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How To Add Fun To Your Cat’s Life With A Subscription Cat Box

January 25, 2021 by Laura Epstein Leave a Comment

cat subscription box

Have you heard of a subscription cat box before? It is not quite like Stitch Fix for cats. Cats do definitely not like clothing (we will not talk about the time my husband tried to dress Nemo up for Halloween). Nor is it like Blue Apron because really once one of my cats likes a food she REALLY likes it. A subscription box is a curated box of goodies just for your cats! It comes monthly and adds a little excitement to their lives and ease to yours.

Why A Subscription Box?

One of my favorite things to do is buy my cats new toys. They are so excited! My “overgrown kittens” Eclair and Baklava love pretty much anything but my fourteen year old Nemo is a little more discerning in taste. The idea of a subscription box was appealing to me because I do not always go to the store to pick up cat food and litter. I actually never go to the store and just have our cat basics on Chewy autoship so it just shows up. This avoided a lot of frantic cat food trips but it also means I do not browse the pet store anymore. As much fun as it would be I am unlikely to make a trip to the pet store just to pick up toys and treat.

A subscription cat box also brings us toys that I would not pick out myself. I tend to get the cats toys that are similar to cat toys that they already have. Does your cat have a favorite brand of cat nip? Because Nemo definitely does. I do not have time to research all the newest trends in toys nor do I want to “test drive” a new product. The cat subscription box companies check out all the toys beforehand and find things that appeal to cats. Sometimes I am a little doubtful that my cats will like something but the cat subscription box testers are usually right and they end up loving it! There is nothing wrong with a new type of toy as long as someone, or some cat, pretested that it is safe and fun.

subscription cat box

My (Cats’) Favorite Box

There are several subscription cat boxes out there but my favorite is definitely the KitNipBox. They offer a diverse array of cat treats, toys and other products. You can check out the offerings in a recent box here. The products are well researched and less than 1% of the products that KitNipBox tests make it in to the box.

A monthly box of fun toys, healthy treats, and other goodies for your cat!

There are two KitNipBox options. A single cat box and a multi-cat box. The multi-cat box is definitely a better deal. At $29.95 it is jammed packed with enough fun for my three cats, two of which who are still VERY active. The single cat option is great too and has a lower price pint of $19.95 a month. Both boxes offer free shipping. If you are giving a KitNipBox as a gift you will also receive a discount on boxes when you buy multiple months at a time.

Another reason that I love this subscription cat box over others is that they offer a no treat/food option. When we had two older cats they were on prescription food and could not have anything extra. The company also donates a portion of their sales to animal welfare organizations making them a responsible choice!

I hope you and our cats love your KitNipBox as much as Nemo, Baklava, and Eclair do. Be sure to also check out our new cat tree and cat bed roundups to get your furry friend a place to snuggle up when they are tuckered out after a romp with their new toys.

A monthly box of healthy treats, unique toys, and other goodies for your cat!

Filed Under: Cat Gear Tagged With: cat subscription box, cat toy, new cat, subscription cat box

The 15 Best Cat Beds

January 6, 2021 by Laura Epstein Leave a Comment

cat bed

There are a huge amount of cat beds on the market today. Big and small, high and low. So what do we look for in a cat bed? First of all comfort. If your cat does not want to use it then you are just wasting your money. Second we looked for an array of cat beds for different cat tastes. Some like to hide while other cats like to be ready to pounce from up high. Last, we looked for cat beds for different human tastes. Some people like unique looking cat beds while others like their cat beds to blend in. We have picked some more modern cat beds and also some that blend in to more traditional furniture.

[Read more…] about The 15 Best Cat Beds

Filed Under: Cat Gear Tagged With: cat bed, new cat

25 Great Gifts for The Cat Lover

October 14, 2020 by Laura Epstein Leave a Comment

cat gifts

Searching a gift for your friend who loves their older cat? Or your mom who fosters kittens? Maybe that crazy uncle who has a few TOO many? We have collected some of our favorite cat gifts ranging from cute, cool to a little crazy. Our gifts range from affordable to extravagant to have something for every budget!

Mugs

Everyone likes to declare their favorite things on their coffee mug and what better way to start your day then by remembering your favorite non-humans. For a cute and simple mug check out a Pinky Cup Mug or grab a mug that reminds you that you are the “Best Cat Mom Ever“. If you are looking for a funny mug I like “I work Hard So My Cat Cat Have A Better Life” and “Everything Tastes Better With Cat Hair In It“

Cat Clothes (for the human)

Show off your cat loving side with some cool clothes for you! I love cat socks in all colors and a cozy cat sweatshirt. One of my favorite tee shirts says, “This is my human costume. I’m really a cat”. It is available in several fun colors and is a great, affordable gift for your cat lover.

