The eight dog shedding brushes we tested

Important features to consider

The two most important factors to consider when buying any type of dog brush is your dog’s hair (or fur if s(he) has a double-coat) and the dog’s size. For example, a dog brush that’s designed for long, fine, or wavy hair — like a golden retriever or collie — wouldn’t be the best choice for a dog with short, curly or wiry hair, like a poodle or a terrier.

Dog brushes are available in various types. Many brushes are intended solely for keeping your dog’s coat clean and shiny by stimulating your dog’s natural oils to rise to the coat’s surface. Shedding brushes are designed to reach down into your dog’s undercoat and lift up loose hair and dirt that gathers on your dog’s skin.

Some deshedding brushes can also be used to detangle matted hair, particularly around the dog’s withers. When shopping for a shedding brush, consider the following features that the best shedding brush should have.

No bristles

Since a brush is basically made up of bristles, it may seem counterintuitive to look for a deshedding brush that doesn’t have bristles. Of the eight brushes we tested, the most effective in removing hair had a stainless steel component. Our top pick, the Hertzko – Slicker Brush, is composed of many rows of stainless-steel pins that reach deep into a dog’s coat and draw up loose hair. Our favorite for long-hair breeds, the FURminator – Grooming Rake, has stainless-steel prongs, and our pick for short-hair breeds, SleekEZ – Shedding Tool, has a stainless-steel serrated blade.

Size

The size of your dog will determine the appropriate shedding brush to buy. We wouldn’t buy the same brush for a Great Dane as we would for a Pomeranian, but many — if not most — deshedding brushes are “one size fits all.” We recommend searching out a shedding brush that’s available in different sizes, like the SleekEZ. FURminator also has various sizes to choose from.

Ergonomic handle

You want to take your time in shedding your beloved canine pal so to avoid painfully pulling and tugging his/her hair and causing your dog distress. Since you’ll be holding the brush for a while, it makes sense that the brush should fit comfortably in your hand. We found the SleekEZ’s curved wood oval the best ergonomically as it’s designed to fit into the palm. The GoPets – Dematting Comb has a unique handle encased in silicone gel, which molded into the hand.

Ease of cleaning

As you’re deshedding your dog, hair will gather in the brush head and should be easy to remove after several strokes of your dog’s coat. The rake-style shedding brush is the easiest to clean because there’s enough space between the rake’s prongs; hair gathers together and comes off in a clump. Generally, slicker brushes are the most difficult to clean because the pins are densely packed. The Hertzko brush, however, has a very handy button that, when pressed, retracts the pins into the brush head, and hair can be peeled off the flat surface.

Durability

You certainly want a dog deshedding brush to hold up for many grooming sessions. Avoid brushes that are made of plastic or rubber, which can bend and get deformed with continued use. In addition, because of their flexibility, the plastic or rubber brushes that we tested removed only a small amount of hair or none at all.

How we tested

We tested all the shedding brushes on two different breeds with different hair types. One dog was a border collie with a varied mix of undercoat, fine hair, wavy hair, and coarse hair. Our other dog was a terrier mix with short wavy hair. Both dogs are accustomed to grooming. Over a two-week period, we brushed each dog for an hour with the same shedding brush and noted how well (or not) it removed loose hair and detangled mats.

The border collie tends to have matted hair on his long, thick withers and around his ears and neck ruff, and so we took special care in these sensitive areas to avoid the brush pulling or tugging. The terrier mix’s coat is more even, but he sheds short hairs constantly, and we focused on his undercoat. With these two very different hair types, we were able to determine which brush was best for long- and short-hair breeds and which brush made the grooming process enjoyable and stress-free.

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We’ve been cat owners for several years and are always around cats and cat parents. Just like products for humans, we consistently buy and test new variations of cat accessories to find the best-designed and most durable items for our favorite family members.

While we understand each cat is different, we have access to test items on several cats of different breeds, sizes, and demeanors so we can find the best accessories, like cat scratchers. In the past, we’ve tested automatic litter boxes (like the Litter-Robot 4), cat toys, cat trees, nail clippers, litter mats, and even cat food. When it comes to our pets, we go above and beyond with our testing requirements to make sure we pick the best items.

The 8 Cat Scratchers we tested

Important features to consider

Type

Most cats have textural preferences for their scratching surfaces. Scratchers are often made of corrugated cardboard, sisal rope, woven sisal, jute, or polyester carpet. Sisal rope or woven sisal are often the most popular because the rough texture allows the cat’s claws to grip the material during scratching and helps with grooming. Sisal is also extremely durable and long-lasting.

Carpet (often polyester carpet) is the softest material, but the woven texture still allows cats to grip the fabric and scratch. This material doesn’t last as long as sisal. Corrugated cardboard can also mimic a softer, bark-like texture for cats who prefer a different material. It’s also important to mention that cardboard (whether cheap or reinforced corrugated cardboard) disintegrates into smaller pieces and is often messier than other fabrics.

Build quality and durability

While corrugated cardboard falls apart quicker than sisal or carpet, remember that all scratchers are meant to be used and will break down eventually. However, buying from reputable brands known for their build quality is still important. Scratchers with reinforced corrugated cardboard, like from the brand Coching, won’t disintegrate as quickly as cheaper cardboard designs.

