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Muffin Tested, Muffin Approved
32
items Toys, treats, gear and other cat necessities that have survived rigorous testing by Muffin, my extremely discerning (and occasionally violent) tabby.
Sections
3
Toys
Feeding Time
Adventure Time
Toys
Muffin may be an only child, but she’s a pro at entertaining herself—especially if there’s a spring involved. She also loves a good wand toy and demands her daily enrichment time. These are the chosen ones: the toys she stalks, chases, smacks and reg...
Possibly Muffin’s favorite toy of all time. Turn it on and she immediately chooses violence. Every cat parent I’ve recommended it to says their cat goes crazy for it too—even the more docile ones. It’s rechargeable, which is great, but good luck gett...
Rechargeable Butterfly Cat Toy for Indoor Cats
The old standby. The love of her playtime life. She fetches them. She hides them. She hunts them and yowls at them. She bats them around. (Yay, hardwood floors.) I’ve watched her slapshot them under the stove, and they’re the reason I had to block of...
Cat Spring Toy (60 Pack)
Muffin is a picky gal when it comes to balls and ignores most of them—especially anything that makes noise. But she LOVES these. They bounce so well that she goes bounding right along behind them, and they’re the perfect size for her to pick up and c...
Bouncy Tails 3-Pack Cat Ball Toy Feathers
Until the animated butterfly came along, this was THE MOMENT. Muffin was obsessed. It’s been somewhat dethroned, but we still pull it out regularly and she immediately remembers why she loved it. Definitely a winner for cats who like something they c...
NECOICHI Crinkly Critters Dragonfly Cat Wand
Another pre-butterfly favorite. Is it basically just cardboard bits on a wire? Yes. Do not ever tell Muffin that. She loves chasing and attacking this thing, and honestly, sometimes the simplest cat toys really are the best ones.
Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy
Sure, these are basically just the plastic ring off a container of milk, but Muffin doesn’t care. She loves chasing them, batting them around and even bringing them to me for a game of fetch. Sometimes cats really do just want the simplest possible t...
Petmate Cat Crazies Interactive Toys, 4ct
My little weirdo doesn’t give two shakes about 98.5% of catnip toys, but silvervine? She goes BONKERS. This is her favorite style of silvervine toy, and apparently that distinction is very important.
Potaroma 6 Pcs Natural Silvervine Sticks Cat Toys
Now granted, both of the toys on the ends of ours have basically been decapitated, but Muffin still loves this thing. She hides in it, attacks it and occasionally wears it around the house like a funky, sparkly spiral cape.
Potaroma Spiral Tunnel Cat Toy, Collapsible
A potentially controversial choice, but this gal likes what she likes. We use it sparingly, and I always make sure she gets a full “hunt” by ending with some strategically placed treats she can actually catch. She absolutely loves it.
BEGRIM Cat Toy Pointer
A must for loose silvervine, but it also doubles as a home base for whichever spring or ball Muffin is currently toting around like a tiny plastic friend. She scratches it, lounges in it and uses it for toy storage. Multipurpose!
Cat Scratcher Mat Natural Cotton Rope Pad
We only pull this one out for special occasions because my space is small and I’m not trying to break an ankle. (Pouch + hardwood floors = excellent for cats, questionable for sliding humans.) Muffin, however, has no such concerns and LOVES pouncing ...
Giociv Interactive Cat Toy Ball Fast Rolling
Muffin has a couple versions of this toy and somehow manages to be both fascinated by and mildly terrified of them. She’ll watch intently from a safe distance and then suddenly DIVEBOMB. Retreat. Observe. Repeat. Cats, man.
Cheerble Interactive Cat Toy for Indoor Cats
Three toys in one: a fluttering butterfly, a feather that pops out and a ball on a track. Muffin loves the whole chaotic situation. Fair warning, though: it can be rather noisy. If you’re easily overstimulated—or just trying to take a work call—it ma...
3-in-1 Interactive Butterfly Cat Toy with Balls
Feeding Time
I’m not here to tell you what to put in your cat’s bowl—every cat has different needs, and my area of expertise begins and ends with one very particular tabby. But the bowl itself? That I have opinions about. These are our tried-and-true feeding-time...
Hydration, hydration, hydration—it’s important for humans AND felines. I love this fountain because it holds a lot of water, has an external pump, doesn’t need to stay plugged in and, most importantly, is SUPER easy to clean. Seriously. Cat fountains...
uahpet Wireless Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain 67oz
You’re obviously going to go through your fair share of filters, so do yourself a favor and grab some extras when you buy the fountain. Future you will appreciate it.
uahpet 6 Pack Filters & 8 Pack Sponges for Stainless Steel Pet Fountain Pro
Muffin’s diet is primarily wet food, but I like having some kibble around—especially on days when I’m in the office. The elevated stainless steel bowl has been much better for HER digestion; she no longer inhales her food and then immediately gives i...
