will work. However, it will take more of your time to organize because of the extra mealtimes.

Separate Meal Times (If you have more than one cat)

If you have more than one cat this is a technique you can try. This entails separating their food at mealtimes, rather than putting all their bowls together.

The idea behind this is to stop one cat overeating by stealing food from its cat mate. Again, this is a good idea and effective. The only issue is, you need to set up multiple feeding areas and will take more of your time.

This gets even worse if you have more than two cats, imagine that?

Related Questions:

In this section, I am going to cover some related questions to slow feeders. If you feel there is a question in your mind, that is not covered, please leave a comment below and let me know.

How long can you leave wet food out for? This depends on the temperature. If you are in the height of summer, without air con, I personally wouldn’t leave it out for more than 15 minutes.

If it’s in the winter, and the heating is on, again, I wouldn’t consider leaving it out for more than 15 minutes. You could try longer, but this is just what I would do. As a general rule, I personally wouldn’t leave it out for more than 25 minutes under any conditions.

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3 Best Bewishome Cat Trees (Reviews, Guide & Pics)

Heard of the Bewishome cat trees before? Well, I have too and I understand they are great. But, there are quite a few to choose from. So, I have put together some reviews and a guide to help you.

What is the best Bewishome cat tree? This is the best Bewishome cat tree (Click here for the price on Amazon) I love this one because it is easy to assemble, strong sturdy base and comes with some great toys. 

Now that you know what my best cat tree us, let give you a guide on how you can come to your own conclusion. Also let me explain why a cat tree is a great benefit, what features to look out for and more.

Quick Cat Tree Comparisson

Name	Image	My Rating
01. BEWISHOME Cat Tree Condo (Best All Rounder) Click here for the price on Amazon
02. BEWISHOME Large Cat Tree Condo (Best Large Cat Tree) Click here for the price on Amazon
03. BEWISHOME Beige Cat Tree (Best Beige Cat Tree) Click here for the price on Amazon

What is a Bewishome cat Tree?

A cat tree is a piece of furniture that allows cats to climb indoors. It allows them to release their inner desire to climb and exercise.

Bewishome is a brand/company that create cat trees. They typically create well designed, quality cat trees that are well received by its customers.

Is a Cat Tree Even Necessary?

To be honest, you do not need a Cat Tree. For example, do you need a cell phone? No, but it is very useful. There a number of reasons why I suggest that you should strongly consider getting one:

• Good for indoor cats.
• Daily exercise.
• Avoids unwanted furniture scratches.
• Hiding place from a family pet dog.
• Express their desire to climb.

Indoor Cats, Daily Exercise & Expressing Desires to Climb

They will benefit from the cat tree as an extra method of exercise and mental stimulation. It is also an instinctive activity for cats. Meaning that indoor cats get to stimulate this need whilst staying indoors.

Hiding Place from a family pet dog

If you have a pet dog. You know that cats and dogs do not make the best of friends. You will also know that dogs are not great climbers. Therefore the cat tree is the perfect place for your cat to escape.

Avoids Unwanted Furniture Scratches

If you have had problems with your cat scratching your furniture, then you will relate to this. It’s a problem that can be resolved with the addition of a cat tree. These Bewishome cat trees come with scratch ropes/poles that your cat can use instead of your furniture.

How to Pick a Bewishome Cat Tree

When you are looking for a cat tree, regardless of it being Bewishome or not, there are certain features you need. In this section, I will explain what you should be looking out for:

• Multiple Levels.
• Scratching Surfaces.
• Toys to play with.
• Good Height.
• Soft & Durable Materials/Fabric.
• Strong Base.

Multiple Levels

It is important to have multiple levels. Especially if you have more than one cat. Even if you have one cat it will allow them to enjoy themselves more with extra places to explore.

Scratching Surfaces

Ideally, you want multiple scratching surfaces. This is even more important if you have a cat that likes to scratch your home furniture, as disgust previously. It will allow your cat an opportunity to release its desires.

Toys to play with

Most good cat trees will come with some form of toys for your cat to play with. This will add to their enjoyment and provide a distraction to pass their time.

Good Height

This one goes without saying. You need a cat tree that is tall so that your cat can really express its instinctive desire to climb.

Soft & Durable Materials/Fabric

The likelihood is that you will have this item for a while. Therefore, you need to make sure that you get one that has good durable materials. Something that is strong enough to stand the test of time.

For the scratching posts, it is better to have the poles covered in Sisal. Other materials to look out for is plywood which is also a good choice.

