Best Presents for Cats

I have four cats, and it can be daunting finding the best gifts and treats for your pets. Soon, the holiday season will be upon us once again. In addition to finding gifts for my family and friends, I am also on the look-out for things that will make my cats happy. One gift does not fit all. You need to choose your presents depending on your cat's personality. In this lens, I will share my thoughts on getting the best gift for your cat(s), whether they are mellow lap cats or more active daredevils.

Cats toys are usually inexpensive so you can afford to mix and match different varieties. Let's start with catnip. Most cats go gaga over catnip, it's fun to watch your cats reaction to it.

The cat toys that can deliver catnip range from small stuffed plushies and larger cat sized pillows to small plastic balls. There are advantages and disadvantages to using both types. The plushies and pillows are already filled with catnip. All you have to do is unwrap and give to your cat to play with. The downside is that eventually the catnip will lose its effect and the toy will have to be replaced.

Catnip balls are very inexpensive and last a long time. You can easily replace the catnip without purchasing a new toy. The downside is you have to buy a separate container of catnip. To keep its potency, store catnip in an airtight container.

A note about catnip: not all cats will like it. Some cats don't have the gene that allows them to enjoy it. So before you buy multiple catnip toys, test one out to see if your cat likes it.

Cats love hiding in things from bags to boxes. A fun toy for your cat is the cat tunnel. This is an expandable nylon toy that your cat can lay in or have a nap. Some tunnels also make a crinkly sound when touched. It's similar to the sound a plastic bag makes that causes constant fascination for cats. You can also connect separate tunnels and have quite the labyrinth. Both laid-back and active cats will enjoy playing in the tunnel.

Cat products are often overlooked when buying gifts but I think they are very important. All cats need these essential items: food and water dishes, cat beds, litter boxes, cat litter, grooming supplies.

One of my other lenses discusses cat misbehaviour and it sometimes occurs if the cat is unhappy with their litter box. Get him a new one. I buy the large Rubbermaid containers that are designed to store clothes in and will fit under the bed. These make great litter boxes because the cat has ample room to move around. You can buy them for less than ten dollars.

Cats love to be petted and groomed. You can get a new brush and watch how much they enjoy being brushed. Small toenail clippers can be used to trim your cats claws.

Food and water dishes should be replaced if they have a chip in them. You can find some with really cute designs or even have your cat's name put on the dish. This makes a nice gift for a friend with a new cat in the home.

Cats beds are great, though we know cats can and will sleep anywhere. You can buy cat beds that look like domes so the cat has a nice place to hide and have a nap. You can also get heated cat beds. Cats love heat, especially in the winter so this would be a fun gift for your cat.

Cat treats make great gifts. Even if you don't know what gifts to get for a cat, food is always a hit. You can also use these for training. When you are training your cat a new trick or trying to correct problem behaviour, use food treats as a reward.

There are several types of cat treats. You can buy flaked fish or meat for a quick treat. These usually come in packages that are resealable to keep them fresh. There are also canned varieties. If you want to give your cat a special reward, you can also cook some steak or fish for them to enjoy. I cube turkey and steak and serve to my cats. They love it!

Check out this video of a cat enjoying some treats:

Well, that's it. I hope I have given you some ideas for inexpensive cat gifts. I would also like to remind you that most shelter animals don't get any holiday gifts. If you can afford to donate a few inexpensive cat toys or treats, your local animal shelter would be thrilled. Thanks for reading. Have fun and enjoy the holiday season.