I’m a Cat Dad, and These Are The 12 Products I Swear By—From Scratchers to Litter Solutions

Published Sep 12, 2025 7:00 pm ET


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As a proud self-proclaimed cat dad of over 35 years, I’ve tried just about everything when it comes to my fur babies. Some products are lifesavers, while others end up in the back of a closet. When it comes to keeping my home clean, smelling fresh and making sure my cats are happy, I know what works.

Some standouts are this sofa scratching protector that saved my furniture and a Cat Litter Box Enclosure to keep odors under control. I only included products I personally use or have used, and I hunted down the best deals for each. Here are the 12 best cat dad products I swear by.

My 12 Favorite Cat Dad Products on Amazon

  1. Enclosed Smell: When I researched Robo Litter Boxes, I found that they require a lot of maintenance. I found an easier, more stylish and affordable solution with this Cat Litter Box enclosure. It keeps smells at bay and ugly litter boxes out of sight.
  2. Stainless Savior: Since switching from plastic to this Stainless Steel Litter Box, I saw a noticeable reduction in smells. It’s easier to clean than plastic, and having a two-pack means you can rotate them for deep cleaning.
  3. Scoop It Up: I’ve tried all different types of cat litters, but this Scoop Away brand litter offers the best clumping and odor protection, which makes daily scooping a breeze.
  4. Fur Buster: Dealing with shedding is tough, but this self-cleaning pet hair brush helps keep my place clean and my cats cool in the summer. Some cats love it, others tolerate it, but it works nonetheless.
  5. Laser Lover: My cats go crazy over these cat laser toys and even my 11-year old cat acts like a kitten when I bring it out. It’s one of the most fun and inexpensive ways to play with your cat.
  6. Furniture Saver: When we got new sofas recently, I wanted to keep them looking good. These cat scratcher sofa protectors do a great job at that and they’re super easy to install. We even got one that matched the color of our sofas!
  7. Magic Mat: My new cat makes quite a mess and to keep the area clean, I use this Cat Litter Mat that traps most of the litter. At the end of the week, dumping it is quick and easy.
  8. Cat Mani/Pedi: Claw maintenance is essential. I love the Professional Pet Nail Trimmer with a safety guard because it won’t hurt my cats while still keeping their claws in check.
  9. Arm and Hammer Power: Even the best litter benefits from a little help. I add a bit of this Arm and Hammer Double Duty Deodorizer after each clean, and it keeps the litter box area smelling fresh.
  10. The Finishing Touch: And after using the deodorizing powder in the litter box, I add this Heavy Duty Febreze Air Freshener as a finishing touch to really keep the whole room smelling great.
  11. Time For Treats: When ever I say, “Who wants a treat?!”, my cats go nuts. They particularly love these Chicken Flavor Greenies Dental Treats and the dental health is a nice bonus.
  12. Cat Condo: We bought this 61-Inch Cat Tower recently, and it was a great investment. Both our cats use it every day, whether to sleep on, play with or scrat the posts. And it was very easy to assemble!

Nick Hazleton is a San Diego-based journalist with over 18 years of health and nutrition experience. He joined the A360 Commerce team (now McClatchy Media) as a performance marketing content writer in 2024. Nick is passionate about helping others lead happy and healthy lives. In his free time, he’s researching a new healthy recipe or looking for a new restaurant in San Diego to take his wife.

Chase Clements

Chase Clements

Editor McClatchy Commerce

Based in Kansas City, Chase Clements is the Commerce Content Operations Manager. He has many years of experience as a Commerce Writer and Editor for McClatchy.