Picking out the perfect gifts for cat lovers requires a little bit of thought, as well as knowing the particular requirements of each pet owner, but the payoff is getting to see your friends delighted with a surprise present that’s ideal for their home and for their feline friend.
If you have a friend who owns a kitty and you want to get them something special — whether it’s for the cat’s birthday, Christmas, or any other celebration — consider these six important questions to help guide what kind of gift you might be considering for them. They offer advice on buying gifts to satisfy many different needs that cat owners frequently have looking after their pets, from food and litter supplies through to toys and other treats they might enjoy.
1. How hairy is the cat that you’re buying a gift for?
Some kitties don’t have much, if any, hair like the popular Sphynx, but many do and some of them shed a lot. If you’ve noticed that the cat you’re buying a gift for always leaves a lot of cat hair lying around, consider buying a robot vacuum that’s designed to pick up tiny dirt like hairs. If you’ve ever heard your friend or loved one complain about how much they’re always having to sweep up after their cat, the vacuum can be a great way to take that stress away from them by taking care of the cleaning up automatically and keeping the house in perfect condition.
2. Does the cat have a lot of energy and like to play?
If the person that you want to buy a gift owns a cat that has a lot of energy, you might consider buying them one of the almost countless list of cat toys available online. There’s a huge range of quirky gifts to keep any kitty entertained, such as a robotic mouse that looks like a cartoon version of the real thing and races around the room once it’s switched on. Or you can get cheaper laser pointers and other toys to keep the cat entertained while exercising. Toys can be a superb choice for any cat that always seems to be a bundle of playful energy.
3. Are you buying a gift for a kitty with cat scratch fever?
We know that cats love to scratch, and many owners will tell you their exasperation at their kitties tearing up chairs and other furniture. It’s a totally natural habit and is a way for cats to not only mark their territory but also to sharpen their claws and kill some boredom. If you know a cat that is scratching up their home, you might want to consider buying a scratcher for them. They come in a wide range of materials and shapes, ranging from a simple flat corrugated scratching mat through to more-expensive scratching towers and even beds. Buying a scratching post will help your friend protect their furniture while giving their cat something they’ll really enjoy.
4. Is the kitty one that has a huge appetite?
Perhaps your friend or loved one has told you that they’re surprised at how much their kitty eats, and is always having to replace their food. If that’s the case you might want to consider shopping around to buy the owner some cat food, whether that’s tins, dry food, or anything else. The owner will be grateful for the help with feeding their hungry cat, and the pet will certainly enjoy the gift. If you do decide to buy food as a gift, you might also want to consider buying the cat some edible treats that their owner can give them at special times. You won’t find a cat that will turn down the occasional treat, so it’s a nice complement to the regular food as a gift. And if the feline has dental problems there are also specially made treats that won’t require them to chew and instead are simply licked, which can be a nice gesture if the cat’s teeth are a problem.
5. Does the cat’s owner hate having to scoop up after their pet?
Every cat needs to go to the bathroom frequently, and often people just leave a kitty litter tray out for them to use, and then have to regularly empty and refill it. Perhaps the owner has told you how much they don’t like having to do this, and if so you might want to think about buying some gifts that could help out here. There are some fantastic self-cleaning kitty litter trays on the market that have perfect odor control and are entirely self-sufficient for several weeks, so the owner can simply fill it once then forget about the tray for a long time. And if you do decide to buy something like a self-cleaning litter box you might also want to consider throwing in some kitty litter along with that, because that’s another regular big expense for cat owners.
6. Is the cat always going on lots of trips with its owner?
The person you’re intending to buy the gift for might be a busy person who goes on a lot of trips and always wants to take their cat with them, and if that’s the case you might want to look at buying them a nice carrier that can transport their pet around in comfort. These days there are many different types of cat carriers available online that look incredibly high end but are still very affordable, and would be an ideal gift for a kitty that’s always on the go. Carriers are available in a big range of shapes and sizes, some featuring openings on one side or both, or different materials on the inside for the cat to rest on. No matter how large or small the cat is you should be able to find one that they should be able to fit inside comfortably for their many journeys.
Traveling cats also love a special haven to hang in that provides peace and comfort when away from home. Check out a portable cat house that you can pop up in your hotel so your favorite feline has her own safe space too.
7. Is the gift for the cat lover or the cat?
If the gift is for the person who loves her feline, there are oodles of fun cat products on the market. If she loves coffee, cat coffee mugs are always a hit. Perhaps feline fashionista, wine glasses or an adorable cat calendar. There are plenty of cat themed books out that make good conversation pieces. With so many gadgets on the market, it is even easy to find cat ear shaped headphones.
The most important thing is to keep your receiver in mind when buying the gifts. Have fun!
Kritter Kommunity Contributor
