25 of the best cat gifts that they will love just as much as an empty box
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- These 25 gifts for cats range from tokens of affection to investments in a lifetime of happiness.
- Delight your kitty with these cat gifts, which include toys, furniture, food, and collars.
- For more gift ideas pets and their humans, check out all of Insider Reviews' gift guides.
To our furry feline overlords, any day is a good day for a gift. Go ahead, just try to convince them otherwise. But while offerings of empty cardboard boxes and discarded paper clips are welcome, if you really want to win their favor, only a proper present will do.
From snazzy collars and comfy beds and to talking buttons and fancy cat-approved furniture, there's something in our cat gift guide for every kitty. Most are even under $25, but don't worry, you can still tell your cat they're worth a million bucks.
For a satisfied pet, here are 25 of the best gifts for cats:
A fancy bow tie to keep them looking sharp
Bow Tie Cat Collar Set "Tropicalia," available at Made By Cleo, $27.95
Any day is a celebration with Made by Cleo's festive bow tie and collar. One of our favorite cat collars, this matching set comes in a huge variety of patterns and colors, from flowers and hearts to stars and stripes. Choose from three cat-appropriate sizes and gold or silver hardware. The handsome bow tie is easy to remove when the party's over.
Recordable buttons to aid in cross-species communication
Fluent Pet Get Started Kit, available at Fluent Pet, $79.95
Fluent Pet's communication system is for anyone who's ever wished their cat could talk. Record essential words to this set's six battery-operated buttons. Once your kitty learns their meaning, they can let you know they are hungry, happy, or want to play with just the touch of a paw. The cognitive scientist-designed kit comes with three nonslip tiles to hold the buttons and identifying stickers.
A midcentury-modern side table both you and your cat will appreciate
Cat Silo, available at Litter-Robot, $149
Upgrade your home decor with Litter-Robot's cylindrical Cat Silo. The functional, 26-inch tall side table doubles as a cat clubhouse that's fitted with a cushy interior bed and two exterior grey sisal scratch pads. Finally, you'll have at least one piece of furniture your cat can claw to their heart's content.
A crinkle-filled tunnel in which to hide and play
Frisco 35-in Crinkle Play Tunnel, available at Chewy, $11.74
This affordable popup cat tunnel is primed for play. Made from sueded polyester lined with super-fun crinkle material, kitty will love both the feel and sound of this 35-inch playground. The window at the center is made for peeping and a battable plush ball hangs at one end.
A sleek soft-sided carrier for safe, comfortable travel
Travel Carrier, available at Wild One, $105 (originally $125)
Save $20 on each carrier you purchase with code INSIDERTC20 at checkout.
This cozy modular carrier goes from airport travel to hotel room relaxation in just three zips. The luggage strap, interior tether, and snapping safety zippers keep kitty secure on long travel days and, when you reach your destination, it folds out into a bed. Its shoulder strap even converts into a leash for outdoor exploration on a harness. It's available in three colors: spruce, black, and tan.
Fresh, wholesome cat food for a lifetime of good health
Nom Nom Chicken Cuisine, available at Nom Nom, from $24
Ditch the kibble and cans for cat food made from whole, recognizable ingredients like chicken, chicken liver, carrots, and spinach. Nom Nom is one of just two fresh cat food companies whose recipes are formulated by a full-time dedicated veterinary nutritionist. If your kitty is a picky eater, start with a discounted two week trial before committing to the whole shebang.
An automatic feeder to keep their belly full
Surefeed Connect Microchip Feeder, available at Chewy, $179.99
Put an end to feeding-time drama with an automatic feeder that holds both kibble and wet food. The Surefeed Connect tracks how often and how much your cat eats and sends that information straight to your phone. It also comes with a three-year warranty.
A taco truck to satisfy their hunger for scratching
Taco Truck Cat Scratcher, available at Target, $25.49
This taco truck will feed your cat's most important cravings: scratching and sleeping. Whether they climb inside the cozy cab to hide or up on the roof for a bird's-eye view, they'll find a corrugated cardboard scratch pad to claw to their heart's content. It's a cinch to assemble but, sadly, tacos do not come included.
A whole bunch of toys to keep them occupied
Hartz Just for Cats Super Hunters Toy Variety Pack, available at Amazon, $6.49
Pop quiz: What's better than one new toy? Thirteen of them! Hartz's Super Hunters variety pack full of catnip toys, light-up balls, a rattle roller, and a wand please even the most finicky feline. The ultra-affordable price tag? That's just for you.
A toy to make feeding more fun
Catit Senses 2.0 Digger, available at Amazon and Petsmart, from $14.99
Encourage your cat to play with their food with this unique slow feeder. Its five cups are deep and narrow enough that, to reach their kibble, kitty will have to get creative with their dexterous paws, claws, and toe beans. The BPA-free toy comes apart for easy cleaning and matches the other interactive toys in Catit's Senses 2.0 Collection.
A unicorn to kick and cuddle into submission
Hartz Cattraction Unicorn Kicker, available at Amazon and Chewy, $5.47
Your cat will need all their strength to battle this sturdy magical unicorn filled with enticing silvervine and catnip. Made with satisfying crinkle material and a feather tail, the only thing they'll like better than wrestling this 14-inch plushie is snuggling up to it for a nap when the game is at an end.
