The only thing better than spending a holiday with your feline companion is spending a holiday that lasts 8 days with your cat. Holidays are the time to celebrate with your friends and family, especially with your crazy cat sidekick. As any loving pet parent can tell you, the joy of getting little gifts for your cat is unforgettable. Please share the holiday spirit with your cat and include them in your holiday gift exchange.
Check out our list of gifts for you to share with your cat, one for each day of Hannukah. If you like to spoil your kitty, here are some reviews of eight of the best Hanukkah cat gifts you can get for your cat!
Click to Skip Ahead
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
The 8 Best Hanukkah Gifts for Your Cat
1. Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher — Best Overall
Materials: | Plywood, cardboard |
Features: | Durable, replaceable scratching surface |
Lifestage: | All life stages |
The Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher is the best overall Hanukkah cat gift. It has an extremely durable plywood frame that can take years of wear and tear, and it has a non-toxic glossy finish that will look great in any home. You can position it in different ways to change the angle of the scratching surface, as some cats like horizontal surfaces, like the carpet, while others prefer vertical surfaces, like furniture. Changing the position can also help extend the life of the extra-thick cardboard surface, but if it ever does wear out, replacement cardboard is available. It is more expensive than many other scratchers, but your cat is more likely to use it since you can adjust it to their preferences.
Scratching helps felines stretch and maintain their claws, but when they do it to furniture, it can cause a great deal of damage. Scratching pads and posts provide cats with a safe way to engage in this natural activity without it being a problem, and any kitty lover is sure to appreciate this gift.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
- Durable
- Multiple scratching positions
- Thick replaceable cardboard
Material: | Polyester |
Features: | Catnip, interactive, feather, jump |
Life Stage: | Adult |
The best gift during the holiday is sometimes the gift that gives you the most bang for your buck. With a toy like Kong’s Feather Teaser, you’ll have the best Hanukkah cat gift for the money. While interactive cat toys are nice for your cat if they are often alone, Kong’s Feather Teaser brings you into the action and provides two gifts for the price of one: quality time and hilarious cat acrobatics. This toy is a perfect, budget-friendly choice for you and your active feline.
As with all wand-type toys, it’s best if your cat only plays with this toy while you are supervising.
- Affordable
- Interactive
- Catnip infused for ultimate playtime
- The cord can be too short for some
- Some reviews report the toy breaking after a few uses
3. Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy — Premium Choice
Materials: | Cotton, catnip |
Features: | Large size, bell |
Lifestage: | All life stages |
The Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy is a premium Hanukkah cat gift. It has a long shape that many cats love, and it can get them to do the cute rabbit kick that they tend to do when we try to rub their bellies. The toy is also light enough for a kitty to drag around the house and pounce on. It has an attractive embroidered face on durable, bite-resistant fabric, and it also has catnip filling and a jangly bell that will keep your cat’s attention for hours. Only a few users have complained that they have a hard time getting their pets to play with it.
Kicker toys are great for helping a cat get more exercise, and they also trigger their natural hunting instincts, making this a great gift.
At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
- Long shape
- Bite-resistant fabric
- Catnip filling
- Bell
- Some cats don’t like it
4. FurryFido Laser Cat Toy
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Features: | Exercise, interactive |
Life Stage: | All life stages |
We’ve all seen videos of cats and kittens pouncing around the room chasing a laser beam. Maybe you’ve seen videos of a cat flying off a couch or running headfirst into a wall during their intense chase. Laser toys are a cat favorite, and with good reason.
Some cats may become frustrated with a laser toy, but if you combine this chase with treats or toys that your ferocious feline can actually catch, you are in for a rewarding playtime experience. Most cats adore a good old laser chase, and it is a perfect way for you to spend time playing with your cat. The best part of this durable, stainless-steel laser is that it is USB chargeable; you never have to worry about replacing the batteries in mid-chase.
- Rechargeable with a USB port
- Durable material
- Multiple laser modes, including UV flashlight
- Lasers are dangerous when pointed directly at eyes
- Some users report it breaking after a few weeks
5. SmartyKat Skitter Critters
Material: | Polyester |
Features: | Catnip, interactive |
Life Stage: | All life stages |
These little critters are perfect gifts for indoor cats. The SmartyKat Skitter Critters pack comes with 10 catnip-infused toys for your cat to chase around your home and satisfy their hunting instinct. Even if your cat loses one toy during the holiday buzz and mess of gifts, you can get them a quick replacement because of how many come in the value pack.
These mouse-shaped toys are infused with catnip to promote play and reduce your cat’s stress, which can skyrocket during the holidays with new people coming to visit. Your cat will have a happy Hannukah playing chase with these catnip critters!
