The cat essentials I use every day are a long wooden wand toy with a fish, a sturdy cat tree, an L-shaped scratcher for stretching, a flat scratcher they can sleep on and a strong nylon string for play. Add a water fountain, a fur roller and a good brush, and you've covered play, climbing, scratching, water and fur.
By George, a cat dad in New Jersey and the maker of MyCatScratcher.
Heads up: MyCatScratcher is my own small New Jersey shop, so I am very biased about the Sunny Day Scratcher. Everything else here is stuff I use or that pet editors recommend. I don't make it and I don't earn anything if you buy it (no affiliate links).
Quick picks
- PlayEarthtone Solutions Felted Wool Squid Wand$13.99 on Amazon
- ClimbYaheetech 63" Cat Tree$53.98 on Amazon
- Stretch and scratchFUKUMARU 26.8" L-Shaped Cat Scratcher$19.79 on Amazon
Scratch and napMyCatScratcher Sunny Day Scratcher$89.95- Simple playNiko and Oscar's The Original Blue String$8.49 on Amazon
My must-haves, in order
1. A long wooden wand with a string and a fish
Earthtone Solutions Felted Wool Squid Wand
$13.99 as of Oct 2026
This is my #1 cat toy rule: go long, go wooden, put a fish on the end. A longer wand makes it a 10x better play session, because your cat gets real room to stalk, chase and pounce. I tossed the cheap green plastic ones. This one has a thick solid wood rod, a wool cord that adjusts up to 4 feet and a felted wool squid on the end. Not technically a fish, but it's the best long wooden wand we found in stock right now.
2. The Yaheetech cat tree
Yaheetech 63" Cat Tree
$53.98 as of Oct 2026
I have two cat towers at home, and this Yaheetech one is the best bang for your buck. Cats want to be up high, and this gives them climbing, lounging and a lookout spot without a fancy-furniture price.
3. An L-shaped scratcher for big stretches
FUKUMARU 26.8" L-Shaped Cat Scratcher
$19.79 as of Oct 2026
L-shaped scratchers are great for cat spines. The upright part lets them reach up and do that full-body stretch while they scratch. This FUKUMARU one is the L-shape we use.
Our shop
4. The Sunny Day Scratcher, for floor scratching and napping
MyCatScratcher Sunny Day Scratcher
$89.95 as of Nov 2026
For a ground scratcher, the Sunny Day Scratcher is the best and cutest in the game. It's us, but it's true! Our cats scratch on it and then fall asleep on it. It's corrugated cardboard in a wipe-clean frame, and when the pad wears out you swap in new replacement pads instead of buying a whole new scratcher. We can custom-paint it from a photo to match the cat.
5. A strong nylon string
Niko and Oscar's The Original Blue String
$8.49 as of Oct 2026
Sometimes the best toy is the simplest: a strong nylon string. It outlasts flimsy yarn and gets even lazy cats moving. This one's a ready-made option if you don't want to DIY.
Our shop
6. Spare scratcher pads
Sunny Day Replacement Pads
$10 as of Oct 2026
When the cardboard is worn flat, swap in a fresh pad and keep the frame. Way less waste than tossing a whole scratcher.
7. A water fountain
Catit Flower Water Fountain (3 L)
$32.99 as of Oct 2026
Consumer Reports includes the Catit Flower fountain in its picks. Some cats drink more from moving water.
8. A ChomChom roller
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover
$24.99 as of Oct 2026
The fur is unavoidable, but this reusable roller helps. Wirecutter and Consumer Reports both recommend it.
9. A self-cleaning slicker brush
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
$16.95 as of Oct 2026
Regular brushing means less fur on everything. A self-cleaning slicker brush is on The Spruce Pets' adoption supply list.
10. A treat puzzle
Cat Amazing Treat Maze Puzzle
$15.95 as of Oct 2026
Makes snack time a little game. It's on Consumer Reports's list.
Safety note: string, ribbon and feather toys are for supervised play only. Put them away after every session. The Cornell Feline Health Center warns that string and other strand-like parts can be swallowed.
More on picking the right scratcher in our guide on how to choose a cat scratcher. Shopping for a gift instead? Try the best gifts for cat lovers in 2026.
Last-minute? The MyCatScratcher Digital Gift Card comes in $25, $50 and $100, so they can pick a custom-painted scratcher matched to their own cat.
Questions
What are the essentials for a cat?
Food, water, a litter box and a carrier, plus the things that keep cats happy: scratchers, something to climb, interactive toys, a brush and fresh water. Many cats prefer a fountain.
Do cats really need a cat tree?
Most cats love being up high, and a tree gives them a safe lookout, a climbing workout and a spot that's theirs. It's not strictly required, but it's one of the best things you can add for an indoor cat.
Which is better, a vertical or a horizontal scratcher?
It depends on the cat. Many use both. An L-shaped scratcher gives them an upright stretch, and a flat scratcher on the floor is great for scratching and napping. Watch where they scratch now and match it.
How long should a cat wand toy be?
Longer is better. A long wand keeps your hand away from the action so your cat can stalk and pounce properly, and it makes for a much better play session.
How often should you replace a cardboard scratcher?
When the cardboard is shredded flat or your cat stops using it. See how often to replace a cardboard cat scratcher.