Strong Base

This cat tree will take a lot of weight and general bashing around. Therefore it is critical that it has a strong base. It needs to be solid to withhold with the expected impact.

My 3 Best Bewishome cat trees:

In this section, I am going to show you my best 3 cat trees in the Bewishome range. For each selection, I will explain all the pros and cons I have identified to make it easier for you.

01. BEWISHOME Cat Tree Condo (Best All Rounder)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to assemble.
• Strong Base.
• Includes toys.
• Well-cushioned tiers.

Cons:

• A bit small for a large cat.

Things I like about the Bewishome Cat Tree Condo

This cat tree is first and foremost really simple to assemble. It has a really strong base so you won’t need to worry about your cat while she uses it. It has a good rope toy and some ball bells to help keep your cat entertained.

Things I do not like about the Bewishome Cat Tree Condo

This cat tree is ideal for small to average cats. But, if you have a very large cat(s), you will need to think again. If this is the case you are better off looking at the large cat tree that I will review next.

02. BEWISHOME Large Cat Tree Condo (Best Large Cat Tree)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Great size (Especially for big cats).
• Easy to assemble.
• Strong sturdy base.
• Wall anchor included if required (for extra stability).

Cons:

• The Sisal does not cover the entire post – meaning some cats will be inconvenienced.

Things I like about the Bewishome Large Cat Tree Condo

If you have a larger cat, this cat tree is ideal. Or even if you have more than one cat, this is still one to be considered. It is also easy to assemble and a nice strong base. To be honest you need this strong base to accommodate the size of this bad boy!

If you are ultra paranoid of this falling over you can even go for the “belt & braces” approach and use the wall anchor that has been provided.

Things I do not like about the Bewishome Large Cat Tree Condo

If your cat likes to stretch and scratch on the posts, this will be a minor nuance for you, because the sisal does not cover the entire height of the post. A minor, but still worth mentioning.

03. BEWISHOME Beige Cat Tree (Best Beige Cat Tree)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Amazing Colour.
• Great for smaller or average-sized cats.
• Easy to assemble.
• The material is lovely and soft (for your cat’s comfort).
• Cushions are comfortable.

Cons:

• Not ideal for large cats.

Things I like about the Bewishome Beige Cat Tree

This cat tree looks stunning. If you like beige or want a slightly different color than the norm, this is one for you. It is also easy to assemble and the material is extra soft. Your cat will love how the material feels. In addition to this, the cushions are comfortable.

Things I do not like about the Bewishome Beige Cat Tree

The only thing I would say about this is the size. If you have a large cat, then you may struggle with this. If this is the case, you are better off looking at the larger cat tree reviewed earlier.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will address some frequently asked questions related to Cat trees. If you feel there is a question you have that’s not covered, please leave me a comment below.

Why do cats seek high places? This is an instinctive thing. Early cats, from the wild, used to live in the rain forests.  They used their claws to climb trees very swiftly. This was a survival technique.

They used to hide in trees to either wait for their prey, so they could eat. Or, they would hide there to avoid getting attacked by their predators.

This behaviour of climbing is part of their instinct now, hence the reason in captivity they still have the urge to climb and use cat trees, etc.

Do declawed cats still need a scratching post? No, technically they do not. However, they may still instinctively attempt to use them. Once a cat is declawed there is no chance of their claws growing back.

It is sad because some cats have issues even using cat litter due to the pain that is introduced following this declawing procedure.

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5 Best Cat Bed for Kittens (Without the Fluff!)

If you have a new kitten, chances are you are hoping to get your bed back. It’s cool when your kitten shows you love, but her own bed is better. So, let me show you my best choice beds for kittens…

What is the best cat bed for kittens? This is my best choice (Click here for the price on Amazon) I love this one because of its soft Merino wool, your cat will love this. Also, the fact that it is a good size for kittens and not made from harsh chemicals.

Now that I have shared my best choice, let me explain how I got to this conclusion. Also what things you should be looking out for, before you buy. I will also explain some other great choices that might even take your fancy.

Quick Comparison Table

Name	Image	My Rating
01. Meowfia Premium Cat Bed Click here for the Price on Amazon
02. Twin Critters Handcrafted Cat Cave Bed Click here for the Price on Amazon
03. Armarkat Cat Bed Click here for the Price on Amazon
04. Midwest Homes for Cats Curious Cat Cube Click here for the Price on Amazon
05. Best Pet Supplies Tent Cat Bed Click here for the Price on Amazon

What Kind of Cat Beds Do Kittens Like?

