In winter cats spend more time indoors, move less and shed more because of the dry air from central heating. The result is a bored pet, a shredded sofa and fur on every item of clothing. We picked eight cat products that people buy by the thousand on AliExpress, checked seller ratings and put them together in one guide, from pocket-money brushes to a water fountain.
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How we chose: we searched for cat toys, scratchers, brushes, drinking fountains and fur cleaning, sorted by sales and dropped anything with few orders or a weak rating. Cat-themed stickers, keyrings and other souvenirs, which also sell in huge numbers, did not make the list: they are for people, not pets.
Every item below has a rating of 95% positive reviews or higher and thousands of sales. Prices are correct as of 9 November and may change, especially during the 11.11 sale.
Toys: to keep your cat moving
Rechargeable interactive ball
The clear sales leader among the toys, with more than 25,000 orders. The ball rolls around the floor on its own, changes direction and recharges, so there are no batteries to buy. It suits cats and small dogs. Our tip: switch it on for 10-15 minutes and then put it away, otherwise interest fades quickly.
Price on 9 November: £2.29
Sold: 25 800+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Collapsible tunnel
A classic that almost every cat loves. The tunnel folds into a flat circle, so it is easy to store in a cupboard, and the rustling material inside attracts the animal. It works well alongside the ball or a teaser: the cat hides and hunts from ambush.
Price on 9 November: £2.33
Sold: 4 800+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Claws and furniture
Sisal scratching mat for the sofa
If your cat has chosen a corner of the sofa, fighting it is pointless. It is easier to give her the same spot with the right surface. The sisal mat attaches to furniture or lies on the floor, leaves no loose fibres and covers the most vulnerable spot. Almost 10,000 orders suggest it works for many owners.
Price on 9 November: £3.79
Sold: 9 800+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Corner brush for rubbing
A small brush attaches to the corner of a wall or piece of furniture, and the cat rubs her face and sides against it. It also collects some of the fur that would otherwise end up on the sofa. The brush is removable and easy to wash. It is one of the cheapest items here, yet it has almost 8,000 sales.
Price on 9 November: £1.09
Sold: 7 900+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Fur: brush it out and clean it up
Self-cleaning slicker brush
The main tool during moulting. Metal pins comb out the undercoat, and at the press of a button the fur comes off the brush in a single clump. It suits cats and dogs. With more than 15,000 orders and a price about the same as a bag of cat food, it is hard to walk past.
Price on 9 November: £1.39
Sold: 15 000+ pcs, positive reviews: 95.9%
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Reusable fur roller
Instead of sticky rollers that keep running out, this roller works mechanically: run it over the sofa or a coat and the fur gathers in a compartment inside, which you simply open and empty. There are no refill sheets, so no need to keep buying consumables.
Price on 9 November: £0.79
Sold: 8 500+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Water and litter tray
Water fountain with filter and USB power
Many cats dislike drinking from a bowl of still water, while moving water attracts them. This fountain is transparent, so you can see when to top it up, runs on USB, filters the water and has dry-run protection: the pump will not burn out if the water runs low. You can also power it from a power bank.
Price on 9 November: £7.43
Sold: 6 000+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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Large litter mat, 90 x 60 cm
The mat goes in front of the tray, and litter that the cat carries out on her paws drops into the cells instead of being spread around the flat. It has two layers, is waterproof and does not slip, and the 90 x 60 cm size covers the space even around a large tray. It is easy to clean: unroll it and tip the contents back into the tray or into the bin.
Price on 9 November: £1.70
Sold: 6 300+ pcs, positive reviews: 98.0%
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How to choose from this list
- If your cat is bored and mischievous, start with the ball and the tunnel. The ball costs about £2.29 and the tunnel about £2.33, and together they provide the exercise a cat misses in winter.
- If your furniture is suffering, get the sisal mat and put it exactly where your cat already sharpens her claws.
- If there is fur everywhere, the slicker brush and the reusable roller attack the problem from both sides: less fur on the cat and faster cleaning.
- If your cat drinks little, try the fountain first. Filters need replacing over time, and AliExpress sells them in sets.
What to check when ordering
Many listings have several options: colour, size or bundle. The price in our guide refers to the basic option, so check that you have chosen the right one before paying. For the fountain, confirm the plug and cable type; for the mat, the size; for the scratcher, the width. Delivery times to the UK are usually shown on the product page.
If you are ordering several items, see whether they come from one seller. That makes it easier to reach the spend threshold for a sale coupon and get everything in one parcel. Cheap items such as the brushes and the roller are best added to a bigger order rather than bought separately.
Above all, do not buy everything at once. Cats are conservative, and one well-chosen item, be it a brush or a fountain, is often more useful than a whole box of toys the pet never notices.