We love the height for vertical scratching posts because it gives cats room to scratch and stretch on instinct. But you must also have sturdy and heavy bases to prevent cats from toppling the scratcher. We also prefer posts to be glued and stapled securely to prevent cats from hurting themselves.

Shape & size

Cat scratchers come in many varieties, like vertical posts or horizontal scratchers. We suggest choosing a scratcher that allows your cat to scratch and stretch in their natural preference. For example, if your cat tends to scratch a couch while standing on their hind legs, we suggest buying a vertical scratching post.

Budget

Scratchers come in many affordable prices, but sometimes these prices can dictate the material used or the design of each scratcher. We found cheaper scratchers tend to be made of cardboard or have less durable builds than more expensive scratchers. Modern designs like the scratchers from Fukumaru were often more expensive.

Other features

Other features you should consider are extra toys that help entice cats to use the scratchers more than your expensive furniture. Some scratchers are made for multiple cat households because they offer more posts or different scratching areas. If your cat loves being in high places, it’s also useful to have scratchers with platforms or different levels to sit on top of to entice them to use the scratchers.

How we selected

We picked a variety of materials like woven sisal, sisal rope, jute, cardboard, and carpet in horizontal and vertical scratcher designs all under $50. Many of these scratchers are from popular brands, and we also received recommendations from other cat parents. In total, we tested eight different types of scratchers to see how they would fare against our five resident cats.

How we tested

In the span of three months, we analyzed each scratcher in three categories: ease of assembly, durability, and design. We tested these scratchers with the help of six cat testers:

• Gob: Ginger cats are known to be playful and aloof, and Gob is no different. This five-year-old kitty loves to snuggle as much as he likes to get his wiggles out by chasing or scratching vertical posts. He’s currently 12 pounds and measures 19 inches.
• Kit Kat: Our 11-year-old senior cat is also our biggest kitty at 18 pounds and measures __ inches. He loves to give the biggest stretches on vertical posts and is always on the hunt for scratchers tall and sturdy enough for his stature.
• Jelly Bean: Our tiniest cat, Jelly Bean dwarfs her brother Kit Kat at eight pounds and __ inches in length. She’s five years old and prefers cardboard scratchers for her delicate little paws.
• Marshmellow: As an ex-street cat, Marshmellow now spends the day looking forward to her next meal, kicking scratching posts, and sleeping on cat trees. She’s five years old and 15 inches long.
• Mizuki: This six-year-old grey calico is 12 pounds and measures about 20 inches long. She loves a good treat and typically loves scratching on vertical posts or cardboard scratchers.
• Mikasa: Two-year-old Mikasa is also a grey calico like her older sister Mizuki and is 10 pounds and 18 inches long. She’s a little bit more reserved but also loves cardboard scratchers.

Ease of assembly

During assembly, we paid attention to how detailed the instructions were to follow if the scratchers came with any tools to make assembly easier, and how fast it took to put them together. The smoother the assembly process, the closer they ranked out of 10 per category.

Durability

We ranked all the scratchers out of 10 in three categories: material choice, stability, and if it can be repaired. Materials like sisal and jute scored higher than corrugated cardboard because they are stronger materials and have less tendency to disintegrate within a couple of months of testing. We ranked its score lower during testing if a scratcher moved or tilted over. We noted if repairing scratchers were easy or possible. Some materials like cardboard couldn’t be repaired because they disintegrated, but sisal rope or jute can be replaced easily, and they ranked higher.

Design

Scratchers are necessary for many cats, but that doesn’t mean they have to be ugly. We ranked the design of each scratcher on three specifics: aesthetics, size of the scratching area, and extra features like toys or platforms. Aesthetics include offering different colors, sizes, and overall design. The more of these characteristics each scratcher has, the higher they scored out of 10. Scratchers also scored higher if they had a larger-sized scratching area because it allowed cats to scratch from more areas and lasted longer. Extra features like toys that enticed cats to scratch more or platforms were scored higher out of 10.

The post The 8 Best Cat Scratchers appeared first on Your Best Digs.

We’ve been proud cat parents of an adopted fur baby for about four years now and are no strangers to scooping cat litter. We reviewed the Litter-Robot 3 after using it for many years and reviewed the upgraded Litter-Robot 4 as soon as we could get it in our hands after testing many other brands of automatic litter boxes in the past. You can see all of our cat and pet product reviews here.

What is a Litter-Robot?

If you’re not familiar, the Litter-Robot is a self-cleaning litter box that automatically scoops dirty litter whenever your cat relieves itself. The machine rotates to sift out the clumped litter, putting it into a waste drawer, then sifts back in the unused litter into the box. The Litter-Robot sets itself apart with its sleek design, quiet scooping features, wifi connectivity and custom mobile phone app.

Litter-Robot 4 vs. 3 feature comparison table

Design

The Litter-Robot 4 has a clean and modernized design we like a lot better.

The first noticeable difference between the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and the Litter-Robot 4 is the design. Where the former tends to look like a bulky spaceship, the Litter-Robot 4 has a sleeker and minimalist aesthetic that fits most homes. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect comes in gray or beige colors, while the Litter-Robot 4 comes in black or white (a small detail we prefer because the colors look more modern).

Over time there will be more kitty litter that eventually settles all around the unit, and the Litter-Robot 4 is a little more seamless in terms of number of panels to wipe down.

Overall dimensions & entrance dimensions

The Litter-Robot 4 wins with a smaller footprint, and larger entrance.