Kittens like beds that are enclosed. They are usually referred to as “cave beds”.

The reason why they are good for kittens is that it gives them an element of security. Makes them feel cozy and comfortable. It also shields them from unwanted noise. The conventional open cat bed cannot offer them this level of comfort.

Why Do Cats Like These Cave Beds?

These particular cat beds usually have a “pod-style” aesthetic. This is ideal for kittens because. as discussed in the previous section, it gives makes them feel cozy and comfortable. Also gives them a sense of security.

Inside of these cave cat beds, they usually will have soft padded interiors. This means it is very comfortable for them.

This is ideal for the winter months because it keeps them warm as well as being cozy. If you want to go the extra mile you can also pair this with a heated pad. This will give them additional warmth during the really cold winter months.

What things should you look out for when you are buying a cat bed for Kittens?

When you are looking for a cat bed, especially for kittens. You should be looking out for a number of different key things. In this section, I’m going to highlight some things that you should be aware of before you make that purchase:

Sizing

It’s important that you get the right size cat bed. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you should get a really big bed. This will make your cat feel hidden inside. In fact, you want something that is the opposite, quite cozy but just enough room for them to fit in.

Not too much room to avoid them feeling overwhelmed with space, are you with me? Cats like a tight cozy fit. It makes them feel warm and secure.

Materials

When choosing a cat bed it is essential, especially for kittens, to get the right fabric. When I say the right fabric, I mean one that is soft and padded. It should allow your kitten to feel comfortable.

Easy to clean

One of the main things I would say is crucial, is the ability to clean these cat beds. I would say this is one of the most important things to consider. Ideally, the cat bed will have a removable cover so that you can easily remove this and then wash it.

Also, you should try to make sure, when you purchase one, it is machine washable. You should easily be able to put this into the washing machine without having to do a separate manual wash.

Trust me, if you have to do a separate manual wash for this, you will just keep putting it off. It will get left until it is really smelly. At this point, even your cat won’t want to use it.

My best cat beds for kittens:

In this section, I’m going to walk you through my best selection of cat beds for kittens. I’ll be giving you the pros and cons. Explaining specific things I like and don’t like about them. This should help guide you with your decision before the purchase.

01. Meowfia – Premium Cat Bed

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Soft, made from 100% Wool (Merino).
• Ideal size for kittens.
• No harsh chemicals.

Cons:

• The structure has a tendency to collapse.

Things I like about the Meowfia Premium Cat Bed

This cat bed first and full most, it looks great. Most kittens will fall in love with it purely for this, even if its just pure curiosity. It is soft and I guess this is because it is made from 100% Merino wool.

Its an ideal size for kittens. As I discussed earlier they appreciate a cozy spot. It’s also nice to see that it does not have the smell of harsh chemicals.

Things I Don’t like about the Meowfia Premium Cat Bed

An annoying thing about this bed is how flexible it is. It may be considered too flexible. Some cats may bend it up and just use it as a mat rather than a bed. Not a deal-breaker, but just a nuance I needed to explain.

02. Twin Critters – Handcrafted Cat Cave Bed

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Looks great (Handcrafted in the Country of Nepal).
• Soft, made from Wool (New Zealand).
• Can also double up as a mat.
• No harsh chemicals.

Cons:

• Doesn’t always hold its shape.

What I Like about the Twin Critters handcrafted cat cave bed

Before I start, this thing looks gorgeous. It is handcrafted in Nepal, so I guess they know what they are doing because they have done a great job. It’s nice and soft made with New Zealand wool.

This can also be used and double up like a mat. It is also nice to know that it has not been made with harsh chemicals.

What I Don’t Like about the Twin Critters handcrafted cat cave bed

One of the benefits of this cat bed is ironically one of its problems. Yes, it can be used as a mat. But, as a cat bed, it has a tendency to collapse into a mat when it’s not desired. Your cat may love this, but sometimes this can be annoying.

03. Armarkat – Cat Bed

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• The base is waterproof.
• The base is also skid-free.
• Machine washable.
• Soft and warm.
• Holds its shape well.

Cons:

• Not ideal for larger cats.

Things I like about the Armarkat cat bed

This cat bed is machine washable. This is a big benefit if you want to keep it well maintained. The base is also skid-free and waterproof. This is ideal to keep the cat bed from sliding around.

One of the things I love the best is the fact that it holds its shape well. So it works like a true cat bed. As opposed to some of the others that collapse into a mat.

Things I don’t like about the Armarkat cat bed

If you have a larger cat that you need to cater for. Then this may not be the one for you. This is because it is not quite big enough for large cats.

