MY CAT PREFERS CARDBOARD BOXES (AND WHY THAT'S FINE)
MY CAT PREFERS CARDBOARD BOXES (AND WHY THAT'S FINE)
I sell luxury pet products.
I just spent three hours sourcing the perfect elevated cat bowl for my store.
And right now, my cat Little Bit is sleeping in a Taco Bell drink carrier.
Let me explain.
I'm that pet parent. The one who can't scroll the internet without thinking "Ghost would love this!" or "Little Bit needs that!" My animals are my spoiled children. They get plates on Thanksgiving, presents on Christmas, and yes, I celebrate their birthdays (or "Gotcha Days" for the rescues).
I can't help myself. They mean the world to me, and I want to give them the best.
Which is how I ended up with a $150 cat tree that nobody used.
THE $150 MISTAKE
I spent days researching. Found one that matched my brown microfiber couch (couldn't have some garish purple monstrosity ruining my living room aesthetic). Convinced myself it would solve the bathroom doorframe scratching problem. My husband and I assembled it together. Set it up proudly.
My 8 cats looked at it like I'd brought home a dead raccoon.
Three years. THREE YEARS it sat there, untouched, taking up valuable space in my house.
Then I got rabbits.
The rabbits loved it. They'd hop through the bottom levels, play in the boxes, chase each other around. And suddenly - SUDDENLY - my cats decided it was the best thing ever. Little Bit started using it because the rabbits were using it.
Five years and a room change later, all the cats finally use it regularly.
Total cost per use for the first three years? Roughly $150 divided by zero.
WHAT LITTLE BIT ACTUALLY LOVES
You know what Little Bit's favorite things are?
- Paper bags
- Cardboard boxes (the smaller the better)
- Fast food drink carriers from Taco Bell
He will squeeze his fat body into the tiniest box imaginable. All you see is this tiny cardboard square with a cat head sticking out. It's ridiculous. It's hilarious. And it cost me exactly $0.
I still buy him scratch pads. He uses them. But animals don't care how much you paid for something. They can find the most random object and be perfectly content.
Milk rings. Cardboard boxes. Crumpled receipts.
And you know what? That's perfectly fine.
WHY IT'S FINE
Your cat doesn't know that cat tree cost $150. Your dog doesn't care that their bed is orthopedic memory foam. They're not impressed by brand names or price tags.
They care about:
- Is it comfortable?
- Is it fun?
- Does it smell interesting?
- Can I fit in it?
That's it.
So if your cat's favorite toy is a cardboard box, you're not failing as a pet parent. You're just... normal.
But here's the thing: Just because they'll play with anything doesn't mean we shouldn't buy them quality products. It just means we need to be SMART about what we spend money on.
WHEN IT IS WORTH SPENDING MONEY
Let me be honest: When I buy stuff for my pets, I'm usually buying it for MYSELF. I think they'll love it. Sometimes I'm right. Sometimes I'm $150 worth of wrong.
Over the years, I've learned to ask better questions:
Durability: Ghost has had the same TPR ball for a year. Other balls I've bought? Destroyed in 5 minutes. Is it worth paying more for the one that lasts? Absolutely.
Safety: I saw gorgeous furniture with a built-in dog crate recently. Looked amazing. But the floor was a grate - dogs would be standing on metal bars. Can you imagine how hard that would be on their paws? I refused to add it to my store.
Function: Abby destroys every bed I buy her. EVERY. ONE. So now when I'm shopping for beds, I ask: Is this Abby-proof? If not, I'm not paying $60 for something that'll last a week.
Your sanity: Sometimes the expensive thing is worth it because it makes YOUR life easier. Automatic feeders, quality carriers, durable leashes. These aren't luxuries - they're investments.
The pattern? Spend money on things that keep your pet safe, healthy, or make your life significantly easier. Skip the hype on everything else.
HOW THIS INFORMS MY STORE
When I'm choosing products for Glamour Tails, I'm asking these questions for you:
- Is this actually durable, or just expensive?
- Will this make pet parenting easier, or is it just trendy?
- Is this SAFE for animals, or just pretty to look at?
- Would I buy this for my own 8-pet circus?
If I wouldn't use it, I'm not selling it.
I want the best for my pets. And I want the best for yours too.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Your pet doesn't care about luxury brands.
But they DO care about:
- Quality food that doesn't make them sick
- Safe toys that won't break apart and choke them
- Comfortable spaces to sleep
- You spending time with them
So if your dog's favorite toy is a stick from the yard, great. Save your money.
But when you're buying a carrier, a food bowl, grooming tools, or anything safety-related? That's when quality matters.
Glamour Tails exists to help you tell the difference.
I'll waste my money on cat trees so you don't have to.
Welcome to the community. Let's figure this out together.
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