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Cats have long ruled the internet, but in the past few years it seems like cat stuff has well and truly reached terminal velocity. Ironically, that can make it more baffling to buy a gift for an actual gift for a cat parent, because there are more cat-themed items available than ever before. So with help from actual cat experts like animal-behavior specialists and pet-store owners, as well as plenty of enthusiastic, self-identified cat people, we’ve curated an array of great gifts for cat lovers, including a few for their feline friends too. (We also have a gift guide for dog lovers, and while you’re checking people off your list, be sure to peruse our master list of gift guides for every type of person you can think of, from bookworms to Swifties.)
Update on November 14, 2024: Added several new products; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Under $10
If your favorite cat person would appreciate custom stickers of their cat(s), you can find a cornucopia of options on — where else? — Etsy. These from creator Dianne Makes Art are all handmade and come in multiple sizes.
We’ve had cats with very different interests and personalities, and all of them have gnawed on this banana until it’s covered in drool. It’s the perfect shape for cats to sniff, snuggle, and kick, says Nora Wood, adoption-event coordinator for Anjellicle Cats, a New York–based cat rescue and nonprofit.
These “cheap and fun” Kitan Club surprise cat caps come recommended by art curator Celine Wong Katzman, who has a melon-themed one for her cat, Melon. (The brand also makes teddy bear, bunny and candy hats.)
For the cat parent who truly considers Mittens to be their bona fide child.
Strategist deals editor Sam Daly recently stopped by Japanese stationery store Niconeco Zakkaya while visiting New York and was charmed by all the cat-themed merchandise, from postcards and stamps to sticky notes to enamel pins.
Communications manager Carolyn Rehm, who runs an Instagram account for her cats Broccoli and Dilly, loves this painting by artist Rebecca Salinas, which features several Insta-famous kitties and is available as a print as well as a puzzle. (This one is postcard-size, but you can also get a 504-piece version.)
Written by jazz legend Charles Mingus, this pamphlet contains step-by-step instructions for the process he used to toilet train his cat Nightlife. Vulture says it “would make a perfect gift for a jazz or cat lover” (or just anyone with a sense of humor).
It’s a well-known fact that cats will ignore fancy, expensive toys in favor of the most simplistic, inexpensive thing you have lying around — a cardboard box, a hair tie. The Cat Dancer has been around for a few decades, is made from just two components (steel wire and rolled cardboard), and is extremely inexpensive, which, of course, means cats go wild over it.
Alyssa Bourget, owner of catfluencers Wilbur, Tuffy, and Solomon, owns this six-pack of low-cut patterned socks featuring cats frolicking, stretching, and snoozing, and says they are very comfortable to wear.
Under $25
Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla was delighted to discover East Village bookstore Pillow-Cat Books, which follows a strict rule: Every book stocked by the shop must have an animal in it. For Secret Santa one year, she sent me a pack of stickers featuring the bookstore’s bespectacled mascot, which have taken pride of place on my laptop.
Everyone could use another Baggu for commuting or grocery toting, and this one comes with a print of mischievous cats lounging amid a carefully arranged tablescape.
A joint venture between kitten rescuer Hannah Shaw and cat photographer Andrew Marttila (who also happen to be married), Cats of the World documents cat culture in 30 different countries. Every page features cats lounging in gorgeous locales, from the colorful hillsides of Chile to the spice bazaars of Turkey.
The porcelain cat nightlight emits a warm, comforting glow that will bring serenity to any space.
Whether they’re a bibliophile, plant parent, cat lover, or all of the above, they’re sure to enjoy the details of this vibrant 1,000-piece puzzle.
If your giftee’s cat is easily stressed, Chewy resident pet expert Samantha Schwab recommends this soothing toy with a touch-activated purring mechanism. It’s cozy to cuddle up with at home or in any other situation that could make their cat anxious, like when guests come to visit.
Daly and her sister both happened to get each other cat desk calendars for Christmas last year. She particularly recommends this Japanese Petit Neko one, which features tiny kittens frolicking among various household objects.
