11 Best Catnip Toys for Cats in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks
Catnip toys are among the best ways to encourage your cat’s hunting instincts and give them the physical and mental stimulation that they need to stay in great shape. Most cats adore the scent of catnip, and after the initial spike of energy that it gives them, they’ll enjoy a blissed-out nap after all that fun.
When it comes to choosing the best catnip toy for your cat, though, there’s a huge number of options out there, so it can be hard to know which one will suit your furry friend the best. Our reviews include a roundup of the 10 best catnip toys, so whether you’re after something for your kitten or a premium toy as a special treat, you’ll find what you’re looking for right here.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2022 Updates
The Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy is the best overall catnip toy for cats. The toy is infused with aromatic catnip and features a simple yet fun design your cat will love. Each toy is handmade from durable materials, so it can take all your cat’s abuse while it plays, from rolling and batting to chewing and tearing. The fun teabag design is more for you than the cat, but who says you can’t have a little style and humor with your cat toys?
Best of all, there’s no care required. Washing is not recommended since the toy is infused with catnip. It comes ready to go for your cat! All teabag toys are handmade with birch, wool, cotton, and polyester.
You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!
If you’re looking for the best catnip toys for cats for the money, then the Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy won’t let you or your cat down. Coming in a pack of three or five mice, these are great value for money. These little mice are infused with Canadian catnip, designed to encourage your cat to play either on their own or with you.
These fun and interactive toys encourage your cat to get plenty of mental and physical stimulation, and it satisfies their natural hunting instincts. It’s best to store these away when your cat isn’t using them, though, so the catnip scent lasts as long as possible. These are stuffed with a combination of catnip and polyester, so check the stitching regularly in case the filling starts to come out.
If you’re looking for a fun catnip toy that you and your cat can enjoy together, then the Pixar Nemo & Squirt Bouncy Cat Toy with Catnip is a great choice. This adorable toy combines two plush catnip-filled toys featuring Nemo and Squirt. There’s also a bouncy string for you to hold as you dangle the toys for your cat to play with.
Each plush toy is filled with catnip to entice your cat to play, and the ribbons will catch their eye with their unpredictable movements. The ring is easy and comfortable to hold, or you can dangle it from a door handle for supervised play sessions.
Pros
Cute Pixar characters
Catnip filled
Interactive fun
Cons
Expensive
4. Petstages Dental Cat Chew Toy with Catnip — Best for Kittens
All kittens love to chew, especially when their new teeth are coming through and their gums are a little sore. If you want to introduce your kitten to the joys of catnip while also offering them a dental toy, then the Petstages Dental Cat Chew Toy with Catnip is the perfect choice.
Remember that kittens don’t tend to develop a sensitivity to catnip until they’re around 6 months old. But it can be used to help relieve painful gums and remove deposits of soft plaque in the meantime. You may find your kitten loves it even more after they hit 6 months old and start to appreciate just how awesome catnip is!
The YEOWWW! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy is made with a durable cotton twill outer and is shaped like a bright and bold banana. The interior is stuffed with 100% organic catnip and has a strong aroma that your cat won’t be able to resist.
This toy has over 2,000 reviews on Chewy, with the vast majority stating how much their cats adore this toy. So, you can buy this catnip toy with confidence, knowing that plenty of other cats adore it. As a plus, it is made in the U.S.A., using catnip grown and produced in the U.S.A. as well. It’s hand-sewn to ensure a quality product each and every time.
The Frisco Mythical Mates Rainbow Unicorn Crinkle Kicker Cat Toy with Catnip combines U.S.A.-grown catnip with a soft plush unicorn toy with a crinkly sound, designed to encourage your cat’s hunting instincts. The large size of this toy makes it the perfect choice for large-breed cats like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest Cats.
This toy is stuffed with a combination of polyester and catnip, but the amount of catnip is significantly less than some other toys. That means your cat might love playing with this toy, but it might not offer the same catnip kick.
The KONG Cat Occasions Birthday Teddy Plush Cat Toy with Catnip is the perfect birthday present for your beloved cat. The balloon makes enticing crackling noises to encourage your cat to pounce, and the unpredictable movement of the rope section means your cat will be even more captivated.
Filled with premium catnip, this toy has fun elements that your cat will love to play with. The catnip filling will last for longer if the toy is kept in a cool and dark place when not in use, so it is best kept for special play sessions rather than left out all the time.
