Most cat product reviews online are written by people who never owned the product. They pull specs from Amazon, reword a few customer reviews, and call it done. I know because I used to read those reviews and still ended up with products my cats ignored.
This page explains exactly what I do differently.
The short version
I buy or source the product. I use it with my own cats for a minimum of 14 days. I track specific data — water intake, behaviour changes, fur reduction, whatever is measurable for that product category. I note every problem I find. Then I write the review.
If I can’t test it personally, I don’t publish a recommendation.
My cats
I have four indoor cats. [Briefly describe them — e.g. “Two are senior cats over 10 years old. One is a 3-year-old with a history of urinary issues. Testing products across different ages and health profiles gives me a more complete picture than testing on a single healthy young cat.”]
Their health history matters because most cat products are marketed generically — “great for all cats.” In my experience that’s rarely true. A fountain that works for a healthy 2-year-old may be ignored by a senior cat with joint stiffness who can’t comfortably reach the water flow.
What I track during testing
It depends on the product category, but here’s what a typical test looks like:
Water fountains: Daily water intake measured in ml using a marked container. Approach frequency counted over 3-day intervals. Motor noise logged at 30cm distance. Filter condition checked at days 7 and 14.
Food and supplements: Consumption rate compared to previous food. Stool consistency noted (relevant for digestive claims). Energy levels observed. Coat condition photographed at start and day 30.
Grooming tools: Fur collected per session weighed on a kitchen scale. Cat’s tolerance rated on a simple scale. Hairball frequency tracked over 30 days where possible.
Enrichment and toys: Interaction frequency logged over 7 days. Engagement drop-off noted — most toys get ignored after day 3. The ones that don’t are worth recommending.
My sources beyond personal testing
Personal testing has limits. I’m one person with four cats of specific ages and temperaments. So I supplement my own data with:
- Verified purchase reviews on Petco, Chewy, and Amazon — I read the 2 and 3-star reviews first, not the 5-stars
- Cornell Feline Health Center guidelines for any health-related claims
- ASPCA guidance for safety and toxicity questions
- Vet consultations for articles that involve medical conditions like kidney disease or weight loss
I name my sources specifically. “Experts say” tells you nothing. “According to Cornell Feline Health Center’s guidelines on feline hydration” tells you something you can verify.
How I handle affiliate relationships
I’m an affiliate for Amazon for now. That means I earn a commission if you buy through my links.
Here’s what that doesn’t change: my testing process runs the same whether a product has an affiliate program or not. I’ve recommended products with no affiliate relationship. I’ve skipped products that pay high commissions because they weren’t good enough.
Every review includes at least one real flaw. Not a fake flaw added to look balanced — an actual problem I found during testing. If I genuinely can’t find a flaw worth mentioning, I say that and explain why.
Full details on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
What I won’t do
I won’t publish a review based on a press kit or product sample I haven’t personally tested. I won’t recommend something I wouldn’t buy again. I won’t remove a negative finding because a brand asks me to.
If a product I’ve previously recommended gets worse — reformulated food, cheaper build quality, worse customer service — I update the review and note what changed.
Questions about a specific review?
Email me at [your email address]. If you want to know whether a specific product was tested before or after an affiliate relationship was established, I’ll tell you directly.
Last updated: April 2026