What are /r/catquestions' favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Have you tried those feeding toys? That might benefit in your situation! There’s a bunch of differ t styles, this kind might be a good place to start.

You might have some luck splitting his portion and feeding twice a day. A vet would give more guidance, this is a good topic for a standard visit, or, if you don’t have one soon, they’ll usually answer a question like this for free over the phone. That being said, I know every practice is different, so that might not be the case.

I actually use a dog brush on mine. It has metal bristles with rounded ends, like this https://www.amazon.com/GoPets-Professional-Bristle-Grooming-Shedding/dp/B0132D485E.

The nice thing is, it gets deep into the fur and it's easy to clean.

Another thing that works really well, and the kitties love it, is a flea comb. I prefer metal bristles. Also gets in deep and gets all the loose stuff out, including some dander. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91n8lbsTd3L._SL1500_.jpg

When you brush make sure you're not tugging the fur. Go gentle. Don't try to brush out mats, you have to cut those out.

Indoor-only cats can still get flea fyi. I recommend pill based flea medications since they are usually fast acting. My vet gave my cat a prescription for Comfortis, which worked very well as she had a major infestation, but it is a tad expensive (about $100 for 6 months of medication). If you want something cheaper, I use Capstar on the stray cats that hang around my house. For about $40, you get 6 pills and you can use them as frequently or as little as needed.

Make sure you're also spraying & vacuuming affect areas in the home. If you have carpet, I like to use Vet's Best Flea & Ticks sprays, and then apply some baking soda, let it sit for like an hour & then vacuum (i was told that this gives the vacuum something to suck up with the fleas since it would be difficult to just vacuum the fleas, idk but it worked for me). its important that you empty out the vacuum when you are done, and throw out the contents of the vacuum OUTSIDE of your home.

Hope this helps!!

> I bought something called ssscat https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-KIT19001-SSSCAT-Spray-Deterrent/dp/B000RIA95G/ ~~ref=mp_s_a_1_1_ss[...removed lots of junk...]nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==~~ > ,it has a motion sensor and releases a quick spray of harmless air that scares cats away from wherever you put it. It uses air cartridges but after some time all I had to do was leave the device and the sight of it kept him away.

Hi there /u/16inchshelf, if you can change the URL in the link in your comment to match what I have above so it's only this https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-KIT19001-SSSCAT-Spray-Deterrent/dp/B000RIA95G/ then I can approve your comment. Thanks!

It's the URL behind the link. "ssscat" is a hyperlink with a URL behind it that has lots of querystring parameters that can have affiliate code or other things we don't allow here - things that direct sales unfairly. This is the URL behind the "ssscat" Hyperlink Text: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-KIT19001-SSSCAT-Spray-Deterrent/dp/B000RIA95G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2XZEBHNLKT7WG&keywords=ssscat&qid=1636146446&sprefix=ssscat%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=AVWZ4MKW4XQ8O&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1TDc3RjlYS1VHRjEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAxNTY1OTkxU1oxSDFaVUw3RVROJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5OTYxMTBFNFpNNjIxSlBSOUomd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

You don't have to do anything, really, just remember for next time that we prefer the link in the format like this from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Item-Title/dp/C0DENUMBER/

Usually after that last slash begins the ref=blahblah?keywords=blahblah&qid=555555 etc etc. That's the part we don't want.

Jackson Galaxy has a video as to why stuff like this is a bad idea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03XSrxEGPYs

How about a shoji screen?

Chewy.com should have lots of stuff. https://www.chewy.com/merry-products-cat-washroom-bench/dp/145222

Hey! I have these because they are natural and comfortable for me to hold. https://www.chewy.com/frisco-nail-clippers-cats-small-dogs/dp/233481?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Frisco&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtrSLBhCLARIsACh6Rmhdhc8u8xj5nkj_4UsGpk7I-OJMXtdywu2BlOiEKg...

What i do with my cat is wait until she’s asleep in her preferred spot (she has a window hammock) and just take one nail at a time. If she shows discomfort, I stop because i don’t want her to have a negative feeling to nail clipping (i’m not sure if this matters but it does for me!) Finally, i cut probably less than i could mostly because i don’t want to cut too much. I’d rather trim her nails every week rather than hurt her. Highly recommend also giving a treat after a nail trimming too.

> I second the tray idea. My cats do the same thing. One of them used to take a single piece of kibble, carry it to and drop it in the water bowl, then fish it out and eat it. Vet said he didn't have any dental issues and he eventually just stopped doing it. My point is, cats are weird lol. > > I found this silicone mat - https://www.amazon.com/AUDWUD-Silicone-Waterproof-Feeding-Anti-Slip/dp/B07HBYGJCT/ > on Amazon. Under $10, flexible, so when messy cat dumps food all over the floor you can just pour it back in the bowl. Hope this helps!

