What Do Cat People Want? Gifts for Cat Lovers and Their Cats
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 19 hand-picked ideas
Cat people are used to being misunderstood. Everyone assumes cats are aloof and low-maintenance, but anyone who lives with one knows they have routines, preferences and strong opinions about which windowsill is theirs. Cat owners spend a surprising amount of time rearranging furniture so a cat can reach a sunny spot, and their phones are full of photos of a cat asleep in a cardboard box that cost nothing while the expensive bed sits empty.
The gifts that land tend to work with a cat's instincts: climbing, hiding, watching birds and stalking things. This page starts there, with places to perch and nap, then play that actually tires an indoor cat out. In the middle is a short, important section on things to keep out of a cat household. After that come everyday upgrades for the owner, and finally some small extras.
Shopping for a home with a dog too? Our gifts for dog lovers guide covers the other side of the household. For a cat owner who also watches the birds outside the window, see gifts for bird watchers.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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Somewhere high, somewhere warm, somewhere to hide
Cats feel safest when they can look down on a room, and most indoor cats don't have enough vertical space. These gifts add height, warmth and hiding spots, which is what cats look for in any home. Check the owner's space and walls before buying the bigger pieces.
- 1~$90
Cat Tree Tower with Condo
Perches at different heights, scratching posts and an enclosed hideaway in one piece. For an indoor cat it's a lookout, gym and bedroom. Make sure it's stable; wobbly trees get ignored.
Cat LoversHomebodiesfun - 2~$32
Cat Window Hammock with Suction Mounts
A sling that suctions to a window for sunbathing and bird watching. Clean the glass well before mounting and check the weight limit for larger cats.
Cat LoversHomebodiescozy - 3~$65
Modular Cat Climbing Wall Shelves
Wall-mounted steps and perches that create a climbing route above the furniture. Brilliant in small apartments, but it means drilling, so it suits owners rather than renters.
Cat LoversHomebodiesunique - 4~$40
Felted Wool Cat Cave Bed
A felted wool pod that cats love to curl up in, and it looks good enough to leave in the living room. Many cats prefer covered beds to open cushions.
Cat LoversHomebodiescozy - 5~$28
Self-Warming Cat Bed
A reflective layer inside bounces the cat's own body heat back, no cord or electricity needed. Thoughtful for senior cats, thin-coated breeds and chilly homes.
Cat Loverscozy - 6~$40
Tall Sisal Cat Scratching Post
A heavy-based post tall enough for a full stretch. Short or wobbly posts are why cats choose the sofa instead; height and stability make all the difference.
Cat LoversHomebodiespractical
Play that actually tires an indoor cat out
Indoor cats have a hunter's instincts and very little to hunt. Short bursts of play that mimic stalking and pouncing keep them fitter and calmer, and play with their person is better than any toy left on the floor. These gifts encourage that, and a few keep a cat busy when the owner is out.
- 7
Cat Toy Wand Set with Replaceable Natural-Fiber Lures
~$21
A wand with feather and felt lures is the single most effective cat toy, because the owner can make it move like prey. Replaceable lures mean it lasts long after the first feather is shredded. One important habit: put the wand away after play, since cats can swallow string or cord if they chew it unsupervised.
- 8
Cat Window Bird-Watching Feeder and Suction Perch
~$36
A window perch paired with a small seed feeder outside the glass, so the cat gets live entertainment all day. Many owners call it the best thing they ever bought for an indoor cat. It works best on a window with a bit of greenery nearby, where birds already visit.
- 9
Cat Puzzle Feeder and Slow Bowl Set
~$25
Food puzzles that make a cat work for meals by pawing and nudging. They're useful for fast eaters and cats who get bored or snack out of habit. Start with the easiest setting so the cat doesn't give up; some cats take a few days to get the idea, and that's normal.
- 10
Cat Activity Tunnel with Peek Windows
~$28
A crinkly collapsible tunnel with holes to ambush from, which suits playful young cats and multi-cat homes. It folds flat when guests come over. Some cats are wary at first, so tossing a favorite toy inside often wins them over.
- 11
Cat Grass Growing Planter Kit
~$18
A small planter for growing oat or wheat grass that cats can nibble safely. It gives them something green to chew besides houseplants, many of which aren't safe for cats. It takes about a week to sprout, so it makes a fun little project for kids in a cat household too.