04. Midwest Homes for Cats – Curious Cat Cube

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to assemble.
• Easy storage (Collapses flat).
• Holds its shape well.
• The inner mat is removable.

Cons:

• Sides are Ridgid (Could be softer for better comfort).

Things I like about the Midwest Homes for Cats curious cat cube

This is easy to assemble, which I love. You can also store it away easily because it collapses into a flat structure. I also like the fact that the inner mat is removable.

Things I don’t like about the Midwest Homes for Cats curious cat cube

The sides are a bit rigid. You will probably find that your cat would appreciate a softer feel.

05. Best Pet Supplies – Tent Cat Bed

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Machine washable.
• Holds shape well.
• Soft and comfortable.

Cons:

• Pillow has little stuffing.

Things I love about the Best Pet Supplies tent cat bed

One thing I love is the fact that this is machine washable. This is crucial to keep it clean and tidy. It also holds its shape really well. This in itself makes it worth consideration. It is also soft and comfortable. Therefore, your cat will love this.

Things I don’t like about the Best Pet Supplies tent cat bed

It has a pillow, but it could really do with some extra stuffing. It’s a shame because I think this could easily be fixed. Another thing, if you need to wash this pillow I advise that you use a garment bag. Only because there is a chance that the stuffing could escape in the wash.

Related questions:

Do cats really need a cat bed? No, cats or, kittens for that matter, do not need a cat bed. However, its really for those cat owners that really love their cat and wish to go the extra mile for them. It is a great treat for your kitten essentially.

Another benefit of having this, it will help to stop your cat sleeping on your bed.

Is it safe for a kitten to share your bed? No, generally speaking, I wouldn’t advise it. The reason for this is, kittens can act a little bit crazy and erratic. This is normal though.

The reason for this behavior is they are young, effectively babies, and are just learning how to conduct themselves.

They have a tendency to run after anything that moves. They do not understand that you could be sleeping at this time.

It is a better idea to have a separate cat bed, such as one of the beds reviewed in this article. This is so they have their own location. This will avoid disrupting your sleep.

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3 Best Cat Litter Mats for Urine (Guide, Reviews & Pics)

If you have ever cleaned up the mess from excess litter spilling out of the box, you will know why people look for litter mats. But which one is best? Let me explain…

What is the best cat litter mat for urine? This is the best cat litter mat for urine (Click here for the price on Amazon). I like the fact it is urine proof, nice soft material and traps litter well. Which is all that you really need for a litter mat, in my opinion.

Now you know which one is best, let me explain what you need to be looking for in an ideal litter mat, what to avoid and which other options there are out there.

Quick Comparison

Description	Image	My Rating
01. Smiling Paws Premium Cat Litter Mat Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Click here for the price on Amazon
03. iPrimio Cat Litter Trapper Mat Click here for the price on Amazon

What is the point of a cat Litter Mat?

Cat Litter mats are ideal for mopping up spillages that a cat litter box on its own, simply can’t do. Think of the urine that never seems to hit the target, right?

Then there is the hygiene benefits. If you have cat litter mess or urine around your house, outside of the litter box, it is really not hygienic.

The cat litter mat deals with both of these unwanted issues. Keeps litter and urine off of your flooring or tiles and keeps your house more hygienic.

What things should you be looking out for?

Ideally, you need a litter mat that will keep the mess contained, but reduces the odor and does not get soggy and unsightly. Effectively you want your house to be cleaner with this mat, or there is no point.

Controlling Odors

You need a mat that does not absorb the mess, such as microfibre based material. Rubber based materials or EVA are good. And they also control odor quite well.

Simple to Maintain

You want a mat that is easy to clean and maintain. Models that have holes or grooves to control the litter storage work well. Allowing you the chance to place the litter back in the box or disgard of the mess.

If it is not water resistance though, be careful. If this is the case you need to at least make sure that you can wash it easily using a dishwasher for example.

There are also some types that have raised guards. These are good because they keep the litter in if it spills from the box.

Durability

Don’t waste your time with cheap mats with flimsy material. It will be more hassle than the money you think you are saving.

The problem with these mats is, they do not stay in place. So, after your cat has soiled the mat, it can get kicked all over your beloved floor. Effectively making the whole thing worthless, are you with me?

For your info, you tend to find that the PVC based mats are likely to one of the most sturdy ones.

Comfort

One thing that you need to consider is your cat’s comfortability. This boils down to the actual way the material feels under your kitties paws.

