Best Catnip Toys

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio

Cats love toys and they love catnip. Put the two together and you’ve got one happy kitty! Here’s our list of the best catnip toys.

A lot of cats get excited when they smell catnip, and if your kitty is one of them, there are a lot of toys that you can purchase to provide variety and let your pet have loads of fun every day.

From catnip toys that are refillable so they last a long time, to those that allow your feline friend to pounce and kick to let out his inner hunter, there are so many different ways to keep your cat interested, to encourage him to exercise through play, and to make him feel happy.

We’ve compiled a helpful list of some of the best catnip toys that we could find. The products are listed below, in no particular order, to give you an idea of the range of toys out there that are designed especially for cat.

1.Editor’s Pick: Petlinks Parrot Tweet Touch-Activated Refillable Catnip Cat Toy

The Petlinks Parrot Tweet Touch-Activated Refillable Catnip Cat Toy is a soft toy that features feathers that are sure to get your pet’s attention. In addition to that, it will make a sound every time your pet touches it, so it mimics what it’s like to hunt down prey.

This toy is filled with catnip that is free of pesticides, which is always a plus, and the natural oils in the catnip will entice your cat to play and get some exercise. Also, if the catnip ends up losing its potency over time, you can simply refill this toy with fresh catnip to keep the fun going, rather than needing to purchase a brand new toy. And, when you need to clean it, you can simply wipe it with a damp cloth.

2. Runner Up: OurPets Play-N-Squeak Backyard Friends Cat Toy

This fun cat toy from OurPets combines two different things that our cats love – catnip and interactive play. The realistic design of this bird-shaped toy is sure to capture and hold onto your cat’s attention throughout playtime, encouraging them to tap into their natural hunting instincts. The toy offers your cat the opportunity to stalk and chase its prey all from the safety of your living room.

If birds aren’t your cat’s prey of choice, other options include bunny, fox, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel.

Not only does it include the tempting scent of catnip, but it also features enticing tail feathers and realistic chirping bird sounds. All of these factors come together to create the perfect opportunity to encourage exercise for your indoor cat. After all, both mental and physical stimulation is necessary for your cat’s overall health and well-being.

3. Customer Choice: Petmate Fat Cat Eeeks! Catnip Toy

These fun little mice are a low-cost toy that your cat is sure to love. Designed for ‘supreme airborne fun’, these toys are the perfect size to toss, carry, dangle, swat, and bat around to their heart’s content. Inside the toy, a small rattle sounds every time that the toy moves, further adding to the fun. The mouse-inspired shape will appeal to your cat’s natural instincts to hunt and prowl without putting any furry critters at risk.

The secret to success with this toy is the Zoom Around the Room organic catnip contained inside. Grown right here in North America, this catnip is 100% organic and highly potent.

While this toy may look small and simple, it can have a big impact on your cat’s overall health and well-being. Regular playtime means increased physical activity, helping to prevent obesity. Meanwhile, the act of ‘hunting’ their toy is an excellent form of mental stimulation, reducing boredom, stress and anxiety.

4. Best Refillable: KONG Refillable Beaver Catnip Cat Toy

KONG makes several different refillable catnip toys, and we’re featuring a couple of them on this list. A quick glance at the selection of KONG catnip toys and it’s clear that they come in all shapes and sizes imaginable- enough to satisfy any kitty’s taste and preferences. This one is the Beaver Catnip Cat Toy, and it comes with a tube filled with natural North American catnip, so you can get it all set up to grab your cat’s attention right away, without having to worry about buying catnip separately.

Soft and snuggly, this is a fun toy that can be tossed around and pounced on. It has a little compartment that you can open and close easily to add fresh catnip, as soon as the scent of the old one starts fading. Doing so will keep the scent nice and potent, so it can be a long-lasting toy. Plus, you can even gently twist the toy to help release more of the catnip’s natural oils to keep your cat interested in it. And, when you need to clean the toy, just remove the catnip before tossing it into your washing machine.

