The best gifts for cat lovers are the ones the cat actually uses. A mug with a cat on it is nice; a toy the cat plays with every evening, or a window seat it naps in every afternoon, is the gift the owner thinks about every day. This guide collects gift ideas for cat lovers under $20, under $50 and for a bigger budget, all chosen to fit small apartments, plus the dates to order by for Christmas delivery.
A quick note so you know where these picks come from: everything in this guide is sold by Nine Loofts. Prices are the ones on our site at the time of writing (September 2026), and every product page shows the current price, where it ships from and when it should arrive.
Quick picks
| Gift | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-cleaning slicker brush | $14.99 | Owners of cats that shed |
| Bird wand with suction cup base | $14.99 | Every cat, and owners who play together |
| Chirping flapping bird | $19.99 | Cats who stalk and wrestle |
| Automatic rolling ball | $19.99 | Young, active chasers |
| Reusable pet hair remover roller | $19.99 | Anyone with a fabric sofa |
| Oval scratcher bed | $24.99 | Cats who scratch the sofa |
| Foldable window perch | $36.99 | Indoor cats with a sunny window |
| Felt tunnel bed | From $39.99 | Cats who love to hide |
| Small cat tree, 28 in | $84.99 | Kittens, older cats and small corners |
| Wooden exercise wheel | From $159.99 | High-energy cats |
Gifts for cat lovers under $20
Small gifts that get used every day. Most cat owners will happily take one more good toy, especially one their cat hasn’t seen before.
- Self-cleaning slicker brush, $14.99. Fine pins lift loose fur, and one press of a button pushes the fur off in a single sheet. A practical gift for anyone whose cat sheds, in blue, pink or grey.
- Bird wand with a suction cup base, $14.99. A feathered bird on a springy wire. Use it as a classic wand toy, or stick the base to a smooth floor or window so the bird keeps bouncing after every swipe.
- Collapsible cat tunnel, from $14.99. Somewhere to hide, ambush and race through, and it folds flat under the sofa when the owner needs the floor back. Six shapes and sizes.
- Ball track tower, $16.99. Balls spin around three stacked tracks without escaping, and a feather on a spring plugs into the top. A good pick for a kitten.
- Felt puzzle box, $17.99. Paw-sized holes and a bell ball to fish out. It flat-packs, so it’s easy to wrap.
- Chirping flapping bird, $19.99. A plush sparrow that flaps its wings and chirps when the cat pats it, with a refillable catnip pocket.
- Automatic rolling ball, $19.99. A rechargeable ball that rolls off in random directions and drags a tail to chase.
- Door-hanging electric teaser, $19.99. Sticks above a door frame and bobs two toys up and down, for cats who love to jump.
- Reusable pet hair remover roller, $19.99. Rolls cat hair off sofas, beds and car seats into a chamber you empty with one press. No sticky sheets or refills. This one is really a gift for the owner.
Gifts for cat lovers under $50
A step up: pieces that give the cat a new favorite spot in the apartment.
- Oval scratcher bed, $24.99. A low oval lounge with a woven scratching surface inside, so the cat can scratch, stretch and nap in the same place. About 16 × 12 in.
- Foldable window perch, $36.99. A window seat that attaches with four suction cups, no tools, and folds flat when it’s not in use. Beige mesh or grey plush. The manufacturer doesn’t publish a weight limit, so it’s best for average-size cats; for a large, heavy cat, choose a sill-supported perch.
- Felt tunnel bed, from $39.99. A felt donut with a bed on top and a tunnel inside that zips apart for cleaning. Medium ($39.99) or large ($54.99, just over this budget), with plain or cat-face openings.
Bigger gifts for cat lovers
For a special occasion, or a gift shared by a few friends or family members.
- Small cat tree with condo and hammock, $84.99. A 28-inch tree with a hideaway condo, a hammock, a top perch and sisal posts. It fits a small corner and suits kittens and older cats.
- 5-level cat tree, $119.99. At 56 inches, it gives active adult cats a high lookout, with a condo, a hammock and sisal posts, in beige, grey or dark grey.
- Wooden cat exercise wheel, from $159.99. For a young, high-energy cat with no room to run. It comes in M ($159.99) and XL ($199.99). Not every cat takes to a wheel, so read our honest guide to cat exercise wheels first, or check with the owner.
Before you buy a large piece as a surprise, check the space. Each product page has the measurements in inches, and furniture pages include a “Will it fit?” guide that shows the height next to a standard 80-inch door.
Gifts for new cat owners
Someone who just adopted a cat often has the basics (litter box, bowls, food) but not much for play and care yet. A small set makes a thoughtful welcome gift:
- A bird wand for daily play.
- A collapsible tunnel or a felt tunnel bed, so the new cat has a place to hide while it settles in.
- An oval scratcher bed, to give the claws somewhere better to go than the sofa.
- A self-cleaning brush for the first grooming sessions.
For more ideas on setting up a small home for a cat, share our guide to indoor cat enrichment in small apartments.
How to choose the right gift
- Think about the space. In a studio or a one-bedroom, floor space is precious. Window perches, compact trees and toys that fold or store flat are easier to live with than large furniture.
- Think about the cat. Kittens and young cats love toys that move. Older cats often prefer comfort: a warm window seat, a covered bed or gentle play on the floor.
- Ask one sneaky question. “Does your cat like to hide, climb or chase?” tells you whether to pick a tunnel, a perch or a toy.
- When in doubt, go small. A toy or a brush is always used. Large furniture is better chosen together with the owner.
Holiday safety for cats
Gifts come wrapped in things cats love to play with. VCA Animal Hospitals warns that long, thin objects such as string, yarn and tinsel can cause a serious intestinal blockage if a cat swallows them. Keep gift ribbon, string and tinsel out of reach, tidy up wrapping as you go and put toys with strings or feathers away after play. If a cat vomits, stops eating or seems lethargic after the holidays, call the vet.
When to order for Christmas delivery
Delivery times depend on where the product ships from, and each product page shows it before you buy. Following our Shipping Policy, for delivery by December 24, 2026:
| Ships from | Order by |
|---|---|
| A warehouse in the United States (cat trees and the exercise wheel) | December 14, 2026 |
| Our overseas partner (toys, grooming, scratcher, window perch and felt bed) | December 3, 2026 |
Shipping is free to the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. If a gift doesn’t work out, there are 30 days from delivery to return it, as explained in our Refund & Return Policy.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get a cat lover who has everything?
Something the cat doesn’t have yet: a new kind of toy (a puzzle box, a door-hanging teaser or a tunnel), a window perch or a scratcher bed. Cats get bored of toys they already know, so a new one is almost always welcome.
What are good gifts for cat lovers under $20?
A self-cleaning brush, a bird wand, a tunnel, a ball track tower, a felt puzzle box, a flapping bird toy, an automatic rolling ball, a door-hanging teaser or a reusable pet hair roller are all $19.99 or less on our site.
Are cat toys good Christmas gifts for cats?
Yes, if you pick ones that match how the cat plays and you keep strings, ribbons and feathers supervised. A toy that moves, like an automatic ball, or one that makes a sound, like the flapping bird, tends to get the most attention.
When should I order cat gifts for Christmas?
For delivery by December 24, 2026, order by December 3 for products that ship from overseas and by December 14 for products that ship from a US warehouse. Each product page shows where it ships from.
Looking for more ideas? Browse our interactive cat toys or read our guide to interactive cat toys for indoor cats.