Materials have their pros and cons, so you need to decide what important to you. For example, Microfibre will be softer on your cat’s paws, but it won’t be the best for maintenance, as discussed earlier.

Same as other materials like EVA or silicone. They may be “cat-friendly”, but they are not as durable as say PVC, are you with me?

The Size of the Mat

Yes, size matters! Well, when we are talking about cat litter mats, anyway 😉

Well, the rule of thumb here is, the bigger the better. It is not worth having it just big enough to cover the size of the litter box itself if that makes sense.

Reason being, the debris, and urine will still spill over, meaning its a waste of time. So, make sure it is big enough to easily covering the surface areas.

Also, make sure it’s big enough that your cat does not simply hop over the mat and then trail mess and urine onto your flooring.

Best Cat Litter Mats for Urine

01. Smiling Paws Premium Cat Litter Mat

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Urine Proof.
• Soft material, great for your cat’s paws.
• Litter is trapped well.
• Great size

Cons:

• Hard to clean out the litter after trapping
• Not ideal for extra large litter boxes.

The thing I like about this is it’s urine-proof and nice and soft for your cat to step on. The size is pretty good, so you won’t have unwanted spillages in and around the litter box. It also controls the odor quite well.

This may not seem much to you, but I like the fact that I can still hoover this up because the material lends itself to that quite well.

The things I don’t like about the Smiling Paws Premium Cat Litter Mat…

Although it traps the litter well, it is difficult to get the litter out. You will need to spray some water and try and wrestle with it to get the litter out. Not a deal breaker, more of a minor nuance, in my opinion.

If you have a particularly bit litter box, then you may struggle with this. For most average sized boxes, this is absolutely fine though.

02. Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Litter Trapping

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Traps litter well.
• No tracking issues.
• Nice size.
• Urine Proof.

Cons:

• Comes folded, meaning it won’t lay flat initially.
• The urine chemicals smell is quite strong.
• Clearing out the collected litter can be messy.

The things I like about this is the fact that it manages the litter well. It has holes that hide the mess that falls from the litter box. To the outsider, it seems tidy at all times because of this.

It is urine proof, which addresses the main purpose of this mat. Also, any mess, such as excess litter that is stuck to your cat’s paws (“tracked”), stay on the mat!

This is great because it means that it keeps your flooring clean and tidy as you would expect.

The things I don’t love about the Pieviev Cat Litter Mat…

It comes shipped folded. I guess this makes practical sense, to be honest. However, to the consumer, not so good. Reason being, it means it will not sit flat for a while until the folds work their way out naturally, are you with me?

Honestly, this is a minor issue, but worth mentioning none the less. Also, while it is good at dealing with urine. The chemicals it uses smell quite strong, in my opinion. Lastly, the whole experience of getting rid of the collected litter is a bit messy.

03. iPrimio Large Cat Litter Trapper Mat

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Repels Urine Well.
• Cats will love stepping on this.
• Easy to clean,
• Honeycomb material collects mess well.

Cons:

• Borders make it difficult to pour litter back or discard.
• Collects smell of urine.

The things I like about this is it does its job well. It repels urine great and has this nice honeycomb material system to trap litter into it really well.

It is also very easy to clean and it helps to stop any issues with “Tracking”. Meaning if your cat walks out of the tray with a mess on her paws it prevents it trailing this unsightly mess all over the house, are you with me?

The things I am not too keen on with the iPrimio cat litter trapper mat…

The border around the mat can make it quite annoying when you need to either pour the litter back or disregard it. Although it handles urine ok it tends to hold onto the smell of urine, I am not sure if this is just me or not.

Also, it does not stick to the floor well. Meaning it has a tendency to slide around because of this. This is a shame because it’s quite a problem.

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3 Best Pheromone Collars for Aggressive Cats

If you have an aggressive cat, it is also stressful for the owner. The challenge is finding a solution that can work for your situation. Phermone cat collars can help in some cases, but which one? Let me explain…

What’s the best pheromone collar for aggressive cats? This is the best collar (Click here to see the price on Amazon) because it’s easy to put on and adjust, great for plane or long-distance travel. Also great for aggressive or anxious cats.

Now that you know my best choice, let me compare a few more options for you, as well as explain what you should be taking into consideration before you buy one.

Quick Pheromone Cat Collar Comparison

Name	Image	My Rating
01. Relaxivet Calming Collar For Cats Click here for Price on Amazon
02. NurtureCALM 24/7 Feline Calming Pheromone Collar Click here for Price on Amazon
03. Sentry Calming Collar for Cats Click here for Price on Amazon
04. Calm Paws Cat Calming Collar Click here for Price on Amazon

What is a Pheromone Collar & Why Use It?