What not to bring into a cat household
A few well-meant gifts can be genuinely dangerous to cats. The most important is lilies. True lilies and daylilies are highly toxic to cats; even a little pollen licked off their fur or a sip of vase water can cause kidney failure. If you're sending flowers to a cat owner, choose a lily-free bouquet and say so on the order. Be careful with houseplants too, and check any plant against a pet-safety list before giving it.
Skip scented essential oil diffusers and potpourri, which can be harmful to cats. Ribbon, string and tinsel are a real hazard if swallowed, so wrap gifts with paper and tape and clear up afterward. And never surprise anyone with a kitten. A cat can live well into its teens, and the decision to take one on belongs to the person who will care for it.
For the owner who does the daily work
Behind every relaxed cat is someone scooping litter, refilling water and wrestling a reluctant animal into a carrier. These upgrades make those chores easier, and the owner will thank you every day.
- Our favorite12
Ceramic Cat Water Fountain
~$45
Many cats prefer moving water and drink more from a fountain than from a still bowl. Ceramic is easier to keep clean than plastic and looks nicer in a kitchen. It's a gift with a small running cost, since the filters need replacing every few weeks, so a spare pack of filters makes a kind addition.
- 13
Cat Litter Tracking Catcher Mat with Raised Honeycomb
~$25
A two-layer mat outside the litter box that traps the litter cats kick and carry out on their paws. It's for anyone who's tired of crunchy floors and sweeping around the box daily. Unglamorous, yes, but owners of long-haired cats in particular will find it hard to live without.
- 14
Cat Carrier Cover for Calm Vet Trips
~$25
A breathable cover that drapes over the carrier so the cat feels hidden during car rides and waiting-room visits. Many cats settle down when they can't see everything around them. It's a small kindness for an owner who dreads the yearly checkup as much as the cat does.
- 15
Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy
~$17
A friendly, practical book by the cat behaviorist known for the TV show My Cat from Hell, covering why cats scratch, hide, avoid the litter box or squabble with each other. It's great for new owners and anyone puzzled by a cat's habits. It suits someone who likes reading about the why behind behavior.
Little extras for cat people
Inexpensive picks for stockings, coworkers and cat-sitting thank-yous.
16.Breakaway Cat Collar Set ~$12
Collars with a safety buckle that opens if it snags. Cats should only wear breakaway collars, and it's a handy place for an ID tag.
17.Interactive Cat Treat Ball ~$18
A ball that drops a few pieces of dry food as it rolls. A good solo game for while the owner is at work; ask what food the cat eats first.
18.Cat Dental Care Starter Kit ~$24
A small cat toothbrush and pet-safe toothpaste. For owners already brushing, or keen to start a gentle routine with a young cat.
19.Cat Carrier Seat-Belt Securement Strap ~$19
A strap that holds the carrier steady on a car seat, so it doesn't slide or tip on the way to the vet or a new home.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
Choosing for cats (and their people)
Work with instinct. Height, hiding spots, warm places and prey-like play suit almost every cat.
Stability matters. Scratching posts and cat trees that wobble get abandoned, so choose heavy, sturdy ones.
Keep it cat-safe: no lilies, no essential oil diffusers, and no string-like toys left lying around.
Let the owner decide on food and treats. Many cats are on specific diets.
Not sure what their cat would like? Describe the cat and the owner to our gift finder.
Cat gift FAQ
What do cat lovers like as gifts?
Anything that makes their cat happier: a window perch, a cat tree, a water fountain or a wand toy. For the owner, a litter-catching mat, a calming carrier cover or a good book on cat behavior are well received.
Are flowers a safe gift for a cat owner?
Only if they're lily-free. Lilies, including daylilies, are highly toxic to cats, even in small amounts. Choose a bouquet without them and tell the florist the recipient has cats.
What is a good gift for an indoor cat?
Vertical space and stimulation: a cat tree, wall shelves, a window hammock or a bird-watching perch. A wand toy for daily play with their owner is the cheapest and most effective option.
What can I give a cat lover for under $20?
A breakaway collar set, a treat ball, a cat grass planter or a carrier strap. The book Total Cat Mojo is also under $20.
One last observation from every cat household: the cat will decide what it likes, on its own schedule. A new bed might be ignored for a week and then claimed forever, and the box it came in may win the first round. Tell the owner to leave a new perch or tree in place for a while, ideally near a window or where the cat already likes to sit, before deciding it's a flop.
And if all else fails, a gift that makes the owner's life easier is never wasted. Cat people rarely spend money on themselves when there's a cat to spoil.