All articles

Everything on Oh My Cat, organised by topic.

Feeding & Bowls

• Are Automatic Cat Feeders Worth It? — An automatic cat feeder is worth it when it reliably serves part of a veterinarian-approved daily ration at times you cannot be home.
• Are Slow Feeder Bowls Worth It for Cats? An Honest Assessment — Yes — slow feeder bowls are good for cats that eat too fast, and they are one of the cheapest fixes in the feeding aisle.
• Best Cat Water Fountains: Materials, Pumps and Cleanability Compared — The best cat water fountain for most homes is a ceramic model like the PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda: heavy, hygienic, and easy on cats prone to chin acne.
• Cat Feeding Station Setup: Bowls, Placement & Cleaning — A good cat feeding station uses stable, washable bowls in a quiet, easy-clean spot away from litter trays.
• Puzzle Feeders for Cats: A Beginner Guide — Start a cat puzzle feeder with a small part of the normal meal visible and almost effortless to reach, while keeping the regular bowl available.
• Ceramic vs Stainless Steel Cat Bowls: Which Is Better? — Both beat plastic decisively, but they win different jobs. Stainless steel is the hygiene and durability champion: non-porous, dishwasher-proof, and…
• Do Cats Need Elevated Bowls? — Most healthy cats do not need elevated bowls. A stable raised feeder can be a useful preference or accessibility option for an individual cat, but there…
• Microchip Cat Feeders Explained — A microchip cat feeder opens for a registered cat's compatible implanted chip or collar tag, then closes when that cat moves away.
• Whisker Fatigue in Cats: Is Your Bowl the Problem? — Whisker fatigue is the theory that deep, narrow bowls overstimulate a cat's highly sensitive whiskers, making mealtimes uncomfortable — which may explain…

Carriers & Travel

• Are Cat Backpack Carriers Safe? What to Check Before Buying One — Current feline guidance warns that backpack-style carriers may provide too little space and subject cats to instability or excessive movement during…
• How to Choose a Cat Carrier: Hard vs Soft, Sizing and Airline Rules — Choose a cat carrier by trip type first: a hard-sided, top-loading carrier is best for vet visits and car travel because it is rigid, secure, and easy to…
• Cat Harness Guide: Fit, Leashes and First Outings — Choose an adjustable cat-specific harness that allows normal movement and stays secure when the cat turns or backs up.
• Flying With a Cat In-Cabin: Airline Rules and Packing List — Most major airlines allow cats in the cabin if they ride in a compliant carrier that fits fully under the seat in front of you and stays closed gate to gate.
• How to Get a Cat Into a Carrier Without a Fight — The reliable way to get a cat into a carrier is to load them rear-first: hold the cat facing away from the carrier and lower them in tail-first, or drop…

Litter & Boxes

• Best Automatic Litter Boxes: What to Look For Before You Spend — The Litter-Robot 4 is the best automatic litter box for most households: its rotating-globe design has the most proven safety sensors, uses ordinary…
• Best Cat Litter Mats: Which Designs Actually Stop Tracking — The best cat litter mats are dual-layer honeycomb designs: litter falls through the holes into a sealed bottom layer where paws can't re-track it, and you…
• Best Cat Litter Scoop: Metal, Plastic, or Sifter? — The best cat litter scoop for most homes is a rigid stainless-steel scoop with a broad, moderately shallow bowl, thin straight front edge, and slots…
• Best Low-Tracking Cat Litter by Type — The best low-tracking cat litter is usually a relatively heavy, larger-granule formula that your cat still accepts.
• How to Choose a Cat Litter Box: The Complete Buying Guide — Choose a litter box at least 1.5 times your cat's length from nose to base of tail — around 24 inches for an average adult.
• Clumping vs Non-Clumping Cat Litter: Which Should You Use? — Clumping litter is the better choice for most healthy adult cats: it lets you scoop urine out daily, which controls odor better, stretches time between…
• Covered vs Uncovered Litter Boxes: Which Is Better? — Most cats are more likely to accept a large, uncovered litter box because it offers easier access, better ventilation and a clear view of the room.
• How Many Litter Boxes for Two Cats? — Two cats should start with three litter boxes: one per cat, plus one extra.
• How Often Should You Change Cat Litter? A Realistic Schedule — Scoop clumps and solid waste at least once a day — twice is better.
• How to Control Litter Box Odor — Control litter-box odour by removing waste at least daily, topping up clean litter, washing the emptied box and scoop with mild soap and water, and taking…
• Is Clumping Litter Safe for Kittens? What to Use Instead — No — clumping litter is not recommended for kittens under about eight weeks old, and cautious owners often wait until three to four months.
• Is Litter Box Furniture Worth It? — Litter-box furniture can be worth it when it fits a full-sized tray, opens widely for daily cleaning, ventilates well and is accepted by your cat.
• How to Set Up a Litter Box Cats Will Actually Use — Set up a litter box in a quiet, easy-to-reach place away from food, water, and sudden appliance noise.
• Top-Entry vs Front-Entry Litter Boxes: Which Fits Your Cat? — Top-entry litter boxes are best for reducing litter tracking and keeping dogs or toddlers out, but they require a healthy, agile cat who can comfortably…