These collars are infused with Pheromones. This is a natural chemical also used by female cats to help calm their kittens.

These Collars have been clinically proven to help behaviour related issues, anxiety and aggression in cats.

What Should You Know Before You Buy?

These Pheromone collars are a good solution if you have an overly aggressive or an anxious cat.

However, I have to be honest with you. Not all cats have positive effects with these products.

The reality is, some cats respond to it perfectly well and others don’t. For some, it’s the perfect solution. While others may not notice any effects at all.

It largely depends on the chemical make-up of your cat. It’s almost impossible to know how your cat react until you give it a try.

Introduce them slowly…

Also, take your time when introducing one of these collars. Do not try to force it on to them. Especially if they’re not used to wearing a collar in general. Even though, I agree it is quite rare in this day and age for a domestic cat to have never experienced a collar.

The best way to get your cat familiar with these collars is to let her take some time, get comfortable with the collar first.

Let her sniff it so they can get used to its presence. Present her with a treat at the same time. This will associate the collar with a positive connotation in their mind. Are you with me?

Don’t make the same mistake other cat owners have made by trying to force the collar on to her. This will create resistance and make her hate the collar.

What are the Best Pheromone Cat Collars Out There?

In this section, I’m going to share with you a selection of cat pheromone collars which I think are the best available. This is to make life easier for you. I’m also going to stress the pros and cons of each one of these products so you can clearly see “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”.

01. Relaxivet Calming Collar For Cats

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Perfect for Plane Travel.
• Great for transporting via car.
• Helps reduce unwanted stress.
• Easy to put on.
• Adjustable and has flexibility

Cons:

• The collar can be uncomfortable for some cats.
• The clasp appears to be quite weak.

What I love about the Relaxivet Calming Collar

The good thing about this cat collar is its simple to put on. The product claims that you can see effects within one hour and it also claims that you can have these effects for up to 30 days.

It’s ideal if you are transporting your cat on a long journey. Or, if you are considering taking her on an aeroplane ride to a different state or country.

It also claims that there are no chemical ingredients which is also another good benefit.

Things I don’t like about the Relaxivet Calming Collar

Let me explain the things I don’t like. First, the clasp. It is quite flimsy and possible to break if there’s enough force. Also, there are some spiky protrusions around the collar which may make some cats feel uncomfortable.

If this is the case you may want to consider filing these down or trying to remove them before fitting it.

02. NurtureCALM 24/7 Feline Calming Pheromone Collar

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Proven to aid behavioural or aggressive issues.
• Helps with anxious or stressful cats.
• Helps with relocated (post-adoption) cats,
• Ideal for howling cats.

Cons:

• White waxy residue on the collar.
• No break-away buckle.

This colour is ideal for cats that are nervous during transportation. Also, if they are anxious about new locations. For example, if you have a post-adoption cat that has recently been introduced to a new environment.

Also useful for cats that are notorious for making howling sounds during the night. Anyone that has experienced this will understand how much it keeps you up at night!

Also, this product is good for transporting your cat to the vet’s, etc.

The things that I don’t like about the NurtureCALM collar

Firstly, it doesn’t have a breakaway collar mechanism. So what!? Let me explain why this matters for some people, it could be a potential choke risk. Many people have used these without issues, but if you are concerned about this, its best to skip this.

Also, you may see a white powdery residue around the collar. This may be there to help preserve the pheromone chemicals in the product. But, it does have a waxy kind of residue that I feel that you will need to wipe off before you apply it to your cat.

03. Sentry Calming Collar for Cats

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Proven to help with cat stress issues
• Produces pheromones used by mother cats.
• Easy to put on.
• Great smell.

Cons:

• Effects may not last long
• No break-away clasp.

Things I love about the Sentry Calming Collar

This Pheromone collar is particularly good for large houses. Especially when compared to other pheromone diffuser plugins.

If you have a cat with aggression issues or she is dominating a smaller submissive cat, then this might be ideal for you.

It’s easy to put the collar on. And the product claims it can last for up to 30 days. Lastly, it has a really nice smell 😉

Things I don’t like about the Sentry Calming Collar

The clasp is relatively easy to break. However, it is not a true breakaway collar. So, there are elements of risk to consider.

Although the product claims that it lasts for 30 days, this depends on the individual cat. Some people may experience a lot less for their cat.