Although both machines weigh 24 lb, the Litter-Robot 4 has smaller overall dimensions of 29.5” x 22” x 27” (height x width x depth). The Litter-Robot 3 Connect is 2.25 inches wider at 29.5” x 24.25” x 27”. One of the main differences in design is the size and shape of the entrance. The newer iteration of the Litter-Robot has a circular opening that’s 15.75” x 15.75”, whereas the Litter-Robot 3 Connect has an oval-shaped entrance that’s 15.5” high by 10.25” wide. If you’ve got larger cats, we recommend the wider entrance of the Litter-Robot 4.

There are also differences in the height from the floor to the entrance of each Litter-Robot. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect has a 13.4” height, and the Litter-Robot 4 has a height difference of 12”. Each litter box has a platform below the entrance to help the cat enter. If you have a senior or larger cat with mobility issues, you can buy a ramp for the Litter-Robot 3 to help them reach the entrance. Note that the ramp for the Litter-Robot 4 won’t be available until 2023.

Sensors: safety and health

Both machines’ sensors are similar, but the Litter-Robot 4 adds a feature to measure and track your cat’s weight.

The Litter-Robot 3 Connect has a Cat Sensor that primarily uses your cat’s weight to indicate when your cat steps on the platform or enters the globe. For safety reasons, each cat must weigh at least five pounds to use the Litter-Robot 3 Connect. We noticed that the noisy cycle cleaning would intrigue our cat, and he would step on the platform at the start of cleaning, interrupting and pausing the cycle.

The newer Litter-Robot 4 has laser and weight sensors that help keep your cat safe and they also give you updates on your cat’s health (like their weight and litter box usage). The OmniSense detection laser-based sensors help you know when your cat enters the litter box and give you real-time litter levels and waste drawer levels–so you have all this information at the palm of your hands with the Whisker mobile app.

The Litter-Robot 4 also has weight sensors that differ from the Litter-Robot 3 Connect in that it offers litter box activity and will also weigh your cat whenever it uses the litter box. Your cat’s weight is sent to the Whisker app so you can monitor their weight along with your cat’s litter box history. We like that we can get more health information from this new model.

However, we have noticed that the sensors are somewhat more sensitive and see that the cycles get interrupted at least once a day. We also think that the laser sensors are a bit fussy when giving us litter levels, but this also may be due to the lighter-weight wheat litter we use.

Noise when “scooping” & sifting

The Litter-Robot 4 wins as the MUCH quieter machine.

We used a digital sound level meter to give you some concrete results, held about 20″ away from the litter box as we ran the scoop/sifting cycle. The ambient noise level in the room was 38 dBA. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect measured approximately 60-62 dBA average during the litter sifting cycle with a high of about 65 dBA. By comparison, the Litter-Robot 4 measurured much lower at an average of 40-55 dBA with a max of about 59 dBA.

The Litter-Robot 4 is quiet enough to not startle or intrigue our cat during the cleaning cycle like the Litter-Robot 3 Connect. The Litter-Robot 3 Connect makes a very obvious sounding motor rotation noise when it runs a cycle. We can hear the cycling from the bedroom one room away. However, it was never loud enough to be alarming or startling.

But it is shocking how quiet the Litter-Robot 4 is by comparison–there’s barely any noise. This softer sound is due to the new QuietSift patented technology that produces WhisperQuiet sifting noise when cleaning. We noticed that the sound from the brushes cleaning the machine during the cycle is louder than the actual motor. We appreciate this new tech because we don’t hear the device throughout the day, and it’s less distracting for our cat.

Machine setup, wifi & app connection

The Litter-Robot 4 wins this one, even if it’s a small detail.

Both the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and 4 came fully assembled out of the box, and we just needed to follow Whisker’s set-up instructions on how to start the machine. Connecting them to the custom Whisker app was the only slightly tricky part of setting up either machine.

The Litter-Robot 3 Connect only had the QR code in the lower back in a very hard-to-scan spot. We have our machine in a tight spot, so setup (and subsequent re-connections) required pulling out the device, which wasn’t great because the machine was dirty.

The Litter-Robot 4 has a QR code showing when you pull out the litter tray, which makes way more sense. It’s interesting we just happened upon this code because the instruction manual still says it’s only in the back of the machine.

Waste drawers

The Litter-Robot 4 wins this category.

The Litter-Robot 3 Connect has a Drawer Full Indicator that uses infrared emitters and sensors to let us know when the device is full. We were often notified by the app once a week that we needed to change out the waste bag, but once we opened the drawer, there was still a lot of empty space left.

Due to the design, the dirty litter would frequently pile up in the center of the waste drawer. This pile alerted the machine that it was full even when there was plenty of empty space on the sides. We would need to either change out the bag or push dirty litter to the sides to reduce the number of garbage bags we used.

With the Litter-Robot 4, Whisker redesigned the waste drawer shape and added a new distance sensor that better notifies us when the waste drawer is full. The Litter-Robot 4 waste drawer is rectangular, less deep, and slightly wider. We’re notified of a full waste drawer about once every 7-10 days for one cat, and the drawer is full compared to the empty spaces in the Litter-Robot 3 drawer. Another distinct design change of the new unit is it’s designed to have the bag completely cover the waste drawer, whereas in the 3 the bag clips are inside the drawer–which meant sometimes litter fell onto the edges of the bag when sifting and missed the bag. On the Litter-Robot 4 it seems to catch the waste better, with no noticeable increase in litter falling outside of the drawer into the base of the unit.

