Pets are a part of our family, and naturally we want to make sure there is something for them tucked away under the Christmas tree too. But what do cats really want for Christmas?
Take a look at my vet and behaviourist-approved gifting guide for that special cat in your life. I’ll guarantee these gift ideas will have them ‘feline’ festive and purring with delight!
Cardboard box
No matter how pampered your puss may be, nothing beats a good old-fashioned cardboard box. Cats will find so many uses for this unassuming item – a place to sit, climb, hide, scratch or chew. The allure of the cardboard box is linked to the cat’s innate desire to avoid predators and to hide from view. Having a high vantage point is also a behaviour that cats enjoy, as again, it makes them feel safe. Feeling safe and secure is a big deal for a cat.
If you would like to elevate your cardboard box offering, consider adding an old jumper that has your comforting smell about it. Make it a Christmas jumper for added seasonal pizzaz! And if you’re feeling even more festive, why not go for a gingerbread house design like this one?
Perhaps you would prefer a sturdier version that will last a little bit longer? Allow me to introduce you to Cats Protection’s award winning Hide and Sleep®, a durable box-shaped cat bed that offers a place to hide and a place to perch.
Fishing rod toy
Hunting is a natural impulse for cats. They are driven to do so even when they have a full belly. To indulge their desire to hunt while giving the local wildlife a break, fishing rod toys are the perfect solution. There are options here for every budget. If you are feeling crafty, you can make your own fishing rod toy using a cane, some string, and feathers. Or for under £5, this simple fishing rod toy comes highly rated. One toy recommended by cat behaviourists is a feather rod toy known as the ‘Flying Purrsuit’. This toy really does look and sound like the real thing (to a cat, anyway) and will activate ‘hunt mode’ in even the laziest of cats. It’s made from ethically sourced feathers and is handmade in the UK.
Just a little note about how to play with a fishing rod toy (yes, there is a correct way)! Cats can experience frustration during hunting games if they never actually ‘take down’ their prey to end the game. That’s why some toys such as laser pens haven’t made this list. It’s recommended that you play for a few short sessions every day and allow your cat to catch the toy at the end of each game.
Food puzzles
Cats in the wild spend a lot of their time searching for food. It’s a great idea to try to incorporate some of that behaviour into mealtimes at home, and food puzzles are a fantastic way to do this. Start with an easy puzzle and build up to the more trickier brain teasers. There are a great many fun options available, from this simple spinner food puzzle to the more complicated ‘The Rainy Day Puzzle’ with fourteen hidden compartments to explore. A website dedicated to food puzzles for cats, rating them from easy to hard, has been created by recognised cat behaviour consultants and it’s a great place to look for ideas and for product reviews.
If you’d prefer to have a go at making your own food puzzle, Cats Protection have lots of tips and advice for assembling DIY puzzles at home. These are great activities to get the kids involved in; perfect for those bad weather days when everyone is stuck indoors in the run up to Christmas.
Remember to only feed your cat’s daily requirement of food in the food puzzle, rather than treats, to avoid any unnecessary weight gain.
Scratching post
All cats need to scratch as part of their normal behaviour. Scratching keeps their claws in good condition and leaves a scent behind to mark their territory and help them feel secure.
To allow cats to fulfil this natural behaviour, it’s important to provide a scratching post that they will really enjoy getting their claws into. Of course, cats are selective about the type of scratching post they would prefer!
Here are some key scratching post characteristics to look out for:
- Height – it should be tall enough for them to scratch at full stretch.
- Sturdiness – it should be strong and stable enough for your cat to put their full weight behind them with no wobbling.
- Vertical thread – cats like to scratch in big vertical scratches, so choose thread that runs vertically in the direction of the scratch.
- Location – place the post somewhere close to where they sleep, as they love a stretch and a scratch after they wake up. Scratching posts near to exit and entrance points are also ideal locations. Multiple scratching posts are the order of the day.
With those tips in mind, you can’t go too far wrong with this scratching post, although at over £35, it is a little pricey. For the more budget conscious, you can have a go at making your own scratching post with this helpful guide. It’s a good idea to offer a flat scratching pad option as well, such as this one.
Catnip
The catnip plant (Nepeta cataria) is a member of the mint family. It releases a chemical compound that stimulates sensory receptors in the cat’s brain, triggering playful behaviours such as rolling, sniffing, licking and nibbling. About 70-80% of cats respond positively to catnip and the effects last for about 10-15 minutes.
If you are a knitter, why not make your own catnip mouse? Make a dozen of these to spread the love and donate them to your local cat rescue charity.
If events at Number 10 have been making your blood boil of late, perhaps you’d like to see your cat get their claws into one of these political figure cat nip toys. Your choice of Boris, Trump, Rishi or Starmer can all get a good mauling from your cat, or even the whole cabinet if that takes your fancy!
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