10 Best Christmas Gifts for Cats in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

People love their pets. According to Business Wire¹, the global market for pet supplies is projected to reach $41.1 billion by 2025. We can’t help ourselves when it comes to spoiling our furry family members. After all, Americans spent an average of $113 annually¹ on cat treats and toys this year.

You’re also probably overwhelmed by the many choices you have for gifts for your cat. Our guide will show you what’s available for treating your pet to the best. We’ve also included reviews of some of our favorite products to make it a very merry Christmas for you and your kitty.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

The 10 Best Christmas Gifts for Cats

1. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Concealed Motion Cat Toy – Best Overall

The SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Concealed Motion Cat Toy is a fun way for your kitty to get some exercise. Even less playful pets will play with it, making it one of the best overall Christmas gifts for cats. A furry mouse toy pops in and out of the nylon cover, lighting up and making a show of it. A button on the top activates it in either slow or fast mode. The base isn’t loud and only makes a low humming noise.

The manufacturer categorizes it as an adult toy, but we think it’ll catch a kitten’s eye with no problem. The toy doesn’t have an auto turn-off feature. You’ll have to do it yourself when your cat walks away from it. Pets not declawed may catch the nylon cover and tip it. However, it looks like it could handle some serious playtime. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t make replacements.

2. Ethical Pet Sponge Soccer Ball Cat Toy – Best Value

The Ethical Pet Sponge Soccer Ball Cat Toy is an affordable product that will give you a lot of bang for your buck. The four in the package make it an even better value because, inevitably, one or two will end up under a piece of furniture. It will stimulate your pet’s hunting and chasing instincts to encourage it to exercise. All these things add up to make it one of the best Christmas gifts for Cat for the money.

The balls are brightly colored to help you find them easier. They are also lightweight, which is a godsend if young children want to interact with their cats. There are no worries about breaking anything if a child gets carried away. Any cat could entertain itself with this toy. However, you can also make it interactive and make a game out of it.

3. Midwest Feline Nuvo Cat Scratching Post– Premium Choice

The Midwest Feline Nuvo Grand Forte stands out from a lot of pieces of cat furniture. It’s well-made and built to last. It’s also well-weighted to keep it stable. The post stands 41 inches high, which is tall enough to allow your pet to get a good stretch. It is ideal for larger cat breeds. It’s made of wood and covered with sisal. The material makes it more appealing to felines because it shreds easily.

The cat perch is pricey, yet it’s still an excellent value for the money. If it can prevent your kitty from scratching your carpeting or furniture, it’s worth the investment. A little catnip sprinkled on the post will encourage your pet to check it out to make using it a habit.

4. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

The Petstages Tower of Tracks 3 layer circle toy is an excellent choice for keeping your pet entertained for hours. It plays on your pet’s hunting instinct to find its prey. The ball inside of it spins, completing the effect. We think the sound of it going around the tube may also excite your cat. Even the choice of colors is brilliant. Most scientists theorize that felines can see only grays, yellows, and blues.

You may need to show your kitty how to use it the first time. Once the penny drops, your cat will take it from there. The product is well-designed, making it nearly impossible for your pet to pop the ball out of it. However, it’s one of those toys you must occasionally rotate if your cat gets bored with it.

5. Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy

The Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy is the purr-fect Christmas gift for the pet that has everything. It’s brightly colored, making it easy to spot. It is loaded with catnip to catch your cat’s attention. It’s a decent size, making it an excellent choice for larger felines. The chances are that all you need to do is put it in front of your cat. However, you can also use it interactively.

The design is adorable, making it an even better purchase. It’s made of cotton that will take a lot of abuse. However, we recommend checking it occasionally for rips and tears. We liked that the toy and the catnip are from the United States. The manufacturer goes the extra mile to ensure that it’s a quality product.

6. K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Cat Window Perch

The K&H Pet Products EZ Mount Cat Window Perch takes the idea of a bed to the next level—literally! Suction cups hold the base to a window that must measure at least 24 inches wide. It also requires a 12-inch area in front with room for your kitty to jump inside it. While each suction cup can hold up to 100 pounds, the manufacturer’s recommended weight limit is 50 pounds.

The concept of this product is brilliant. Cats love being in the sun. The window perch gives them a view of the outdoor activities to entertain them and provide mental stimulation. It folds up so you can close the curtains at night. The only problem we saw with it was dirty windows from nose prints and pawing at the glass. However, it’s a small price to pay for your pet’s enjoyment.

7. Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post

The Frisco Cactus Cat Scratching Post fits the bill if you’re looking for a smaller scratcher or a second one to redirect unwanted behavior. Besides, it’s so darn cute! It comes in two sizes, each with a stable, secure base. The post is covered primarily in sisal with synthetic fabric and faux fur providing the decoration. The three arms are excellent places to hang toys to increase the fun and usage.

The materials shred easily, which is a desirable trait for your pet. Scratching is a visual form of communication that the fraying provides. It’s affordably priced, making replacing it a non-issue if you have an overzealous cat. It’s a snap to assemble, with the tools included with your purchase.

8. Frisco Refillable Catnip Brown Squirrel Toy

The Frisco Refillable Catnip Brown Squirrel Toy is another toy that appeals to pet owners. You can’t help but smile when you see it. It’s well-made to handle a lot of playing. It comes with a vial of catnip. You simply open the heavy-duty Velcro enclosure and fill it as necessary. Squeezing the toy will make the smell of the catnip more pungent.

