2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Cat Gifts for Your Feline Friend
*AD – Gifted
This post contains gifted items. All opinions shared here are my own.
December is here and many of us are feeling the push to finish our holiday shopping. If you are still searching for the perfect cat gifts for your feline best friend, today’s post is for you! I’ve compiled a list of fun cat gift ideas for cats of all ages and activity levels.
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I recently shared a gift guide full of dog gifts for the holiday season, but I couldn’t forget about the other half of our ‘pack’ – our feline friends.
Trust me, Jinx and Pippen would never let me, and you don’t say no to a tortie!
(Tortitude anyone? If you know, you know lol)
Whether your cat has been naughty or nice this year, they deserve a little something under the tree.
With the pet industry exceeding $90 Billion in the United States alone, there are so many options that shopping for your cat can quickly become overwhelming.
How do you know which products are worth your hard-earned dollars? Where do you even begin?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
With the help of our two feline friends, Pippen and Jinx, I have put together a list of cat gifts that have passed the most rigorous cat testing.
Each of the items on this list has received their stamp of approval.
Better still, they are all available online.
You can complete your shopping list without leaving the comfort of your home.
So, grab a cup of hot chocolate, turn on the festive music and let’s start shopping!
Related: ‘5 Fun and Festive Cat-Friendly Christmas Tree Ideas‘
Cat Gifts That Are Sure to Bring Your Feline Friend Joy This Holiday Season
Interactive Cat Wand
If you’re looking for a gift that will allow you to bond with your cat while playing together, this is it!
While Pippen is happy to play on her own, she’s always interested in playtime with my husband and I, often bringing us toys.
Jinx, meanwhile, is a little on the lazier side and this allows me to give her a little encouragement to stay active.
There are a number of different options depending on what your cat prefers in their toys – Bells, feathers, mice, catnip infused toys and more.
Fluffy Cheezers Feather Tail Mice
You will likely notice a trend on here in terms of toys…
Pippen has a feather addiction, so most of her toys have that focus.
These mice rattle when you shake them, calling her from any corner of the house for playtime.
They are also sold in large packs so that you don’t have to worry about how many have disappeared under the couch until it’s time for a full clean out.
(I know that you know what I’m talking about!)
Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy
This next toy is a classic and it’s honestly nothing fancy to look at. However, if something sticks around year after year, there has to be a reason. Right?
This toy has kept our cats entertained since they were young kittens.
It is relatively simple, a spring wire and rolled cardboard, but I have watched as it was the center of hours and hours of playtime over the years.
Bonus: They are low cost, which means that they make a perfect stocking stuffer!
Related: ‘Easy Homemade Cat Treats with Pumpkin‘
Dancing Dot Laser Cat Toy
Another great interactive toy that will help the less active cats among us to get up and moving (Jinx, I’m looking at you), the Dancing Dot Laser Cat Toy is a great option!
We were recently gifted this toy from PetSafe and it became a fast favourite in our house.
It offers 2 different play modes – one for a one time play that turns it on for 15 minutes total, and another that turns the toy on for 15 minutes every 2 hours (for up to 6 hours total).
This makes it a great option to keep your cat occupied while you’re busy or away from the house.
By only turning on for a short time every 2 hours, it prevents your cat from being over-stimulated and provides some much-needed rest time between play.
KONG Wubba Bird
The Wubba Bird came into our house as a Christmas gift last year, and Pippen has been addicted ever since!
I’m not sure what feature she loves more, the feather tail or the fact that it’s infused with North American Premium Catnip.
Whatever the reason, this toy is the main focus of her playtime at least once a day.
**Kong Wubba Bird is no longer available
Cardboard Cat Scratcher
This is another example of the concept that sometimes less is more.
After all, we have all seen our cats choose boxes and bags over the expensive toys they contain at one point or another.
Cardboard cat scratchers are a great option to allow your cat to enjoy the benefits of scratching while avoiding destroying your furniture.
These small, low-cost scratch pads can be easily placed around the home in your cat’s favourite spots.
Try adding a little high-quality catnip for some extra special playtime fun!
Peek-A-Bird Electronic Cat Toy
In addition to the Dancing Dot Laser Cat Toy mentioned above, PetSafe also gifted us the Peek-A-Bird Electronic Cat Toy.
I can’t say enough about this one, it’s a HUGE winner in our house!
As I’ve previously mentioned, Pippen has a love for anything with feathers. The Peek-A-Bird is an interactive toy with a feather that randomly peeks out of each side of the bird.
It has 2 play modes just like the laser toy, a one time play and a play all day with rest breaks.
The play all day mode also uses a motion sensor, waking up the toy if your cat walks past triggering it.
The toy comes with a replacement feather which is good, because it’s taking quite the beating in our house already.
Check out this recent TikTok video of Pippen and the Peek-A-Bird toy in action!