04. Calm Paws Cat Calming Collar

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Natural oils that are proven to calm cats.
• Helps with restlessness or marking territory issues.
• Great smelling scent.
• Easy to put on.

Cons:

• No break-away clasp.
• Some cats may not get the desired affect.

This manufacturer claims that the collar comes with essential oils which are proven to calm your cat. They also claim that it is that it will last up to 30 days. And, they also claim it includes oils such as a lavender extract.

The things I like about the Calm Paws Cat Calming Collar

It’s relatively easy to put on which saves you some time. Means you don’t have to mess about with it.

In addition to this, the smell is quite pleasant. Also, there is no white powdery residue around the collar which other collars may have.

Things I don’t like about the Calm Paws Cat Calming Collar

Like a few of these products, this has no official breakaway mechanism for safety. Also, depending on your individual cat, you may witness effects that differ from the claims on the product.

Some people compare the reaction to catnip (Click here to see Crazy Effects Catnip Has on Cats). However, every case is different and will be affected differently. Some cats may benefit from this while others may actually become more hyperactive

Related Questions:

What calms a cat down? Apart from using some of the products discussed in this article such as the calming cat collar with pheromones, there are also other products such as the thunder shirt which is another calming related product.

There is also diffuser plugins which inject a scent of pheromone into your house as opposed to localising it around a cat’s neck using a collar.

There are even very simple free techniques such as talking to your cat in a very gentle and friendly manner. You can also offer your cat some snacks or treats to try and reward them. To try and see if this will calm them down.

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Cat Mate vs SureFlap (Which Cat Flap is Best?)

When you are comparing Cat flaps you may see quite a few quality products from SureFlap and Cat Mate, but as there are so many models to choose from, which one is ideal, let me tell you my opinion and why…

What is the best Cat Mate or Sureflap Cat Flap? In my opinion, this is the best cat flap (Click to see the price on Amazon). This is because of the cool mobile app, curfew feature and microchip enabled locking mechanism.

Now that you know my personal choice. Let me share a few more grate SureFlap and Cat Mate models along with buying guide to help you make the right choice.

Quick Comparison:

Name	Image	My Rating
SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect (Click to see the price on Amazon)
SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap (Click to see the price on Amazon)
Cat Mate Microchip Cat Flap (Click to see the price on Amazon)
Cat Mate Small Electromagnetic Cat Flap (Click to see the Price on Amazon)

What is a microchip cat flap?

A microchip cat flap is basically a locking mechanism which uses the existing microchip lodged in many modern cats bodies to unlock the cat flap.

In most countries and US states, many cats have these microchips as a way of identification. And, these microchip cat flaps are simply reusing technology as a smart way to restrict access to unwanted cats.

What do you need to look out for when you’re buying a cat flap?

In this article, I will be comparing two brands: Sure Flap and Cat Mate. However, regardless of your choice of brand, it’s important to know the different types of models available and the advantages of each.

There are many different cat flaps available on the market but two of the most popular ones nowadays are:

• Microchip verification
• Magnetic locking mechanism

The magnetic locking mechanism

This mechanism is handy because you can have a magnetic tag around your cat’s neck. This will allow them access to the cat flap.

In theory, this will eliminate any other cat that does not have the matching tag to gain entry into your cat flap. The only issue with this is if you have an unknown cat with a similar magnetic tag it is possible for them to gain entry into your house.

In addition to this if your cat loses this tag then it won’t be able to gain entry to your house. It will just be a headache for you to deal with.

The microchip cat flap

As briefly discussed earlier the microchip technology allows personalized keys for your cat. When I say “keys”, I mean digital rather than physical keys, are you with me?

Let me give you an example of this: Your cat is likely to have a microchip already, embedded in its neck, right?…

This is a personal identification unique to your cat. So, even if the next door cat has a microchip it will not have the same information stored on the chip. Why? Because the chip is a unique identification to only one cat, that’s the point of it.

So, the beauty of these cat flaps is:

• Personalized entry for your cat only.
• Don’t have to worry about your the cat losing its tag.
• Lockout any unwanted cats.

For that reason, I’m going to breakdown the best models for Cat mate and Sureflap focusing on these two types of popular technology.

Best SureFlap & Cat Mate Cat flaps:

01. SureFlap Microchip Pet Door Connect

Click to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• “Curfew” feature to set specific times.
• Manually lock it once it detects your cat has entered.
• Chip reader works incredibly fast.
• A cool mobile app – sends notifications when your cat uses it.

