What Cat Products Actually Work (and What’s Just a Dupe) – What We Wish We Knew Before Adopting
Published On: 8/15/2025
Last Updated On: 8/15/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
Catch more claws-out reviews on The Cat’s Meow →
🐾 Before You Fill That Cart…
Listen, hoomans — we know the excitement. You’re about to adopt a cat in Pennsylvania and suddenly your browser history is 99% litter boxes, cat toys, and “best food for kittens.”
We’ve been there — or rather, our hoomans have — and the truth is: the pet industry knows you’re emotional. That’s why there are a million “must-haves” that look adorable online but will sit untouched, collect dust, or worse… make your cat avoid them altogether.
This weekend, while our hoomans were staying in mystical cabin with 13 chickens and a hot tub in Coudersport, PA (shoutout to Ann & Sean for the cozy hospitality), they started talking about what they wish they knew before adopting us. So, we made a list — with receipts — of what works, what’s a dupe, and what’s just a waste of money.
If you’re a Pennsylvania cat parent (or anywhere, really), this guide will save you money, frustration, and a few hairballs.
Alex relaxing in a hammock strung between two apple trees in a lush, green yard in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
🚽 Litter Boxes: Stainless Steel Wins the Throne
Callie here — let’s start with the bathroom. We’ve tried it all: plastic corner boxes, high-sided boxes, self-cleaning robots.
Here’s the verdict:
Stainless Steel Litter Boxes (like this XL Stainless Steel Litter Pan) are worth it. They don’t trap bacteria, they’re easier to scrub, and they don’t retain smells the way plastic does. If your cat starts peeing outside the box or develops recurring UTIs, bacteria build-up in plastic could be part of the problem.
Self-Cleaning Robots (like Litter-Robot 4)? Mixed feelings. Yes, they scoop for you, but the small entry can be intimidating for shy cats or bigger breeds. Plus, many require specific litters — the crystal varieties (PetSafe ScoopFree Crystal Litter) were a no from us due to dust and uncertainty about long-term safety.
Budget-Friendly Option: WoofiGo Extra Large Litter Box for Big Cats is a great starting point if the stainless steel one we use (price is around $125, but they have discounts regularly) feels like a big jump right away.
Pro Tip: Bigger is always better. An XL box lets us scrape, dig, and bury without flinging half the litter onto your floor.
This is the Enclosed Stainless Steel Cat Litter Box we Use in Our Home!
🛠 Scoopers: The Unsung Hero
Seymour reporting — you think it’s just a cat poop scooper… until you’re wrestling with cemented clumps in the corner of the box at 6 a.m.
Skip flimsy plastic. They bend, crack, and make you hate scooping.
Go stainless steel: The Mess & Matter Non-Stick Metal Litter Scooper is our hooman’s weapon of choice. It’s sturdy, wide, and scrapes clean without bending.
Storage Tip: Keep a small covered bin or compostable poop bags (GAS Compostable Bags) nearby so you’re not running across the house mid-scoop.
🧶 Toys: Splurge or Save?
Mama here — we’re not ungrateful, but 75% of “cute” toys are just for your Instagram feed. We’ll play with a receipt ball for free, thanks.
That said, there are toys we’ll actually use again and again:
Catnip & Silvervine Toys: Yeowww! Catnip Banana is a classic. Durable, potent, and perfect for bunny kicks.
Bird/Hunting Wand Toys: Potaroma 2 pk cat bird toys is our top pick — that flutter mimics real prey.
Seasonal “Just for Fun” Picks: Our favorite is the Bloody Knife Cat Toy — nothing says spooky season like watching Yebba parade around with a knife in her mouth. Grab it here →
DIY Enrichment: Follow @the.fantastic.furr for budget-friendly ideas like snuffle mats from old towels, cardboard box castles, and paper roll treat puzzles. We adore their page and think they give amazing ideas for DIY cat toys that anyone cat afford!
DIY Cat Toy Enrichment by @the.fantastic.furr
🍽 Food: Find Your Balance
Yebba here — food is the ultimate trial-and-error game. We’ve tested:
Raw food diets: High quality but expensive, and not all cats transition well.
Homemade cooked food: Fun for a week, but with four cats, the prep time is intense.
Premium Wet Foods: Brands like Weruva and Tiki Cat are excellent but can add up fast.
Our current happy medium?
Wet: Friskies Classic Pate — affordable, widely available, and we actually eat it.
Dry: Still in testing mode. Our shortlist includes Purina ONE Natural and Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein.
Tip: Rotate proteins to keep things interesting and help avoid allergies.
💧 Bowls & Fountains: The Whisker-Friendly Rule
A water bowl is just a bowl… until you realize we’re not drinking enough. That’s where a water fountain can make a huge difference:
Stainless Steel Fountains: Petlibro Stainless Steel Fountain keeps water fresh and filters out fur.
Elevated Bowls: Raised Cat Food Bowl is our go-to — it reduces whisker fatigue and vomiting by keeping food at a comfortable height.
Multi-Cat Feeding Hack: Feed at different heights and stations to prevent food theft and fights.
Example from our house:
Yebba: Feeder tower
Seymour: Floor
Callie: Corner station
Mama: High perch for guarding her plate
Want to learn our routine with 4 picky battle cats? → How to Feed Multiple Cats Without Chaos
seymour with a knife cat toy from stray cat news berks county pa
🚫 Products We’d Skip
Look, hoomans — not everything in the pet aisle is worth your hard-earned money (or worth letting anywhere near us). Here’s what we’d politely suggest you pass on:
Tiny plastic toys we can swallow: Those little electronic “bug” toys or anything small enough to fit entirely in our mouths? Hard pass. They’re a choking hazard and can cause serious vet bills.
Plastic litter boxes & flimsy scoopers: Plastic traps odors, scratches easily, and can harbor bacteria. If you’ve got the option, stainless steel is cleaner, lasts longer, and is safer.
Feeding entirely on the floor: We’re not dogs. Eating on the floor can cause whisker fatigue and, for some cats, regurgitation after meals. Elevated bowls or multi-level feeding stations make a big difference.
Overpriced versions of simple items: You don’t need a $900 robot litter box or a $50 feather wand to make us happy. We care about function, not fancy packaging — so choose quality basics and skip the overhyped “designer” products.
The bottom line? If it’s unsafe, uncomfortable, or just a flashy money grab, save your budget for the products that actually keep us healthy and happy.
Free Cat Hair Hacks Guide for Cat Lovers and Cat Parents
📥 Free Gift for New Cat Parents
We’ve packaged our favorite hacks into a free guide:
“3 Cat Hair Hacks That Saved Our Sanity (and Our Couch)”
Download it here → Get the Guide
Bottom line? Skip the gimmicks. Buy the things that keep your cat healthy, happy, and entertained — and remember, the most important “product” in your cat’s life is you.
— Callie, Seymour, Mama & Yebba 🐾
