Here Kitty, Kitty... Toys and Treats for Your Feline Friend

Recently, EDGE Lifestyle contributor Sandy MacDonald brought you the scoop on the hottest new toys, treats and trends in doggie delights. Now it?s my turn.

With two furry feline friends keeping me company during the day (and helping me save money on electricity by keeping us warm at night), I got to test out the best new toys, treats and accoutrements for our finicky feline friends. And finicky they are; of the more than two-dozen items tested, less than 10 made the cut, proving what most cat owners have known for some time; cats do it their way, by their rules.

So without further ado, here are my (and my cats?) favorite feline toys and treats. You can be sure if it made this list it?s sturdy, stylish and my cats like it. What your cats will think of it is another story altogether!

Pet Blanket from Admiral Road Designs

As soon as I took this fleece blanket out of the package I knew that I was going to like it. In fact, my first inclination was to keep it for myself; they?re so soft that they?d be perfect for cuddling up on the sofa while watching a movie, or as a foot cover on cold fall nights. Alas, with my cats staring up at me, I gave in to the guilt. I didn?t think it was possible, but my ?babies? love these blankets more than I do.

I like to keep a small blanket around to throw on the daybed, the sofa or my desk chair (they love to jump up on it and instantly go to sleep when I get up for coffee) to keep fur off the furniture and easier to clean up. This blanket by Admiral Road is perfect for that. Big enough for two (or even three or four!) cats to snuggle up or stretch out on, they?re cute, comfortable and stylish. What?s best, you can simply throw them in the washer and dryer, saving hours in furniture cleaning!

The fun doesn?t end there? Admiral Road also makes blankets for babies! You can bet as soon as I saw the one for my cats I sent one straight to my sister for my new nephew. Soft and washable, they?re great for cuddling and rolling around on. Each one (for pets and kids) is personalized, so they know they?re someone special! Pet blankets sell for $44. For more information, go to www.admiralroad.com

Planet Cat

Anyone who wonders about the name ?Planet Cat? clearly has never observed a cat in action; they think they own the world. However, Planet Cat is actually a division of Planet Dog, a company dedicated to offering the highest quality of pet products available.

My favorite is the ?MEOW? welcome mat in orange- a stylish and practical purchase that also warns the neighbors to watch out?attack cat on premise! My furry friends however had a different idea. As soon as I opened the catnip and sprinkled it on the natural cardboard scratching box, they were in hog (well, cat) heaven! Never able to resist the ?kitty marijuana,? if I need them to leave the room, a simple shake of the herbs and they?re all over it. What?s better is that it keeps the furniture looking nice and their claws from getting too long.

The Cat Scratch Pad (hang it on a doorknob or leave it on the ground) is $8.95 and the ?Meow? mat is $19.95. To check out these and other great products, go to www.PlanetDog.com

The Amazing Cat Toy From Mars!

What at first startled my cats (and left them staring at me like I was on crack) has now become a toy that?s as curious to them as it is to our human guests. Atomic Pet makes this space age gadget that includes lights, sounds and Glowtronix technology!

Push the button and watch the lights flicker along the length of plastic tubing. The bead on the end sends my cats into a tizzy as they bat it back and forth. I?ve found that leaving it in the ?on? position on top of a table will keep them busy for at least 15 minutes- and out of my hair! Get the Amazing Cat Toy From Mars (?No cat can resist its awesome powers!?) at www.atomicproducts.net

Rally to Rescue

The response that Sandy?s feature received a few weeks ago was amazing. Nearly everyone that wrote to us loved the concept of the Purina Proplan Rally to Rescue collar and wristband and wanted to get one for themselves.

Purina created the Rally to Rescue program to provide support to rescue organizations to help get pets the nutrition and care they need and deserve. You (and your pet!) can show your support while lending a hand, by buying a matching collar and wristband set (the collar is for your pet, the wristband?)

For $5, your little one gets a cute collar and you get a matching wristband. It not only shows your love for your best friend, but also for other animals in need. For more information and to purchase a Rally to Rescue Collar & Wristband set, go to www.rallytorescue.org

Eerie Entrance

If only the Eerie entrance had been around when I was a kid, I might not be so paranoid and anal retentive as I am today. Fortunately for today?s kids, it is!

When Halloween comes around, it?s always a pain to try to keep track of the cats and make sure that they don?t run outside when we open the door to give the kids candy; no more. This great little temporary door takes the place of the screen or window in your storm door to keep animals inside, while letting you hand out candy without worrying about pets.

Of course it?s also decorated in a spooky Halloween theme, and it?s made of sturdy cardboard that folds up for easy storage until next year. Peepholes also let you see who?s at the door before you open the ?shutters? to pass out candy! For more info or to buy the Eerie Entrance go to www.bokoideas.com

Nordic Naturals Pet

You make sure that you get the vitamins and minerals that you need every day, but what about your pet?

Like us, cats and dogs need certain vitamins and minerals to stay in top health. One thing many pets are lacking is Omega-3 fatty acids. As much as we need these fatty acids, pets need them more; to keep their coats shiny, lubricate joints and maintain good heart, brain and eye health.

Nordic Naturals (whose owners have made Omega-3 fish oils for humans for years) now makes a great Omega-3 fatty acid supplement specially designed for optimum absorption for dogs and cats. In liquid and capsule form, the EPA and DHA fatty acids ensure that your pet will be healthy and happy. For more info on Omega-3 fatty acids for your pet, or to buy Nordic Natural supplements, go to www.nordicnaturals.com

The Heated Pet Bed

From the leader in ?toys? and gadgets to spoil us all, comes the ultimate pet accessory; the heated pet bed. Hammacher Schlemmer offers this uber-cushy and therapeutic bed for cats (and dogs) that?s gently heated to soothe, relax and pamper them.

Made of a removable and washable faux suede cover, the interior is lined in faux lambskin for the ultimate in pampering. At $59.95, it?s not the cheapest, but it is the best! For more info or to buy the Heated Pet Bed, go to www.hammacher.com

With these toys and treats in tow, your feline friend should never feel left out or unloved. Check back in November as we pick the best holiday gifts for your furry friends!

- Jason Salzenstein