I’ve always had one or two felines in my house, save for a four-year break in college. Over a year ago, I made the milestone decision to cross the three-feline threshold — something that, in my opinion, you shouldn’t take lightly, especially if you hate scooping out a litter box. Extra clumps aside, I can honestly say that it’s been awesome having a trio of cats, and much easier than I expected. I credit that mostly to the few clutch products in my arsenal that make multiple cat ownership so much more manageable. From nail clippers to an automatic litter box (worth every freakin’ penny), these items make living with multiple felines less like a zoo and more like a tidy cat sanctuary. If you’re contemplating adding more than one or two cats to your brood, check out these items that I find reduce kitty chaos, clawing, scooping, and more.

_{Prices are accurate as of January 27, 2025. Subject to change.}

A Box That Does the Scooping For You: Whisker Litter-Robot 4

Last Christmas, I gave a litter box my heart. The Litter-Robot 4, to be exact, a present I received from a family member which I now covet. Two of our adolescent cats sleep in our spare room at night and thanks to this amazing invention, I never have any litter to scoop when I let them out in the morning. The handy app says that I’ve saved myself from 846 scoops, and counting! It also tells me when the poop drawer is full, how much my cats weigh, and when I need to add more litter. It comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s worth considering if litter scooping is your number one hated chore or you need to keep a close eye on exactly how much your cats are using the bathroom — multiple Better Report writers and even vets recommend them. Automatic litter scooping tech is what homes with multiple cats need.

Treats They Can’t Resist: Wellness and Blue Buffalo Treats

Herding cats was not an occupation I envisioned for myself when I daydreamed as a kid, but when you have more than one feline, you’ll do a lot of herding. You need tools to get the job done. I use treats to get two of my adolescent cats into the aforementioned spare room at bedtime. It may sound like an evil trick, but it works. All three of my cats love Blue Buffalo’s Bursts crunchy cat treats, but my blind cat — who has a bit of a halitosis problem — is encouraged to eat Wellness Whimzee’s natural dental treats because they promote better-smelling breath. If you’re adopting a third into the group, you’ll want to become accustomed to everyone’s favorite snack. Be it simply to treat them whenever you want to show extra love, or if you need to redirect any behavior as they get used to each other. 

A Plush Place to Hang Out: Multi-Level Cat Tree

For a while, we had an upholstered chair in our living room that, at any given time, had a cat sleeping on or scratching it. When the bottom of the chair began to sag from overzealous scratching and the armrests looked like they’d narrowly escaped a bear attack, I knew my cats needed a perch to call their own. Enter this oversized cat tree, which I discovered after a lengthy Amazon search. It’s not easy to find a cat tree that fits your home’s design aesthetic and to be quite honest, I don’t know that any of the carpeted ones ever really do. But my cats seem to enjoy scratching this one’s sisal posts and it also offers multiple soft places to sleep. All three love the hammock most and take turns curling up in it. The tip-top spot also sees a lot of traffic, especially when flies or ladybugs are being hunted. I love that I can vacuum it and that it safely attaches to the wall so they don’t tip it over. 

Litter and Fur Buster: The Tineco A10 Cordless Vacuum

I spend a lot of time scooping all of my non-automatic litter boxes (I have four total). The second most taxing duty as a multiple cat owner? Sucking up scattered litter. I use the World’s Best Cat Litter and, despite it being great, nine times out of 10, my cats kick some of it outside of the box they’re using. It’s critical to have something on hand to suck it up swiftly. I’ve found my Tineco A10 cordless stick vac does a great job sucking up both litter and fur balls from my hardwood floors. It’s powerful enough for area rugs, too, is easy to empty, and is hidden nicely behind my bathroom door where there’s a wall-mounted charging station.

Pawticures Made Easy: JW Pet GripSoft Nail Trimmer

If your cats live indoors like mine do, keeping their nails trimmed is just good practice. It keeps your cats’ nails from potentially growing into their paw pads, you get fewer accidental cuts, and it extends the life of your furniture. If you start doing this when your cats are young, they get used to it — learn how to do it safely here — but even older cats can get accustomed. I like JW Pet’s GripSoft because they’re non-slip and easy for human hands to grip, plus they’re ergonomically designed to make the sometimes awkward process more comfortable for you. The exact cat pair I use isn’t available as of this writing, but the dog versions are similar enough that you should get the same results.

