Top 5 Worst Purchases As a New Cat Mom
Did I mention I have three cats?
I probably forgot to mention that when I told you about losing the most difficult—and most beautiful—dog I’ve ever had. Well, this is me coping.
We went to Wayside Waifs in Kansas City, and these three guys basically begged to come home with us. I didn’t tell my husband we were bringing home three cats until we were driving home. He eventually forgave me. And, after a while, decided our little black cat, Samsung, is the coolest cat ever. Who was I to leave his bonded brothers at the shelter? Stop it.
(And if it’s not obvious, Samsung is the inspiration behind all my black cat t-shirts.)
Anyway. The foster parents who cared for these guys were amazing. These cats love to be held. They love everyone. They’ve never met a workman’s bag they didn’t want to explore. They’re like… un-shy raccoon-rat-cats, crawling over everything that enters their domain. I'm so thankful for foster families who love and nurture animals so that people like us can enjoy well-balanced, well-socialized pets. (Is that the word I was looking for? Socialized? Let’s go with it.)
Since I had no idea our “simple little visit” to Wayside Waifs would result in three new family members, I got busy shopping. And I really leaned into it. I bought perches, exercise wheels, toys, springs, those annoying cardboard scratchers that shed all over the house… basically everything I could get my little cat-obsessed hands on.
Which brings me to the point of this post:
The 5 Worst Purchases I Made as a New Cat Owner
#5: The Wicker Chair
You know the ones. Wicker cave chairs. There was one at HomeGoods I just had to get. If I were a cat, that’s where I’d nap 24/7. My cats? Not so much. One of them gave it a sniff and decided it made a better bathroom than bed. That soft gray pillow inside must have really reminded him of his litter box. (We’ll get to that later.)
#4: Suction Springy Toys
No. Just... no. Please stop selling these. They don’t stick to the floor. In what world did anyone think these would stay stuck long enough to entertain a cat? Paw-leaze.
#3: The Cat Hammock
I fall for this one every time. I see a cute little hammock and think, They’re gonna love this! They NEVER have. Not once. Put a box, a blanket, a piece of paper—literally anything—on the floor, and they’re in heaven. But a cat hammock? It’s like they can’t even see it.
#2: The Drinking Fountain
Oof, this one was hard to give up. I clung to the dream. The marketing is convincing, and I feel guilty NOT buying one. But they get so gross. I'm wincing just writing this. I’d avoid cleaning it for as long as possible, until the water was barely trickling out, the filter clogged with cat hair and who-knows-what. The inside turns green. The filter turns green. Just... no.
You know what’s easier? A regular bowl. Refill it every day. It’s way less gross, less work, and less green.
#1: The Litter Robot
I started with an off-brand version from Amazon. That was awful. Then I thought, I just didn’t get the RIGHT one, and shelled out the ridiculous amount Litter Robot wants for their latest model.
I hated it. Yes, it smells. That gray rubber lining in the pee cave somehow stays wet and awful. The drawer with the waste? I can’t. I kept using it, crying every time I had to deal with it, just thinking about the money I spent and how my husband said I was crazy. So I doubled down and tried to make it work.
Six months in, the sensors started acting up. The app kept sending error messages. I’d check it, and there’d be multiple clumps inside because it hadn’t cycled. I gave it a couple of days, then dragged the whole thing out to the garage and left it there.
Then I ran to Walmart and tried wood chips. That was another six-month disaster. Whirlpool hated them so much he started peeing right next to the box to avoid touching them with his fat little toes.
Now we’re on clumping crystal litter, and I’m very happy with it. But it’s only been a couple of months. I might have another meltdown in four months and start the cycle all over again.
So, I hope this helped—or at least entertained you.
I’m curious: what’s a pet product you regret buying? Let us know!