The new redesign also reduces the time we need to clean up litter bags. If you have extra cash burning a hole in your pocket and want bags that fit the waste drawers perfectly you can spend between 55 cents to $1 buying them from Litter-Robot. However, even with this new size and shape drawer on the updated unit, it still fits the same Kirkland garbage bag size running us about 17.5 cents per bag. Litter-Robot recommends using 9-11 gallon waste bags, but we use 10-13, and they fit just fine.

Litter tracking / scatter

The Litter-Robot 4 wins this one, but we’re not sure how it achieves it.

When using the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, we noticed an equal amount of litter tracking as our manual litter box, even with additional accessories like the fence and ramp. After trying out many litter mats, this helped reduce the amount of scatter.

After using the Litter-Robot 4 for six months with the included fence attachment, we noticed less litter scattered outside the litter box and throughout the house. While we can’t entirely be sure why this has changed, we think it may be the device’s different design, especially the step platform. We noticed a lot more litter accumulating on the step platform than on the litter mat and the floor. However, it’s important to understand that litter tracking is completely normal in cat behaviors and varies between cats.

No matter what machine you use, or what litter you use, we’ve always experienced some litter tracking. We actually mounted a cordless vacuum nearby (from our lightweight vacuum review) to do a quick cleanup daily.

Cleaning the machines

Litter-Robot recommends cleaning the globe portion of the machine every one to three months, but this entirely depends on how many cats use the litter box and how messy it becomes. For both the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and Litter-Robot 4, the cleaning experiences were similar because the parts are similar–a globe that can be hosed down and a more sensitive bonnet and base with electronic control panels and wires.

Before cleaning anything, we recommend reading the Litter-Robot manuals to avoid damaging your machine. In between deep cleanings, you can easily do wipe-downs on the outer parts of the machine or change out waste drawer liners when it’s full. Deep cleaning both machines take an hour or two of your time because the base and the bonnet can only be wiped down with towels and cleaning sprays due to the fragile electronic parts. There are also many small crevices to vacuum in both variations.

Overall experiences

After using the Litter-Robot 4 for over six months, we like this machine’s new additions and redesign. Compared to the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, this new iteration is quieter, helps notify us of our cat’s weight, and reduces the number of times we tend to the waste drawer.

Even though both devices look like large litter boxes, the new redesign is also a more minimalist and sleeker design. While we loved using the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, we can’t deny it’s a large eyesore that we pushed towards the corner of our laundry room. Whisker also sells furniture that hides the Litter-Robot 3 Connect too, if you want to disguise the machine in your home.

Conclusion: Is the Litter-Robot 4 worth the cost?

The Litter-Robot family is a luxury item that will help lessen the load of scooping up kitty litter, so we can assume it’s not necessary for some cat parents. At $549, the Litter-Robot 3 Connect is already a high-priced item and we still think it’s a great automatic litter box option to have compared to any manual scooping setup. The Litter-Robot 4 makes many small improvements across the board which are arguably all nice to have but not essential. If you can afford the price increase, we think the Litter-Robot 4 is worthwhile.

The post Litter-Robot 4 vs. 3 Comparison: We Tested Both! appeared first on Your Best Digs.

The Litter-Robot is a self-cleaning litter box that can accommodate up to four cats in one household. Compared to other automatic kitty litter boxes, the Litter-Robot differs in its circulating globe design that thoroughly scoops up and filters dirty litter instantly. Note that if you use lightweight litter (like wheat or corn-based litter pellets), you may have some leftover clumps that you need to scrape once a day, as we experienced.

When we transitioned our cat Gob into the new Litter-Robot 4 from our old Litter-Robot 3 Connect (see our review), it was easy for him to acclimate even though it had a different design. Also see our Litter-Robot 4 vs. 3 comparison post.

If you’re new to the Litter-Robot family, Whisker has a guide on how to introduce your cat to this device. The latest version, Litter-Robot 4, features a sleeker redesign to increase comfort for cats of all sizes and shapes with a wider entrance and many tech features.

With this new iteration, the Litter-Robot 4 is remarkably quieter than the Litter-Robot 3 Connect when it’s cycling–we almost didn’t realize it was cleaning. The quiet cycling sound didn’t startle our cat as often, either. Not only does it look aesthetically better, but they also moved the control panel to the top of the globe for better accessibility. We liked having better access to these buttons and knowing the machine’s status based on the colors changing (for example, red means a cat is detected, and flashing blue means the waste drawer is full).

How much does the Litter-Robot 4 cost?

The Litter-Robot 4 costs $699 from the manufacturer at the time of this writing and comes with wifi connection to link with their custom app. Whisker also sells starter bundles that include kitty litter, extra garbage bags, an odor trap, and a litter mat at $859; this would save you $60 if you are already planning to purchase these accessories. Of course, you are welcome to buy these accessories separately. We prefer other brands of litter mats.

Litter-Robot 4 dimensions

While the Litter-Robot 4 is smaller than the previous version, it’s still a large piece of furniture to place in your home. The overall dimensions are 22’’ x 29.5” x 27,” so it’s essential to keep this size in mind before purchasing and ensuring you have enough room in your household.