Cons:

• Needs an undocumented “Intruder” or “Custom” mode to repel unwanted animals such as raccoons.
• Magnet, that holds the door is a little too strong.

What I like

This is one of SureFlap’s leading models and has a microchip locking mechanism. It has some smart features such as allowing you to set a curfew. Meaning you can select times when the cat flap will be open and closed.

You can also set it to automatically lock once it detects that your cat has entered the property. The good thing about this is, there are times when you may want your cat to stay in after a certain time, and its ideal for that.

The mechanism works really fast and is quite responsive. It also has an app that goes along with it that gives you notifications when your cat enters and exits the property for your monitoring purposes.

What I Don’t Like

However, some negative things I would say about this device…

Although it is possible to restrict access to unwanted animals, such as raccoons. It is not easy to find the instructions on how to do this. In fact, it actually has two specific modes for this:

• Intruder mode
• Custom mode

This is ideal for this but for some unknown reason, it’s not well documented in the manual. So, it is a good feature. But, I would appreciate it if they made it more obvious. Without having to call customer support to find this out.

Another negative thing I would say is, it is not a very big cat flap. So, if you have a very big cat. For example a quite large Maine Coon (Click here to see why Maine Coon cats are so big) you may struggle to get them through.

02. SureFlap Microchip Cat Flap

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Very easy to install.
• Easy to program – such as unlocking for selected pets (easy to do).
• Don’t need an annoying collar for your cat.

Cons:

• The door is quite small.
• Makes loud flip noises.
• Can consume batteries quickly

What I Like

This cat flap is really easy to install which makes life easier for you. Very easy to program it so, it restricts access to only the pets that you want to gain entry.

No need to worry about cat tags being lost because it will read the existing microchip embedded in your cat.

What I don’t like

There are a few negative things I would say about this…

Firstly, it is possible for a persistent raccoon, with enough force and desire to open the cat flap. Also, the actual flap itself is quite noisy. So, if your door is located next to your bedroom, it might be an idea to either relocate it or deactivate it when you’re sleeping.

Finally, I would say it’s ideal for an average-sized cat. But, if you have quite a big cat it may be too small for her.

03. Cat Mate Microchip Cat Flap

Click here to see the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy installation and set up
• Entry operated by your cat’s implanted microchip – keeps stray pets out.
• Easy to use, with a rotary 4-Way Lock.
• Easy to program

Cons:

• Not suitable for large cats.
• May not unlock if you if your cat’s microchip is not in a specific place.

What I like

This cat flap uses microchip technology so you do not have to worry about your cat losing any magnetic tags. It’s very easy to get up and running and actually quite easy to program it.

What I don’t like

A couple of negative things I would say…

It is not ideal for really large cats. Also, you may have difficulties with the microchip mechanism. If the location of your cat’s microchip is not on the scruff of its neck, you may need to relocate the chip to make it work.

You may also find some inconsistencies with the sensitivity of the cat flap. On some occasions, it may open without hesitation, almost instantly.

Then on other occasions, you may encounter that there is a slight delay. This can confuse your cat. The only issue with this is, once your cat is confused it is unlikely to use it anymore.

04. Cat Mate Small Electromagnetic Cat Flap

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to clean, simply wipe it.
• Installation is easy.
• Keeps unwanted animal out – Such as Raccoons, squirrels, etc.
• Long lasting battery.
• Good size cat flap.

Cons:

• Locking mechanism is quite picky – Opens if the magnet is in exactly the right position.
• Might not lock if a gust of wind or your cat’s tail blocks it.

What I like…

This cat flap does not use microchip technology. Instead, it uses magnetic strips. This means that your cat needs to have a special tag for it to gain access.

As discussed earlier there are some negatives with this. But, to be honest, this cat flap works quite well if this is the locking mechanism you’re looking for.

It’s easy to clean. Will allow fairly large cats to go through it. And, also keeps out animals like raccoon quite well.

Also, it has quite a long lasting battery. Meaning, you do not have to keep having additional ongoing expenses with battery replacements.

What I don’t like…

A couple of negative things I would say about this cat flap…

It is very picky about how it unlocks the door, let e explain. If the magnetic strip is not in the precise position it won’t unlock.

The problem with this is, if your cat is not clever enough to hit that same position, it may get confused and start to not like using it.

Also, on the rare occasions where a gust of wind or your cat’s tail gets in the way, the flap might not actually lock back after your cat enters your property. Meaning there could be a chance that other stray cats or animals may gain entry.

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Best Cat Playpen Cages Guide for Your Home