11 Best Christmas Gifts for Cats – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Your cat may be the pickiest and most opinionated being on your Christmas shopping list. Since they can’t tell you directly what they want, you just have to guess. Fortunately, these reviews cover the 10 best Christmas gifts for cats available in this year. There is no way that your cat won’t love these presents!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023 Update)

The 11 Best Christmas Gifts for Cats

1. Two by Two The Yaupon Cat Tree & Lounger — Best Overall

This scratching post, cat tree, and lounger is our choice for the best overall Christmas gift for cats. The Yaupon Cat Tree & Lounger has sisal wood posts to encourage claw sharpening. There are two plush perches for cats to d relax and hanging toys to encourage play. It is an all-in-one cat entertainment center. What’s great about this model is that it’s compact and can fit into small spaces. It’s also made from 100% eco-friendly and recycled material, so you can feel good about what you’re buying.

The only negative thing about this cat tree and lounger is the color of the plush pads on the lounging spaces. They’re off-white, so they get dirty easily. They are removable and washable, but you may have to do this frequently.

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2. Ethical Pet Spot Rainbow Plush Rattling Mice Toy With Catnip — Best Value

Ethical Pet Spot Rainbow Plush Rattling Mice Toys With Catnip are the best Christmas gifts for cats for the money. These toys aren’t just available at a low price point; they are also designed to activate your cat’s natural hunting instincts and appeal to their natural curiosity. They’re even perfect for kittens because they are small enough to be carried around in their mouths.

These toys rattle and crinkle and are infused with catnip to make them extra appealing for your cat to chase. The only downside is that your cat will inevitably lose one under a shelf or behind the couch. Luckily, they come in multi-packs, so you can keep spares.

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3. The Refined Feline Kitty Ball Cat Bed — Premium Choice

If you really want to spoil your kitty this Christmas, why not get them a new cat bed? This Kitty Ball Cat Bed from The Refined Feline is made from hand-woven rattan. It’s a stylish addition to your décor that offers your cat a raised bed and den. Cats that love to perch and watch the world around them will now have a cozy spot to do it. As a bonus, the material stands up to scratching, so it can double as a scratching post for cats that need one. The cushion is machine washable for easy cleaning.

The only downside to The Refined Kitty Cat Bed is the price. It’s on the high side as far as cat beds go. This is why it’s our premium choice on this list, but we’re certain that your cat will love it.

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4. Frisco Interactive Electric Flopping Fish Cat Toy

For extra exercise and playtime, try out the Frisco Interactive Electric Flopping Fish Cat Toy this Christmas. Cats love to bat and pounce on things. This electronic fish toy has a built-in motion sensor to make playtime even more fun. When your cat touches the fish, it will wiggle and bounce.

Since this toy is electronic, it can’t be cleaned in the washing machine or dishwasher. It is easily wipeable but will become soiled over time. There’s also the downside of having to charge the fish. If you forget, your cat may think that they’ve “caught” the fish and then lose interest in the toy.

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5. Jackson Galaxy Air Prey Wand Teaser Toy

Indoor cats need to stay active and mentally stimulated. Wand teasers are a great way to do this. The Jackson Galaxy Air Prey Wand Teaser Toy will help your cat stave off boredom and reduce any annoying behaviors that result from it. Since the toy requires you to play with your cat, it provides a fantastic opportunity for you to spend quality bonding time with your kitty.

This wand has a retractable cord so you can adjust the height of the “prey.” Cats love it, but unfortunately, some get overzealous in their need to catch it. The line on the rod can come unthreaded easily when cats latch onto it, so this toy may not survive past New Year’s.

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6. PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Cat Feeder

Indoor cats frequently struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. If this is a problem for your cat, this PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Cat Feeder can help. Your cat will feel like they’ve received a new toy, and you will feel good knowing that you’ve found a way to feed your cat smaller portions of food. Some owners choose to use this feeder for mealtimes, as it can hold up to 2/3 cup of food at a time.

The PetSafe Feeder is simple to operate and a good choice for cats and owners who are new to puzzle feeders. The downside is that some cats get frustrated and refuse to eat, so you may want to use it just for treats. There’s also a bit of a learning curve for young cats, and it may take a while for them to figure it out.

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7. Frisco 48-inch Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo

There are plenty of options for cat trees, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to find one that your cat will love. This 48-inch Faux Fur Cat Tree & Condo from Frisco is affordable and practical, so both you and your cat will love it! It has an all-natural wood base to match any décor and plush carpeting for comfort and grooming. There’s plenty of perching space and a cubbyhole for cats that like to hide.

