Daily Star's top cat tech from self-cleaning litter tray to Squishmallows cave (2025)

The Daily Star's resident 'I need to occupy my cat because she attacks me during work calls' expert Adam Cailler has picked his top cat gifts to buy your needy best mate

Cats are impossible to please, as any owner of a fluffy demon will tell you. But sometimes you want to reward your cold, unloving , judgemental bestie with something special in the hope that they may love you back one day...maybe.

So with that in mind, I've found three of the best new products you can bestow upon your hell demon that also make your own life just that little bit easier, including one very special item which entirely eliminates the grim smell that fills the house after your cat does its business.

And yes, Willow - the Cailler household's resident demon - did seem quite impressed with them eventually.

Pet Pivot Autoscopper 11

Everyone who owns any kind of animal will try everything humanly possible to eliminate the horrific smell your house-trained animal leaves behind in whatever form of animal toilet they use. Well, my wife and I have spent 11 years across the lives of two cats trying to find a litter tray that wins the battle, and have never been able to do so . . . until now.

The Pet Pivot 11 is somewhat of a miracle device. It holds up to 7.9l of litter, while collecting a whopping 10l of cat mess. It's shaped like a giant football with legs, and once you've built it (which takes around three minutes) and turned it on, there really isn't much else you ever need to do bar fill it and empty it.

The machine has sensors inside which know when your cat has been in it, and then proceeds to perform two functions – a levelling and then the emptying. The second function traps the litter in a cage-like back panel leaving only the mess to drop down into a self-contained litter box at the bottom, which has a tie bag inside.

From defecation to cleaning, the entire process takes around five minutes and you won't smell a thing. We were concerned that Willow would be put off by the fact it's an antonymous robot that makes a bit of noise (only 38db) but she hopped straight in and felt very comfortable upon first usage.

This is a must-have for all cat owners – it really is a game changer. My only negative about it is that it requires a bit of a leap for Willow to get in and out of, but it doesn't seem to bother her really.

4.8/5

Squishmallows Original Cam The Cat Ultrasoft Pet Cave Multi Coloured

All hail a cat cave which is actually big enough for a cat to feel conformable in.

Putting aside this is unbelievably cute in design and look, the Squishmallows cave is one of the first (of very, very many) cat caves we've given Willow where she has enough room both at the sides and above to be able to move around in and not feel squashed.

Kudos to whoever designed it, the increased space at the top of it is a winner in our eyes. It's comfortable, spacious and looks fun in the corner of any living room – and it's only £30.

5/5

Emma Bridgewater Personalised Ceramic Pet Bowls

Humans love personalised mugs, so why not get your cat a personalised cat bowl? The Emma Bridgewater sets are beautifully designed, and all hand-painted with your cat's name on it.

We got Willow the larger one, which has a 1150ml capacity . . . more than enough to keep her happy and filled with her dry food. The bowls are made from English Earthenware, and are dishwasher safe – something not many cat bowls are these days.

It costs around £38, but the price is worth it to get something not off-the-shelf and that looks stylish in any home. It's also nice to give our hell demons something of their own that you know nobody else will have.

5/5

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