Hi there! I edited your link so that any possible affiliate information is no longer included. If you want to edit your comment to match mine, I can approve your comment. Thanks!

> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091L1DXDM/ > ~~ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WKQEBKYK8R26A321GY5J~~

For future reference, Amazon links that include this part of the URL are automatically filtered to avoid referral/affiliate links. I can approve your comment if you remove that part of the link that I marked strikethrough.

Thanks!

> https://www.amazon.com/Bolbove-Plastic-Recovery-Collar-Design/dp/B01N9AHSLC/ > >~~ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=cat+cone&qid=1628255589&sr=8-8~~

Hey there u/amlop9, thanks for the link to a helpful product. We do not allow referral/affiliate links here, so remember to leave off the bit I've marked strikethrough next time. Most folks don't know what that part of the link does, but I wanted to let you know.

If you edit your comment to remove that bit, I can approve it. :)

Find some cat chew toys or chew toys made for small dogs. Some cats like chewing just like dogs. Spray anything you don't want chewed with Bitter Apple Spray. It tastes nasty to animals but isn't harmful. You can find it online or at pet stores or even the pet section of big box stores.

Editing quoted comment:

> Try this toy: Ethical A-Door-Able Bouncing Mouse Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DJ6XW/ [~~ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_KF...YE~~] > kept my cats entertained by themselves for DAYS

Hey there, we filter out Amazon links that include the "ref" part of the URL. The only part of the URL that is needed is what I left in my quote above. The part I removed (and obfuscated) can lead to specific sellers, which is not something we allow here. Just a heads up for later!

ping /u/RunTiffy since you won't be notified of this comment otherwise and you should see the link that was provided. :)

> Depends really on what is available near you. My only suggestion is to not skimp out on it price wise, don’t go cheap. Make sure you get one that says you can use it multiple times a day. Here’s a link to one on Amazon. VetWELL Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats - Otic Rinse for Infections and Controlling Ear Infections and Ear Odor in Pets - 8 oz https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07657TQ5X

That's the comment the person you replied to has below. I have not heard back from them so I'm just pasting in what they replied, edited as I asked yesterday.

You could try buying one of those water fountains on amazon, I have one and my kitty drinks so much hecckin water. I always see 3 huge clumps of wet kitty litter daily.

ELSPET Cat Water Fountain 84oz/2.5L Dog Drinking Dispenser, Flowing Fresh Water/Loop Filter/Ultra Silent Pump, Automatic Cat Water Fountain with 3 Pet Fountain Filters https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08BKTXXVK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_a6nNFb2HSR2TW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I've tried all the methods with multiple cats (and dogs). They all have pros and cons. Personally, I've gone back to (metal, ceramic and silicone) bowls.

My primary reason is that you get accustomed to the routine of cleaning/refilling. Your cats will always have a fresh, oxygenated water supply. With gravity and fountains, I tended to get lazy about routine cleaning.

Secondly, it's cheap and flexible (you can always add/remove bowls to adjust water supply). There are also infinite shapes so you can tailor to your cats' tastes. I had one cat that took a few days to start using a fountain and I've never seen an "adjustment" period where my cats needed to get accustomed to using a bowl.

On the other hand, if you find yourself travelling often or often late because of work, either a gravity well or automatic fountain can be great for peace of mind and for anyone looking after your cats.

The fountains do usually come with a charcoal filter that needs to be replaced regularly. They tend to need cleaning less often but cleaning is much more involved (you need to take apart the whole mechanism including removing the motor for thorough cleaning).

Do any of your cats like to drink from the faucet? If you've got a permanent residence, you could consider getting one of these, though with 4 cats it could get expensive quickly.

Gravity feeders are cool. I use one for my 5 cats and it needs to be refilled daily (they have multiple water sources but this is their primary). At the end of the day there's usually miscellaneous hairs and whatnot in it so I tend to wash it pretty frequently.

I would recommend getting one of these fountain water things. Cats tend to love them, and since the water is always circulating it helps keep it fresh. The one I linked is a bit pricey, but there are definitely more affordable options. I've never had one, but have petsat cats with this specific product and only felt the need to clean it once during the whole week I was watching them because it stayed pretty damn clean.

i wouldn't use any a Hartz products even once. use Advecta II Flea Treatment for Cats or Advantage II Flea Treatment for Cats,

https://www.target.com/p/advecta-ii-flea-drops-for-small-cat-4ct/-/A-50320330

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C47QGRW/

I got my cat an activity feeder to slow her down and make her food last. Northmate Catch Interactive Feeder for Cats https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EB4IV2A/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_H-OozbQTVYY6Z. She eats with her paws anyways, so she got used to it quickly. Also playing with them at least 20 minutes a day helps. My fat cat can not resist "da bird" also on Amazon. It's also good to find out how much they really need to eat and slowly work down toward that. Doing it too quickly and mess with their kidneys