For the cat who loves catnip, a catnip toy can be a wonderful addition to your cat’s home environment. Like other cat toys, catnip provides both mental and physical stimulation. Though not all cats respond to catnip, those that do may exhibit a variety of excitable behaviors. Cats will return again and again to a catnip source, so having a catnip toy in your cache of kitty toys could enhance his surroundings.
We checked out dozens of catnip toys to find the best. We looked at a variety of styles, like plush food items, furry mice and other animals, feathery birds, and silicone fish. We took in to account durability, visual appeal, activity level, and added features.
We chose the Yeowww! Organic Catnip Toy Variety Pack as our top choice for catnip toys. This 3-pack includes a variety of catnip toys to entice your kitty to play. The toys are filled with premium catnip, and contain no fillers.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Catnip Toys
Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
---|---|---|
Best Overall | Yeowww! Organic Catnip To Variety Pack | 4.7 |
Best Refillable Catnip Toy | 3CatS Catnip Cat Toy with Crinkle Sound and Refillable Catnip Pouch | 4.5 |
Best Budget Buy | SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys – Skitter Critters | 4.7 |
Best Catnip Fish Toy | Yeowww! Tin of Stinkies, 3 in a Sardine Tin | 4.8 |
Best Catnip Mouse Toy | OurPets Play-N-Squeak Twice the Mice Cat Toy | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Catnip Toy Overall: Yeowww! Organic Catnip Toy Variety Pack
Yeowww! Organic Catnip Toy Variety Pack offers three different catnip toys in its variety pack – a bright yellow banana, a brown cigar stick, and a colorful rainbow. Large enough to hug and wrestle, each catnip cat toy measures 6 to 7 inches in length, and features a tough outer exterior. Made from cotton twill fiber, these catnip toys are overstuffed with organic catnip. Even if your cat isn’t intrigued by the catnip alone, the size and shape of these toys encourage full-body play.
Three toys are convenient if you have multiple cats, are purchasing gifts, or would like to donate to a cat sanctuary or shelter. Yeowww! offers each toy separately as well – check out our list of other catnip toys we reviewed below – should you want just one for now. They’re made in the USA, and the catnip has not been touched with pesticides or toxic chemicals. For the cats who love catnip, they’re having too much fun to give their paws up.
Yeowww! Organic Catnip Toy Variety Pack Key Features:
- 100 percent organic catnip
- Cotton twill material
- Made in the USA
- Roughly 6 to 7 inches long
Best Refillable Catnip Toy: 3CatS Catnip Cat Toy with Crinkle Sound and Refillable Catnip Pouch
If you would prefer a refillable catnip cat toy, we like the 3CatS Catnip Cat Toy with Crinkle Sound and Refillable Catnip Pouch. Each stuffed animal has a small pouch on the underside that opens and closes via Velcro. Insert a small bag of fresh catnip in to the pouch, and Velcro it shut. Two small pouches of catnip come with the two animals – a brown otter and gray wolf. Purchase extra catnip to keep the toys lasting longer.
These fluffy, plush, floppy animal toys bring out your cat’s natural predatory side. And the crinkly noise encourages your kitty to pounce, attack, and bite. The crinkle material is inserted throughout the entire toy. Each animal measures 10 inches in length, and is roughly 3 inches wide in the body. The otter and wolf are large enough for your kitty to wrestle and roll around with.
3CatS Catnip Cat Toy with Crinkle Sound and Refillable Catnip Pouch Key Features:
- Comes with two catnip pods
- Animals make crinkle sounds
- Each animal is 10 inches long
- Fluffy, plush fabric
Best Budget Catnip Toy: SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys – Skitter Critters
For keeping the budget tight, we chose the SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys – Skitter Critters as our budget option. This multi-pack features three little mice with long, twine tails. Covered in synthetic fur, the mice each measure 4 inches long from nose to tail tip, and are made from 100 percent recycled plastic fiberfill. Each mouse contains organic catnip to entice your kitty to play, and are small enough for your cat to bat around and carry in his mouth.
