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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Many cats go wild for catnip: the irresistible, mint-like herb known to perk up even standoffish felines. It’s great for all kinds of things—you can use the loose-leaf version or a catnip spray to introduce cats to new toys and scratching posts, or you can try catnip-filled toys an incentive for couch potato cats to exercise more.
We’ve rounded up everything the herb offers with the best catnip toys, treats, and loose-leaf brands on the market.
Our picks
Best Plush Catnip Toy: Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy
This charming banana catnip toy has achieved the status of a cult classic. Sturdy cotton twill is stuffed with organic, USA-grown catnip—and nothing else, which makes it a nice choice for cats prone to shredding toys or snacking on stuffing. The seven-inch toy is well-sized for bunny kicking and batting (though perhaps not fetch). While it’s not refillable, some cat parents say after the catnip runs out, they sprinkle a bit on top to renew their cat’s interest.
Key features:
- Made in the USA
- Cotton twill fabric
- Uses soy and vegetable-based dyes for color
Best Mouse Catnip Toy: SmartyKat Skitter Critters Value Pack Toys
Why have one toy mouse when you could have ten? These lightweight mice are easy to hide and toss so your kitty can get plenty of exercise—especially those that need to increase their daily activity levels. They’re stuffed with catnip that’s free of pesticides and chemicals. We think it’s good they come in a big pack, since we’ve lost more than we can count to the gap under the fridge.
Key features:
- Great for interactive and solo playtime
- Chemical and pesticide-free
- Sold in a ten-pack
Best Interactive Catnip Toy: Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish
Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish
The classic flopping fish cat toy gets a boost from refillable catnip.
This internet-famous electronic kicker toy looks and moves like a real fish: each time your cat touches the toy, the motion sensor is activated and the fish wiggles away. Made of soft but durable fabric, the toy is USB chargeable, and its internal catnip pouch is easy to refill. Our Rover test kitty was a fan, though our reviewer found some of the fish’s finer features were lost on him.
Key features:
- USB chargeable: the motor is detachable, allowing for convenient cleaning
- Increased battery capacity
- Catnip pouch included with package
- Promotes exercise
Best Catnip Scratcher: Cosmic OurPets Far and Wide Cat Scratcher
Cosmic OurPets Far and Wide Cat Scratcher
This extra-large scratcher comes with a supply of add-your-own catnip to attract your kitty.
Keep claws off the furniture with this extra-large cat scratcher. The rigid surface is good for sloughing off the outer layers of your cat’s claws, and the package includes a supply of 100% North American-grown catnip as an incentive. The scratcher is larger than most cardboard options, at about 18 inches by 10 inches, providing extra space for multi-household cats or kittens who like to make it their home base and nap on it.
Key features:
- Includes catnip to entice cats to play
- Measures 18.13 inches by 10.13 inches
- Made with durable corrugated cardboard
Best Catnip Ball: SmartyKat Catnip Kiss Cat Toy Ball
Keep cats active and mess minimal with this compacted catnip ball that’s free of chemicals and pesticides. The durable, compressed catnip is designed in a round shape, providing cats of all ages with a ball of fun and exercise.
Key features:
- Less messy than loose catnip
- Provides active stimulation for cats
- Contains no small parts, strings, or sharp objects
Best Catnip Wall Toy: Potaroma Wall Toy
Potaroma Catnip Wall Toy
This popular wall toy gives cats a tasty treat with a dose of dental hygiene and enrichment.
Rover tested this wall treat popularized on TikTok, and we’re pretty sure there’s a flavor to entice almost any cat. The 100% natural balls, made of plant extracts, come in a variety of flavors and rotate as they are licked and nuzzled. The board is easy to stick to your wall (though the balls themselves can pop out with especially rough use).
Though adult cats are likely to love it, especially young cats might not be interested, since their appreciation for catnip doesn’t kick in until six months or so. It’s best to save for later if you’ve got a growing little fur ball in your house.
Key features:
- 100% natural and non-toxic
- Flavors include catnip, silvervine, fruit of silvervine, and cat sugar
- Removable plastic caps to seal in freshness when not in use
Best Catnip Spray: KONG Naturals Spray
From trusted pet brand KONG, this eco-friendly spray is made from oil that’s been steam-distilled and harvested for top potency. Spray it on your cat’s favorite toys, teasers, and scratchers to encourage them to scratch in appropriate places. Created with all-natural ingredients, this bottle is easy to spray and leaves no flakes behind like traditional dried catnip does.