Feeding On The Fly: Vibrant Life Gravity Feeder

Let’s face it, one of the best things about cat ownership is that you can leave them home alone for longer durations than dogs, who need to be taken out to use the bathroom multiple times a day — and rarely can free feed without devouring it all immediately. You can make the last-minute decision to spend the day elsewhere and not feel guilty, especially if you’ve left some nibbles out for them to eat. I fill up this feeder when we go away for long trips and it keeps the dry food flowing so that our pet-sitter can focus on wet food and scooping out litter boxes. Made with non-intent BPA and post-industrial recycled content, this cost-effective gravity feeder comes in a variety of sizes. We have the medium, which holds up to 5 pounds of kibble. It’s also easy to clean with soap and water.

Toys For Every Interest: Interactive Cat Toy Set

There’s something for everyone in this pack of cat toys. Whether your cat is into rattling balls, mice, or feathers, it’s all here, and for under $20, it’s a steal. A favorite in our house is the suction cup wand that sticks to the floor and, I’m glad to report, is strong enough to keep steady, but hasn’t damaged my hardwood. It’s also great for solitary play, so you can take a break after a while. They’re not indestructible but they definitely bring on the fun for felines — the kind of fun you immortalize in TikTok cat videos!

Pop That Pill and Move On: The Bullseye Pillgun

Inevitably, you’ll need to give your cat a pill at some point, and doing this is definitely a learned skill. When we found out our blind cat needed Prozac to correct some behavior issues, I was glad I had this popper in my toolbox for administering pills fast and easily. I’ve now used it for years, and it’s still the fastest way I’ve found to do this. Simply place the pill in the popper, put it into your cat’s mouth, aiming for behind the tongue, and push the plunger. When you’ve had practice, the pill-popping happens so fast, they won’t have time to hold a grudge.

Travel in Style: The Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed

I’ve had my Sleepypod pet carrier for over a decade, and besides holding up well to wear and tear — it still looks like new — it’s so cool looking that it’s always a conversation starter. Its plush, cozy construction is what sets it apart from typical metal carriers. There’s a time and a place for standard carriers, especially if you have cats that vomit or pee en route, but if you have a cat that’s mildly cooperative when embarking on vet visits or other necessary car rides, this one is second to none. Leave it out a day before your appointment and you may even find your cat sleeping in it.

Feature Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk/ Shutterstock

According to Pew Research, 51 percent of pet owners consider their pets not just family members, but family members who are just as important as humans. And that means we might spoil them just a little bit. If you’re looking for fun or useful products for your pet, here are some of our favorites, backed by vet recommendations.

_{Prices are accurate as of November 15, 2024. Subject to change.}

Automatic Litter Boxes

Who among us loves to scoop litter boxes? That’s right, no one. An automatic litter box does it for you, dropping the waste into a trash drawer beneath the litter box itself. “If every cat owner had one, I think they’d be much happier with taking care of the litter box, and the smell that a litter box omits,” says Dr. Eliza O’Callaghan, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Small Door Vet. “It’s also particularly good for cats that have urinary issues where they need to go to the litter box a lot of times. It can actually alert you to them having a flare up and then you can intercept it quickly.”

The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 and Casa Leo Loo Too are the best on the market at the moment, each with an accompanying app to tell you how much your cat weighs, how often they use the box, and when to empty the trash bag in the base. Litter Robot is a bit more stylish, while Leo’s Loo Too is a bit less expensive. Keep in mind that automatic litter boxes are large, so if space is limited, a regular box will likely be best.

While both of these brands are an investment, cheap automatic boxes from no-name companies have proven to be deadly — either save up for a reputable one or stick to the old-fashioned pan.

Better Litter

For an extra-nice scent, Shichic makes fragrant litter out of roses and tofu that completely covers up the litter box smell in our house, available in pellet and crushed form. Pellet litter doesn’t track around the house like clay litter, or get stuck in your cat’s paw pads. But if you’re using an automatic litter box, you’ll need to use the crushed version.

Shichic says the litter is flushable, but we don’t recommend it (this goes for all flushable litters). Timothy Wood, the founder of Texas-based home services company Fix It Today, says to only flush a small amount at a time and with a lot of water. He says some of the materials in the litter (particularly corn and pinewood) can expand in water and may cause a clog over time. If you’re used to scooping anyway, just throw it out like normal.

Comfy Beds

Your pets probably lounge on the couch or your bed. Still, having their own designated furniture is important too, especially for critters that need comfort and ones that have achy joints. But which one to pick is more of a pet’s choice. “It’s actually what the individual animal prefers,” O’Callaghan says. She recommends firmer beds for dogs with arthritis and those who prefer to lay on a cold floor. Soft, plushy beds are great for cats and smaller dogs.