The SmartyKat Skitter Critters multi-pack is convenient for multiple-cat homes, and offers two different neutral colors. Encourage your cat’s natural prey instinct by tossing the mice or dangling the toy for your cat. The mice are lightweight with bright, colorful ears and tails, sure to catch your kitty’s attention.
SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys – Skitter Critters Key Features:
- Each mouse is 4 inches long
- Organic catnip
- Multi-pack with multiple colors
- Twine tails
Best Catnip Fish Toy: Yeowww! Tin of Stinkies, 3 in a Sardine Tin
The best catnip fish toy is the Yeowww! Tin of Stinkies, 3 in a Sardine Tin for its potent catnip and unique design. Inside a recyclable slider-top tin are nestled three vibrant, plush fishes that are filled to the gills with organic, flower-top catnip. Yeowww!’s catnip is grown and harvested, as well as manufactured, in the USA. The catnip toys contain no fillers or catnip substitute.
Made with durable cotton twill fabric, and decorated with embroidery, the catnip fish are colored with vegetable-based dyes. The eye-catching designs include a green and yellow stripe fish, red and yellow polka dot fish, and red and blue star fish. Each sardine measures 3 inches in length, and about 1 inch in width.
Yeowww! Tin of Stinkies, 3 in a Sardine Tin Key Features:
- Fun, catchy designs
- Organic, flower-top catnip
- Made in the USA
- Vegetable-based dyes
Best Catnip Mouse Toy: OurPets Play-N-Squeak Twice the Mice Cat Toy
The best catnip mouse toy we found is the OurPets Play-N-Squeak Twice the Mice Cat Toy. Not only are these mice filled with catnip, but they make a real mouse sound as well. Sure to trigger your cat’s prey instinct, these mice resemble an enticing furry creature. Made from recyclable materials, OurPets features two mice covered in faux fur. One of the mice has a long, flat tail, while the other mouse has feathers for a tail.
The catnip in the OurPets Play-N-Squeak Twice the Mice Cat Toy is grown in North America. Between the heady catnip and the real squeak sound, these catnip toys help bring out your cat’s natural side. With bodies 2.5 inches in length, your kitty can bat around, carry, and toss the mice. Every time he bats the mouse, it squeaks, thanks to the electronic device inside.
OurPets Play-N-Squeak Twice the Mice Cat Toy Key Features:
- 2-pack
- North American catnip
- Batteries included
- About 3 to 4 inches in length
Who Should Buy a Catnip Toy
If you have a cat over the age of 3 months, try a catnip toy to see how your cat responds. Your cat will make the decision for you. Catnip has been known to liven up even the quietest kitty and the most ornery senior. If he loves it, consider rotating different types of catnip toys to keep him entertained and properly stimulated. Though catnip is not thought to be harmful, excessive ingestion or frequent contact could make your cat ill or immune to its effects. It’s recommended to limit his exposure to catnip, whether ingesting or smelling it.
Catnip toys come in a variety of styles, textures, and visual appeal. Whether your cat prefers birds over fish, or your cat has a thing for mice, catnip toys are available as animals, shapes, and food objects. Other catnip toys help clean your cat’s teeth by doubling as toothbrushes, while others are shaped like sticks and bananas to encourage playful kicking. So if your cat likes catnip, there’s a toy out there to fit his personality.
Important Features to Consider
A catnip toy should have a few important factors. Here’s what to consider when selecting a catnip toy for your cat:
- Size and safety. The size of a cat toy is important in order to avoid a choking hazard. All cat toys should be an appropriate size for your cat to play with it safely. And don’t forget to supervise your cat when he’s playing with a toy. The size of a catnip toy should be large enough for your cat to chew on it and carry it, but not be able to accidentally swallow it. Consider other parts of the toy that may be potentially harmful to your kitty if broken off or ingested – like eyes, tails, strings, zippers, etc.
- Where did the catnip come from? Catnip toys may or may not contain 100 percent catnip. Some catnip toys are filled with cotton or plastic fibers, along with some catnip. Others contain a mix of catnip and silver vine – another popular flower stimulant for cats. While others may offer a cheaper grade of catnip. Ideally, a catnip toy should have organic catnip for your cat’s utmost safety.