A cute cat dish to fancify dinnertime
Petrageous Designs Sleepy Kitty Bowl, available at Chewy and Amazon, $3.15
Make meals a little more adorable with this sleepy kitty dish. Made from durable stoneware, the bowl is wide and shallow enough to prevent uncomfortable whisker fatigue. Fill it with food or water and when it needs a good cleaning, just toss it in the dishwasher.
A cozy blanket for winter cuddles
Best Friends by Sheri Throw Blanket, available at Chewy, $19.95
Keep your kitty warm on cold winter nights with a luxurious blanket that's just their size. This faux fur throw is soft, shaggy, and looks good, to boot. Oh, and did we mention it's machine washable? You're welcome.
A sardine can hideout made for scratching
District 70 Sardine Cardboard Cat Scratcher, available at Chewy, $74.95
Part scratcher, part lounger, part hideaway, this toy is a full-service cat clubhouse in sardine can form. With both an interior and exterior made from recycled corrugated cardboard, this thing isn't just satisfyingly scratchable, it's a photo-op waiting to happen.
A scratcher to save your couch from your cat's sharp claws
Sofa Scratcher Squared, available at Chewy and Amazon, $64.99
This genius invention is a cat scratcher and couch guard in one. Nestled up to the arm of a couch or chair, the sisal post successfully prevents your cat from sinking their claws into your upholstery while giving them license to scratch in their preferred location. It comes in multiple colors to match your decor. Read more about it in our guide to products to protect furniture from cat scratching.
A pair of squeaky mice to stalk and chase
Pet Zone Twice the Mice, available at Chewy, $7.95
Amp up the excitement of toy mice with Pet Zone's squeaking rodents. The catnip-filled pair have fuzzy soft pelts and enticing tails, but their most exciting feature is their electronic Real Mouse chips. When kitty bats, tosses, or captures their prey, it squeaks just like the real thing.
Bonito flakes to spice up mealtime
Cat-Man-Doo Dried Bonito Flakes (0.5 oz bag), available at Chewy, $6.99
Make the most of mealtime with a dash of delicious fishy flakes. Filled with taurine, an essential dietary requirement, and coat-shining fish oils, a sprinkle of these bonito bits with breakfast or dinner adds tons of kitty-approved flavor without a lot of calories.
A pretty ID tag decorated in blossoms and blooms
Spring Floral Pet Tag, available at Etsy, starting at $14
Celebrate the season with this floral ID tag. Festooned with springtime flowers, the handmade aluminum disk comes in four sizes and both the background color and font are fully customizable in 30 different colors. On the back, there's space for up to four lines of text to make sure your kitty always makes it home.
A blend of catnip and silvervine to inspire the zoomies
Meowijuana Purple Passion Catnip, available at Chewy, $8.99
There's a party in every canister of Meowijuana's Purple Passion. Made from a blend of 100% organic catnip and the plant-derived kitty stimulant silvervine, sprinkle some on your cat's toys, scratcher, or bed and let the fun begin. You only need a little bit for a few minutes of full-blown cat euphoria.
A room with a view for cat naps
K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Penthouse Perch, available at Chewy, $54.85
Give your feline a throne from which to rule their kingdom. Partially enclosed with mesh and lined with microfleece, this lounger attaches to any window in an instant using a suction cup mounting system. The perch can handle floofs up to 50 pounds.
A whistling wand to chase and catch
Kong Teaser Stellar Toy, available at Pets Warehouse, $6.18
Just a flick of the wrist sends this wand into a twirling, whirling rainbow frenzy perfect for pouncing. The 8-foot long ribbon is crowned with a plush gold star that chirps like a bird with every movement and helps kick kitty's prey drive into high gear.
A chic cat tree both you and your pet will love
Vesper High Base Cat Tree, available at Amazon, $137.14
This modern cat tree and condo combo from Vesper is about as sleek as they come. Unlike the standard carpet-covered tree, this version boasts a wood exterior, six seagrass scratching posts, two memory-foam-cushioned perches, and a cozy cubby. When assembled, the tree stands just under 4 feet tall. Read more about it in our guide to the best cat trees.
A shark bed to get chummy with
Frisco Novelty Shark Bed, available at Chewy, $21.99
Your cat will be sleeping with the fishes in Frisco's comfy-cozy shark mouth. Padded on all sides and stuffed with a machine-washable cushion, this cave bed is just begging for a catnap of deep sea proportions.
A food puzzle to work their brain
Trixie Brain Mover Game, available at Chewy and Amazon, $14.99
Kick your cat's noggin into high gear with Trixie's Brain Mover. The plastic puzzle has four different problems to solve including tugging open drawers and batting balls from their base. With every right move, kitty reveals hidden treats to reward their hard work.
A self-cleaning brush to keep hairballs at bay
Safari Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush, available at Chewy, $13.41
This slicker brush from Safari doesn't just keep a cat's coat shiny and knot free, it helps decrease both shedding and hairballs. Just as helpful is this tool's ability to dislodge the hair it's collected with just the push of a button. It's a grooming win-win for both you and your fur ball. Read more about it in our guide to the best cat brushes.