I caught two cats on MB450s last year (coyote & fox sets) and am wondering if I should upgrade to a few MB550s or another slightly larger trap to focus on cats. What do you guys recommend for a good cat foothold?

I like the #3 or 4 DLS traps with a large pan added. Gives the cat a larger target to step on.

I have caught cats in #2 Northwoods and after watching him blow that trap up I went to #3 Northwoods and Bridger with out side laminations. Plus 4 coils on the Bridger.
This was from a few years ago just before he blew the trap up.

I use the 550's quite a bit for cats and they are excellent.There are many traps that will work well.Cats aren't hard on traps or hard to hold.Some like more jaw spread and about any good coyote trap will work.Remember,cats don't tramp around at a set like canines and don't come back right away so jaw spread can be your friend.

I love them mb-450 also they hold great even coyotes but I use #2 and #3 bridgers mostly

For blended sets I use MB650 Offset Cast Jaw traps and love them for coyote and cats. For my exposed cat sets I run Bridger #4 DLS upgraded with PIT pans and a round cut roofing shingle paper clipped to the pan. The shingle increases the pan diameter by about an inch.

I firmly belive the best trap for a cat is what ever one he has his foot in when I get there... when I was younger most my cat lines consisted of blind trail sets made with double long springs but as I got older and started doing predator work I phased those out and went to mostly all fully modified Bridget #3s with the exception of a few Montana #3s. I’ve held plenty of cats on accident In 1.5s while trapping porcupines but they certainly wouldn’t be my go to cat trap but hey if it’s all you have..

We use 1.5 cs traps for bobcat all the time. My brother caught his biggest bobcat ever in a 1.5 and it held him without a problem. I'd suggest using #1.5, $1.75, or #2 cs for bobcats. No need buy big traps for these animals unless you have 40+ pound cats!

I am a big fan on the #3 long spring. I prefer the 3ns. I run mostly exposed walk through set and the longs don't freeze down. I don't do the big pan thing. A miles trigger and stock pan work just fine.