The footprint of the Litter-Robot 4 is 22’’ x 27’’, and the entryway for the cats is 15.75’’ x 15.75”. Our cat is 12 lbs and measures 19 inches long (nose to base of the tail). Whisker advises that the litter box needs to sit on a cool, dry, and flat surface without touching any walls to prevent it from tipping over or overheating while in use.

The platform of the entryway is 6.9” from the ground, so you need to make sure that your cat can jump this far from the floor to reach the entrance. Currently, Whisker does not have a ramp option for the Litter-Robot 4 yet (this will launch in 2023), so keep this in mind for senior cats with less mobility.

Machine setup experience

Find a flat and firm surface for the Litter-Robot 4 to sit. Whisker recommends using the same location as a previous litter box to help your cat transition to a new device. Ensure the Litter-Robot 4 isn’t touching any walls and is nearby a power outlet. If you’re using a litter mat or rug, place this in front of the unit.

The Litter-Robot 4 comes fully assembled, but here is a breakdown of its parts: the globe (the inner main compartment your cat will use), the base (with a waste drawer), and the bonnet (a semi-circle that covers the globe with control panel buttons).

Fill the machine with kitty litter to the max line inside the globe–this is about one gallon by volume or 8-10 lb. Whisker recommends using their kitty litter; however, we’ve used wheat-based litter, which has worked for us. You can use standard clay or a heavier brand of kitty litter for this machine, but Whisker does not recommend using wood pellets or any non-clumping or loose-clumping litter like newspaper because they will not get filtered and get stuck in the machine.

Plug your machine into an outlet and press the power button; this should start an initial cleaning cycle that lasts two minutes. For more set-up information or tips on how to introduce your cat to the Litter-Robot 4, check Whisker’s website.

Litter-Robot 4 mobile app: Whisker

The Litter-Robot 4 works with the Whisker app, and if you already have a Litter-Robot 3 Connect, you can add another machine to the same account. The Whisker app tracks your cat’s litter box usage, similar to the Litter-Robot 3 Connect. For example, when a cleaning cycle begins and ends and if the waste drawer is full.

When you open the app, you can choose which litter box profile to view, and it’s accompanied by an icon of what the machine looks like with its current litter levels. With the new Litter-Robot 4, there is new information we can gather, like your cat’s weight, how much litter is in the inner chamber, and can eventually track which cat is using the machine (this feature is slated to come out in 2023).

Our favorite parts about the user interface are the home page that gives you a colorful graphic on litter levels, how much your cat currently weighs, and recent activity. You can also look at the cleaning cycles in the past week and the month to see any changes in your cat’s behavior. The Whisker app also gives you control over your machine, like putting on the light, placing the device in sleep mode, turning it off or on, or just doing a simple cycle.

It’s especially helpful when we’re traveling and have a catsitter, so we still know our cat is keeping up his daily litter box usage. Typically, we use the Whisker app a few times a week to check his litter box usage, if our cat’s weight is okay, current litter levels, and whenever the app tells us that the waste drawer is full.

Daily & long-term maintenance

Daily scooping

We like using wheat-based litter for environmental purposes because it’s eco-friendly and sustainable, and we found that this type of litter also works in the Litter-Robot 3 Connect and the Litter-Robot 4. However, because it’s not as heavy as clay litter that clumps easily, it doesn’t sift through the filter as easily. As a result, a small amount of used litter is left inside the globe after a clean cycle. To ensure it stays clean between each deep clean, we do an “end-of-the-day” scrape to remove any leftover used litter.

This may sound crazy because the Litter-Robot is supposed to reduce the number of times you clean the litter box, but we don’t mind this extra task. Compared to a traditional litter box where it’s full of dirty litter throughout the day until you scoop, using the Litter-Robot 4 reduces labor and odors because it filters out dirty litter with every use.

Trash bags / How often does Litter-Robot 4 need to be emptied?

Litter-Robot 4 comes with a few waste drawer liners with a 9-11 gallon capacity; however, we use 10-13 gallon Kirkland garbage bags because they’re more affordable, and we already use them for our garbage cans. In addition, the Whisker app typically tells us to change out the litter bag about every two weeks (or earlier) based on our cat’s usage.

Deep cleaning the Litter-Robot

Litter-Robot recommends deep cleaning the machine every one to three months, depending on your cat’s routine. Deep cleaning means taking apart the machine, using soap and water to clean the globe, and wiping down the rest of the machine.

If you have more than one cat, you will need to clean it more often. However, you can usually get away with wiping it down every few weeks. We use paper towels and a natural cleaning spray to wipe down the bonnet, fence, and outside base to remove any dust and particles of litter. We also change the waste drawer bag and vacuum up any leftover litter when prompted.

Deep cleaning this machine was similar to cleaning the Litter-Robot 3 Connect–i.e. this took a good portion of the afternoon. We recommend reading the user manual to understand how to disassemble the globe from the bonnet and the base and learn how to properly clean each part without damaging the electronic control panels, wires, and sensors. Cleaning the Litter-Robot is probably one of the caveats of owning this machine because it’s much more time-consuming and delicate to clean than traditional, manual litter boxes.

Health features

The Litter-Robot 4 has new sensors that are part of its OmniSense Detection system. The detection system includes laser-based sensors that monitor when your cat uses the device, real-time litter, and waste drawer levels. After using this device for a few days, we ended up silencing notifications except for waste drawer limits because we ended up with so many messages from Whisker giving us up-to-date information. The levels are fairly accurate from our experience.