For the ultimate cat lover gift why don’t they all match in cozy pjs? You dog, cat, kids and adults can all grab some flannel!

Keychains

Having a cat keychain is a quick reminder of your special little fluffballs. I love the simplicity of the Housweety Keychain and the fun of a cat face keychain. A personalized keychain is always nice and I love this one from Etsy

cat keychain

Home Decor

There are lots of fun cat decor out there. I love this woven cat basket because it’s both fun and practical. Primitives by Cathy has some super fun pieces including very pretty signs that say “Cats Welcome People Tolerated“, “I Work Hard So My Cat Can Have a Better Life” and “Yes, I Really Do Need All These Cats“.

Wall art is also a great option. There are some fun canvas art prints big and small. Want to go a little crazy? Grab a neon cat sign! It’s surprisingly affordable.

Cat Portraits

If you have some lead time before you need your gift you can commission a cat portrait. There are lots of different styles but I love this classic watercolor and a more basic, but lovely, cat sketch. For a fun cartoon of your cat check out LovelinessCustomArt on Etsy.

cat portrait

Masks

Why not rep your favorite animal on your face cover? There are lots of fun options from the more subdued black with whiskers option to a very fun mask with LOTS of cats.

Wine Glasses and Coasters

I love a fun glass or mug and there are such fun wine glasses out there. I love the “it’s not really drinking alone if the cat is home” and “need win right meow” stemless glasses. For something a little more risque grab a “show me your kitties” glass.

Something For Their Cat

It is a fun addtion to any cat owner’s present to include something for their cat as well. A cute bird toy or fun banana are great add ons. Two of my absolute favorite gifts for a cat, but at a higher price point, are a toy sampler and a rolling cat toy tower. Both are big crowd favorites in our house!

Did You Find The Perfect Cat Gift?

We hope you have found the purrrfect gift! Let us know in the comments what your go to gift for the cat lover in your life is.

great cat gifts

Filed Under: Cat Gear

Top Gear for the Cat Who Loves to Climb

August 31, 2020 by Laura Epstein

top gear for climbing cats

Having a cat who loves to climb can be fun but also a struggle. Their climbing can destroy furniture and curtains and get them stuck places they are not very happy to be in. One way to discourage a climbing cat from taking a trip up your to the top of your window shade is the offer options for safe climbing. Your climbing cat will love having a place to climb up high, get their energy out and have a space all their own.

Cat Wall Climber

A cat climber is one of my favorite products for your climbing cat. They come in many types, colors and sizes (and also prices) and are both a fun place to play on and take a nap. The Trixie Pet cat lounging set is my favorite basic option but the wood model pictured below is definitely the coolest looking.

Cat Bridge

A cat bridge is a fun option if you have a little space. We like the Mocohona model because it is easily wall mounted and has a fun perch for them to hang out on in addition to being able to perch on the bridge itself.

Cat Playplace

The CatastrophiCreations Deluxe Cat Playplace has it all. It attaches to your wall (how high is up to you!) and is a fun place to play plus a hammock to hang out in way up high.

Cat Wall Shelves

Cat wall shelves allow you to customize how your cat’s wall play area looks and how it feels to them. We like the Petfusion Activity Wall because you can buy 1, 3 or even more to make a playplace the size and height your cat will love.

Cat Window Perch

A window perch is a fun way to get your cat up high and give them a look around. My cats love to sit by the window and watch the squirrels go by and I’m sure your

Cat Tree

Cat trees come in all shapes and sizes. From realistic trees and huge models to more sensibly sized trees. My absolute favorite is the AmazonBasics Large Cat Tree. It is sturdy, fun and the price is very reasonable. For rundown of our favorite cat trees check out our Cat Tree post.

The Final Product for Your Climbing Cat

Eventually your cat will get stuck somewhere or you will need to get them down from somewhere before they want to. At one point my cat really liked to sneak into the garage and climb onto our fridge. We did not want to open the garage door or move the car until she was down and she would always do this when we were in a hurry. I don’t love ladders. I am a little afraid of heights so I use a sturdy step ladder to get her down and it usually works. At worse I get my 6’3″ husband and he can usually grab them off the top of the window shades or wherever they end up.

