How We Review

Every recommendation on IndoorCatLab is built on research, not hype. This page explains where our information comes from, how we choose products, and exactly how the ICL Score is calculated, including its limits.

What we do not do

We do not run physical trials of products at home or in a facility, and we never claim otherwise. Our verdicts are a careful synthesis of information that manufacturers, independent reviewers, and owners have published. When a claim depends on measurements we cannot verify, we either attribute it or leave it out.

Our process

1. Define what matters. For each category we set the criteria first. For a self-cleaning litter box that might be the size of the entry and the litter bed, which litter it accepts, how waste is stored, cleaning cycle options, and the safety sensors the manufacturer documents. For a cat tree it might be base footprint, height, platform size, and how it attaches to a wall.
2. Gather the contenders. Our editorial platform collects current product listings, including specifications, owner ratings, and images. If an article targets a price range, we only include products whose listed price falls inside that range when we compile the list.
3. Research each product. We read the manufacturer specifications, published independent reviews, and patterns in owner feedback, including common complaints.
4. Rank and explain. We rank products using the criteria for that category together with the ICL Score, and we explain who each pick suits and who should look elsewhere.
5. Draft and check. We use software tools, including AI models, to gather and summarize research and to write first drafts. An editor reviews every article before it is published, checks product details against their sources, and removes unsupported claims, prices written into the text, and broken links. We correct errors as soon as we find them or a reader reports them.

The ICL Score

The ICL Score is our rating from 0 to 10, shown with one decimal. Every product is scored the same way, so you can compare products at a glance.

How the score is set. The score is calculated from each product’s average Amazon customer rating at the time our product data was last updated, converted to our 10-point scale with one fixed formula (a 3.0-star average becomes 6.2, a 5.0-star average becomes 9.4). No one adjusts individual scores by hand. A product with no rating shows no score.

What the score does not include. The score reflects owner satisfaction only. Price, the number of ratings, specifications, and our own research are not part of it. Those factors shape which products we include, how we order them, and which ones earn a pick, so read the pros, cons, and “who should look elsewhere” notes alongside the number.

Range. Scores run from 6.2 to 9.4. We do not show a perfect 10, because no product suits everyone.

Labels. Product cards may show a short label next to the score: 9.0 and above is Very Good, 8.0 to 8.9 is Good, 7.0 to 7.9 is Fair, and below 7.0 is Average.

How we choose picks

Each roundup names a top pick and, where it is useful, picks for specific needs such as small spaces, multi-cat homes, or a tighter budget. We explain the reason for each pick in the article. If no product fits a need well, we leave that pick out rather than force one.

Pet health and safety

We do not diagnose, recommend medication, or replace your veterinarian. For electric products such as self-cleaning litter boxes, feeders, and fountains, we point out safety features, weight limits, and certifications only when the manufacturer documents them. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Keeping recommendations current

Prices, ratings, and availability change often, so we refresh product data regularly and show the date of the last update next to each price. Scores can change when ratings change. Every article shows when it was last updated.

Questions or corrections

If you think we got something wrong, please contact us. Read our Editorial Policy to learn how we handle corrections.