Weight sensors also help weigh your cat, and SmartScale technology keeps you up to date on the Whisker app. Similar to our experience with the Litter-Robot 3 Connect, we also loved using the custom Whisker app. This app gives you instant notifications whenever your cat uses the litter box. It took a few uses for our cat’s weight to be accurate on the website, but since then, it’s stayed consistent.

Odor control

The Litter-Robot 4 is still a litter box, so there are still some odors, especially after our cat uses it. However, we’ve noticed it’s better at controlling odors than the Litter-Robot 3 Connect. The waste drawer redesign allows for a tighter seal around the used litter and prevents odors from escaping. You can adjust the cycle timer to sift litter quicker once your cat relieves itself. The faster the Litter-Robot 4 filters dirty litter, the fewer odors will escape from the device.

Does the Litter-Robot contain scatter?

Although the Litter-Robot 4 has a wider entrance than its previous iteration, we noticed less litter scattering after our cat used the litter box. We think it’s due to the new redesign with a wider stepping platform that catches more excess litter off the cat’s paws. This may be entirely subjective based on your cat’s personality, so if you have issues with litter outside of the Litter-Robot 4, some accessories can help you.

Whisker sells a litter trap mat to help cats kick off excess litter on their paws before walking elsewhere in your home. Note that we tested litter mats, and our cat prefers another litter mat because he’s more enticed to kick off the excess litter on the softer microfiber fabric. In addition, the Litter-Robot 4 now comes with a fence to prevent litter from escaping the globe as your cat kicks out excess pieces.

Best cat litter to use in the Litter-Robot 4

Whisker recommends using natural and clumping clay litter for the Litter-Robot 4 that they sell on their website. However, if your cat is used to other types of litter, like more environmentally friendly wheat or corn-based litter, these will also work because they are small enough to pass through the filters.

The Litter-Robot 4 can now use litter beads or crystals that are small enough for the filters. However, whisker doesn’t recommend using non-clumping or weak clumping materials like newspaper or wood pellets because they won’t filter out the screen.

Warranty

Whisker wants to ease any anxiety you might have about transitioning your pet to the Litter-Robot, so they offer a 90-day trial to see if it works for your household. They also have guides on how to introduce your pet to this machine. Each purchase also comes with a 3-year warranty. Whisker also prioritizes sustainability through its products by selling replacement parts for almost every piece of the Litter-Robot. So if one part breaks in the future, you can easily buy it directly from the company with instructions on how to repair it yourself.

Is the Litter-Robot worth it?

The Litter-Robot 4 is a hefty machine with an equally hefty price, so it’s essential to consider a few things before purchasing, like having enough space in your house for the device, if you’re okay using an app for a litter box, and if it’s in your budget. It’s also important to understand that your cat needs to be at least three pounds to use the Litter-Robot 4.

After using the Litter-Robot 4 for almost two months, we definitely think it’s worth it for our household because it reduces the amount of sifting and scooping we have to do daily. The cleaner the litter box, the healthier it is for our cat. We recommend the Litter-Robot 4 to anyone who loves cats but hates daily cleanup.

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Durability/Safety

Buying well-made toys that are strong enough to last multiple play times ends up saving you money in the long run and are potentially safer to use. While some toys are meant to be replaced after usage like cardboard scratchers, other types like kickers or wands must be durable enough to withstand pulling, biting, and tearing from your cat’s sharp teeth.

Variety

It’s great to have a variety of toys available for your cat to mix it up. Cats are notorious for getting over toys quickly–like toddlers–so it’s nice to change up playtime with different toys to entice them to move. Some cats prefer one type of toy over other varieties like wands or interactive toys, so it’s nice to test out new types.

Budget

No matter your budget, you can find a toy your cat likes and within your budget. Smaller toys like wands and springs can be under $10; electronic toys are often more expensive, with prices upwards of $20 and more.

How we selected

We selected over 15 types of toys that ranged in price from $3 to $50 to make sure we hit different price points for all cat owners. We also reviewed a variety of toys like interactive and electronic toys, wands, kickers, catnip fillers, and small-budget toys.

How we tested

We tested over 15 cat toys for several months with three cats of various ages and personalities:

• Gob: A four-year-old ginger domestic short hair cat that loves to hunt his prey. His favorite thing is relaxing on his bed during the day and playing with feathered wands at night.
• Bounce: A one-year-old gray, domestic short hair that is super playful and loves to eat. He’s got a lot of energy and can jump on the highest counters to reach his toys, like wands and anything with feathers. He loves chasing and playing hide and seek with mom and dad the most.
• Marshmellow: A five-year-old calico, domestic short hair, an ex-street cat who loves to cuddle and play. She loves bringing her “fresh caught” play mouse to mom and dad every night. During the day she loves wrestling with her cat scratcher and being chased by her older brother Kit Kat.

Over several months, we tested various toys with these three cats, reviewed each toy’s durability compared to their price points, and analyzed if they were safe to use and any additional health benefits. Additionally, many of these chasers had our cat running up and down their cat trees too!

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Important features to consider

It’s important to note that litter tracking (scattering throughout the house) is natural and completely dependent on each cat’s behavior. That also means there is no single one-size-fits-all litter mat to help remove litter tracking that applies to all cats. However, we’ve come up with some essential features to consider before purchasing your litter mat.