While we cannot promise that your cat will not end up in some strange places we hope that having the right outlets for your cat’s love of climbing can prevent some of the unsafe or unwanted climbing. We once had a cat, Bear, who loved jumping onto the top of an open door. It took talent but was certainly not the safest option and it eventually broke one of our doors causing nails to stick out. So while some climbing is fun making sure your cat has safe ways to do it is also important. I hope this guide has given you some ideas of how you can help them be safe and have fun!

top gear for the climbing cat

Filed Under: Cat Gear Tagged With: cat tower, cat tree

Top Amazon Cat Gear

July 29, 2020 by Laura Epstein Leave a Comment

amazon cat basics

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.  Thank you for supporting my blog

We all love Amazon, right? It is quick, the prices are competitive and there is an amazing selection. This includes Amazon cat gear! From specialty brands to their housebrand, AmazonBasics, there are lots of cat products to make your life with your cat easier and more fun.

Best Beds

We have three cats and ten+ beds. Yes, it’s a little much but they all like different things at different times and I like to think that they serve different purposes. Amazon has some great options and is where most of our beds are from. First, my cats love their heated cat beds. Maybe we keep our house too cold and maybe they are just cozy but we have two K & H Thermo-Kitty Heated beds (the “one cat” and “two cat” models). These beds are warm and super soft.

[Read more…] about Top Amazon Cat Gear

Filed Under: Cat Gear Tagged With: amazon, new cat

Why We Love Our Cat Trees and Your Cats Will Too

July 27, 2020 by Laura Epstein

why we love our cat trees

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.  Thank you for supporting my blog

I am sort of obsessed with our cat trees. I mean I am a cat blogger so hopefully that is not that surprising but while it is certainly not an essential item it is my absolute favorite “non-essential” cat item. At first I was worried it would be too large and take up too much space. Of course when it came the cats only wanted to play in the box. My husband and I were prepared to write an interesting review about how our cats loved the box but ignored the tree! But then we moved the tree to a different room and it became the cats, and ours favorite thing!

Safe Climbing Space

We currently have a fifteen year old cat and two six month old kittens. While they have very different personalities and needs all three love to climb! I have found the kittens attached to a window screen, on top of a curtain bar (the curtain was up so I have no idea how she got there) and on top of a ten foot tall chest. These are not the safest places for them. Once we got the cat tree there was less crazy climbing. They go up and down chasing each other and I think that burns off enough energy that I don’t find them on top of something they can’t get off of anymore.

Meanwhile our fifteen year old cat does not climb much anymore. She is still in really great shape for her age but she is not jumping on the top of doors like she did 12 years ago when we first got her. She usually prefers her heated cat bed but she also really likes the first couple steps of the cat tree. It has a little house halfway up I find her chilling in. While I have never seen her at way top she likes to be up pretty high to keep tabs on the other cats and the kids.

Scratch, Scratch, Scratch

Our cat tree has ten scratching posts. While your cat tree may not have that many it will almost certainly have at least one or two scratching posts. When my cats get wound up and start playing and climbing they also get VERY scratchy. By having the scratching posts right there it gives them a great place to scratch (and saves my furniture a little).

Fun Place to Play

If you have more than one cat and they like each other the cat tree will almost certainly become a cool playing spot. My bonded pair love to jump and pounce on and from it. Lots of cat trees also have toys, usually balls attached which can be fun for singleton cats too.

Cozy Place to Hang Out

Cat trees often have hammocks, little nest areas or even a cat box. These are great places for your cats to get some alone time while feeling super secure knowing they are high up. If you have multiple cats and want peace in your house highly recommend getting several hiding spots for your cats and cat trees can definitely be one of them.

Cat Trees Are For Everyone and Every Cat

There are cat trees for every style and every personality (both the owner’s and the cat’s) . There are cat trees that look like trees and can fit into your decor and trees that can match any color of your furniture. There are also shorter trees for older or less active cats or giant trees if you have lots of space and cats. They are a great addition to almost any home where cats roam!

Which is your favorite cat tree? Check out ours and then tell us your favorite in the comments.

  • cat subscription box
    How To Add Fun To Your Cat’s Life With A Subscription Cat Box
  • how to create a cat friendly home
    How To Create A Cat Friendly Home
  • cat bed
    The 15 Best Cat Beds
  • cat gifts
    25 Great Gifts for The Cat Lover
  • top gear for climbing cats
    Top Gear for the Cat Who Loves to Climb
  • kids cat book
    Twelve Great Kid’s Cat Books
WHY WE LOVE our cat trees

Filed Under: Cat Gear Tagged With: cat tower, cat tree

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