ps - To read more about the products listed, please click the link in the name of the product. I've avoided copying all the benefits of these products in favor of sharing what they mean to me. To read about all of a product's benefits, please click the link!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclosure: We did not receive compensation [cash or product] in exchange for sharing the products and brands listed below. Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat only shares information we believe would interest our readers. The relevant brands are not responsible for this post's content; the content is solely ours. Likewise, Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat has not evaluated manufacturer claims.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kat's new-to-her favorites
Catit PIXI Smart 6-Meal Feeder (new)What I like about this product:
Two of my cats have dealt with diabetes. Wet food tends to be lower in carbohydrates than dry food. Additionally, diabetic cats should eat more frequent, smaller meals. Cat people who work outside the home for long hours often don't have an acceptable way to feed these meals. This feeder makes it easier to feed cats more frequent smaller meals over the course of a day. Not only can you control the feeder from your smartphone, but you can buy additional cold packs to keep your cat's wet food cold during the day, so it's fresh at mealtime.
Photograph Courtesy of Catit
What I like about this product:
Because cats often struggle to drink enough water, I prefer to give my cats soft treats with more moisture. These treats are not only moist and soft but covered in juice to keep them extra moist. We did receive a pack of these to sample for free, though it does not affect our evaluation of the product. If my cats don't approve, neither do I.
Right Photograph Courtesy of Inaba
What I like about this product:
Many of my cat's favorite products are made by PetMate. I expect this Tunnel and Cat Cubby will appear on my cat's Christmas list! I'm always looking for new ways to provide enrichment for my cats, and they do not have a tunnel.
What I like about this product:
This immediately caught my eye. The fabric is very soft, and I love the print!
What I like about this product:
The Optimum calming formula for use in diffusers combines many of the benefits of their other products. The diffuser has been completely redesigned and is created from self-extinguishing plastic materials. As a user of pheromone diffuser products, this fire-safety feature is a huge advantage over other brands.
What I like about this product:
These caves in animal shapes are adorable and beautiful! What cat doesn't want to grab a snooze in an owl (or penguin!)?
What I like about this product:
Two of my cats suffered from arthritis. I wish I'd known about cat stairs when I had Kitty. They made a huge difference for Bear and ensured he could comfortably jump up and cuddle with me in bed. I like these stairs because of the hide-y hole. As the proud servant of a kitten, I bet she'd make good use of the hole under the stairs! Also, you can customize the color of fabric used to match your home decor.
What I like about this product:
What cat doesn't enjoy a kicker stuffed with catnip? And with the animal print, I love the design!
Photograph Courtesy of SmartyKat
At the show: Cat-approved products I love
What I like about this product:
My cats love their Sleepypods. I've noticed that my cats love to lay in the open cat beds at home and experience less anxiety in them on the way to the vet. Our veterinarian loves the SleepyPod because they can perform most of the physical examination while the cat lounges in the mobile pet bed. As a pet parent, I especially love the certified safety features the pet bed provides in the car.
In this picture, Bear is in the "other" carrier (while his sisfur gets the Sleepypod!) and is none-too-happy about it thankyouverymuch. The difference in anxiety between my cats in the Sleepypod vs. other carriers was so great we got a second Sleepypod. Now every cat is happy (or as happy as they can be going to the vet).
What I like about this product:
Ellie Mae is impossible to pill. I've tried just about every "trick" in the book, and they only work once. For over two years, I've given Ellie two medications daily in Hartz Squeeze-ups. I honestly don't know how I'd get her to take medications without them.
Also, when Bear struggled with pancreatitis, Squeeze-ups were the only thing he ate consistently. As many cat lovers know, ensuring a cat eats something prevents another snowball of potential problems. As far as I'm concerned, Squeeze-ups ensured Bear got nutrition when he wouldn't eat anything else.
What I like about this product:
My cats love their Yeowww! Banana. We've had it for over five years, and they still appreciate what must be super-potent catnip inside. It's been bitten, rubbed against, and fought over and has held up against two enthusiastic felines!
What I like about this product:
Most dry foods are inappropriately high in carbohydrates. When Bear was diabetic, I scoured food labels to find the best low-carbohydrate dry food for him. Dr. Elsey's is one of the lowest carbohydrate dry foods available. While I recommend feeding mainly wet food for diabetic cats and to ensure cats receive adequate moisture, this dry food is top of the line. This line also comes in canned wet food. They are also coming out with pouches. We can't wait to try them!