Texture / quality

Texture matters to cats (like in cat toys or litter mats), and you may need to change out mats depending on what your cat prefers. Some cats prefer softer fabrics over rubbery textures, while others want the opposite. The more your cat likes the material of the mat, the more likely it will use it to scratch off the excess litter on its paws. Textures we’ve tested are rubber coils, double-layer honeycomb trap mats, microfiber fabric mats, and silicone mats.

Washability

Litter mats constantly get litter thrown and scraped onto them, so it’s important to be able to easily clean and sanitize them. Some litter mats are made of rubber, foam, or silicone so that they can be hosed down outside or in the bathtub. In comparison, other varieties are made of fabric and can be cleaned in the washing machine. If you typically use a vacuum to remove excess litter, you may want a litter mat that you can vacuum easily without the mat moving around too much.

Size

Before buying any litter mat, measure your allocated space to know what fits. We recommend purchasing a size slightly wider than your litter box so it catches any litter your cat kicks–at least one foot wider. The size and texture depend on your cat’s behavior and how much space you want to allocate for the mat in your home. The bigger mats take up space in your house but may prevent more scatter because cats have more room to dislodge excess litter on their paws.

Budget

Mats come in all different sizes and variations, and they also vary in price. We’ve tested litter mats that range from as low as $15 to as high as $50. The larger mats are typically more expensive than smaller-sized mats, so keep this in mind.

How we selected & tested

We tested seven different litter mats for several weeks with our resident cats. The litter mats range in size from small to large, are made of various materials, are designed differently, and are all priced under $50. We reviewed each litter mat on its quality, durability, usefulness in reducing litter tracking, and washability.

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The nine pet hair removers we tested

Important features to consider

During our testing we discovered that even our top picks don’t remove all pet hair, but they do come close. Some performed better than others, but to finish the job, it’s best to use a pet hair vacuum. Many pets shed hair everyday, and vacuuming can be a chore on a daily basis, so the pet hair removers we tested are great for quick picker-uppers. Based on our tests, we recommend considering the following features before purchasing a pet hair remover.

Compartment to capture hair

Most pet hair removers are scrapers, meaning you scrape the hair into a ball and then pick it up manually for disposal. Inevitably, some stray hairs and lint remain behind, so you need to re-scrape the surface to gather up those small hairs. (Or, of course, you could vacuum them up.) Our top pick, the DELOMO roller, picks up pet hair and deposits it into an internal compartment that can be emptied into the trash.

Ergonomic design

Since pet hair removers by nature are manual, look for one that has been designed to fit comfortably in your hand. The Lilly Brush Pro Detailer has a wide silicone blade that’s curved to fit in your palm, and it also has a strap for inserting fingers as you’re scraping up hair.

Wide blade

Since you’ll want to pick up as much hair as you can without re-doing it several times, look for a remover that has a wide flexible blade — usually made of silicone or rubber. A wider blade lets you cover a wider area, which means you’ll get the job done faster. We also found a wider blade was more efficient in scraping up hair from carpets and area rugs.

Sticky roller or not?

Sticky rollers do a great job of collecting surface hair, but they’re bad at picking up embedded hair. Also, you’ll go through the sticky sheets fast, so they’re not cost efficient since you’ll need to buy refill rolls many times.

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The seven no-pull dog harnesses we tested

How we tested

Obviously, to test no-pull dog harnesses, we needed test subjects. We tested the harnesses on two high-energy dogs—a 19-month border collie and a five-year-old terrier mix—both averaging 35-38 pounds in weight and considered medium in size. Although our dogs have been trained on harnesses since they were puppies, left to their own devices, they still tend to pull in any direction, making walks without harnesses a challenge.

The harnesses we chose to test had been recommended by several dog training publications and were also the highest-rated harnesses on Amazon. The first test was whether the brand’s recommended harness size was sufficient and adjustable to fit both dogs. Although the dogs were approximately the same weight, the border collie was taller and had more girth than the terrier mix, so we had to adjust the harnesses twice, once for each dog.

The most important test was walking the dogs and gauging how effectively each harness prevented the dogs from pulling. Only two of the seven harnesses worked—Auroth Tactical and PetSafe Easy Walk. The others either did nothing to stop the dogs from pulling or required a good amount of strength to keep the dogs under control.

Important features to consider

Testing the no-pull dog harnesses revealed necessary features you should consider before buying one.

Correct size

Most dog harnesses come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large. A few harnesses have additional sizes like extra-small and extra-extra-large. Before buying one, it’s important to use a tape measure and measure the circumference of your pooch’s chest; this is the only way to determine the correct size since most harnesses list chest size in inches. For example, the medium Auroth Tactical lists chest size as 22-33 inches.

Accessible adjustable straps

Even if you have the correct chest size for your dog, no dog harnesses are likely to fit out of the box. Be prepared to spend about 30 minutes adjusting the several straps that go under your dog’s belly and behind their legs to ensure the harness lies flat against the chest and back. This adjustment only needs to be made once if you spend the time to ensure the harness fits properly.

One of the odd design choices certain brands make is hiding the harness buckles beneath fabric or inside pockets. Perhaps hidden (or partially hidden) buckles are aesthetically pleasing, but adjusting the straps becomes a frustrating challenge since you can’t easily push the material through the buckle. We recommend forgoing aesthetics and buying a harness with exposed buckles.

