Christmas Gifts for Cats: Safe, Fun Ideas Your Cat Will Actually Love

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Let's be honest: the cat is part of the family, so of course it gets a Christmas present. And while your cat may end up more interested in the cardboard box than whatever was inside it, the right gift can bring months of play, comfort and enrichment.

The trick is choosing gifts that suit how cats really live. Cats need to climb, scratch, hunt, hide and rest. The best Christmas gifts tap into those natural behaviours, and are safe enough to enjoy without supervision every minute.

Below you'll find gift ideas for every budget and every type of cat, handmade options for crafty owners, the popular gifts that are actually risky, and tips for giving your cat its present safely on Christmas morning.

Quick list: the best Christmas gifts for cats

Big gifts: cat towers and climbing spaces

Why climbing gifts are so popular

Agriculture Victoria explains that elevated places give indoor cats a sense of security and enrichment, and let them watch what's going on around them. For indoor cats especially, a cat tower is one of the most useful gifts you can give.

A Christmas tree cat tower

A cat tower shaped like a Christmas tree is the ultimate festive cat gift. It gives your cat its own tree to climb, which can help keep it out of the family Christmas tree, and it keeps working all year.

• PuzzlePaw Christmas tree cat tower, about 88 cm: a compact tree-shaped tower that suits smaller homes, kittens and senior cats.
• LUCKLIFE 54" cat Christmas tree with 3 cozy condos: a tall green tree with three hideaway condos, the closest to a classic Christmas tree.
• Christmas cat tree with 2 condos and natural sisal scratching posts: a larger option with sturdier platforms for bigger cats.

Compare these options in our guide to Christmas tree cat trees.

A cosy hammock tower

For cats that prefer lounging to climbing, a smaller tower with a hammock makes a lovely gift. The 32" small cat tower with a large hammock and self groomer is a compact option with a built-in grooming brush, and you can decorate it with felt ornaments for the festive season.

Check the current price and reviews on each listing before you buy. VCA Animal Hospitals recommends anchoring tall cat trees to the wall to prevent injury.

Everyday gifts: scratching, beds and play

A good scratching post

Scratching is a natural need. Agriculture Victoria notes that cats scratch to sharpen their claws, stretch, relieve stress and mark their territory. A tall, sturdy sisal post is a gift your cat will use every single day, and it may save your couch too. Our guide to the best cat scratching posts explains what cats prefer.

A cosy bed or blanket

A warm, soft bed is a gift every cat appreciates, especially seniors and short-haired cats. Covered "cave" beds suit shy cats that like to hide. Place it somewhere quiet and draught-free, away from the busy Christmas crowd.

Interactive toys

Wand toys with feathers or fabric tails let your cat stalk, chase and pounce. They're one of the best ways to bond with your cat, but always put them away after play, since the string can be swallowed.

Small gifts and stocking stuffers

Catnip and silver vine

Not every cat reacts to catnip. A 2017 study by Bol and colleagues, published in BMC Veterinary Research, found that about one in three cats didn't respond to catnip at all, while 79% of cats responded to silver vine. A small packet of dried silver vine makes a great stocking stuffer, especially for cats that ignore catnip.

Cat-safe toys

Soft balls, crinkle-free plush toys and kicker toys are great small gifts. Look for toys without small parts, loose strings, bells or feathers that could be chewed off.

A cat stocking

Fill a cat-sized stocking with a few small gifts and hang it with the family's. Our crochet cat Christmas stocking pattern shows you how to make one, including what to put inside and what to avoid.

Gift ideas by type of cat

Every cat is different. Here are some ideas to match your cat's age and personality.

For kittens

Kittens have endless energy and a strong urge to explore. Good gifts include a compact cat tower with low platforms, a cardboard scratcher, soft balls and kicker toys. Avoid anything with small parts, and keep wand toys for supervised play. If you have a new kitten, a low festive tower such as a compact Christmas tree cat tower lets it climb safely.

For senior cats

Older cats often appreciate comfort over action. A heated or extra-soft bed, a low hammock, a ramp or step to reach favourite spots, and a gentle grooming brush make thoughtful gifts. Short, gentle play sessions with a feather wand keep seniors active.

For indoor cats

Indoor cats need extra enrichment. Climbing spaces, window perches, puzzle feeders and a rotation of toys help prevent boredom. Agriculture Victoria explains that indoor cats benefit from enrichment that lets them express natural behaviours such as climbing, scratching and play.

For multi-cat homes

In homes with more than one cat, give gifts that reduce competition: a tall tower with several platforms and condos, extra scratching posts in different rooms, and more than one bed, so every cat has its own space.

For shy cats

Covered beds, cardboard hideouts and condos give shy cats a safe place to retreat, especially during busy Christmas gatherings. Cats Protection recommends giving cats a hiding place to escape the festive chaos.