Artsy cat lovers will be delighted to receive these watercolor gel crayons topped with cat-shaped caps. The crayons have a soft, buttery texture and are water soluble for easy cleanup.
Freshcut Paper’s pop-up cards come with a sheet of punch-out accessories, so you can adorn this handsome tabby with sunglasses, a bow tie, or a Hawaiian lei.
Bourget also recommends these highly giftable fluffy slippers that are embroidered with a curious cat and a justifiably nervous goldfish.
Colorado Kitty Pot’s cute “munchie”-shaped toys (there are also taco and fortune cookie versions) are adorably Instagrammable when paired with a loopy-looking cat indulging in some ’nip. Tazz Latifi, owner of pet-supply store and grooming parlor Petropolist in lower Manhattan, has noticed that even cats that aren’t usually interested in catnip go crazy for them.
First-time cat owners will especially appreciate this deck of cards that decodes the language of cat behavior, translating the hidden meanings behind twitching tails and flattened ears.
While all cats appreciate a toasty napping spot, warmth is especially important for senior cats to soothe their achy joints and help them maintain body temperature in the winter. Heather Henley, a certified feline-training and behavior specialist at Best Friends Animal Society, suggests gifting a mat like this one to friends with older cats; it has an insulated layer that keeps cats warm using their own body heat instead of electricity, so they won’t have to worry about letting their cat use it unattended.
Created by a veterinarian, these mouse-shaped toys can be filled with food or treats and hidden around the house for cats to “hunt.”
Cat owners working from home know the challenge of keeping their pet from walking on their keyboard and disrupting Zoom calls. This treat maze, which is basically a cardboard box divided into three sections with random holes, is a great way to distract any food-motivated cat.
KitNipBox is a subscription box for cats that ships a monthly assortment of toys, treats, and other goodies.
Owners of multiple cats are likely in need of a fairly heavy-duty odor eliminator, and this Rocco & Roxie deodorizer is “surprisingly powerful” and “has done wonders at neutralizing the smell of stinky litter in our apartment,” says Strategist contributor Julia Gomez Kramer. It’s one of those “unsexy but solves a real problem” gifts that’s sure to be appreciated by anyone who gets paranoid about inviting guests over and having gone nose-blind to litter-box smells.
Another good gift for anyone who’s worried about litter-box smells, this deodorizing candle was designed by veterinarians and is made of a blend of natural enzymes that actually destroy airborne animal odors at a molecular level, instead of just masking them.
This simple feather toy is endorsed by multiple experts and offers hours of interactive playtime for both a cat and its owner. (For cats who prefer to pounce rather than leap, Go Cat also makes a version with a mouse on the end.)
This set of six adorable ceramic cat dishes are just the right size to hold a serving of spices, a dollop of ketchup, or a handful of Goldfish crackers.
Under $50
From the makers of Broccoli, this collectible magazine features insights from cat behaviorist Kristiina Wilson, artful spreads of Japan’s feral cats from photographer Masayuki Oki, and a fun pullout newsletter.
This sculptural cat candle burns away to reveal a creepy metal skeleton underneath. And if the black colorway feels a bit too Halloween-y, it also comes in white, pale pink, mustard yellow, and burgundy.
Centinelle’s sustainable hair accessories come in plenty of whimsical designs, including this maneki-neko that’s sure to bring luck to its wearer.
A good gift for someone whose cat isn’t hostile per se but definitely skeptical of accepting belly rubs from just anyone.
Squishmallow’s newest line of pet furniture includes beds and caves for maximum cuteness and coziness. In addition to the calico cat and fox shown here, there are also pineapple, axolotl, and octopus designs.
The Ripple Rug’s customizability allows cats to engage in all their instinctive behaviors — hiding, stalking, pouncing — without destroying any actual rugs or furniture. It comes with two layers, “a base layer and then a top one that has holes and Velcro, and you can adjust it to build your own little forts or tunnels that the cats go in,” says Rehm.
