(aka the “LadyBird Is My Child” Starter Pack – Expanded Edition)
If you’ve ever turned down plans because “my cat needs me,” I SEE you. (But I can also pet sit if you have things to do.) If you have a complete category in your budget for your pets, well, welcome. You’ve found your people.
LadyBird is not just my cat—she’s my tiny, sassy roommate, and I’m deeply invested in making her life (and mine) as peaceful and cozy as possible. Here’s a round-up of the cat stuff that’s actually worth the money, including health upgrades, toys, feeding tools, and a full-on litter setup that’s a little too well thought out.
🐾 The Health & Feeding Upgrades
1. Purina Pro Plan LIVECLEAR – Allergen Reducing Cat Food
I’m not being dramatic when I say this changed our household dynamic. Landon is allergic to cats. Once we went to a cat cafe before a wedding and he cried and sneezed the rest of the day. Bless his heart he loves animals though. It’s usually fine if he washes his hands immediately after touching them, but that day it just stuck. Since putting LadyBird on LIVECLEAR, he kisses her on the forehead DAILY with zero consequences (except maybe a dirty look from her).
How it works: LIVECLEAR contains a special egg-based protein that neutralizes the Fel d 1 allergen in cats’ saliva before it spreads into the air. It’s actual science, and it’s been a total game-changer for cat lovers with allergies.
2. Tiki Cat After Dark – High-Protein Wet Food
After managing feline diabetes with my late soul cat, Shyssa, I knew I wanted LadyBird to eat as well as I could reasonably afford. We tried Fancy Feast (she would only eat half and leave the rest), Whole Hearted (meh), and finally landed on Tiki Cat. She loves it. I love that it’s high-protein, grain-free, and full of real ingredients. Crossing my fingers the recent acquisition doesn’t mess with the quality.
3. Nulo Grain-Free Perfect Purees Cat Treats
Simple ingredients. High protein. Big hit. She comes RUNNING for these. They also make me feel like I’m not handing her empty calories—which matters, because again, she is my child.
4. Self-Timed Feeder for Dry Food
Whether I’m out pet sitting or just trying to get a little extra sleep, I can count on this feeder to keep LadyBird fed and not angry. It’s easy to program, keeps food fresh, and blends into the room without looking like a spaceship. She is fed AM and PM. It has an app for remote feeding and you can adjust the portion sizes.
😻 The Fun & Enrichment
5. Laser Pointer
She can be mid-loaf, completely disinterested in the world—and this little red dot still gets her every time. She launches into her chaos zoomies with total abandon. It’s $5 of joy for both of us. I actally got the two pack so one can stay at home and one stays with me for pet sitting enrichment for clients.
6. Favorite Mouse Toys
I’ve bought the cute ones, the expensive ones, the eco-friendly ones—and yet these cheap little dudes are what she loves best. Something about their size and texture makes them the perfect prey. They have a little bell in them, but it isn’t loud enough to wake me up when she leaves it beside me while I sleep. (This is a nightly routine. A little treat for me to wake up to. So thoughtful.)
7. Yeowww! Catnip Banana
These things come highly reviewed by cat people and cat rescues all over.
8. Her Cat Wheel
Okay, so she doesn’t always use this. Sometimes it’s just modern art in the corner. But when she does decide to go for a little spin, it’s the best thing ever. Bonus: it makes her look like she’s in training for the Cat Olympics. Not a total fail, not a total win—just cat logic. And when she does use it it’s usually the middle of the night. So if you get one, maybe don’t place it in your bedroom.
🧼 The Litter System I Might Be a Little Too Proud Of
Let’s be honest: litter setups are either messy, smelly, or ugly. I did not want to live that life. So I Frankensteined together my dream combo of function, form, and cat luxury.
9. Tidy Cats Breeze Litter Box
I like the size and the tray for the litter pads, but you could sub in another sifting box if needed. Breeze makes it feel a little cleaner and more contained than your average open tray. It’s not the most affordable, nor the most expensive. I do not prefer the pellets they use. So I get my own, below.
10. Nature’s Logic Pine Pellets (Chewy)
These are an affordable, long-lasting, and non-smelly alternative to traditional litter. $10 on Chewy for a 12 lb bag that lasts forever. Once you go pine, it’s hard to go back. ALSO, if you have space for storage and REALLY want to save money, you can get 40lbs for $22.45 from Walmart and probably cheaper from a Tractor Supply shop. It will be branded as equine bedding. It’s the same thing.
This is sifting litter. So sift the stool out daily, and the pine pellets will disolve into powder and fall into the pads at the bottom. Don’t expect the impossible, cats are always going to track litter, but with the larger pine pellets it is MUCH less and so much easier to clean up.
11. Litter Pads
These go underneath and catch any moisture that gets through the pellets. Easy to change, great odor control. I change mine out about every three days. The TidyCats system comes with and sells some as well, but this pack has lasted me a year.
12. Litter Scoop
I like this one because it sifts the pine pellets better and still hangs off the side of the box.
13. Litter Box Enclosure
The one I bought is currently sold out, but there are SO many different styles fit for your individual needs. Is it the finest piece of furniture I’ve ever built? No. But it matches my decor, hides the box, and took about an hour to assemble (LadyBird supervised, naturally). The side entrance has a grate to help catch some of the tracked litter. Easy to clean. Just make sure to double check the measurements and make sure whatever litter box you get will fit inside. (I like the high walled boxes which normally run larger.)
14. Motion Sensor Light for the Box
Yes. I installed a tiny, motion-sensing light inside her litter enclosure. Because why shouldn’t she have a nightlight to potty in peace?
🐈 Bonus: Microchip Scanner
Yes, I own one. Yes, I’m that neighbor. We’ve got some local cats who roam, and rather than scoop them up and stress them out to go get scanned, I just pop out with this handheld reader and check for a chip. Super useful if you’re in rescue, fostering, or just the neighborhood cat lady (me).
If you’ve made it this far, you’re either a fellow obsessed cat parent or someone shopping for one. Either way: welcome to the club. These purchases have made a huge difference in our home life—healthier habits, less stress, fewer sneezes, and a lot more joy.
Tell me what your cat loves—I’m always open to trying something new (and so is LadyBird, as long as it doesn’t interrupt her naps).