- Added features. Catnip toys come in a variety of styles, with a myriad of attributes. Consider what type of toy your cat already likes – mouse toys, feathers, chew toys, plush animals, or noisy toys. Try a catnip toy that features the attributes your cat is already intrigued with. Or consider looking for a catnip toy that doubles as a chew toy, toothbrush, prey animal, or kicker toy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a catnip toy and why do cats like them?
A catnip toy is a cat toy that has catnip inside – either permanently sewn in or in a refillable container inside a resealable pouch. These toys are typically plush, but also come in silicone – a food-grade, flexible material meant for chewing. Catnip toys entertain your kitty by encouraging predatory instincts, cleaning his teeth, eliciting the kicking motion, and fostering a bond between you and him. Catnip toys enhance your cat’s environment, adding quality and experience to his life.
Catnip is a natural herb that’s part of the mint family. It has a host of medicinal properties – for both you and your cat. However, not all cats respond to catnip. Likewise, kittens less than 3 months old will not be affected by it. But for the cats who do respond, catnip is a pleasurable experience. It is said to mimic the euphoria of cannabis with THC that humans experience.
What does catnip actually do to cats?
Catnip’s active ingredient for cats is nepetalactone, which is a stimulant when they sniff it, but typically a sedative when they ingest it. Catnip alters a cat’s behavior temporarily, as the herb’s effects are short-lived. Though cats respond differently to catnip, typical outward behaviors include sniffing, rolling, vocalizing, cheek rubbing, and flipping over. Some cats become hyperactive, but catnip is safe. Over consumption may lead to digestive upset or an immune effect where your cat loses interest in the catnip.
How long does catnip last in a toy?
How long catnip lasts in a toy depends on how fresh the catnip was when it was placed in the toy. The better the source and the fresher the catnip flower, the longer the scent and its effects will last. It’s a natural plant, so it will lose potency over time, but most catnip toys will last weeks, maybe months before you need to replace or refill the catnip. If you are using a refillable catnip cat toy, store your unused catnip in the freezer to keep it fresh longer.
Is it bad to give cats catnip every day?
Technically, it’s safe to give your cat catnip every day. However, cats can become immune to the catnip’s pleasant effects due to overexposure. And if they ingest too much, they may end up with some digestive upset. Catnip toys are a good addition to your cat’s other toys and interactive items. It enhances his overall life experience, and he’ll be a more content kitty.
Other Catnip Toys We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other catnip toys. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best catnip toys list, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options for your kitty. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Food-Shaped Catnip Toys
- Object-Shaped Catnip Toys
- Mouse, Bird, and Fish Catnip Toys
- Animal-Shaped Catnip Toys
- Other Catnip Toys
Food-Shaped Catnip Toys
OurPets American Grown Cosmic Catnip Cat Toy
Made with a textured fabric, and shaped like a chili pepper, this cat toy is filled with 100 percent North American grown catnip.
Key Features:
- Soft, felt material
- 6.5 inches long
- Available in a variety of shapes
Cost: $4
Pet Craft Supply Funny Enticing Crinkle Catnip Interactive Cat Toy
Keep your cat happy with chips and guacamole – not the real food of course, but with organic catnip-filled plush toys that resemble the favorite snack.
Key Features:
- Avocado is roughly 6 inches tall
- Chip is roughly 4 inches in length
- Available in a variety of objects
Cost: $6
Petlinks 100% Pure and Potent Catnip Filled Cat Toys – Tea Zing
For the tea lover who has a cat, this catnip teabag toy is not to be dunked, but played with by your cat instead.
Key Features:
- 3-pack
- 100 percent catnip
- Available in a variety of objects
Cost: $3
This avocado cat toy helps clean your cat’s teeth while triggering feel-good emotions using catnip.
Key Features:
- Available as kale and toast as well
- 6.5 inches by 3.5 inches
- 100 percent catnip
Cost: $4
Made with a tough twill fabric, this catnip banana contains 100 percent organic flower-top catnip.