Chest clip vs back clip

Many dog harnesses have clips or loops for attaching a leash to the dog’s chest or back. In some instances, a back clip can be useless in stopping your dog from pulling and may actually have the opposite effect called the dog opposition reflex, meaning your dog will pull to escape or fight back.

For a puller, consider choosing a harness with a chest clip. When a leash clips at the front of the chest, it works as a barrier that the dog can’t get past and slows them down.

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Important features to consider

Type

When it comes to cat nail clippers, there’s a lot of variety: scissors, pliers, guillotine styles, and grinders. Clippers often come with two handles, except grinders, and some come with springs to help reduce the effort in opening and closing.

If you have a cat that hates getting its claws cut, we recommend using scissors or pliers because it’s easier to maneuver a wriggly cat without hurting them. Most cats we know are a little skittish when getting their nails trimmed, so we would refrain from using grinders unless you know your cat is okay with noise and vibrations while getting their claws cut.

Safety / locking mechanism

Cutting your cat’s nails can feel scary, and having a safety or locking mechanism will help relieve this. The safety guard is a plate on the back of the nail clippers that prevents you from cutting too much of the nail. However, its effectiveness depends on the length of your cat’s nails. Once the claws are cut very short, the guard may not be effective.
A locking mechanism keeps the clippers closed when not in use and prevents other people or cats from hurting themselves on the sharp blades.

Blade material / build quality

A dull blade is a dangerous blade. Use nail clippers that are super sharp and durable so they last for a long time or can even be resharpened later. If you use dull blades on your cat’s nails, it may break their nails instead of cleanly cutting them. We recommend stainless steel blades because they are strong and don’t rust.

The build quality of the clipper body also adds to a better experience for you and your cat. Some cheaper nail clippers are made of low-quality plastic with sharp edges that make clipping claws uncomfortable. At the same time, other brands include silicone or rubber handles for a more comfortable grip.

Budget

Cat nail clippers can range in price from under $10 to over $30, depending on the type of clippers you purchase. On average, most clippers were about $10-$15, so you can find any kind of clippers that fit your and your cat’s needs. Most electric grinders were on the higher end, while the manual scissors or pliers were cheaper.

How we selected & tested:

We wanted to try different nail clippers like scissors, pliers, guillotines, and grinders. These are the four main types of clippers. We tested features like angled blades, LED light fixtures, safety guards, and different handle ergonomics within each variety. Lastly, we focused on several pricing levels. We tested these tools from under $10 to over $30 per nail clipper to see if they were worth the price or a steal.

We tried 10 different cat nail clippers for two months on our cat, Gob. He’s typically timid and scared to cut his claws, so it’s often a two-person job, but using some of these different nail clippers made it possible to have a better and less stressful experience. (Don’t worry, we spoiled him with lots of playtime with the best cat toys to make up for his help!) We made notes of specific styles and sizes, safety issues, and blade and overall quality of the products.

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The 9 back seat covers for dogs we tested

Important features to consider

Types of back seat covers for dogs

There are two types of back seat covers for dogs: bench and hammock. The bench cover attaches to the back seat’s head rests with two adjustable straps, and the cover is secured by two plastic or rubber anchors that are inserted between the back of the back seat and the cushion. The bench cover has a large front flap that folds down over the seat and a flap on each side that folds down between the seat and the car door. Sometimes — but not often — the bench cover will have a elastic straps to hold the front and side flaps in place.

The second, more popular type is the hammock. It’s the same as the bench, but it has adjustable straps for the driver and passenger head rests as well. This option is preferred because it protects the dog(s) from falling between the seats if the driver needs to brake the car abruptly. A few brands include additional straps for the side panels to attach to hand rails, which lift the panels up to protect car door interior leather. This “sling” essentially seals up your dog in a rectangle box, which made our test dogs anxious.

Materials

Almost all back seat covers for dogs are made of 600D Oxford fabric, a heavy-duty polyester that is waterproof, durable, and tear-resistant. The underside of the cover is usually a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) webbing, which adds additional waterproofing and a non-slip grip. For manufacturers that claim they have your dog’s comfort in mind, it’s surprising that many of the back seat covers we tested had no padding. Plush Pets was by far the most padded with two layers between the top and bottom sides.

Another important element you should look for is metal or nylon buckles and clips. Many are made with a low-grade plastic that can easily break, especially when exposed to excessive heat and sunlight over time.

Headrest straps are almost always made from polyester, and as evidenced by many photographs posted by Amazon reviewers, the straps eventually rot and disintegrate after long exposure to UV rays. At least one manufacturer — 4KNines — acknowledged this problem and coated its headrest straps with a special laminate that protects damage from UV rays.

Size

Most back seat covers for dogs come in at least two sizes, and occasionally, three, like Plush Paws. But generally you’ll see “regular” or “standard”, which measure 54″ by 58″, and can accommodate a sedan or SUV. (Plush Paws does offer a small size — 50″ by 60″ — for smaller cars. The other size you’ll find is “extra-large” 63″ by 65″ for trucks or larger SUVs. All the covers we tested were the regular size (54″ by 58″) and, for one exception, they all fit snugly with sufficient coverage of the back seat of a Toyota RAV4.

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