Photograph Courtesy of Dr. Elsey's
What I like about this product:
My cats love their Cat Charmer wand toy. It's paws-down Latte's favorite toy. I'm excited that the Charmer is coming out in new prints!
New products of note
- Tiki Cat has a new Silver line of canned food that contains lower levels of phosphorous for older kitties who struggle with CKD.
- Fussie Cat has new canned wet food, including gravy and shreds, or goat milk.
- Dr. Elsey's cleanprotein Cat Food is now available in pouches (coming soon).
- Orijen has a new dry food line, Guardian, for senior pets. They also have a new line of canned food containing pate and a succulent shred topper.
- Catit introduced Catit Recipes Freeze-Dried Infused dry food (coming soon).
- Vital Essentials recreated their packaging to better reflect their "Butcher-cut, ultra-premium" formulas.
- The New Zealand Natural Pet Food Co. showcased their air-dried and freeze-dried lines of Meow raw cat food.
- Hartz's Delectable line has a new texture for their lickable treats: Hearty Gravy (coming soon)!
- Fromm has a new line of soft cat treats, Purr-Snackitty.
- Karma Cat came out with a new line of natural cat toys handmade in Nepal (coming soon).
- Petmate Pet Products created new JW products, including the Twist-ee Tunnel, Scratch Inn Cat Cubby, Mister Catnip Diffuser, and Flashee accessories to switch out with their wand toys.
- Ultrapet's Litter Pearl crystal litter line introduced a new additive for the litter box containing probiotics (coming soon).
- North American Pet Products created a new Twiskers line of smaller cat furniture well suited to apartment living.
- Zymox created topical cream and ear wash products specifically for cats.
- LickiMat has a new riser product to make it easier for your cat to use their LickiMat (coming soon).
Which of these products do you think you'll find on your cat's list for the Holidays? Have your cats tried any of these products?
Fun stuff
Do you know Sterling "TrapKing" Davis and Nathan The Cat Lady?
I asked my friend to save me a seat at the press conference/lunch so I could hit up a few more vendors. I made it to lunch, only to find out I was sitting next to Nathan "The Cat Lady," and at the same table as Sterling Davis. CWA President Lynn sure picked the two best seats in the house!
As a side benefit, I saw Nathan's video before it was uploaded! Here's his video: What is this?
Later that day, Lynn set up this picture, much to my surprise.
Even later, we gathered as many Cat Writers' Association Members as we could find and took a group picture.
Along with the brand representatives I met, I also met Dr. Pol (of Dr. Pol's Pets)*** and Nina Ottoson (from Outward Hound), both celebrities for their devotion to pets! It's truly an honor to meet people you think so highly of and find that your passion matches theirs. I loved hearing the story of Dr. Pol's black cat, Tater. Check out Tater's Instagram!
Photograph courtesy Nancy Iannios, Core Public Relations Group
My favorite stop of the three days? Meeting CWA Member Lucy Drury and seeing her gang of Siberian kittens! I foolishly didn't think to take any pictures of them ... what kind of cat lady am I? You can learn more about Lucy's Siberians at Cyberkoshki Siberians.
*** A reader informed me that Dr. Pol and his associates declaw cats. I do not know if this is true, currently or in the past. I stand firmly against declawing for the reasons stated in My paws have claws. Declawing is inhumane and unnecessary. There are endless resources out there to help people avoid declawing their cats. Cats need to scratch - it is innate (to read more, please see Feline instincts) - so please provide your cats acceptable scratching surfaces before mutilating them. Declawing is associated with very real long-term consequences.
© 2023 Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat - Written and Published by Katherine Kern.
All text, pictures, images, and other content are original and copyright by Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat [K. Kern], 2015-2023. No content on Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat may be used without the owner's [K. Kern] written permission. If you see this post posted on a site that isn't Momma Kat and Her Bear Cat, please contact cats@mommakatandherbearcat.com.
Featured posts:
To read about my cats' preference for the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed ...Latte quickly decided the Cat Dancer Charmer was hers on her first day in our home ...
We've written several reviews of Petmate's products.