A first-time cat owner, or one moving into a new place, may appreciate a perch, lounger, or tree that will make their home more welcoming to cats. Kitten rescuer Hannah Shaw (author of Cats of the World, above) buys a lot of her cat furniture from Hauspanther, like this wall-mounted perch that doubles as a scratching post and has room for toy storage.
Made from a cozy felted material, this donut-shaped cat cave satisfies a cat’s natural desire to burrow and hide. The zipper separation ensures an easy disassembly when it’s time for a clean.
These stylish kicker toys made from leftover upholstery fabric are filled with the grounds of a plant called silvervine that’s similar to catnip. “If your cat doesn’t really like regular catnip, silvervine is a great alternative,” advises content creator Billie-Rae Grant, whose cat Goblin “goes wild for it.”
When Grant takes Goblin for walks, she’ll have Goblin wear a collar with this personalized pet tag that’s hand-stamped and made from solid brass. There’s also an option to add a phone number to the back for extra peace of mind.
Polydactyl Cats’ unique cat toys come in shapes like popcorn and sushi, guaranteed to appeal to owners and cats alike. According to Stray Cat Social Club founder Scott Bleicher, they’re “equal parts irony, pop-culture references, and a dash of fast-food fun.”
Yappy lets you personalize a variety of gifts with a pet’s likeness, including this Where’s Waldo?–style book that inserts an illustrated Fido or Mittens into intricate scenes of amusement parks, opera performances, and history museums. Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio bought the dog version for her nieces, and it was a big hit.
“Cats love this shit,” Wong Katzman declares of these Churu treats. She calls them “cat Go-Gurt” because they come in small squeeze tubes filled with paste in multiple enticing flavors, such as tuna, chicken, or beef (and can even be frozen to make cat Popsicles on a hot day).
Artistically inclined cat owners might enjoy creating their own custom pet portrait. This two-hour virtual experience helmed by art instructor Addie Stunkard will demonstrate basic watercolor techniques and walk them through the process of creating their own painting of their furry friend.
For cats that are puzzle-feeder pros, this tree-style toy poses a bit more of a challenge. They’ll have to move their treats down each level by sticking their paws in the side holes before the food lands in the bottom dish.
Trolio has been using elevated feeders to make eating easier for her senior cats and says these ones from Purrre are among the best-looking ones she’s found. Depending on your cat’s preferences and the type of food they eat, you can choose between a bowl or a plate design, and the feeders come in several stylish colors, like coral pink and moss green.
Having your cat sit on your computer and demand attention while you’re trying to work is a near-universal cat-owner experience. This mini-laptop, complete with a scratching-pad keyboard, lets them attend their own Zoom meetings instead of crashing yours.
Photographer Walter Chandoha devoted most of his decades-long career to capturing images of cats, in all of their grandeur (and silliness). This volume, a collection of more than 60 years of his work, would definitely earn a prized place in any cat lover’s home.
If they know their cat is a queen (and treat her like one), it’d be fitting to gift a royal portrait in full regalia. Sure, hanging this in their living room could suggest they’re a crazy cat person — but in a good way, we’d like to think.
Daly was influenced by TikTok to sign up for this Pusheen box — a quarterly subscription filled with apparel, home decor, and accessories emblazoned with the adorable cartoon cat.
This scratcher lounge is a great and stylish gift with a cool-looking infinity shape they can flip over when their cat annihilates one side.
Swiftie cat owners will be thrilled to receive this stylish bubble backpack, which avowed cat lady Taylor Swift uses to tote her cats around. Over at Vulture, former senior Snapchat editor Devon Sherer tested one out herself with her cat, the Captain, and reports that even when not in use, “the cats enjoy getting into it and glaring at me through the bubble window.”
Writer Duncan Goodwin, who is married to former Strategist senior editor Tony Rotunno, says their hairless sphynx Pebbles pulls off cat clothing like a champ. This tie-dye tee “fits her snugly without being restrictive” and keeps her warm in the colder months.
Strategist contributor Elizabeth Gumport says the FURminator significantly reduced “the level of ambient cat hair” in her apartment and helped her cut down on lint-roller expenditures.