5. Best Hunting: Petlinks Catnip Caterpillars Crinkle and Catnip Cat Toys

The Petlinks Caterpillars Crinkle and Catnip Cat Toys are another option when it comes to keeping your kitty active and excited to play. These toys are designed to activate a feline’s hunting instinct. And because they are soft, plush, and lightweight, they’re easy to carry and bat around. During play sessions, you can toss the toy to get your kitty to run after it and pounce on it. The crinkly material that’s inside of the toy is sure to pique your pet’s curiosity, while the 100% pure catnip will help stimulate his senses.

What’s also nice about this product is that it comes in a set of three toys, which can be really convenient if you have more than one cat, and it also allows you to keep things interesting by switching between the toys. When you need to clean them, just wipe them with a damp cloth.

6. Best Organic: Yeowww! Catnip Cigar Cat Toy

The Yeowww! Catnip Cigar Cat Toy has a lot of features that are sure to attract your cat. First of all, it is stuffed with high-quality, organic catnip flower tops and leaves to ensure the toy will have a long-lasting and potent scent. It’s also 7” long, so it’s a great shape for grabbing and kicking it.

This product is sewn by hand, and the fabric used is durable cotton twill that can hold up to your cat’s aggressive play when he’s biting, kicking, and holding this toy with his claws. You won’t find any plastic pieces or fillers in this toy, which is made in the USA, and it is colored using soy based or vegetable dyes.

7. Best Set: Legendog 5Pcs Catnip Toy

We all know which is that secret ingredient that can make any cat go absolutely berserk – catnip. And when you stuff the “good stuff” inside a colorful, fun toy, you’ve got yourself a winner!

Legendog Catnip Toy Set gives you 5 snuggly and cute cat-shaped kitty toys absolutely stuffed to the brim with catnip. Each of the five toys features a unique and funny facial expression, each one corresponding to one of your cat’s iconic moods. Essentially a chew toy, it is made from thick and highly durable cotton linen and is stuffed with soft cotton PP, and of course, with catnip. This durable build makes sure that your cat can go wild as much as it wants – the toy can take all the scratching, biting, gnawing, and anything else your kitty throws at it. With a great balance of price and quantity, you get not one – but five separate catnip toys that will keep your cat(s) occupied for hours at a time.

8. Best Fun: Alice’s Cottage Wine Me Up Fun Catnip Toys

After a long day of knocking over stuff and napping, your kitty will appreciate a bottle of good wine to unwind and relax- something like a Cat-bernet Sauvignon does the trick. Of course, it’s not booze we’re talking about, it’s a catnip toy shaped like a wine bottle- but the effects of the catnip it’s stuffed with will give your kitty a similar buzz. This set includes two bottle-shaped toys made from pet-safe fabrics that are filled to the brim with organically grown catnip that is quite potent and will make your kitty go wild for these toys.

The size of the “bottles” makes them ideal for swatting at, clawing, “hugging” in a scratching embrace, and even carrying around in the mouth. And yes, your kitty will probably do all of these things- Alice’s Cottage Wine Me Up Fun Catnip Toys really make a kitty go crazy with fun!

9. Best Plush: Frisco Plush Kicker Cat Toy

The Frisco Plush Kicker Cat Toy has the right texture and shape for kitties that enjoy wrestling with their toys. Your cat can grab it with his front claws, kick it with his back feet, and chew on it, just like he would when taking down prey. And you can also interact with your pet by tossing it around so your kitty can chase after it. It features a furry tail to make it easy to grab it and get your feline friend’s attention. Then, when playtime is over, your pet can use this plush and soft toy to snuggle up for a nap.

In addition to all of those great features, this toy is also infused with Canadian catnip to stimulate your pet’s mind and entice him to get active (this is not a refilled toy, though). Measuring 9” x 3” x 1.5”, this kicker toy is available in multiple color options, which include orange fox, purple raccoon, and blue raccoon.

10. Best Ball: Fuzzy Friends Plush Ball Cat Toys

If your cat likes playing with balls, check out the super cute SmartyKat Fuzzy Friends Plush Ball Cat Toys. These come in a set of two, so they’re a great choice when you want to give your kitty more variety or when you have a multi-cat household and you want to give each pet their own ball to play with.