Automatic Cat Feeder 7L w/ Camera & 2-Way Audio
The BEST wet food bowl I’ve tried—and I’ve tried plenty. It’s wide enough that it doesn’t squish her whiskers, stainless steel and ridiculously easy to clean. It also has a weighted base, which matters more than you might think: my little chaos demon...
Felli Oblik Elevated Cat Bowl Stainless Steel
A great backup for when the primary bowl is in the dishwasher. It’s easy to clean and, most importantly in this household, has also proven to be flip-proof. I didn’t realize that would become one of my primary criteria for cat bowls, but here we are.
Y YHY Elevated Cat Food Bowl, Ceramic Raised Bowl,
I swear by Gorilla Grip products, so it’s no surprise this has been my favorite mat for under Muffin’s food and water. Yes, it’s easy to clean. 😂 It stays put, contains the mess and comes in enough colors that you can find one that works with your s...
GORILLA GRIP Dog Food Mat, 16x10 Gray
Sometimes you just want to give your cat a little extra enrichment by making her actually work for her food or treats. Right? Right?! Or is that just me? 😂 This is an easy way to turn snack time into something that keeps Muffin’s little chaos brain ...
LickiMat Felix Fish-Shaped Cat Lick Mat
Is a tiny dedicated cat-food spatula strictly necessary? Perhaps not. Do I love having one? Absolutely. It’s the perfect size for serving wet food and scraping every last bit out of the bowl afterward. Cute AND functional.
Joyinjojo 2 Pack Paw Silicone Pet Food Spoons
My gal doesn’t eat a full container of wet food at once, so safe storage between meals is a must. These fit multiple can sizes, seal well and are one of those boring little cat-parent purchases you end up using constantly.
Silicone Pet Food Can Covers for Dogs & Cats
Adventure Time
Muffin LOVES being outside, whether she’s patrolling the neighborhood on a walk, lounging on the balcony or coming along for a car adventure. She’s always supervised and safely secured when we’re out and about, and these are the things that make our ...
Muffin is microchipped, but I never want to have to rely on that if she manages to slip away from me. She occasionally makes a break for the front door when I’m grabbing a package, so an AirTag gives me extra peace of mind when we’re going outside—es...
Apple AirTag (2nd Generation)
The easiest way I’ve found to add an AirTag to Muffin’s regular collar. It slides right onto a standard cat collar, is easy to put on and remove, and—most importantly—doesn’t dangle or swing around and annoy her. She remains completely unbothered by ...
AirTag Cat Collar Holder 2 Pack + Protector
This might be one of the best things I’ve ever bought for Muffin. She doesn’t mind most car rides (provided I’m not “talking to”—aka yelling at—the other drivers too much 😂), but she HATED being closed inside a traditional carrier. This gives her a ...
PETSFIT Small Dog Car Seat with Safety Buckles
When we travel by car, I take entirely too much stuff—and I live on the third floor and am committed to making ONE trip to the car. 😂 This frees up both of my hands for schlepping everything else and makes getting Muffin in and out at the vet incred...
Texsens Traveler Bubble Backpack Pet Carrier
When you’re driving 3+ hours with a cat, it’s nice to have a backup plan. Has Muffin ever actually used this on a road trip? Nope. She’s far too busy looking at EVERYTHING during our pit stops. But it folds up easily, doesn’t take up much room and I’...
Petskd Portable Cat Travel Litter Box Blue
An easy way to give Muffin food or water whether we’re on a road trip or just having a local adventure. They collapse down so they barely take up any room in my bag, then clean up easily when we get home. Simple, inexpensive and something I’m always ...
Pet Collapsible Bowls 2 Pack Small Pink+Green
Our favorite setup for walkies! I especially like that this harness doesn’t restrict Muffin’s movement—her legs can move naturally and she trots along like an absolute champ. It feels secure without being bulky, and she seems completely comfortable e...
Seyezo Adjustable Cat Harness & Leash Set
While I prefer our other harness for walks, this one works better for car rides. It’s easier to clip her securely into her car seat and gives me a little more control when she inevitably gets the wiggles about an hour into the drive. 😂 Different adv...
Cat Harness & Leash Set Escape Proof Large
Muffin’s home base for balcony enrichment time—and it comes along for outdoor adventures, too. She gets a full 360° view of everything happening around her without me having to hold a leash or follow along behind her while she explores. Add a little ...
Cat Tent Outdoor Pet Enclosure for Cats & Small Animals
The finishing touch for Muffin’s little outdoor setup. One side helps keep her cool when it’s warm out, while the other gives her a cozier surface when the temperature drops. It fits nicely inside her playpen and gives her a comfortable place to loun...
VANKEAN Reversible Crate Pad Cool/Warm Grey