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Catnip is a huge favorite in my household. It turns my three senior cats into playful kittens again! But not all catnip toys are created equal. Two of my cats are partial to their catnip banana, while the third prefers to roll around in the actual leaves. The good news is, there are a million different types of catnip toys available! And we’re here to narrow down the choices.
What Is Catnip, Anyway?
Catnip is an herb from the mint family. It contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone that attracts kitties and causes a euphoric response in them. When cats smell catnip, they may roll around, gallop through the house, and get extra lovey-dovey.
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In reality, only about 50% of cats respond to catnip (source). For some felines, it has a more sedative effect. And for others, catnip has no impact at all. But if your cat is partial to the ‘nip, they’ll love the following catnip toys!
The Best Catnip Toys for 2019
We’ve scoured online shopping sites for highly-reviewed catnip toys to suit any feline personality. From old-fashioned catnip mice to refillable catnip monsters and more, these are the best catnip toys for 2019.
This cute catnip toy is a huge hit in my household. The secret: it’s refillable, so you can add fresh catnip! Catnip goes stale after a while, so refillable toys are a smart pick.
Helpful review: “Our three cats don’t walk by it without at least giving it a smack or a good sniff. They have never played with a toy as much as they play with this one…I really recommend this toy. I also suggest that, despite the decent amount of catnip that comes with it, you should probably buy extra as I suspect that this toy will not deteriorate quickly.”
Does your cat enjoy chasing balls around the house? These soft, bouncy, lightweight balls are filled with super-strong organic catnip. Sold in sets of three for extra fun!
Helpful review: “The cotton fabric makes it easy for cats to grab with teeth and claws. And Yeowww’s claim about their organic catnip MUST be true, because I’ve never seen a catnip toy keep its kitty crack appeal, after it’s been slobbered on by six cats, for this long.”
Some cat toys are as much fun for humans as for cats. This “cat pizza” is actually six separate catnip-stuffed toys, all packaged in an adorable pizza box. Your cat will love the ‘nip, and you’ll love the adorable design.
Helpful review: “My cat is not the biggest fan of catnip but oh boy oh boy…she LOVES this toy so much. She’ll lay on top of the pizza and chew and kick at the toppings, purring like a nutcase. She loves the box as well, chewing on the corners of the top.”
Does your cat go crazy for textures? These colorful catnip mice are made with durable netting for a satisfying chew that helps clean teeth and massage gums while your cat plays.
Helpful review: “Our cat loves these so much. We received them as a gift and she went nuts for them. It is one of the few toys she will play with by herself. She loves to throw them into the air and chase after them, to carry them around the house, and even just chew on the things.”
Catnip toys aren’t all for tossing and chewing. Some are for scratching, too! This corrugated cardboard scratcher comes with a packet of 100% organic, finely-ground catnip. Just sprinkle the catnip over the scratcher, and watch your kitty go to town.
Helpful review: “Snoopy loves scratch pads & catnip but this is by far her favorite scratch pad ever. She not only scratches on it but she is often found sleeping on it. She loves to play with the tassels.”
Full disclosure: this catnip toy is “top banana” in my household. My three cats have gone through several over the years! It’s a durable cotton banana stuffed with top grade organic catnip, perfect for grabbing, nuzzling, and bunnykicking.
Helpful review: “I decided to buy this for my cat after she stayed at our pet sitters and played all day with one of these bananas there. This is by far the greatest toy I have ever purchased for her. She just spent the last 2.5 hours playing with it with no breaks. Normally she sticks with a toy for about 10 minutes before returning to a nap.”
It may look like an ordinary brown paper bag, but it has a secret: it’s infused with catnip that releases with touch, just like a scratch ‘n’ sniff sticker! Each set comes with two Catnip Caves for your smart cat to rustle around in.
Helpful review: “Both cats love these. Henry isn’t really into catnip, but he loves bags. He laid in this thing purring for several minutes.
Duchess loves catnip but is lukewarm about bags, so she’s been batting it around the house. They’re both so happy.”
My cats looooove this kind of catnip toy: a long, plush, catnip-stuffed pillow they can grip, lick, and kick. Handmade in the USA and filled with organic catnip, these durable toys come three to a set.
Helpful review: “If you want to see your cats lose their minds, just get these for them. My cats immediately went for them, grabbed them with their front paws, and kicked them over and over again. While they are enjoying them, we were laughing our heads off at their antics. Give the cats plenty of exercise and a lot of fun.”
Catnip toys come in all different shapes and sizes, so experiment to find the best catnip toy for your cat.