Featuring fuzzy fabric and two big eyes, these toys are plush, they contain potent and pure catnip without any pesticides or chemicals, and they can entice your kitty to unleash his inner hunter by swatting, batting, and stalking. Whether you let your cat play on his own with these balls or you join in on the fun, they’re sure to be a hit. They measure 2.3”, so they’re a great size for cats of all ages. And if you ever need to clean them, you can just wipe them with a damp cloth.

11. Best for Swatting: Petstages Dental Shrimpies Catnip Cat Toy

Searching for a catnip toy that will double as a teeth cleaning toy? Then check out the Petstages Dental Shrimpies Catnip Cat Toy. It comes in a pack of two to keep the fun going, and it’s perfect for batting, swatting, and pouncing. Filled with catnip, this is a lightweight toy that makes a crinkly sound when it’s squeezed, and it also has a feather tail. All of these features help make it irresistible to cats of all ages.

What makes this toy good for your kitty’s teeth? Well, it features a mesh material that can work somewhat like floss to clean the teeth and gums whenever your pet chews on it during playtime. Plus, because the toy contains catnip, it’s more likely that your feline friend will want to chew on it, so you can take a small step towards helping to keep your pet’s teeth healthy.

12. Best Silvervine: Petlinks HappyNip Loopy Llama Plush Catnip Cat Toy

Another cute toy is the Petlinks HappyNip Loopy Llama Plush Catnip Cat Toy. It features soft faux fur and long legs that dangle to grab your cat’s attention. But, to keep your cat interested, it is filled with a combination of catnip and silver vine, which is an herb that is similar to catnip and can affect kitties that normally don’t respond to catnip. So, if your cat typically doesn’t get excited by catnip, this toy might do the trick.

What’s also nice about this product is that it is made using materials that are sustainable, organic, and environmentally friendly. It’s even designed to child safety standards, it’s easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth, and it’s a great size for pouncing on it, batting it around, and carrying it.

13. Best Combo: Frisco What a Hoot Cat Toy with Silvervine & Catnip

The adorable Frisco What a Hoot Cat Toy with Silvervine & Catnip is another option for kitties that might not feel anything when they’re exposed to catnip. This fun toy features attention-grabbing feathers, interesting textures, and a combination of catnip and silver vine to get your kitty excited to play.

Your kitty is sure to love batting this toy around and pouncing on it, and you can toss it so your cat can chase it down when you’re playing together. It measures 8.25” x 3”, so it’s a good size for cats of all ages. And, as is the case with all toys, it’s best to supervise your pet while he plays with it to ensure he stays safe.

14. Best Sock Toy: KONG Cat Soxx Cat Toy

KONG has a lot of great offerings when it comes to cat toys, especially when it comes to those that are infused with catnip, and the Cat Soxx Cat Toy is just another example. It measures 5.5” x 2” x 1”, it is overstuffed so it’s cuddly, and it has a sock-like texture that your kitty can use to grab the toy easily and toss it around or kick at it.

This toy features premium catnip from North America, and it also stimulates your cat’s senses because it has a rattle that makes noise when the toy is moved around. And it comes in various shapes and colors, all of which are silly and fun.

15. Best North American: OurPets Prickles Cactus Catnip Cat Toy

There is the OurPets Prickles Cactus Catnip Cat Toy, which is filled with non-toxic catnip that is grown in North America, is 100% natural, and is strong and aromatic to grab your cat’s attention and get him ready to play immediately. This is a great toy for keeping your kitty occupied and entertained, as it boasts a fun shape that cats can pounce on, grab, and kick.

As your feline friend interacts with this toy, more of the catnip fragrance will be released, further encouraging him to continue playing and exercising. And when you want to add to your pet’s collection and give him different shapes to play with, there are several other OurPets catnip toys to choose from, such as the carrot (which we discussed above), a chili pepper, a fish, a snake, and a banana.