Handmade gifts for crafty cat owners

Handmade gifts are cheap, personal and easy to make cat-safe:

• Crochet catnip toys: Our easy crochet cat toy patterns include a catnip mouse, ball and fish kicker, all designed without loose strings.
• A crochet Christmas pudding toy: A festive catnip toy that's far safer than the real pudding. See our crochet Christmas pudding cat toy pattern.
• A fleece blanket: Cut a large square of fleece and you're done. No sewing needed.
• A cardboard box hideout: Cut a cat-sized doorway in a sturdy box, line it with a blanket, and decorate the outside with a marker.

Popular cat gifts to avoid

Some gifts that look cute in shops are risky for cats:

Cats Protection advises keeping tinsel, ribbon and gift ribbon away from your cat, since they can be swallowed or get caught around the neck or limbs. It also recommends avoiding dressing cats in costumes or accessories.

RSPCA Tasmania warns that tinsel, ribbons and string-like items can wrap around the intestines and cause serious, potentially fatal damage. Many Christmas foods are also dangerous, so read our guide to Christmas food that's dangerous for cats.

How to give your cat its Christmas present

1. Keep cat gifts hidden until Christmas morning. Cats Protection advises against putting your cat's presents under the tree, especially if they contain catnip, because it will only entice your cat into the tree.
2. Wrap it simply. Use plain paper or a cardboard box, with no ribbon, tinsel or curling ribbon.
3. Let your cat explore. Many cats enjoy batting at paper and climbing into the box.
4. Supervise unwrapping, then clear away paper, tape and packaging straight away.
5. Remove tags and plastic from new toys before giving them to your cat.
6. Introduce big gifts slowly. Place a new cat tower in a familiar spot, add a blanket that smells like your cat, and encourage it with treats.

Give back this Christmas

Many shelters and rescue groups are busy over the summer, when kitten season is in full swing in Australia. Consider:

• Donating new, cat-safe toys or blankets. Ask your local shelter what they accept first.
• Making a donation in your cat's name.
• Fostering cats or kittens over the holidays, if you're staying home.

Gifts for cat lovers, too

If you're shopping for a friend who loves cats, consider:

• A handmade crochet cat ornament that looks like their cat. Our crochet cat Christmas ornament pattern shows you how.
• A festive cat tower for their cat, if you know their space and their cat's size.
• A donation in their name to a local animal shelter or rescue group.

And if you're thinking of giving someone a kitten for Christmas, read our guide on giving a kitten as a Christmas present first.

Christmas gift checklist for cats

• [ ] The gift suits my cat's age, size and personality.
• [ ] Toys have no long strings, small bells, beads or loose parts.
• [ ] Cat towers have a stable base and will be anchored if tall.
• [ ] No costumes, tinsel, ribbon or human food.
• [ ] Gifts are hidden until Christmas morning, not under the tree.
• [ ] Wrapping is plain paper or a cardboard box.
• [ ] Packaging and tags are cleared away after unwrapping.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Christmas gift for a cat?

For indoor cats, a sturdy cat tower or scratching post is one of the most useful gifts, because it supports climbing and scratching, two natural needs. A Christmas tree cat tower adds a festive touch and can help keep your cat out of the family tree.

Are catnip toys safe for cats?

Yes, when the toy is well made, with no loose strings or small parts. About one in three cats don't respond to catnip, according to a 2017 study, so silver vine is a good alternative.

Should I wrap my cat's Christmas present?

You can, using plain paper or a cardboard box. Avoid ribbon, tinsel and curling ribbon, which Cats Protection and RSPCA Tasmania warn can be dangerous if swallowed. Supervise unwrapping and clear the paper away afterwards.

Can I put my cat's presents under the Christmas tree?

It's best not to. Cats Protection advises against it, especially if gifts contain catnip, because it will encourage your cat to explore the tree.

What should I avoid giving my cat for Christmas?

Avoid toys with long strings or small detachable parts, costumes, human food, lilies and anything wrapped in tinsel or ribbon. These can cause choking, intestinal blockages or poisoning.

Is a cardboard box really a good gift?

Many cats love cardboard boxes because they offer a safe, enclosed hiding spot. Add a soft blanket and cut a doorway, and you have a free, cat-approved gift.

Related guides

• Christmas tree cat trees: 4 festive cat towers
• How to keep cats out of the Christmas tree
• Easy crochet cat toys: 3 free patterns

Sources

• Agriculture Victoria, Creating the perfect indoor haven
• Cats Protection, Cats at Christmas
• RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
• VCA Animal Hospitals, How to make vertical space for cats
• Bol S et al., Responsiveness of cats to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian root and catnip, BMC Veterinary Research, 2017

Product details can change, so always check the current listing before you buy. This guide is general information only and not a substitute for advice from your vet.