Catnip toys. The stuff that cat dreams are made of. You know when you’re watching your cat twitch and stretch whilst he slumbers? That’s not mice he’s chasing. That’s him playing with one of the latest catnip toys that he just knows you’re about to go out and buy him.

Trust me on this. I’ve been owned by more cats that you can shake a stick at.

Catnip Toys

Got a cat? Then you’ve just gotta get catnip. The most wonderfully potent cat attractant since … well … cat food. Cats love catnip. Or rather they don’t, they just can’t resist it. Usually. The stats – don’t you just love stats? – say that there’s around 30% of cats that simply ignore it.

Usually older cats and kittens so, if you’ve got either and they don’t react it’s not because something’s wrong with it. It simply means that it doesn’t have an effect on them.

They’re naturally catnip proof. You’re going to have to stick with wind up mice and feathers. Though do make sure the feathers are on a stick. And not attached to a bird.

I’ve bought catnip in all it’s forms – leaves, toys, treats, spray and powder. And not because I’d nothing better to do than watch my cats write around in catnip ecstasy. Simply because I’ve owned cats for years and they all loved it. We actually had it growing in the backyard but had to get rid of it.

Fact: catnip grows rather voraciously and kind of spoils the look of a nice lawn.

I can’t attest to my favourite catnip toys or forms. My cats – all cats – liked it however it came. I’ve bought mice, dolls, little teddy bears, pillows, dangling things on sticks. I’ve even bought catnip scratching posts before now.

If you could ask my cats, you’d probably find they liked the leaves better. Having said that, one of them was so affected by catnip that the box it came in would send her daft for 10 minutes. She had no shame.

Best Catnip Toys

As far as catnip toys go, the best type to purchase is the refillable type. Once the catnip loses its potency, you simply remove it and replace it with fresh catnip. Which you buy separately. Of course.

The refillable toys come in just about every size and shape imaginable. However, they’re a little more expensive than a standard catnip mouse (for e.g.) and you’re best to try and buy the type that have a strong fastener.

The way cats rub, drool and writhe on them means they need to stand up to a bit of stress – besides which some cats will go as far as trying to find the source and may attempt to try and chew their way inside the toy.

Cheap Catnip Toys

If you’re after a cheap and cheerful catnip toy, just buy one of the small catnip mice. Or, if you’re none too bothered with the refilling and messing about but love your cat enough to spend a bit more, buy a catnip banana. Or dangly thing on a stick.

Or if you really really love you cat – why not just go right ahead and plant a load in your backyard. Now that's cat love. As well as a whole of of weedy looking plantation coming your way. And probably every cat within a 2 mile radius.

And if you’d rather make your own – just get an old, spare small sock and pop some loose catnip inside it. Tie a good knot in it and bingo! You’ve just made a catnip toy. It's that simple. The loose catnip you can buy is cheap and easy to store.

It retains it's cat 'potency' providing you keep a lid on it. Plus - if you don't, your cat/s will locate the source of the alluring smell and you'll come home to find a cupboard or two in a shabby state.

Having been an irresponsible keeper of catnip and the owner of Bengal Cats - let's just say I once returned home to chewed letters, photographs, tins of discarded cat food and two exhausted, catnipped ravaged cats.

Or rather - it was my kitchen that had been catnipped. Ha. catnipped. A twist on catnapped.

To be fair, catnip toys are generally inexpensive. There’s no such thing as finding a hole in your wallet after a trip to the pet store – or even an online store – in order to give your cat the thing that he really loves best.

After you of course. And food. Rodents. And the part of your bed that you really would rather he didn’t fall asleep on.