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Some cat lovers would say that having a feline is gift enough. For others, you may want to consider supplementing with some toys, novelties, and utilities that can help human and cat strengthen their bond, or just let people showcase their love for the animals.
1. K&H Pet Products Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch; $49
Cat owners are all too familiar with the sound of something scrambling up a wall while trying to perch on a tiny window sill. This bed from K&H Pet Products will eliminate that problem; the soft, cushioned bed makes it easy for cats to jump on and off. And there are few things sweeter than looking into a window and seeing a cozy cat staring back at you.
Buy it: Chewy
2. SmartCat The Ultimate 32-Inch Sisal Cat Scratching Post; $50
Not all scratching posts are created equal. This one is a towering 32 inches so cats can get in a full stretch while they satisfy their urge to dig their claws into the fibers and not the couch. A 16-by-16-inch base helps protect against tipping. Pro tip: Instruct your giftee to place it near whatever piece furniture their kitty is prone to scratching.
Buy it: Chewy
3. Black Cats Christmas Tree Topper with Stand and Changeable Bows; $24
If you talk to a typical cat owner, they’ll probably tell you their precious pet is an angel (when they aren’t tearing around the house like a demon). This topper puts the creatures in their proper place atop the tree. Because it’s so high up, any real cats roaming around the house won’t be able to bat it around. The bows are interchangeable, so it can serve as a year-round decoration.
Buy it: Amazon
4. Frisco Squirrel Plush Cat Toy with Refillable Catnip; $4.50
Cat owners will enjoy watching their pets play with this catnip-stuffed squirrel. It’s refillable, so the plushie will last a while. The squirrel’s tiny size and inexpensive price tag make it a great stocking stuffer.
Buy it: Chewy
5. Sure Petcare - SureFlap - SureFeed - Microchip Pet Feeder; $200
Feeding time in a multi-cat household can be chaotic—especially if the various pets all have different dietary needs and are determined to steal each other’s food. This feeder will sync to a microchip (or, if the animals aren’t chipped, a RFID collar tag) and only open for one particular cat. It’s pricey, but anyone who struggles to wrangle multiple cats during meals will thank you for gifting them one (or several).
Buy it: Amazon
6. Inaba Churu Grain-Free Lickable Cat Treats, Holiday Tuna & Chicken Variety Pack; $10
As tempting as it might be to slip your cat some holiday meal leftovers, you never know what those finicky creatures will wind up vomiting on the place setting. Keep it simple and safe with these tuna and chicken-flavored Churus. They’re a favorite among felines, and the mushy texture means they’re easy for older cats or those with dental issues to devour.
Buy it: Chewy
7. PetSafe Zoom Rotating Laser Cat Toy; $32
Know someone who gets tired of playing with a laser pointer before their cat does? Check out the PetSafe automated laser game, which projects that maddening red dot in a 360-degree pattern. Twin lasers can help keep two cats busy at once.
Buy it: Chewy
8. HappyCare Textiles Advanced Pets Waterproof Cat & Dog Blanket; $30
Cats and their humans will enjoy curling up together with this plush, fuzzy blanket. It’s warm and snuggly, and will help keep excess pet hair from coating the couch. The blanket is also a breeze to clean: Just toss it in the washing machine when necessary.
Buy it: Chewy
9. Laptop Cat Scratching Pad; $35
Cats love to sit on computers. It’s a cute habit, but one that can also annoy people who work from home and struggle to get anything done while constantly shooing their clawed co-workers off the keyboard. This laptop scratching pad is a device that’s better suited to a cat’s needs. It even comes with a mouse.
Buy it: Uncommon Goods
10. Decoding Your Cat: The Ultimate Experts Explain Common Cat Behaviors and Reveal How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones; $15
Cats often seem like mysterious creatures. This book by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists is essentially a cipher that’ll help a cat owner make sense of the animal they share their home with. It includes everything from info on how to decode various meows to tips on handling common litter box problems.
Buy it: Amazon
11. The Cat Ladies Organic Pet Grass Growing Kit with Containers; $15
Here’s one for cat lovers with a green thumb. This organic grass is packed with vitamins and other nutrients indoor kitties may lack. Cats will enjoy snacking on the delicious blend of plants, and their owners will enjoy giving them a taste of the outdoors (while still keeping them safely inside).
Buy it: Chewy
12. Frisco Personalized Fish-Shaped Holiday Cat Stocking; $22
Traditional stockings are certainly festive, but they don’t really reflect a cat’s personality or interests. This one, on the other hand, is shaped like a fish—a classic ingredient in any feline feast. It’s adorned with paw prints and fish bones, and you can also get it customized with the name of your giftee’s pet.
Buy it: Chewy
A version of this story originally ran in 2018; it has been updated for 2023.
This article was originally published on www.mentalfloss.com as The Best Gifts for Cat Lovers.