Short answer: the best gift ideas for cat lovers are things their cat will play with every day: a wand toy for playing together, a scented toy (catnip, matatabi or valerian) and a soft kicker to wrestle. For a ready-to-give present, a mixed cat toy gift set covers every play style in one box. Below you'll find ideas sorted by budget and by type of cat, from small gifts under €10 to cosy beds.
I'm Amy, and I make wool cat toys in my small studio in Wuppertal. Our two cats, Pancake and Marmalade, test everything first. This guide is honest: if a cat won't use it, it's not on the list.
Key takeaways
- The best gifts for cat lovers are things their cat will use every day: a wand toy, a scented toy and a kicker.
- Not sure what the cat likes? A mixed gift set covers every play style and scent in one box.
- Plenty of lovely cat gifts cost under €10: matatabi sticks, felt balls, gingham mice and dried catnip.
- For kittens, pick toys that move and herb-free versions. Most kittens don't react to catnip yet.
- Order early around birthdays and the holidays. Made-to-order versions need up to 5 working days.
How to choose a gift for a cat lover
Three quick questions make it easy to pick a gift a cat will love:
- How does the cat like to play? Chasers love wands and balls. Wrestlers love kickers. Carriers love small mice and fish they can trot around with. Not sure? Our guide to choosing the right toy by play style helps.
- Does the cat react to catnip? About one in three cats doesn't, and that's inherited. Matatabi (silver vine) and valerian are good alternatives. Read our guide to catnip, matatabi and valerian.
- How old is the cat? Most kittens don't react to catnip until around 3–6 months, so for young kittens choose toys that move: wands, balls and soft mice, or our herb-free kitten toys.
Gift ideas under €10
Small cat gifts that make perfect little extras, Secret Santa presents or something to tuck in with a card.
- Matatabi chew sticks, 6-pack (€6.99): natural silver vine sticks to chew and sniff, great for cats that ignore catnip
- Matatabi jute sticks (€3.99): a small, low-cost treat for chewers
- Dried catnip, 25 g (€4.99): to refresh old toys, in a reusable tube
- Small wool felt balls, set of 4 (€3.99): light enough to bat across the floor
- Gingham mice, set of 3 (€7.99): classic mice for cats that love to carry
- Catnip crinkle cushion (€5.99): corduroy cushion that crinkles when pounced on
- Cotton fish kicker (€4.99): a small fish to hug and kick
- Mini wool ball teaser wand (€8.99): a short wand for quick play sessions
- Pastel wool caterpillar (€8.99): a soft, colourful toy to bat and carry
- Wool fish (€9.99): a single fish toy, light and easy to carry
- Catnip raffia fringe toy (€9.99): rustling fringe that cats love to grab
Gift ideas from €10 to €25
The sweet spot for birthday presents and gifts for friends with cats.
- Handmade felt balls, set of 3 (4 cm) (€10.99): 100% wool, felted by hand in our studio
- Corduroy bunny kicker (€14.99): a long kicker to grab with the front paws and kick with the back legs
- Cat teaser stick, 40 cm (€14.99): the best toy for playing together
- Interactive mouse set, 7 pieces (€16.99): plenty of mice to hide around the home
- Enrichment gift bundle (€23.95): a small mixed bundle, ready to give
- Refillable kicker (€23.99): open it and add fresh catnip or valerian whenever the scent fades
- Hand-felted catnip sardines (€24.99): our bestselling handmade wool toy
- Felt fish, set of 3 (€24.99): three soft fish to carry, bat and pounce on
Special gifts from €25
For a bigger present, something cosy to sleep in usually gets used every single day.
- Merino wool cat mat (from €29.99): a soft mat for the windowsill, sofa or cat tree
- Shark felt cat cave (€35.95): a fun hideaway for cats that love to curl up out of sight
- Felt tipi cat bed (€44.95): a cat tent with a wooden frame that looks good in the living room
- Raffia basket (€79.99): a bed and a basket in one, for a special gift
Ready-to-give cat gift sets
If you're not sure what the cat likes, a gift set is the safest choice. Each one mixes different toys and scents, so most cats find a favourite. See all cat gift sets.
- Natural cat toy gift set (€44.99): catnip and silver vine toys, felted sardines, wool balls and a corn husk chew
- Luxury 6-piece toy bundle (€49.95): catnip, matatabi, felted sardines, felt balls and a corduroy kicker, in dusty pink, dusty blue or sage green
- Neutral cat toy gift set (€59.99): calm natural colours for a stylish home
- Mega gift set, 10 pieces (€69.99): the big box for a very lucky cat, or a home with several cats
Cat toy gift sets
Mixed boxes of handmade wool toys, catnip and matatabi, ready to give.
Gift ideas by type of cat
For kittens
Kittens love movement more than scent. Choose a teaser wand, small felt balls or soft mice, and pick no-herb versions of wool toys. Valerian and no-herb versions are made to order, so allow up to 5 working days. More tips for a new kitten.
For cats that ignore catnip
Try matatabi sticks or a toy with valerian filling, such as the refillable kicker. Many cats that ignore catnip react to one of these. What to try if your cat ignores catnip.
For indoor cats
Indoor cats need daily hunting games. A wand toy for short sessions with their human, plus a kicker for solo play, makes a great pair. Why play matters so much for cats.
For cosy, sleepy cats
A merino wool mat, the felt tipi or the shark cave gives them a warm place of their own.
A gift for the human too
For the cat lover who has everything, pair a small toy with a donation to a local animal shelter in their cat's name. Many German shelters (Tierheime) have wish lists or sponsorships. It's a thoughtful present that helps cats still waiting for a home.
Delivery and ordering in good time
We ship within Germany with DHL, tracked. Shipping is €6.49 and free from €45. Toys with catnip ship from stock. Valerian and no-herb versions are made to order, so allow up to 5 working days before dispatch. We also ship to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong (import taxes may apply on delivery). Around birthdays and the holidays DHL gets busy, so order a little early to be safe. See our shipping information.
A safety note: always supervise play with wands and toys with strings, and put them away afterwards. Check toys regularly and remove any that are damaged. No cat toy is indestructible. Read our guide to safe cat toys.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good gift for a cat lover?
A toy their cat will use every day is the best gift: a wand toy, a scented toy or a kicker. If you're unsure, a mixed cat toy gift set covers every play style.
What do you buy a cat lover who has everything?
Something that refreshes what they already have, like dried catnip or matatabi sticks, a cosy bed, or a donation to an animal shelter in their cat's name.
What can I give a cat that doesn't react to catnip?
Try matatabi (silver vine) sticks or a toy filled with valerian. Many cats that ignore catnip react to one of these. Read more about catnip, matatabi and valerian.
What is a good gift for a kitten?
Toys that move: a teaser wand, small felt balls or soft mice. Most kittens don't react to catnip until around 3–6 months, so no-herb toys are a good choice.
Are there good cat gifts under €10?
Yes. Matatabi sticks, small felt balls, gingham mice, a crinkle cushion and dried catnip all cost under €10 and make lovely small gifts.
Do you deliver outside Germany?
Yes. Besides Germany, we ship with DHL tracked delivery to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong. Import taxes or fees may be charged on delivery. In the UK or USA? You can order through our Etsy shop. Full shipping details.
Happy gifting from Amy, Pancake and Marmalade. Browse our cat gift sets.