This is the most comprehensive and much appreciated, I might add, list of things "out there" for the cat owner to consider getting for their cats. I see four things I am anxious to try to find. Thank you so much for all your work in presenting this, I enjoyed the pictures too of the participants of the CWA.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many cool things to see! It's actually a bit of a blessing that you can't buy individual items otherwise I would've needed an entire 737 to carry home all my loot!
DeleteGosh golly and wow. Such a cool selection of items and brands, most of which sadly mean nothing here in the UK. I'd love to have the choice of wet food you all have, sadly, over here, there is nothing we will eat fully that is wet (excluding small rodents and birds).
ReplyDeleteI did not even think of that. Yikes.
DeleteOhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I'm a huge fan of Dr. Pol...it was the very first Vet program on the TV's...they were pioneers. I know he must be all kinds of nice and fun. Tater cracks me up too.
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
He was the nicest man and very down-to-earth. You can tell how much he loves cats.
DeleteWhat fun for the kitties and what fun you had at the Expo ~ great Xmas list selections ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
It's hard to tell who benefits more from my trip ...
DeleteWow, those are pawsome, love those caves!
ReplyDeleteI can't choose one! They are all adorable!
DeleteThat is a lot of fun products and I'll bet you really enjoying seeing everything! Those were all photo photos too.
ReplyDeleteIt was an exhausting (but super fun) three days!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWe welcome the truth here. Please don't self-censor.
DeleteThose are all great products. Love the cat caves!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! I've thought of getting my cats one, but I can't decide which one!
DeleteLooks like you had a great time. SO many cool products. I want a sleepy pod someday. XO
ReplyDeleteThey really do make a difference.
DeletePawsome products! Our kitties need to seek work as squeezie spokescats!
ReplyDeleteHahahaha. You don't think we offered?
DeleteMeow! Looks like you had a blast awnty Kat. Wish we could\'ve been there with ya'. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteLuvs ya'
RaenaBelle and Zebby
I would've loved that! I can't believe I still haven't met your Mommy in person.
DeleteAmazing and some useful things you've found, Kat and we had a MOL about your picture with the guys...absolutely true...MOL...Double Pawkisses from all of us to all of you🐾😽💞
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteIt was fun!
DeleteWow, what an amazing convention! All those cool products (we really like that feeder, cute cat stairs, and the Karma Cat Caves most of all, but everything looks terrific). Thank you for sharing with us! Great photos, too. We love, love, love that you saw so many friends -- new and old alike. XO
ReplyDeleteFriends were the best part!
DeleteNorman: wow, those are some pretty cool products.
ReplyDeleteElsa: I even see a few things I could chew up. Excellent!
There's a topic for you ... how many toys can Elsa chew up during Global? Hahaha!
DeleteWhat is a LickiMat?
ReplyDeleteIt's a mat with a pattern that makes it more complex for a cat to eat the food put on it. https://lickimat.com/pages/picking-the-right-lickimat-cats
DeleteLooks as if you had a really great time. Thanks for all the product info. Our mom is definitely interested in checking a couple of them out! XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, angel Mauricio, Misty May, angel Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy, Sawyer, Kizmet, Audrey & Raleigh
ReplyDeleteI commented that it's lucky you can't buy stuff at the expo because my haul would've filled a 737!
DeleteOh wow guys, what a furbulous time mew must of had! Just look at all the epic goodies to try and buy, the P.A. wouldn't have known what to look at next!
ReplyDeleteWe had a set schedule. Without it, I would've been wandering around like an idiot for three days!
DeleteOh Boy! This is a dangerous post! Now Frodo, Amarula and Zulu will have very long Christmas lists! AMARULA: I will take one of everything!!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha. You mean one for you, and one for everyone else because you won't share with the boys?
DeleteGreat reviews of products and it sounds like you had a really good time! Absolutely agree with you about declawing, it hurts cats and causes them lots of harm. It should be illegal.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!
DeleteLooks like you had a blast!! I love the product roundup, so many good things included!
ReplyDeleteBut now my cats want them all ...
DeleteWhat a great weekend for you! It kinda reminds me of Disney World, you can't see it all in one trip. Those videos you included are wonderful. And Sterling and Nathan at your table!!!!?? Wow. That had to be fun. And your photos showed it. And I'm glad you didn't show any photos of the Siberian kittens. I would want one. He he.
ReplyDeleteI would've snuck off with one if I could!
Delete