Under $100
This design-forward collaboration between Fancy Feast and Jenna Lyons features eight plates adorned with cat illustrations by Lyons. The set comes with a few Fancy Feast favorites, including chicken paté and seafood broth.
The classic Kit-Kat clock, featuring rolling eyes and a wagging tail, will add a touch of retro nostalgia to their kitchen or living room.
Using Basepaws’ cat DNA test kit, Grant was able to find out Goblin’s breed: part Ragdoll, part Norwegian mountain cat. “That’s something I think every pet owner would love, having a little bit of insight into their cat’s history,” Grant says.
A window perch allows kitties to lounge and birdwatch without taking up nearly as much real estate as a cat tree. Rehm bought one each for Broccoli and Dilly and reports that the two now hang out or nap on the hammocks at all hours of the day.
Made from recycled cardboard, this cat-shaped bed also doubles as a durable scratcher — Samantha Rober, owner of catfluencers Pesto and Tessie, has owned one for nearly two years, and though the brand offers replacement parts for when it gets too worn down, she hasn’t needed any yet.
Michelle Humphrey, owner of catfluencer Rosie, was immediately taken with this cactus-shaped scratching post, especially since she’s based in Austin, Texas. She bought it on a whim, so she was pleased to realize it’s “incredibly sturdy and heavy,” and says it shows minimal wear and tear even after two years.
These sweatshirts with embroidered patches over the heart have the option to include either one or two custom pet likenesses and come in six different colorways.
Cats, who are notoriously poor water drinkers, are more likely to sip from fresh running water than a stagnant, day-old bowl. There are tons of pet fountain designs on the market, but Wong Katzman says multiple people have complimented this ceramic one she has: “When people come over, they’re like, ‘Wow, you really got that for your cat? That’s so nice.’”
$100 and up
These airbrushed pet sweatshirts are a TikTok darling: “I saw a video of a girl wearing this, and people were going nuts for it in the comments,” Grant tells us. In addition to the personalized portrait and text, you can choose between a sweatshirt, a hoodie, or a T-shirt and whether you want the art to appear on the front or back.
All of John Derian’s decoupage cat and dog trinkets are brimming with personality, but we’re especially fond of this napping kitty suspended in a dome paperweight.
Many Etsy sellers will create custom needle-felted miniatures of your pet. I commissioned one of my cat Neptune, and the finished result captured his likeness remarkably well, down to the stripes on his tail.
They’re a splurge for sure, but Susan Alexandra’s custom pet charms are meant to be treasured forever.
Cathaus’s whimsical, sustainably sourced cat furniture featured in our 2021 holiday gift guide, and it comes with Wong Katzman’s stamp of approval as well. “There’s an environmental bent to them because they’re made of carpet scraps and scrap wood, which is why they have that collaged look,” she says.
If their cat is prone to coughing up hairballs or leaving other messes on the carpet, Brooklyn-based pharmacist Sera McNutt — cat parent to Santana and Konni — is obsessed with her Bissell carpet and upholstery cleaner. “I love it because it’s pretty small and therefore easy to store, has cleaning solution built into the mechanism, and has worked on every stain I’ve tried it on,” McNutt says.
Kimiko Glenn recommends this cat jungle gym, which comes with customizable hexagonal shelves, “because it helps save space and is aesthetically pleasing.” It is available in various sizes and can serve different functions; her cat, Toby, for example, has “a feeder shelf and a little house shelf with pillows in it.”
Yes, it’s a litter box that costs more than $500. But we’ve heard time and time again from celebrities and cat experts that the Litter Robot is “by far the most well-built and reliable automatic litter box on the market, and it completely eliminates scooping from your daily routine,” as Bleicher explains. Todrick Hall told us that it “changed my experience of being a cat owner,” and Lou Diamond Phillips called it “a godsend.” It also falls squarely in the category of “things they probably won’t buy for themselves,” so if you’re really gunning for a Gift of the Year award, you can’t go wrong with the Litter Robot.
Additional reporting by Nikita Richardson and Karen Iorio Adelson.
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