Pros
Good value for money
Perfect cat birthday gift
Crinkle sound encourages play
Cons
Quite small
8. Petlinks HappyNip Mohawk Mice Cat Toy with Catnip
If your cat loves playing with stuffed mice, then they’ll love the Petlinks HappyNip Mohawk Mice Cat Toy with Catnip even more. These cute little mice come in a pack of two, and each one is stuffed with HappyNip, a blend of catnip and silvervine. Silvervine is similar to catnip but can often have an effect on cats that aren’t affected by catnip, so this is a great choice if your cat isn’t usually keen on catnip toys.
Each mouse comes with an adorable Mohawk made from faux fur. Their small size makes them perfect for kittens and small- to medium-breed cats, but larger cats may find them too fiddly to play with.
If your cat loves catnip toys when they’re fresh out of the box but loses interest as the catnip starts to lose potency, Frisco Refillable Catnip Toy Squirrel is an excellent choice. This toy has a refillable compartment, so you can refresh the catnip when it starts to lose its potency. This soft toy also comes with a vial of Canadian catnip ready to use.
Unlike many catnip toys that can’t be washed, this cute little squirrel can be popped in the washing machine when it starts to look a little dirty. Simply remove the catnip to wash, and then add more once the toy is clean and dry. If your cat isn’t bothered about catnip, this can even be used on its own!
Pros
Great value for money
Refillable
Machine washable
Cons
A little small
10. Pixar Buzz Lightyear & Aliens Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
If you love “Toy Story,” then you and your cat absolutely need this Pixar Buzz Lightyear & Aliens Plush Cat Toy with Catnip set in your lives! These adorable toys include catnip stuffing to make them irresistible to almost any cat. They’ll love playing with these two iconic characters, almost as much as you’ll enjoy watching them!
The pattern is printed directly into the Velboa plush fabric, so there are no threads or embroidery for your cat to get their claws stuck in. When your cat gets tired of playing, these adorable toys make the perfect pillow for a well-earned cat cap!
Who can resist this adorable set of four Frisco Sushi Plush Cat Toys with Catnip? This set has three adorable sushi rolls and one packet of wasabi, all covered with a soft plush fabric that’s gentle on your cat’s paws. Each soft toy includes catnip stuffing designed to catch your cat’s attention.
The one thing to watch out for is that the small felt decorations on top of the sushi rolls may get pulled off by enthusiastic cats, so make sure to inspect the toys regularly and remove them from your cat if they start to look a little worn.
If you’re not sure which catnip toy will suit your cat best, we included helpful information for you in this detailed buyer’s guide.
Which cats are catnip toys best for?
Cats tend to become sensitive to the effects of catnip when they’re around 6 months old. Not all cats are sensitive to the effects of catnip, though, and you won’t know if your kitten will be affected by it until they’re a little older. If your cat is affected by catnip, they’ll get a burst of energy, followed by a relaxing feeling that sends most cats off into a deep sleep.
Catnip toys will suit any cat that’s affected by catnip. They’re ideal for making sure your cat gets plenty of mental and physical exercise to help keep them in great shape.
Can I leave catnip toys out all the time?
It’s best to limit your cat’s exposure to catnip, so while it’s safe for them to have access to catnip every day, it’s best to only leave their toys out during dedicated playtime. Catnip loses its potency over time, so keeping any toys filled with catnip in a cool dark place when not in use can help them last longer. We recommend popping them in a Ziploc bag and keeping them in a drawer or somewhere that your cat can’t access.
That depends on what type of toy your cat likes best. Some cats love soft kicker toys, while others prefer toys on a fishing rod or hoop so you can play with them too. Whichever type of toy your cat likes best, you’ll find a version that includes catnip! Of course, the best-case scenario is to offer all different types of catnip-filled toys so your cat can play with whichever they prefer at any time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best catnip toy for your cat, then our top pick is the Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy. It is made from simple and strong materials that can withstand rough playing.
If you’re after the best value toy, then the Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy set is our recommendation. These cute catnip-stuffed mice come in a set of three or five and are guaranteed to keep your cat entertained.
Catnip toys are ideal for helping your cat stay mentally and physically active, so every cat owner should make sure they offer their cat at least one or two. We had almost as much fun compiling our reviews as your cat will have playing with these awesome catnip-filled toys!
Emma is a freelance writer, specializing in writing about pets, outdoor pursuits, and the environment. Originally from the UK, she has lived in Costa Rica and New Zealand before moving to a smallholding in Spain with her husband, their 4-year-old daughter, and their dogs, cats, horses, and poultry. When she’s not writing, Emma can be found taking her dogs for walks in the rolling fields around their home…and usually, at least some of the cats come along, too! Emma is passionate about rescuing animals and providing them with a new life after being abandoned or abused. As well as their own four rescue dogs, she also fosters dogs for re-homing, providing them with love and training while searching for their forever homes.