Our new puppy is obsessed with her soft and comfy bed from Approved by Fritz — it’s water-resistant, washable, and made completely out of recycled bottles. Our older dog prefers the firmer Orvis RecoveryZone couch-style bed that we had personalized with her name. It’s designed to minimize pressure points on her joints and boost circulation, and it’s also washable and made from recycled materials.

Ear Wash and Wipes

Ears can get gross, so we like Dogtopia’s ear wash and wipes for keeping them clean. “We have a lot of dogs that have either chronic ear infections or they’re just dogs that produce more debris out of their ears,” O’Callaghan says. “Giving a little squirt into the canal and then squelching the ear [by smooshing the ear around] clears the canal, and then the dog shakes and the debris comes up to the top. Then you would get the wipe and wipe it away.” For cats, the wipes are more useful — unless you want to try and drip liquid into your cat’s ear. (Good luck.)

Dog Crate with Puppy Divider

Any pet parent knows puppies grow like weeds. Diggs has a crate for that. The Evolv crate has a movable puppy divider to accommodate a growing pal. It even doubles as a playpen with a top that easily comes off. 

Car Harness

If your pup comes with you everywhere (and why shouldn’t they?), you can’t go wrong with a high-quality pet car harness like the one from Ruffwear. It’s heavy-duty and attaches to the seatbelt for maximum safety. O’Callaghan notes that a harness is the best option for dogs frequently in the car — you never want to secure them with just a collar because it can be disastrous in even a small fender bender. Your pup can become a projectile in the slowest-speed accidents.

Treats

Don’t forget those healthy treats! O’Callaghan says to pick ones with a base animal protein like chicken or beef, and as little as possible extra ingredients and fillers — the ones you’re used to finding at the grocery store are unfortunately not healthy long-term. Some ideal treat brands include Farm to Fluffy (available in chicken, beef, or salmon), Marcy’s Pet Kitchen (perfect for pups with allergies), and Portland Pet Food Company (a woman-owned company with products cooked in human-grade kitchens).

Just for Fun

Not everything you buy for your pet needs to solve a particular problem. Sometimes it’s just fun to spoil them or yourself in their honor. We love learning our pets’ lineages using Ancestry’s dog DNA kit and Basepaw’s cat DNA test, which also includes useful information about potential health risks.

Another just-for-fun item is getting a custom pet portrait made to fully establish Fido or Whiskers as a part of the family. I’ve used this company for pictures of my own pets, as well for getting gifts for fellow pet-loving friends.

Nicer Air Travel

If you’ve ever flown with a pet, you know it can be anxiety-inducing at best. Small animals are shoved under the seat in front of you and large dogs are forced to the baggage area — which we can only guess is a terrifying experience. For your next trip, consider splurging with BARK Air, the new airline created just for dogs that allows them to sit next to you in a seat. Calming pheromones are pumped through the cabin, and treats, water, bone broth, and other surprises are served throughout the flight. It’s unfortunately exorbitantly expensive for the time being, so we hope that prices go down eventually. But if you can afford it, your dog will thank you.

Feature Image Credit: VYCHEGZHANINA/ iStock

I take cat ownership very seriously. That means most of my time and resources are dedicated to making sure my three cats are happy and healthy with full bellies and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll even deal with the litter boxes.

I’ve grown accustomed to the routine, but constantly scooping is not exactly anyone’s favorite part of having a pet. Self-cleaning litter boxes could be worth the hefty investment if this is your most hated chore, but there are health and safety factors to keep in mind. These two are the best options from trustworthy brands. We’ve also included advice and things to consider when deciding to purchase one, plus a helpful health accessory for standard boxes.

_{Prices are accurate as of August 26, 2025. Subject to change.}

How Do Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes Work?

When a self-cleaning litter box detects a cat has been inside — and importantly, has left — it starts a clean cycle. As the drum turns, litter passes through a sifter, separating the clumps and forcing them to fall into the waste drawer underneath. Then it cycles back, emptying the clean litter into the drum. The newest boxes complete a clean in about two minutes.

Why Do Some Experts Not Recommend Them?

Health and safety concerns are the top two things that make some cat experts hesitant to recommend a self-cleaning litter box. Reputable companies have taken these factors into account, but you still have to be proactive.