Grooming & Care

• Best Cat Brushes for Long-Haired Cats — The best first brush for most long-haired cats is a long-toothed metal comb with rounded tips.
• Best Cat Brushes for Shedding: Deshedding Tools That Actually Work — The best cat brush for shedding depends on coat type. For double-coated cats, a fine-toothed deshedding tool (FURminator-style) removes loose undercoat…
• Cat Grooming Glove vs Brush: Which Works Better? — A grooming glove is often better for a brush-shy cat and for collecting loose surface hair, especially on a short coat.
• Cat Grooming Kit: What You Need and What to Skip — A practical cat grooming kit needs one coat-matched brush or comb, small cat nail clippers, a non-slip towel or mat, good light, and a reward your cat…
• Is a FURminator Worth It for Cats? — A FURminator can be worth it for a healthy cat with a noticeable shedding undercoat, good grooming tolerance and a separate brush or comb for routine care.
• How Often Should You Brush a Cat? — Brush a short-haired cat about once or twice a week as a starting point.
• How to Choose a Cat Brush by Coat Type: Short, Long and Double Coats — The best brush depends on your cat's coat, not the brand. Short single coats do best with a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt; long coats need a…
• How to Reduce Cat Shedding: 9 Habits That Actually Work — You can't stop a healthy cat from shedding, but you can sharply reduce the hair around your home.
• How to Remove Mats From Cat Fur Without Scissors — Only attempt a small, loose tangle that lifts away from healthy skin and yields to a rounded-tip comb without force.
• How to Trim Your Cat's Nails at Home: Tools, Technique and Timing — To trim a cat's nails at home, use sharp scissor-style cat clippers, pick a moment when your cat is sleepy, and gently press each toe to extend the nail.
• Slicker Brush vs Deshedding Tool: Which Does Your Cat Need? — A slicker brush is the everyday tool: its fine bent-wire pins lift loose surface hair and early tangles, and it suits nearly every coat type.

Furniture & Scratchers

• Best Cat Trees for Small Apartments: Vertical Space Without the Footprint — The best cat tree for a small apartment is tall and narrow rather than wide: a floor-to-ceiling tension-pole tree, a slim vertical tower (48-70 inches on…
• Best Cat Window Perches: Suction, Bolt-On and Freestanding — The best cat window perch for most homes is a suction-cup platform with large locking cups: it installs in minutes without drilling, and quality models…
• Cardboard vs Sisal Scratchers: Cost, Mess and What Cats Prefer — Cardboard and sisal scratchers serve different jobs, so most households benefit from both.
• Cat Scratching Posts and Trees: The Definitive Buying Guide — Choose a scratching post on three things, in order: stability, height and material.
• How to Get Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post (and Leave the Sofa Alone) — To get a cat to use a scratching post, place a tall, stable, sisal-covered post directly next to the furniture your cat already scratches.

Toys & Play

• Best Cat Wand Toys: Durable Picks for Every Play Style — The best wand toys match your cat's prey style. Go Cat Da Bird is the top overall pick — its spinning feather lure convincingly mimics bird flight.
• Best Interactive Cat Toys for Bored Indoor Cats — The best interactive cat-toy kit combines a supervised wand for chase-and-catch play, a large soft kicker, an adjustable puzzle feeder, and—if your cat…
• Cat Toy Safety: Strings, Small Parts and What Needs Supervision — String toys are safe for cats only during supervised play. The risk isn't the wand session itself — it's a cat left alone with string, ribbon, yarn or…
• Catnip vs Silvervine: Which Works Better for Your Cat? — Catnip is the cheap, widely available default, and roughly two-thirds of adult cats respond to it.