The best Christmas gifts for cats

Cats provide plenty of companionship and joy all year round, so it’s only natural to want to spoil them a little during the festive season. While your cat may not understand the concept of Christmas – and a cardboard box is often enough – many owners still enjoy picking out gifts for cats at Christmas.

If you’re looking to make the festive season special for your feline friend, here are six thoughtful ways to include them in the celebrations.

Puzzle games are a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for your cat. There are lots of different options to choose from, including food mazes, activity boards with compartments, or even DIY versions made from plastic bottles or cardboard tubes.

Depending on the type of puzzle, your cat will need to release the dry food using different techniques, which encourages them to use their natural problem-solving skills. If your cat lives indoors, puzzle games are especially important to encourage them to use natural behaviours they’d use outdoors.

If your cat isn’t used to puzzle toys, start with a beginner version. To reduce boredom or frustration, show your cat how to get to the food the first few times, then allow them to experiment. They’ll get quicker at solving the puzzle, so you can provide a more advanced version next year!

During cold winter days, your cat might end up spending more time inside. Choosing a gift that replaces some of the physical activity they’d normally get outdoors is a great way to keep them active over winter.

It’s a good idea to buy or make a few toys, so you can work out which type your cat prefers. Some enjoy kicker toys that encourage natural hunting instincts, while others enjoy chasing fishing rod toys – and some can’t get enough of anything filled with catnip.

Why not try making a selection of DIY cat toys to see which suits their play style the best?

Cats love napping all year round, but during the winter they’ll be looking for somewhere especially warm. That means Christmas is the perfect time to treat your cat to a new bed.

If you’re looking for a sustainable option, try a cat bed made from merino wool. These are often made by artisans using biodegradable and renewable merino wool. They may be shaped like a snug cave for your cat to crawl into but can also be flattened into a bed for them to stretch out.

If your cat has sore joints or loves being extra warm, a pet-safe heat pad or heated cat bed is a great way to help them stay as comfortable as possible over winter.

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a few festive treats. But while you might catch your pet looking longingly at the turkey and pigs in blankets, cats shouldn’t be given table scraps – these can be high in fat or contain unsafe ingredients.

Instead, choose suitable pre-packaged treats or spend some time making homemade festive cat treats.

If your cat has eaten something they shouldn’t over Christmas, it’s best to contact your vet right away. If you have cat insurance with Petplan, use our Pet Expert Chat to connect with vet professionals, 24/7 – simply log into your My Petplan account to access.

If you’re expecting lots of visitors over the Christmas period, your cat will need somewhere quiet and peaceful to retreat to.

A cat tree gives your pet the perfect perch to observe the festivities from above. Look for a tree with elevated, covered platforms, plus base sections designed to be used as a scratching post. This helps encourage two natural and instinctive behaviours.

Alternatively, you can get creative and make a DIY cat tree using an old ladder, some wood, rope and cat-safe paint. Your cat will love it, and hopefully it’ll be the perfect way to distract them from your Christmas tree.

Can’t decide what to buy your cat? A Christmas stocking is the perfect answer. You can often buy these ready-made, filled with treats and toys, but it’s also fun to hand-fill a stocking with little luxuries your cat will love.

You could include a small puzzle ball, homemade treats, a catnip stuffed toy, or more practical treats, such as a new food or water bowl.

You’ve probably seen posts on social media of cats dressed in Christmas jumpers or outfits – but while these might seem like fun, most cats don’t enjoy wearing clothes. Many find it stressful, as clothes often restrict their natural movement and behaviours.

Cats should only ever wear clothing for medical reasons or on veterinary advice – for example, to protect a wound or to keep a hairless cat (such as a Sphynx) warm during winter.