While you might not enjoy the act of scooping, it gives you insight into your cats’ health. Cats, especially males, are prone to urinary blockages and other infections. If a cat stops urinating, it could become fatal in a matter of days. Self-cleaning boxes eliminate the ability to see how many clumps are accumulating every day, so if you aren’t actively paying attention, you can miss important cues. On the other hand, the boxes recommended here have connected apps that track visits. As long as you’re monitoring it, this might actually put frequent visits on your radar faster than normal. Some apps are better than others at exactly what information they provide, but in general they specify what time a cat visited and how much they weighed — if you have multiple cats of different sizes, you can be sure you know who is going when. Empty the drawer frequently and make sure that clumps look normal too.

Safety is also important. Our favorites here are loaded with safety sensors so cats won’t get harmed in the cleaning process. They detect when a cat is inside, when they’ve left, and even if they’re close to the opening so that everything can stop as a precaution. But you’re still relying on technology that can fail. If you notice anything amiss with the mechanics, turn it off and contact the company to see if it can be repaired. The best safety measures don’t matter if the sensors go.

If the prices here scare you and you’re looking at cheap self-cleaning litter boxes from unknown brands, I’d reconsider. There’s no way to be sure they’re safe, tested, and reliable long-term and there are reports of some boxes harming, often fatally, people’s pets. Just get a great standard box instead.

Will Your Cat Like Them?

Every cat tends to prefer a different type of litter box. Of my three cats, one will use anything and the other two are picky, preferring basic, open-top boxes (there’s a recommendation for one of those below too). Some cats are scared of the movement and won’t get in them at all, which could cause the health problems listed above. If you’re unsure, consider trying a few different types of standard boxes first — like an open-top and a covered one — before spending several hundred dollars on one of these, and always keep a regular box elsewhere as they’re getting used to the new one. We’ve noted below each brand’s return policy.

The Best Option: Whisker Litter-Robot 4

Many people call the entire category of self-cleaning boxes “Litter Robots,” but that’s actually the name of the boxes sold by the brand Whisker. The Litter-Robot 4 is modern looking, with a large drum that bigger cats should appreciate, and it’s nearly silent when it cleans. Sensors detect cats that weigh at least 3 pounds, and lasers are continuously scanning safety zones so cleaning cycles will stop the moment a cat jumps into the drum or even stands on the step — it paused a cleaning cycle when I held my hand inside without touching anything. The app is reliable and has added more health and safety features since I last tested it. Whisker’s newest accessory, the Litter Hopper, automatically refills the drum with fresh cat litter.

The Litter-Robot 4 is the priciest of our favorites, but Whisker offers a 90-day trial. You will need to pay for return shipping, however, and it must be in the original box.

A Close Second: Casa Leo Leo’s Loo Too

The Leo’s Loo Too is very similar to the Litter-Robot 4 in size, design, and function, but you can usually save somewhere between $50 and $100 if you go with this one. I found the design quite cute, but the drum is a little more compact than the Litter-Robot. Some cats may not like the cramped quarters. The sensors on the Leo’s Loo are even more advanced than the Litter-Robot, immediately stopping a cycle if you get even close to it. It also detects cats as small as a single pound. The app was straight-forward and accurate, never missing a bathroom visit.

Casa Leo (named after the founder’s cat) also offers a 90-day return window as long as you have the original package and pay the $75 return fee. If you purchase on Amazon, contact customer service there first for a return.

A Good Standard Box: Smart Paws Large Litter Box

Even if you get a fancy self-cleaning box, it’s good practice to have a basic box too. (I know, I know, you wanted to avoid this.) You don’t know if your cat will like a moving box or how long it will take them to get used to it, and there should always be an option available just in case one breaks.

I’ve tried what feels like hundreds of basic options, and I simply love the Smart Paws box. It’s large with high sides and a low step so nearly every cat should be happy using it. There are no small crevices for clumps to stick in, and it’s made from lightweight, soft plastic that is surprisingly resilient against cat claws — and it dampens some of the sound of the scratching. I’ve bought several and can never see myself going back to another type of pan. 

For Health Monitoring Without a Fancy Box: Petivity Smart Litter Box Monitor System

If you like the idea of all the health monitoring that comes with the apps, but don’t want to get a whole new litter box, I highly recommend this Petivity monitor. It sits under any standard litter box and detects with great accuracy which cat went to the bathroom and what they did when they got there. It also monitors weight and typical bathroom habits, alerting you if there’s a sudden change. The Petivity monitor works with up to five cats, though the brand recommends waiting until they’re past kittenhood since their weight and habits are changing dramatically then. When I moved across the country and had to decide what absolutely had to come with us, we got rid of our self-cleaning litter boxes but kept this. I think it’s worth every penny.

Featured Image Courtesy of Litter Robot