@shedhappensblog Pippen's first time playing with her new Peek-A-Bird toy sent to us by @petsafebrand Canada! ##CatToy ##CrazyCat ##CatPlaytime ##CatGifts ##CatsOfTikTok
♬ The Chicken Wing Beat – Ricky Desktop
Related: ‘Stocking Stuffers for Pet Lovers: 20 Gifts Under $20‘
Crinkle Ball Cat Toy
Another classic, the Crinkle Ball was Pippen’s first toy when I rescued her at 9 months old and continues to be a favourite today, 11 years later.
These soft, light-weight balls can be tossed around the house if your cat enjoys playing fetch without fear of breaking something.
Alternatively, they can be strung up on a cat tree or from a door frame if your cat prefers that style of play.
Cat Tree Scratch Post
If you’re really looking to spoil your cat this holiday season, why not consider investing in a new cat tower or cat tree?
Cat furniture varies in size and design meaning that there is an option for every home and aesthetic.
Platforms, hammocks, beds and hideaways allow your cat to explore the various levels and take a comfortable cat nap when the mood strikes.
Some cat towers also include toys dangling for additional playtime fun.
This isn’t just an investment in your cat, it’s also an investment in your furniture!
By providing your cat with safe and acceptable places to scratch, you can deter them from using your new leather sofa and save yourself a lot of frustration.
PetSafe Come with Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash
I can’t create a list of cat gifts without discussing the Come with Me Kitty Harness and Bungee leash.
Why? This is the cat accessory that gives our cats the freedom to safely explore outdoors.
Whether your plans include hanging out in the back yard or heading out on a camping excursion together, this harness has served us well.
The design of the harness is comfortable, putting pressure on the shoulders instead of the neck or throat.
It’s also highly adjustable, making it easy to fit cats of all sizes.
Whether you’re shopping for a playful young kitten or a more laidback senior cat, there are so many options available!
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, each of the items that I have listed are already used and loved here in our home.
These are the tried and tested items that earned the coveted Pippen and Jinx stamp of approval.
Are you curious as to what new products our cats are still wishing for this holiday season?
Check out their Amazon Wishlist (on Amazon.ca) for more great cat gifts to inspire your holiday shopping…
Are you already finished shopping for the holiday season, including finding the perfect cat gifts? If so, we would love to hear what caught your attention in the comments below!
I love all the cat toys and always say to myself when I had cats there were none and how much fun they would have had. Great list and some I have never seen also
They are always coming out with new, fun toys at every turn! I love discovering them and spoiling the pets.
OMG Britt – what a great list for any cat lover! I must admit my absolute and first necessity has to be the cat tree scratch post, for the very reason you identified – being able to keep my furniture in good shape! Aside from that I really love the Peek-A-Bird Electronic Cat Toy. I found your video of Pippen playing with this to be just hilarious. This looks like a real treat to occupy and amuse a cat (not to mention their human companions) for hours.
She is IN LOVE with that toy! It was a HUGE hit (Thank you PetSafe). It’s a huge hit for me too lol I could sit and watch her for hours on end lol
I just bought some cardboard cat scratchers for my kitties.
I’m going to look into some of these other ideas for Christmas!
We have a few of them around the house. I love that they are so easy to incorporate into any room so that they always have a safe scratching option available.
So many adorable toys for cats! And it’s the gift that keeps on giving, because how much do we love watching them jump around and excitedly playing with their new toys!
Right? My husband and I have been watching a movie and paused it just because we noticed them playing and we wanted to watch that instead lol
These are all such great ideas. We just went Christmas Shopping for our cat last night too!
It’s so much fun shopping for our pets. Although, I struggle sometimes to wait on giving them their gifts hahaha
Great gift ideas! I don’t have a cat myself, but I shared your post 🙂
Thank you!
I love these gift ideas. My favs are the crinkle balls as I know my cats used to love those! Also I lke the the peek a boo bird toy and Laser one. I’ll have to pick that up for my fur neice Sushi for Christmas. Thanks for sharing this list of ideas. Will be sharing and pinning too! Happy Holidays!
The interactive toys are a HUGE hit in our house. They are also a great way to allow me to work from home without cats constantly on my keyboard. Sure, it doesn’t stop them entirely, but it gives me time throughout the day when they are preoccupied haha
I always love and admire the cat furniture; I wish dogs could get such things too.
Right? I always feel guilty adding to our cat’s furniture collection and not being able to find the same for the pups (although they have tried to use the cat furniture on a few occasions – given their size, it doesn’t end well)
Your cats are so cute!! I don’t have pets but this gift guide is perfect for having an idea of what to gift to my friend’s cat lol
Thank you for sharing, I loved seeing cat pics!
There are so many lists and guides out there but it’s hard to see what will actually work in practice. That’s why I was determined to only share items that have been tried and tested with our two. They are a proven win in our house!
Great post! You highlighted many great gifts for our furry family members! Your cats must be having a great time!
They are a little spoiled, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
So many great cat toy options! The video of the peek-a-bird and your cat made me LOL!