Key features:
- Made from highly potent North American catnip
- No-mess and easy-to-use spray bottle
- Use on scratchers, cat trees, and carriers
Best Crunchy Catnip Treats: Feline Greenies Dental Treats
These crunchy natural dental treats help keep kitty’s teeth clean. More fun than teeth brushing, each catnip-flavored bite contains vitamins and minerals for a healthy, low-calorie snack. Made in the USA, Greenies are veterinarian recommended for a cat’s at-home oral care.
Key features:
- Cleans teeth and freshens breath
- For cats one year and older
- Can be fed daily: less than two calories each
Best Bulk Loose-Leaf Catnip: Pet Craft Supply Company Catnip
Pet Craft Supply Company Catnip
Looking for just a little bit of catnip? This three-ounce jar of PNW-grown, natural catnip is plenty potent.
Grown in the Pacific Northwest, this catnip will keep kitties and cat parents happy, as the contents are made without chemicals, fillers, or pesticides. If your cat likes to scratch furniture, sprinkle this highly potent catnip on toys, scratchers, and cat bedding—it will redirect them to areas that are appropriate for clawing. Pet Craft’s catnip is 100% pet-safe.
Key features:
- Made in the USA
- Planted, grown, and harvested during peak season, resulting in maximum potency
- Large container size makes it a great option for multi-cat households
Best Organic Catnip: Yeowww! Catnip Tub
If you want to skip the toys, get Yeowww!’s quality, organic, grown-in-the-US herb. The tub comes in a two- or four-ounce size. The company assures that its catnip “packs a punch even for the most high-maintenance or older finicky cats.” Before you serve it up to your kitty, be sure to look for any small pieces of wood—because it’s organically grown, some buyers have reported that stems and little sticks have made their way into the containers.
Key features:
- Organically grown
- Comes in two sizes: 2 ounces and 4 ounces
- Made in the USA
Best Crinkle Catnip Toy: SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Crinkle Toys
SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Crinkle Toys
These three little fish marry catnip with crinkle power, maximizing sensory appeal.
At four inches long, these crinkly catnip-filled fish are lightweight and easy to carry—perfect for the fetchers and toy-carriers out there. Made without chemicals and pesticides, and free of stuffing, they’re a sturdy choice for destructo-cats and rough housers. And since there are three in a pack, it’s great for multi-cat households, so no kitty feels left out.
Key features:
- Contain pure catnip
- Made with recycled plastic
- Provides an excellent source of exercise and stimulation
Best Catnip Teaser Wand: OurPets Play-N-Squeak Tethered & Feathered Wand
OurPets Play-N-Squeak Tethered & Feathered Wand
Both humans and cats will enjoy playing with this interactive teaser wand toy featuring a plush catnip-filled mouse with an enticing feather tail.
Watch as your catch jumps and bats to catch this catnip-filled mouse flaunting a fluffy feather tail. If that wasn’t enough, it also chirps when your cat’s paw hits it to promote both mental and physical stimulation that helps relieve boredom and stress.
Key Features:
- Filled with North American-grown catnip
- Emits a chirping sound when batted
- Great for pet and pet parent bonding
Best Refillable Catnip Toy: SmartyKat Madcap Mania Refillable Plush Catnip Toy
Keep the catnip toys coming with this refillable plush mouse that encourages cats to play, jump and pounce. When the catnip runs out, it’s easy to refill with an easy-to-open pouch on the toy’s stomach and the catnip-filled dispensing tube that comes with it, so there’s less mess and more fun.
Key features:
- Design and color vary
- Comes with a dispensing tube filled with catnip
- Good for solo or interactive play for cats and their pet parents
A Note on Catnip Safety
Just as with intoxicants for humans, there are some guidelines about when to use catnip and how much. Some experts suggest limiting your cat’s indulgences to once or twice a week so they won’t get desensitized to the effects. It’s also a good idea to keep this herb away from pregnant cats and cats that experience seizures.
How We Chose
The catnip products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and
a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We prioritized quality, safety, growing location, sizing, and user feedback. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.