Musts for every cat's (and cat person's) wish list #Superzoo

In August, I attended Superzoo on behalf of the Cat Writers' Association. Using the information I brought home from Superzoo, Latte and Ellie Mae are busy writing their lists of what they want for Christmas this year. Check out some of ~~the cats'~~ my favorite products from this year!

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!

pps - I mention Bear a lot because his all-inclusive personality taught me a lot about cats. I use the things he taught me to evaluate all new products and to make appropriate decisions for what I purchase for my cats.

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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.
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Kat's new product favorites

MeowCords

What I like about this product:

Bear was a prolific cord-chewer; my house had no cord without at least one fang mark. I'm excited about this product because it beats my solution: using shipping tape to tape all the cords to the wall or floor. The shipping tape worked, but it was inconvenient when I needed to move electronics or chargers. Latte ignores electrical cords but has destroyed several charging cables: this is the perfect solution.

Inaba Dashi Delights Meal Toppers

What I like about this product:

Because cats often struggle to drink enough water, I love any food that encourages my cats to consume more liquid. These toppers do not include artificial preservatives or carrageenan and come in convenient single-serving plastic bowls. I do not recommend serving the toppers in the bowl as some cats are sensitive to developing acne when using plastic serving containers.

When the sales representative opened one of the containers for me, I was impressed to see broth instead of higher-calorie gravy and quality-looking meat.

We did receive a few 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.

Groovies Cat Dental Treats

What I like about this product:

Bear had serious dental issues his entire life. Brushing his teeth was always a battle, so I appreciate the idea of feeding specially-designed treats instead. The concept of dental treats for cats isn't new, but these are grain-free and incorporate an original design to increase effectiveness.

Ryer Cat Toothbrush

What I like about this product:

Because of Bear's issues, I always look for better ways to improve my cats' dental health. Most cat toothbrushes are essentially small dog toothbrushes (this is a pet peeve of mine: cats are not small dogs! They have unique needs!). These toothbrushes are specifically designed for cats! I'm also excited to see they are coming out with a specific toothpaste just for cats. These might not end up on my cats' Christmas lists, but they'll be on mine!

Neater Pets Furdozer X6 6-in-1 Pet Hair Remover

What I like about this product:

Both my girls have thick fur. While you might not think this is a problem, it becomes one when your cats have hairballs. I aim to brush them regularly and minimize fur build-up in their environment (in fabric like couches, cat beds, and their cat tree). I'm excited to try this product (it won't be on my cats' Christmas list ... but it will be on mine!) to get rid of the stubborn fur that doesn't come out in the wash.

Karma Cat Wool Toys

What I like about this product:

What's better than cat toys? Cat toys whose production not only benefits our cats but communities that thrive from being paid fair wages! These toys are made in developing countries; fair wages bring money into the local economy and elevate the entire community. The only problem? My cats can't decide whether they want a fish or the kicker toy!

Van Ness Calm Carrier

What I like about this product:

When Bear was younger, we only had a traditional carrier. So every time we went to the vet, I had to take the carrier apart to get him in and out of the carrier (he was good at spreading his limbs, so he didn't fit going in the carrier). The bottom of this carrier works like a drawer. Instead of taking the carrier apart and maybe losing pieces, you can slide the bottom out to put your cat in and take your cat out of the carrier. Another benefit of this kind of carrier is that your vet can thoroughly examine your cat in the bottom of the carrier - meaning he won't need to be removed.

Amazing Pet Products Mouse Lightning Toy (not sold directly to the public)

What I like about this product:

Bear loved the laser pointer toy but would get frustrated when he couldn't sink his claws and fangs into his prey. Because of this, he would get bored quickly. I like the premise of this toy that includes laser light but also physical prey for the cat to earn the satisfaction of catching. While Amazing Pet Products aren't sold directly to the public by the manufacturer, you may find their products in many big-name pet stores.

LickiMat Catster and Kitty Slow Feeders

What I like about this product:

Bear tended to "scarf and barf." LickiMats aim to promote slower eating and provide enrichment (while minimizing whisker stress). My favorite aspect of the LickiMat is that they are made of non-toxic food-grade TPR (thermoplastic rubber). Latte (like Bear) is prone to developing acne. Feline acne is usually associated with plastic bowls. I'm interested to see how Latte reacts to using a LickiMat (as far as I know, no studies have been done on TPR and cat acne). While LickiMats have been around for a while, they introduced two new lines at Superzoo: Kitty and Catster. At Global in March, they introduced a riser to elevate the mats off the ground.

Neakasa M1 Smart Cat Litter Box (not yet available)

What I like about this product:

This automated litter box has a great open-top design that my cats love and is large enough for them to use it comfortably! The litter box also integrates with an app for your phone to track litter level, litter box habits, and when the waste drawer is full. I'm interested in seeing whether my cats would adjust to a Smart Litter Box.

MrsCopyCat Bloody Knife Catnip Toys

What I like about this product:

This product just cracks me up. While most of our cats think they are heartless killers, they are furry balls of love (and sometimes fangs and claws).

At the show: Products I love

Karma Cat Caves

What I like about this product:

Remember these from Global? These caves in animal shapes are adorable and beautiful! What cat doesn't want to grab a snooze in an owl (or penguin!)? The penguin is officially fulfilled from Ellie's wish list! I might've been gone for a week to attend Superzoo, but Ellie quickly forgave me when she saw her present (bonus: her sisfur can't fit in the penguin, so she gets it to herself!).

Note: We received the Karma Cat Penguin Cat Cave for free. We're sharing this with our cat people because we think it's cool (we weren't obligated to share it).

Carruth Studio Handcrafted Stone Sculptures

What I like about these products:

I've always been fascinated by cat people who create a memory garden. If I owned a house and created a memory garden in my yard, I'd be very happy to choose from Carruth Studio's collection of stone sculptures.

Doyenworld (website is under construction)

What I like about this brand:

Justice, the owner of Doyenworld, designs all items by hand. I love the hand-drawn designs of their boxes! Doyenworld also has a puzzle feeder that includes space for catnip and treats.

One of my favorite parts of attending events like this is that I get to tell the brands my cats depend on how much my cats love their products. This time, some of these brands include ... PetSafe (we're a big fan of the CreekSide Fountain), NutraMax (we're a big fan of their Proviable probiotic and Dasuquin joint supplements), Solid Gold (yay for high protein food!), Mars PetCare (Ellie couldn't live without her Temptations treats), Armakat (our cat tree has been well-loved for over 10 years and still looks new), Dr. Elsey's (yay for high protein and low carbohydrate food for cats), and Comfort Zone (we love their new diffuser design)! I am one picky pet parent - but when I trust a product, you won't get me to stop talking about it. Yay for products that make a difference in the lives of my cats!

Which of these products do you think you'll find on your cat's (or your) list for the Holidays? Have your cats tried any of these products?

Fun stuff

CWA President Lynn M. Thompson and I posed in front of the Superzoo display.