She LOVES that toy! It’s a HUGE hit in our house!
I love these gift ideas for cat owners! I watched the peek-a-bird electronic toy video, and I loved it! I think with it being very interactive it would make a great gift for any cat! I’m actually going to send that link to a few of my friends who own cats. They will love it.
It was a FAST favourite in our house. That video was actually the first time that I turned it on. I set it up on the couch beside me (by the cup holders) thinking that would be more than enough space to see her investigate. I wasn’t expecting her to grab it like that! We only turn it on when it’s on the floor now lol
There are some fab gift ideas on this list. I don’t have a cat but will have to point my friend to this post as they do.
I et anything with catnip in will go down a treat too!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
Catnip is definitely a big win! We often add catnip to our toys just to give them that extra ‘something’ when they are starting to get bored with something.
A long time kitty friend of ours reviewed the Come with Me harness and have it four paws, and as he was blind having a safe harness was critical for his outdoor trips to we can agree 1,000,000% on that gift and I am SOOO keen on getting the dancing dot toy. I agree so much with your advice that the 2-hour setting is a good idea. The idea of it being on all the time bothers me a bit.
This is a great list and there are options here I hadn’t thought of!! Yikes!
We have tried a few different harnesses for our cats and that one was a quick favourite.
I love that the Dancing Dot toy allows me to turn it on before we go to bed knowing that nighttime is when they want to play most. They can run around and chase it while I sleep knowing that I don’t have to worry about them being overly exhausted – the rest period makes their well-being a priority!
I think my sister’s cat would like some of these toys, especially the crinkly balls. ! I usually try to gift her pets a little something for the holidays.
The crinkly balls are a huge hit for Pippen in particular. We own so many of them at this point. Each time I move the couch to clean, I discover a giant stockpile lol
It’s amazing how my cats react to the Cat Dancer. It’s such a simple idea and they go wild. Brulee also loves those flat cardboard scratchers. She uses them for a bed.
Right? The Cat Dancer is the simplest design but they go CRAZY for it. I’m glad that it’s low cost because they play with it until they kill it each time lol
Some great ideas, the cat wand looks really fun. I have a young student who really really loves her cat, and every year at Christmas time she tells me about not only her gifts, but also the ones the cats received. It’s very sweet.
I LOVE shopping for our pets. They give us everything and ask for so little in return. It makes me want to spoil them at every opportunity.
Some great cat gifts here! I will be passing this list on to my cat owner friends! I can imagine their cats would be very happy with some of these gifts!
Thank you!
Wow these are such great gift ideas! I love spoiling pets at Christmas and any cat would absolutely love these gifts! It would be hard to stop at just one
I think spoiling the pets over the holidays might just be one of my favourite things about the holidays!
The cat dancer should keep them busy lol. Funny that some people really take time to build those hehe
Ours LOVE the Cat Dancer. It’s such a simple toy – I don’t know who originally thought of marketing it but they are a genius! lol
As I was reading this list, I was checking off each thing in my head. My orange turd has literally had every single toy you’ve mentioned at one point or another in his almost 13 years being ours. He may be a wee bit on the spoiled side. My favorite thing we’ve ever bought him is still his cat perch. It was hand-crafted by an artist less than an hour away, so pretty close to one of a kind. It is also a huge piece of furniture in my living room. But my cat has loved it ever since, and still jumps up on it to look out the window. My husband and I opened the curtains this morning and put him up there, and just watched his expressions as he monitored the world going by outside. When we bought it, we were remodeling the house, so it was perfect that the cat get a new and way better piece of his own furniture.
We have a pretty large one in our dining room that we would never be able to take away. Although I might eventually replace it with something new and improved. It’s starting to look a little worn after years of abuse lol
I was waiting for something involving lasers to come up as I know how much they LOVE chasing those things – that they’ll NEVER get ? Although I’d never leave it on whilst I wasn’t home! Imagine if they moved the toy, and the laser ended up pointing at a shelf… that would equal disaster ?
It has a loop that goes on your doorknob so that they can’t move it around anywhere. I don’t think I’d trust just sitting it in our house unsupervised for exactly the reason you said, but a doorknob is a safe option!
I never knew that there were so many products for cats! If I were a feline, I would love that bell with pink feathers! Meowwww!
Feathers are a HUGE hit in our house. There’s nothing my girl Pippen loves more!
I have never had the opportunity of having a cat at home but I love to watch them and their cute actions. These are really wonderful list to choose from to give one’s pet the best time during these holidays.
They deserve a little something special under the tree too!
My cat absolutely loves those crinkle balls. I am going to get him some new ones. Between my daughter and my 1 year old none of his toys are ever safe and get tossed around and lost. Love this guide! Will be bookmarking it for my cat!
I know that feeling ALL too well. I have lost count of how many of those crinkle balls have been lost around my house.
These are lovely ideas for Cat owners. I think I will be getting a few of these for my friend who has a cat.
Thank you!