- Comes in a value pack of 10
- Filled with catnip for increased stimulation
- Promotes energetic play and satisfies hunting instincts
- Can fall apart after aggressive play
- Easy to lose under furniture
6. PetStages Tower of Tracks
Material: | Plastic |
Features: | Interactive, exercise, hunting |
Life Stage: | All life stages – especially senior cats |
With its colorful spinning balls and three tracks, this three-tiered toy can entertain cats for hours. Watch your cat go crazy during the holidays as they spin and roll around the toy, trying to free the balls from the tracks. The best part about the PetStages Tower of Tracks is that the balls won’t leave the tracks, and your cat doesn’t have to chase them around your home.
Your furry friend can entertain themselves and stimulate their hunting instincts by trying to catch the fast-moving toys on their trips around the track. If your cat is really into it, they may even get all three balls rolling at once!
- Durable
- Nonstick skid pads on the bottom
- Balls stay on the track
- Not balanced if your cat climbs on the toy
- Some say the tower breaks easily
7. Trixie Activity Center
Material: | Plastic |
Features: | Food games, food pacer |
Life Stage: | Adults |
If you have a kitty motivated by food, this is the toy for you. The Trixie Activity Center is the perfect cat toy to encourage your cat to get active in order to feed. There are tunnels, tubes, pegs, and fishbowls for your cat to explore in the hunt for their kibble and treats. Food puzzles are an incredibly popular way to keep your cat’s mind and reflexes sharp. Sit back and watch your cat try to solve the different ways to catch, eat, and play during your holiday break. The best part of this toy is its nonslip rubber backing, helping it to stay in place as your cat goes wild on their quest for the hidden goodies.
- Active feeder for exercise while eating
- Non-slip rubber bottom
- Dishwasher safe
- Safe to use unsupervised
- Can be more expensive than competitors
- Might not work for cats with larger paws
8. Rainbow Cat Charmer Toy
Material: | Polycarbonate wand, fabric |
Features: | Fabric chaser, interactive |
Life Stage: | All life stages |
If you own a cat, you’ve probably witnessed the power of your cat’s obsession with strings, ribbons, and shoelaces. Wrapping presents and tying your shoes in the morning can be a struggle, with a frisky feline attacking the strings and ribbons every chance they get, and this Rainbow Cat Charmer toy will be no different.
Giving a classic chase that both you and your cat can enjoy, the rainbow cat dancer is durable and features 4 feet of colorful ribbon to give your hands enough room to avoid excited paw swipes. The toy will keep your cat engaged and ready for the chase and the hunt for quite a while, and it’s a great way to keep your pet active. However, we do not recommend leaving the toy unsupervised, as it can lead to injury if your cat gets tangled.
- Affordable
- Durable
- Interactive playtime for your cat during all life stages
- Can be a choking hazard if unattended
- Fully interactive toy
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Toys for Hanukkah
Choosing the best gift for your cat during Hanukkah doesn’t have to be overwhelming and scary. Not only have we introduced you to some of our favorites, but we will answer your questions on how to choose the best possible toy for you and your kitty. Let’s get down to business and arm you with everything you need to select the best cat toy during the holidays.
What Features Should You Look for in a Cat Toy?
Not every cat likes the same toys, and not every cat likes to play the same way. Finding out what our cat loves the most is up to us, the owners. However, there are some basic features you should keep an eye out for regardless of the type of toy you are searching for.
Solo Play
While we may wish to be, it is not always possible for us to be around 100% of the time to play with our cat. Therefore, it is essential that you choose a toy suitable for solo play. You must ensure that any toy you choose will not become a safety hazard without your supervision. Toys made for solo play, like the ball track and feeding mat puzzles, would be better choices if you are not always home.
Benefits for Your Cat
When buying a toy for your furry friend, you want to consider the possible benefits they are getting from the toy. For example, some toys feature built-in scratchers to help your cat maintain their nails, and others have chewing pieces to encourage oral health. Most toys are designed to promote physical activity and use your cat’s natural hunting instincts to keep them stimulated and its muscles healthy. Some cat toys are even designed to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Choose a toy based on the benefits your cat needs.
Engagement
One of the biggest fears when buying a toy is whether or not your pet will use it. We recommend just sticking to purchasing toys you already know your cat enjoys. If you know your cat prefers catnip toys, choose catnip chasers or kickers. If you notice your cat is often enthralled by your shoelaces or ribbons, selecting a ribbon chaser or string toy would be a logical jump.
Our Best Hanukkah Cat Gifts Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best hanukkah gifts for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about hanukkah gifts for cats. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect gifts for the 8 days of Hanukkah couldn’t be easier after following our list of top choices and reviews. If you want to share the spirit of Hanukkah with your cat, we can’t think of a better overall choice than the Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher. For a more budget-friendly option, Kong’s Feather Teaser offers interactive playtime with your cat. Last but certainly not least, Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy is the perfect premium choice for any pet parent who isn’t always home to give their cat attention during the day.
See also:
Featured Image Credit: Shai Daniel, Shutterstock