Watching my cats play with the best catnip toys brings me so much joy. While they love the best cat toys, there's something special (and hilarious) about their reaction to catnip and I love seeing how happy it makes them.
However, there is one downside: my cats seem to lose interest in their catnip toys after a week or so. This always left me feeling confused and wanting a refund each time I bought them. I was on the verge of giving up on catnip toys altogether until certified cat behaviorist Joey Lasvardi offered a helpful solution...
He says: "Because the active chemicals in catnip naturally break down over time, the catnip in any toy won't last forever. A refillable toy is a great solution to this because you can just top up the catnip when it seems to lose its potency."
After taking his advice, I searched high and low for the best refillable catnip toys and put them to the test on my two cats, Chilli and Nala. The PetsRadar testing team also helped me on my quest - here are our top six picks:
The best catnip toys 2024
The best automated catnip toy
Catit's Groovy Fish is a firm favorite in our household; Nala and Chilli are obsessed with it! It comes with two bags of catnip, so once it loses it magic, you can refill it via the velcro pouch on the side.
This toy never fails to catch their attention, thanks to the automated feature which makes it from flip side to side, activating their natural hunting instincts.
The battery life is good and it comes with a USB cable for when it needs charging. It's a little bit noisy, but it's totally worth it for how much fun my cats have with it.
Reasons to buy: Refillable, rechargeable, motion-activated, comes with USB cable and catnip.
Reasons to avoid: A bit noisy.
The best catnip kicker toy
These stylish toys are handmade in the US and filled with fresh Canadian catnip. There are lots of cool designs to choose from which will look great in your home, including denim, leopard print, chevron, and zigzags. The toy has a pocket on the side which you can refill with catnip, and the rectangle shape is perfect for your cat to hold and kick.
Our tester Alisa gave it to her cat Tami, who enjoyed swatting, biting, and rubbing her face on it. She says: "She did the bite and shake move that cats do with their prey, so I believe it activated her hunting instincts. I was pleasantly surprised that the pocket is tight enough not to spill catnip all over my home, but that also makes it difficult to fill, empty, and refill."
Reason to buy: Re-fillable, stylish, catnip is well-contained, handmade.
Reason to avoid: Some bits of loose thread were found, takes up space, tricky to re-fill.
The best plush catnip toy
To my horror, Chilli brought a squirrel through the cat flap the other day — if only he had this toy instead! If your cat is a ferocious hunter like mine, they're going to love this little plushy which has a realistic fuzzy coat and comes with a tube of Canadian catnip.
When the catnip wears out, you can replace it via the resealable pouch on the side. The toy is super easy to clean; just remove the catnip and toss it in the washing machine. For just over $5, it's a steal!
Reason to buy: Refillable, comes with extra catnip, machine-washable, affordable.
Reason to avoid: Not all cats like plush toys.
The best multipurpose catnip toy
This toy sticks onto your wall and doubles as a handy self-grooming device that feels great for your cat. Since the balls are natural and organic, you can remove the brush and let them lick it too.
You'll receive two hedgehogs, a ball of catnip, and a ball of silvervine (which has effects similar to catnip). We think this is a great deal for only $6! It also comes with double-sided tape so you can attach it to any surface, from walls and tiles to cat trees and chair legs.
Reason to buy: Refillable, good for grooming, includes catnip and silvervine ball.
Reason to avoid: Won't keep your cat as active as other toys.
The best catnip ball toy
This ball will encourage your cat to stay active, thanks to the interactive features and catnip inside. When your feline touches the toy, it makes realistic animal noises, including frog croaks, bird tweets, and cricket chirps, which are perfect for natural little hunters.
You can refill it with catnip via the hole at the top, helping the excitement last even longer. The ball is soft to the touch which is perfect for delicate paws and claws.
Reason to buy: Refillable, makes animal noises, good for chasing.
Reason to avoid: Noises might be annoying.
The best catnip toy insert
This might not be a toy on its own, but you can insert it into any catnip toy to bring it back to life. I think this pillow is a total game-changer and a brilliant alternative to messy, loose catnip which is fiddly to handle.
Joey told me: "Hands down the best catnip toys out there come from Yeowww! Not every catnip toy will actually have enough catnip to have a cat show a catnip response to it or the catnip will be so old it will have lost its potency. Yeowww!'s toys rarely have a dud in them and they are strong."
Reason to buy: Affordable, mess-free, can be inserted into most toys.
Reason to avoid: Not an actual toy.
