Catnip toys are among some of the best ways to encourage your cat’s hunting instincts and give them the physical and mental stimulation that they need to stay in great shape. Many cats adore the scent of catnip, and after the initial spike of energy that it gives them, they will enjoy a blissed-out nap after all that fun. On the other hand, some cats may be completely unaffected by catnip but may still enjoy the toys.
When it comes to choosing the best catnip toy for your cat, though, there is a huge number of options out there, so it can be hard to know which one will suit your furry friend the best. Our reviews include a roundup of the 9 best catnip toys, so whether you’re after something for your kitten or a premium toy as a special treat, you’ll find what you’re looking for right here.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy |
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Budget Buy
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Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy |
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Pixar Nemo & Squirt Bouncy Cat Toy with Catnip |
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| Best for Kittens |
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Petstages Dental Cat Chew Toy with Catnip |
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YEOWWW! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy |
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The 9 Best Catnip Toys for Cats
1. Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy — Best Overall
| Material | Linen, cotton |
| Size | 4 x 4 inches |
| Toy type | Catnip stuffed toy |
The Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy is the best overall catnip toy for cats. The toy is infused with catnip and features a simple yet fun design your cat will love. Each toy is handmade from durable materials, so it can take all your cat’s abuse while they play, from rolling and batting to biting. The fun teabag design is more for you than the cat, but who says you can’t have a little style and humor with your cat toys?
Best of all, there’s no care required. Washing is not recommended since the toy is infused with catnip. It comes ready to go for your cat! All teabag toys are handmade with birch, wool, cotton, and polyester.
- Catnip-infused
- Handmade
- Durable
- Fun design
- Not washable
2. Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy – Budget Buy
| Material | Multi-textured fabric, cotton, organic catnip |
| Size | 12 inches long |
| Toy type | Catnip stuffed toy |
If you’re looking for the best catnip toys for cats for the money, then the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy won’t let you or your cat down. Coming in a whopping 12 inches long, these are great value for money. This kicker is infused with organic catnip, designed to encourage your cat to play either on their own or with you.
This fun and interactive toy encourages your cat to get plenty of mental and physical stimulation, and it satisfies their natural hunting instincts. It’s best to store these away when your cat isn’t using them, though, so the catnip scent lasts as long as possible. These are stuffed with a combination of catnip and premium cotton and are durable enough to withstand the roughest of kitty kicks.
The only downside is, with any catnip toy, the scent will eventually fade, luckily the Mouse Kicker is affordable enough to grab a replacement when needed.
- Great value for money
- Made with organic catnip
- Great for all ages
- Generous size
- Catnip scent will eventually fade
3. Pixar Nemo & Squirt Bouncy Catnip Toy
| Material | Polyester and catnip |
| Size | 20 x 3 x 1 inches |
| Toy type | Bouncy stuffed toys |
If you’re looking for a fun catnip toy that you and your cat can enjoy together, then the Pixar Nemo & Squirt Bouncy Cat Toy with Catnip is a great choice. This adorable toy combines two plush catnip-filled toys featuring Nemo and Squirt. There’s also a bouncy string for you to hold as you dangle the toys for your cat to play with.
Each plush toy is filled with catnip to entice your cat to play, and the ribbons will catch their eye with their unpredictable movements. The ring is easy and comfortable to hold, or you can dangle it from a door handle for supervised play sessions.
- Cute Pixar characters
- Catnip filled
- Interactive fun
- Expensive
4. Petstages Dental Cat Chew Toy with Catnip — Best for Kittens
| Material | Polyester |
| Size | 8.5 x 3.5 x 0.6 inches |
| Toy type | Chew toy |
All kittens love to chew, especially when their new teeth are coming through and their gums are a little sore. If you want to introduce your kitten to the joys of catnip while also offering them a dental toy, then the Petstages Dental Cat Chew Toy with Catnip is the perfect choice.
Remember that kittens don’t tend to develop a sensitivity to catnip until they’re around 6 months old. But it can be used to help relieve painful gums and keep your kitten interested by tossing and turning the toy around. You may find your kitten loves it even more after they hit 6 months old and start to appreciate just how awesome catnip is!
- Lightweight
- Helps relieve teething pain
- Kittens don’t tend to react to catnip until they reach sexual maturity
5. YEOWWW! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy
| Material | Cotton twill and catnip |
| Size | 7 x 1 x 3 inches |
| Toy type | Stuffed soft toy |
The YEOWWW! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy is made with a durable cotton twill outer and is shaped like a bright and bold banana. The interior is stuffed with 100% organic catnip and has a strong aroma that your cat won’t be able to resist.
This toy has over 3,000 reviews on Chewy, with the vast majority stating how much their cats adore this toy. So, you can buy this catnip toy with confidence, knowing that plenty of other cats adore it. As a plus, it is made in the U.S.A., using catnip grown and produced in the U.S.A. as well. It is hand-sewn to ensure a quality product every time.
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Uses premium organic catnip
- Durable cotton twill outer
- Fun shape
- Great value for money
- None that we can see
- This toy is also a top pick in our list of 10 Best Cat Toys
6. KONG Cat Occasions Birthday Teddy Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
| Material | Polyester and catnip |
| Size | 7 x 5 x 1.25 inches |
| Toy type | Stuffed soft toy |
The KONG Cat Occasions Birthday Teddy Plush Cat Toy with Catnip is the perfect birthday present for your beloved cat. The balloon makes enticing crackling noises to encourage your cat to pounce, and the unpredictable movement of the rope section means your cat may be even more captivated.
