Most cat gifts get five minutes of attention on Christmas morning and end up under the couch by Boxing Day. The best ones are the gifts your cat keeps coming back to: things that get them moving, give them somewhere to be, or turn treat time into something to look forward to.
We have sorted this year's guide by budget, from stocking fillers to the big present under the tree, with a few festive safety tips at the end.
Key Takeaways
- The gifts cats use most are the ones that match their instincts: hunting, climbing, running and resting near you.
- Stocking fillers under $35 include silvervine dental sticks, the Wiggly Wand and lickable treats.
- A durable wand toy is the best mid-range gift for play you can do together.
- A cat wheel or desk-mounted bed is a gift that gets used every day of the year.
- Keep lilies, tinsel, ribbon and chocolate well away from cats over the holidays.
Stocking Fillers Under $35
Silvervine Cat Dental Sticks
$24.95 for a 4 pack
Silvervine is a plant many cats react to even more strongly than catnip, and these sticks double as something to chew on. A good pick for cats who do not respond to catnip.
YumGuard Puree Star Cat Treats
$7.50 each
Lickable puree treats in flavours like tuna with pumpkin and chicken with cranberry and blueberry. Easy to wrap, easy to hand out, and a nice way to bond on Christmas morning. For the full range, the YumGuard sample pack is $45.
Wiggly Wand Cat Toy
$30
A light, springy wand that moves unpredictably, which is exactly what gets a cat's attention.
Mid-Range Gifts
Feather Toy Attachment for the Forever Stick
From $49.95
If the cat already has a Forever Stick, a new lure is the easiest upgrade there is. Feathers bring out the bird-hunter in most cats.
Forever Stick Cat Wand
$109.95
Most wand toys snap within weeks. The Forever Stick is built with a flexible, unbreakable wand, a cork handle and a universal clip for swapping lures. It is the gift for the cat owner who is tired of replacing toys, and it gets the two of you playing together.
Anti-Slip Safety Wheel Mat
$109.95
For anyone who already owns a Ferris or Grand Ferris. The Anti-Slip Safety Wheel Mat stops the wheel sliding and rumbling on hard floors and protects floorboards. Not glamorous, but every wheel owner we know is glad they have one.
The Big Gifts
Ergo Purrch Desk-Mounted Cat Bed
From $370
For the cat who insists on sitting on the keyboard. The Ergo Purrch clamps onto desks up to 69 mm thick in under a minute, rotates 360 degrees, and is handmade from FSC-certified wood. Your cat gets to be right next to you, and you get your desk back. A great gift for anyone who works from home.
Ferris Cat Wheel
$964.95
The gift that changes an indoor cat's day. The Ferris Cat Wheel gives cats somewhere to burn off energy whenever they want, with a 121 cm internal diameter that suits most cats and active breeds like Bengals and Siamese. Available in five colours.
Grand Ferris Cat Wheel
$1,345.95
Our largest wheel, with a 152 cm internal diameter and 16 kg capacity. The Grand Ferris is the one for Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Savannahs and homes where two cats like to run together. Not sure which size to choose? Our cat wheel size guide will help.
Order Early for Christmas
Cat wheels are large items and ship by courier, so they cannot go to parcel lockers or PO boxes. If you want a wheel under the tree, order early in December to leave time for delivery and assembly. Smaller gifts like toys and treats are quicker, but the pre-Christmas rush slows everything down, so it pays not to leave it to the last week.
Keeping Cats Safe at Christmas
The festive season brings plenty of new things into the house, and a few of them are risky for cats:
- Lilies. Every part of the lily plant, including the pollen and the water in the vase, is highly toxic to cats. Keep them out of the house entirely.
- Tinsel and ribbon. Cats love to chew and swallow string-like material, which can cause dangerous blockages. Hang tinsel high or skip it, and tidy up wrapping ribbon straight away.
- Chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to cats. Keep it off the coffee table and out of stockings within reach. Read more in why chocolate and cats don't mix.
- The tree. Anchor it so a climbing cat cannot pull it over, and keep glass baubles and electrical cords toward the top.
- Leftovers. Cooked bones, onion, garlic and fatty ham scraps can all make cats unwell. Stick to cat treats.
If you think your cat has eaten something toxic, call your vet or an emergency vet straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you get a cat for Christmas?
The best gifts suit how cats like to spend their time: a wand toy for hunting play, treats for bonding, a comfortable perch near you, or a wheel for running. Anything that gets used every day beats a novelty toy.
What is a good gift for a cat lover?
Something that makes life with their cat easier. A desk-mounted cat bed for someone who works from home, a durable wand toy for a cat owner who keeps replacing broken ones, or a cat wheel for an owner of an energetic indoor cat.
Is a cat wheel a good Christmas present?
It is one of the few cat gifts that gets used all year. Check the cat's size and the space available first, and order early to allow for delivery.
However you celebrate, we hope your cat has a very merry Christmas.