Photos from testing
Other catnip toys to consider
Chilli and Nala loved playing with Multipet's Lamb Chop Cat Wand and had a blast chasing it around the house. The wand is filled with little beads, and the noise they make really grabs your cat's attention. The string is the perfect length, and the fluffy, catnip-filled lamb bounces playfully on the other end.
However, when Chilli was playing with it, he started sneezing, and I eventually realized that it was because the fur comes off when it's bitten. It's a real shame because this would have been the number one catnip toy.
My cats loved Multipet's Mini Lambchop Toy which is pre-filled with catnip. However, since it's not refillable and the fluff came off easily, I couldn't put it in the top six.
My cats also enjoyed playing with the Planet Pleasures Spiral Cylinder, which is durable, high-quality, and fun for chasing. However, since it's not refillable, it isn't the best catnip toy.
How we tested the best catnip toys
After selecting the best catnip toys on the market, we put them to the test with our team of kitties and critiqued them based on the following criteria:
Cat approval: We checked whether our cats had fun playing with the toys and how they reacted to the catnip.
Durability and safety: We assessed whether the toys were safe and durable, looking for issues like loose threads and poor-quality fabric.
Refillable: All of the toys in this guide are refillable with catnip; we explained how easy they were to top up.
Value for money: We included toys at various price points and evaluated whether they were worth the money based on quality and cat enjoyment.
Here's more information on how we test.
How to choose the best catnip toys
These are some of the catnip toys we think are best overall, but you know what your cat enjoys and how it plays. When trying to decide which product to buy, the most important factors are safety, size, and style of play. Use your knowledge of your cat’s behavior to inform your choice. If you know your cat chews toys, choose one with a simple shape and no small attachments that could come off in their mouth. If your cat rarely picks up a toy to play with on their own, go for one of the best interactive cat toys you can enjoy together.
Once your new catnip toy has arrived, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, check the packaging for washing instructions – toys with catnip in their filling are often unsuitable for machine washing and should be washed with a damp cloth to keep them potent and hygienic. Second, be aware that cats will develop a tolerance to catnip if they’re regularly exposed to it for six months or so. If you can throw the toy away from your cat, putting it away when playtime is over will help them enjoy the effects for much longer.
Dr. Godfrey says: "You can choose a toy already containing catnip, or add your own catnip to a toy. However, it’s important to know for sure that it’s catnip you’re adding – never give your cat an unidentified substance. The same rules apply to cat toy safety, whether or not the toy contains catnip. There should be no small parts or sharp edges and the toy should be robust and not easily breakable. Avoid materials like wood that could splinter and fabric which could unravel and cause health problems if swallowed."
Are catnip toys good for cats?
Is catnip bad for cats? No, catnip toys are safe for your cat to play with and can help encourage play, burn energy, and fight boredom, according to Dr. Godfrey.
She says: "Where a soft mouse toy might fail to keep your cat’s attention, a soft toy stuffed with catnip should have them running around, pouncing, kangaroo kicking, and playing in no time. While it might seem like a ‘high’ similar to when humans take recreational drugs, catnip is not addictive or dangerous and the behavior changes caused by catnip are short-lived and temporary."
Can I give my cat a catnip toy every day?
Catnip has unusual effects on our feline friends, which might leave you wondering if it's safe to give them every day. However, Dr. Godfrey assures that it's perfectly safe and harmless to do so.
She adds: "You might find that the more they are exposed the less they react. Therefore, giving them a catnip toy a couple of times a week or less might give a better result. You might also notice that your cat becomes resistant to the effects of catnip after 10 minutes or so, but this resistance is temporary."
Why do cats love catnip?
What does catnip do to cats? And why do they love it so much? We asked Dr. Godfrey to find out!
Dr. Godfrey says: "Nepeta cataria is the scientific name for the plant commonly known as catnip. Catnip contains the active ingredient nepetalactone, which is detected by the receptors of the olfactory bulb (which is responsible for a cat’s sense of smell). It’s this active ingredient that, when smelled, causes the behavior changes associated with catnip exposure, including rubbing, rolling, grooming, playing, vocalizing, and generally being more active."
If you're questioning, 'Can kittens have catnip?', or 'What is silver vine?' these expert guides has the answer.
Megan is Staff Writer on PetsRadar and has two cats, Chilli and Nala. As a life-long pet owner, she's tried her fair share of toys over the years and is committed to finding the best products for you. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in Journalism.
Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focused on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
Joey Lusvardi is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant at Class Act Cats and has a particular interest in cat products. He recently gave a presentation on catnip at the Pet Professional Guild's Celebrating Life Together event, and has extensive knowledge on feline behavior.