This cat tree is appropriate for multi-cat homes, so if you’ve been struggling to find a gift that makes all your cats purr with pleasure, this may be the one that you need. However, some customers report that the rope-style hanging toy becomes shredded easily from cat claws. Fortunately, it can easily be replaced without needing to replace the whole tree. If your cat likes to jump, you’ll want to anchor the tree to the wall, as it’s not that stable.

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8. Frisco Novelty Shark Covered Cat Bed

This Novelty Shark Covered Cat Bed from Frisco provides the perfect hiding space for your cat. It’s also adorable and a guaranteed conversation piece, so you’ll want to put it in the living room for everyone to see. The soft material and padding make it ultra-comfortable. It’s a perfect travel bed because it folds flat for transport, and the cushion can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

The best thing about this shark bed is also the worst. If your cat is prone to shredding their bedding material, this may not be the bed for them. It’s filled with polyester fiberfill that will wind up everywhere if your cat rips the cushion open.

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9. Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain

If your kitty turns up their nose at a basic water bowl, the Catit Flower Plastic Cat Fountain is sure to please them. This water fountain-style drinking station encourages even the pickiest cats to drink. It has three settings, including gentle and faucet. It’s also one of the easiest water fountains to clean because its surfaces are all open. The flower can even be exchanged with a flat spout if that’s more suited to your preferences.

This fountain and its parts aren’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to clean it by hand on a regular basis. As with any fountain-style bowl, it includes a pump, which will need replacing over time and adds to the overall expense of the bowl.

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10. K&H Pet Products Thermo-Pet Mat

This Christmas, why not treat your kitty to a heated mat? It will give them a place to curl up and get cozy on cold days. The K&H Pet Products Thermo-Pet Mat is the perfect size to fit under or in any existing cat bed. It only heats to your cat’s body temperature, so there’s no risk of overheating. The removable cover is machine washable and plush for comfort.

The biggest downside of this heated mat is that it needs to be plugged into a power outlet in order to work. Not only does this limit the locations where it can be placed, but there is also a risk of injury to your pet if they chew or scratch the cord.

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11. SmartCat The Ultimate 32-Inch Sisal Scratching Post

This compact scratching post from SmartCat is 32 inches high and lives up to its title as “The Ultimate” scratching post. The height enables even the largest felines to stretch out fully and scratch their heart out. A sturdy base means this post is free-standing and sturdy enough for cats up to 30 pounds. Sisal fiber covers the entire surface, which stands up better than carpet or rope materials over time.

Sisal does shed fibers when it’s scratched with cat claws, so you will likely find yourself on cleanup duty with this post. It’s also not removable or replaceable. Once your cat shreds off all the sisal material, you will be forced to replace the entire structure.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Christmas Gifts for Cats

If you need help on where to start looking for the best Christmas gift for your cat (or cats), this guide can help!

What to Look For in Cat Gifts

Safety and Sourcing

Knowing where a product comes from and how it’s made can give you a good idea of how safe it is. Different countries have different safety standards, so look for products that meet the standards in your location. Third-party certifications from organizations like the Center for Pet Safety and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tell you that a product has been evaluated. If you live in California, California Proposition 65 requires products with potentially hazardous substances to contain a warning label.

As a rule, you want to avoid artificial fragrances, ingredients, dyes, adhesives, and other chemicals that can be potential health hazards.

Price

Your budget should be a consideration when shopping for your cat. More expensive doesn’t always mean better, especially when it comes to pet products. But cheap isn’t always good either. It’s best to set a budget ahead of time to know what you can afford to spend. Then, search for the best value product.

What Needs Are You Trying to Meet?

You can likely identify an area of your cat’s life that you want to improve with your gift. Asking yourself what your cat would enjoy best or what type of product would improve their quality of life can give you a starting point for choosing a gift. Here are a few examples:

Ultimately, you know your cat, their preferences, and their personality best. You’ll know the right gift when you find it!

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, these reviews have given you an idea of the best Christmas gift for your cat. To recap, the best overall Christmas gift for cats in this year is Two by Two’s The Yaupon Cat Tree & Lounger. This multi-purpose tree is compact and fits into any space, and it encourages play and relaxation. The best Christmas gift for cats for the money is Ethical Pet Spot Rainbow Plush Rattling Mice Toy With Catnip. These crinkly, catnip-infused toys will keep even the youngest cats busy for hours. To spoil your kitty with something special, we recommend The Refined Feline Kitty Ball Cat Bed. This elevated bed adds something special to your home and gives your cat a comfy place to hang out and watch the world.

See also:

• 11 DIY Cat Plushies You Can Make Today (With Pictures)
• 10 DIY Cat Scratching Posts You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

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Featured Image Credit: Casey Elise Christopher, Shutterstock