Filled with premium catnip, this toy has fun elements that your cat will love to play with. The catnip filling will last for longer if the toy is kept in a cool and dark place when not in use, so it is best kept for special play sessions rather than left out all the time.
- Good value for money
- Perfect cat birthday gift
- Crinkle sound encourages play
- Quite small
- Related Read: 12 Best Chew Toys For Cats – Reviews & Top Picks
7. Petlinks HappyNip Mohawk Mice Cat Toy with Catnip
| Material | Polyester |
| Size | 2.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches |
| Toy type | Stuffed soft toy |
If your cat loves playing with stuffed mice, then they’ll love the Petlinks HappyNip Mohawk Mice Cat Toy with Catnip even more. These cute little mice come in a pack of two, and each one is stuffed with HappyNip, a blend of catnip and silvervine. Silvervine is similar to catnip but can often have an effect on cats that aren’t affected by catnip, so this is a great choice if your cat isn’t usually keen on catnip toys.
Each mouse comes with an adorable Mohawk made from faux fur. Their small size makes them perfect for kittens and small- to medium-breed cats, but larger cats may find them too fiddly to play with.
- Comes as a pack of two
- Includes organic catnip
- Meets child safety standards
- Too small for large-breed cats
8. Frisco Refillable Catnip Toy Squirrel
| Material | Polyester |
| Size | 6.6 x 3.5 x 1.8 inches |
| Toy type | Soft stuffed toy |
If your cat loves catnip toys when they’re fresh out of the box but loses interest as the catnip starts to lose potency, Frisco Refillable Catnip Toy Squirrel is an excellent choice. This toy has a refillable compartment, so you can refresh the catnip when it starts to lose its potency. This soft toy also comes with a vial of Canadian catnip ready to use.
Unlike many catnip toys that can’t be washed, this cute little squirrel can be popped in the washing machine when it starts to look a little dirty. Simply remove the catnip to wash, and then add more once the toy is clean and dry. If your cat isn’t bothered about catnip, this can even be used on its own!
- Great value for money
- Refillable
- Machine washable
- A little small
9. Frisco Sushi Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
| Material | Polyester |
| Size | 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches |
| Toy type | Soft stuffed toy |
Who can resist this adorable set of four Frisco Sushi Plush Cat Toys with Catnip? This set has three adorable sushi rolls and one packet of wasabi, all covered with a soft plush fabric that’s gentle on your cat’s paws. Each soft toy includes catnip stuffing designed to catch your cat’s attention.
The one thing to watch out for is that the small felt decorations on top of the sushi rolls may get pulled off by enthusiastic cats, so make sure to inspect the toys regularly and remove them from your cat if they start to look a little worn, so they don’t get accidentally ingested.
- Good value for money
- Four toys in each pack
- Fun themed design
- Felt decorations may get pulled off and swallowed
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Catnip Toys for Cats
If you’re not sure which catnip toy will suit your cat best, we included helpful information for you in this detailed buyer’s guide.
Which Cats Are Catnip Toys Best For?
Cats tend to become sensitive to the effects of catnip when they’re around 6 months old. Not all cats are sensitive to the effects of catnip, though, and you won’t know if your kitten will be affected by it until they’re a little older. If your cat is affected by catnip, they’ll get a burst of energy, followed by a relaxing feeling that sends most cats off into a deep sleep.
Catnip toys will suit any cat that’s affected by catnip, and even those cats that aren’t who will enjoy them during playtime. They’re ideal for making sure your cat gets plenty of mental and physical exercise to help keep them in great shape.
Can I Leave Catnip Toys Out All the Time?
It is best to limit your cat’s exposure to catnip, so while it is safe for them to have access to catnip every day, it is best to only leave their toys out during dedicated playtime. Catnip loses its potency over time, so keeping any toys filled with catnip in a cool, dark place when not in use can help them last longer. We recommend popping them in a Ziploc bag and keeping them in a drawer or somewhere that your cat can’t access.
It is also advisable to supervise your cat while playing with any toys that have string or felt decorations, as the cat may show interest in chewing off parts of the toy. These parts may present a risk of gastrointestinal obstruction or other serious health issues if swallowed. If your cat is keen on such toys, supervise the play at all times, remove any loose parts of the toy, and secure or remove the string.
What Type of Catnip Toy Should I Choose?
That depends on what type of toy your cat likes best. Some cats love soft kicker toys, while others prefer toys on a fishing rod or hoop so you can play with them too. Whichever type of toy your cat likes best, you’ll find a version that includes catnip! Of course, the best-case scenario is to offer all different types of catnip-filled toys so your cat can play with whichever they prefer at any time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for the best catnip toy for your cat, then our top pick is the Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy. It is made from simple and strong materials that can withstand rough playing.
If you are after the best value toy, then the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy set is our recommendation. This cute catnip-stuffed mouse comes in an enticing shape and is guaranteed to keep your cat entertained.
Catnip toys are ideal for helping your cat stay mentally and physically active, so every cat owner should make sure they offer their cat at least one or two. We had almost as much fun compiling our reviews as your cat will have to play with these awesome catnip-filled toys!
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