Key Features:
- Soy or vegetable based dyes
- Made in the USA
- No fillers
Cost: $6
Object-Shaped Catnip Toys
Johnson Pet Products Catnip Pillow Sacks Crazy Cat
These colorful and catchy catnip pillows come in a pack of two, measure 4 inches by 6 inches, and are filled with catnip grown in America.
Key Features:
- Handmade in the USA
- Pillows each have a different design
- Double layer of fabric
Cost: $10
Petstages Green Magic Dynamite Catnip Cat Energizing Toy
This dynamite cat toy is made from a canvas material, and is filled with catnip.
Key Features:
- 8.5 inches long
- 100 percent American catnip
- No fillers added
Cost: $4
Shaped like a rainbow, and sporting bright colors, this cat toy is filled with organic catnip.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Made from cotton twill
- 6 inches by 5 inches
Cost: $6
The Yeowww! Cigar Catnip Toy is just over 7 inches long, and is filled with organic catnip.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Shaped like a cigar
- Cotton twill fabric
Cost: $8
Mouse, Bird, and Fish Catnip Toys
MeoHui 30PCS Catnip Toys for Cats
Choose from 30 colorful cat toy mice that contain both catnip and rattle sounds.
Key Features:
- Six colors included
- Made with plastic and synthetic fur
- 5.5 inches from nose to tail end
Cost: $9
Pet Craft Supply Co. Kitty Condor Crazy Catnip Cuddler
These condor birds are filled with organic catnip, and covered in soft, faux fur.
Key Features:
- Plush body with feathers
- 2-pack
- 8 inches tall
Cost: $7
Petlinks Refillable Catnip Cat Toys
Petlinks offers your cat intoxicating catnip with three little mice that have refillable pouches.
Key Features:
- Includes Pure Bill Organic Catnip
- Mice are 3.5 inches long
- Velcro pouch
Cost: $4
Help your kitty get cleaner teeth with the help of the textured and netted fabric that covers these mice filled with catnip.
Key Features:
- Lightweight
- Outer netting helps floss teeth
- About 3 inches from nose to tail end
Cost: $4
Youngever Cat Toys Assortment with Refillable Catnip
This assortment of cat toys includes five plush fish that have zippered pouches for catnip, and two furry catnip mice.
Key Features:
- Fish are 7.5 inches to 8.5 inches long
- Includes extra catnip
- Non-toxic, plush fabric
Cost: $12
Animal-Shaped Catnip Toys
KONG Refillable Catnip Cat Toy
KONG offers a plush, refillable catnip cat toy that is available in multiple animal styles.
Key Features:
- Roughly 3 to 4 inches in length
- Comes with two pouches of catnip
- Machine washable
Cost: $12
Petlinks HappyNip Catnip Cat Toys – Loopy Llama
The Loopy Llama from Petlinks is filled with a blend of catnip and silvervine to entice your cat to play.
Key Features:
- Soft, plush body
- Floppy legs
- Available in a variety of styles
Cost: $3
SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Catnip Cat Toy
This catnip cat toy will come as either a brown or white mouse, or perhaps as a koala, and it’s refillable to give your cat ongoing fun.
Key Features:
- Style of animal will vary
- 100 percent money-back guarantee
- Each toy is about 4 inches in length
Cost: $3
Other Catnip Toys
GoCat Da Fur Thing Cat Toy Rabbit Fur and Feather Toy
The GoCat Da Fur Thing catnip cat toy is covered in faux rabbit fur and features soft feathers.
Key Features:
- Made in the USA
- Colors may vary
- 8.5 inches by 3.5 inches
Cost: $5
HDP Petstages Night Time Catnip Rolls
This soft material results in quieter play, while the catnip initiates all the fun.
Key Features:
- Contains 100 percent American catnip
- 3-pack
- Roughly 3 inches long
Cost: $3
Peteast Cat Toys Catnip Toys Edible
The Peteast catnip display allows you to attach the tray to any surface, via 3M adhesive, so she can enjoy the catnip balls that are inside.
Key Features:
- 100 percent money-back guarantee
- Comes with cover to keep fresh
- Includes gall nut and silvervine
Cost: $14