16. Best for Dental Health: Petstages Catnip and Dental Health Cat Toys

Perfect for teething kittens or older felines who love to munch on your furniture, this catnip stuffed chew toy will engage your pet and help keep their teeth healthy!

One of the great things about giving your feline friend a chew toy is that it can give their naughty energy a safe outlet which may help save your furniture! The Petstages Catnip and Dental Health Cat Toy is a great toy that’s not only something yummy for your cat’s to chew on, but it simultaneously works to clean their pearly whites.

This chew toy is shaped like a pretzel and is made from a mesh material that softly cleans plaque and tartar off of their teeth. And of course, it’s also stuffed with delicious dried catnip.

17. Best Organic Catnip: Yeowww! Yellow Banana Catnip Toy

Thanks to it’s long shape and curved design, cats of all ages will love to munch away on this catnip toy filled with organic catnip.

Filled with organically grown catnip, this Yeowww! Catnip Toy measures 7-inches in length and is perfect for cats who love to kick, nuzzle or munch on their toys. These premium toys are made from a durable cotton twill fabric and rely on safe, non-toxic materials and dyes in addition to being free of fillers. These toys can also withstand rough play and are a great budget friendly option.

18. Best Electronic: TOOGE 11″ Electric Realistic Flopping Fish Cat Toy

With a built-in motion sensor, this electric catnip flopping fish wiggles around, enticing your cat to munch and play! We also love that it’s soft, removable cover can be easily cleaned.

Not all cat toys are fluffy and shaped like small mice. If you’re interested in a catnip toy that your feline friend can interact with, then a toy like this Electric Flopping Fish from Tooge might just be what you’re looking for. Each package includes not one, but two electric fish, as well as two packs of catnip and a USB rechargeable cord.

By using a 3D printing process, these fish’s colors and details are sure to capture your cat’s eye. And although there are electronics inside of the zippered exterior, the plush fabric that covers the body is soft and comfortable for your fur baby to chew on.

19. Best Realistic: SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toy

With a realistic mouse-shaped design that’s packed full of catnip, these lightweight and budget conscious toys are a good choice for multi-cat homes.

Whether you live in a multi-pet household, a home with an aggressive feline or even a home with a cat who loves to hoard their toys, it’s never a bad idea to invest in a pack of catnip toys. This 10 pack of plush, catnip filled toys from SmartyKat is a great way to stimulate your cat(s) mentally and physically.

These toys are not only budget friendly, but they also use a realistic shape and size to trigger your cat’s natural hunting instincts.

20. Also Consider: CiyvoLyeen Bread Catnip Toys

Would you prefer to watch your cat munch away on a loaf of bread rather than a mouse? If you answered yes, then this pack of bread shaped toys is the one for you.

From a glazed cinnamon roll to a croissant and a pretzel, each set comes with six delicious looking toys that even you will be eyeing! These CiyvoLyeen Bread Catnip plush toys are made using soft flannelette, a safe and durable material that your little one can munch away on. It’s also loaded with just the right amount of organic catnip to help relieve stress while also promoting healthy digestion.

21. Honorary Mention: KONG Cat Wubba Mouse

Last but certainly not least, is another amazing toy from the popular brand KONG. This strange looking toy was created to appeal to your cat’s natural instincts to hunt and capture their prey.

In addition to it’s mouse shaped head, this toy features a number of long tails that crinkle when touched to help stimulate your cat’s sense of hearing, while also encouraging them to interact with the toy. It also appeals to their sense of smell and touch thanks to the North American catnip packed inside it’s ultra-soft body. With it’s soft materials, strong smell and funky shape, this toy is the perfect partner for your cat to snuggle and wrestle with.

Your Cat Is Sure to Love a Good Catnip Toy!

Sticking with higher quality catnip toys is the way to go if you want to keep your pet happy, and if you want to avoid having catnip spilled all over your floor because of cheap materials that don’t stand up to your kitty’s teeth and claws. Hopefully, the list above has given you a better idea of the many different types of catnip-infused toys that are available, the various shapes and sizes that they come in, and the many other features, from feathers to crinkle sounds, that can make a toy irresistible.

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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