The fact that it’s refillable is a solid selling point. Too often, cats lose interest in these toys because they lose their scent. The only problem we saw was catnip interfering with the Velcro closure, allowing some to leak out of it.

9. Frisco Modern Elevated Wrought Iron Cat Bed

The Frisco Modern Elevated Wrought Iron Cat Bed offers something that not many similar products do. It’s an attractive piece that will look great in just about any room. It’s also sturdy for pets up to 15 pounds. Its beauty is its simplicity. Some pet products cross the line to kitschy. This one doesn’t. The bed is made of faux fur, which you can machine wash.

The bed comes in single and dual-tier options, with the latter requiring some assembly. The bed feels comfy and comes in a pleasing neutral color. While we liked the design, we would understand some cats not taking to it without some persuasion, i.e., catnip.

10. Frisco Sparkle Ball Glitter Teaser Cat Toy

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include at least one wand, given how popular they are with pet owners. The Frisco Sparkle Ball Glitter Teaser Cat Toy has the bells and whistles to attract your kitty’s attention. The feathers and metallic colors will entice your pet to play. It’s strictly an interactive toy that provides ample mental stimulation and bonding time.

There’s no doubt your cat will like this wand. Even kittens will enjoy it. They’ll get plenty of exercise when you wave it around the room. Your pet will likely wear you out before it runs out of steam. The only drawback is one we often see with these toys, a weak string. A tenacious pet or a cat that plays rough will probably break it.

Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Christmas Gift for Your Cat

Since many people consider their pets like children, it’s only fitting we’d concentrate on toys for Christmas. However, your cat is still likely to enjoy some treats or catnip, too. The first thing you’ll notice when looking for a gift is the many types and products available. The humanization of the pet market has been a boon for our animal companions. You have more choices than ever to provide your cat with fun and mental stimulation.

The latter is a welcome development. Felines are intelligent animals. Sitting at home all day can get boring for them. Most cats aren’t going on daily walks. That’s where toys come into play. They also provide excellent ways to reinforce the bond you have with your pet. Things to consider when choosing toys for your cat include:

Type

It used to be that cats got the short end of the stick when it came to the different types of toys. A catnip mouse or ball was about all there was from which to choose. As cat ownership increased, so too did the number of choices pet owners have. Some of the most popular kinds of toys include:

The last two are our favorites. They provide the most mental stimulation for your pet. The wands bring you into the picture, which is beneficial for both of you. You’ll also find products in about any color, pattern, or theme. It’s just as much about attracting your attention as it is your kitty. It makes it fun for you if a particular toy can make you smile, too.

Life Stage

If you’ve ever watched Animal Planet’s Kitten Halftime Show, you know that the little ones are bundles of seemingly nonstop energy. Toys designed for kittens reflect this playful behavior. It doesn’t take a lot to get one rolling around with a new toy. It’s sometimes different with an older pet that may need a nudge to look twice at the one you bought for it.

You know your cat best. The design and action of a product will likely provide enough details to let you know whether it’s the right choice. The other thing to remember is your pet’s age. A kitten under 3 months old may not respond to catnip until it’s older. Some cats never react to it. Scientists know it’s an inherited trait that has no connection with sex, color, or breed.

Special Features

Special features are where the pedal hits the metal. Again, remember that the marketers are trying to hook you as much as your cat. You’ll find products that light up, squeak, or bounce. You’ll see others made of feathers, foam, or faux fur. They may look surprisingly realistic or like a favorite movie or TV character. We’ve found electronic toys that try to trigger your pet’s instinct to chase its prey.

Some manufacturers use cat behavior to make their toys more interesting to pets. Felines like to hide, something that crosses species lines to leopards, tigers, and lions. That’s what makes tunnels, bags, and boxes so appealing. You may even find that your adult cat gets in touch with its inner kitten if you give it one of these toys.

Usage

Usage covers several areas. You must consider the durability of a product if you want to get your money’s worth. Some cats are more destructive than others. That’s a vital consideration if your pet chews things. The last thing you want from your cat’s Christmas gift is a trip to the emergency vet clinic to treat a bowel obstruction.

We recommend occasionally inspecting a product for loose parts or threadbare cords with wands. The same advice applies to toys with feathers or ones with catnip inside them.

We discussed feline intelligence earlier. Cats need mental stimulation for a good quality of life. However, that trait comes with a price that many pet owners learn sooner or later. They get bored with their toys, even the ones they played with constantly when you first gave them to your cats. We suggest swapping out your kitty’s toys once in a while if you notice this behavior.

A few weeks out of sight will make your gift brand new again. Just make sure you have some spare batteries on hand if it’s an electronic product.

Conclusion

The SmartyKat Concealed Motion Cat Toy came out on top of our favorite Christmas gifts for cats. The one you can find with the best value is the Ethical Pet Sponge Soccer Ball Cat Toy If you want to go for the premium choice, we would recommend the Midwest Feline Nuvo Cat Scratching Post. It’ll entertain even the indifferent cat with its hiding mouse. The Ethical Pet Sponge Soccer Ball Cat Toy got high marks in our reviews for its affordable price and cat approval. Its lightweight makes it fun for your pet to bat around the room or for children to play a game with their kitty.

Featured Image Credit: jhenning, Pixabay