Best Catnip Toys UK: Kickers, Mice and Plush Catnip Toys

Picks were chosen by product type, covering kickers, mice, plush shapes, cigar rolls and simple stuffed catnip toys. We compared the shapes, fillings and materials stated in each listing, with no stock, review or testing claims.

What Shape of Catnip Toy Should You Pick?

The right shape of catnip toy depends on how your cat likes to play, with kickers suiting wrestlers and small mice suiting cats that bat and carry prey. Kicker and cigar shaped catnip toys are usually 20 to 30 cm long, so a cat can hold them with the front paws while kicking hard with the back legs. Small mice and plush shapes are lighter, so they are easy to swat across the floor, pick up and drop at your feet. Plush toys tend to be softer and gentler for kittens and older cats, while tightly woven canvas or denim lasts longer with strong chewers. A practical comparison tip is to measure your cat from nose to base of tail and pick a kicker roughly half to two thirds that length, which is long enough to hug without being too heavy. If your cat already wrestles with a cushion or your arm, a kicker is the obvious choice.

How Do These Catnip Toys Compare?

The table shows who each of these catnip toys suits and the shape stated in its listing. Check the length first, then whether the toy is sealed or refillable.

How Strong Should the Catnip in a Toy Be?

A good catnip toy uses dried leaf and flower tops rather than dusty stalks, as these parts carry most of the scent that cats react to. Toys filled with pure, tightly packed catnip tend to give a stronger response than toys with a small pinch mixed into stuffing. Some catnip toys have a pouch or opening so you can top them up with fresh dried catnip, which keeps them useful for much longer. Others are sealed, which is tidier but means the scent will fade over a few weeks or months. When comparing listings, look for words such as filled with, stuffed with or refillable, and check whether the toy mentions any stuffing alongside the catnip. A simple home check is to squeeze a new toy close to your nose: a strong, fresh herbal smell usually means the filling is good, while a faint smell suggests a weaker toy.

How Should You Store Catnip Toys?

Store catnip toys in a sealed bag, jar or tin when they are not in use, as air and light slowly weaken the scent. Keeping one or two out and the rest put away also stops your cat getting used to the smell, which can dull the reaction over time. Many owners rotate catnip toys every few days, bringing a stored toy back out as a treat after a quiet spell. A cool, dark cupboard works best, away from radiators and sunny windowsills. You can add a pinch of loose dried catnip to the storage bag to refresh the toys between uses. A useful comparison tip is to label stored toys with the date you opened them, then notice which ones still get a strong reaction after a month, as this shows which shapes and fillings keep their scent best in your home.

How Often Should a Cat Have Catnip Toys?

Most cats do best with catnip toys offered a few times a week rather than left out all day, because the response fades when the scent is around constantly. After a burst of catnip play, many cats become temporarily unresponsive for around 30 minutes to two hours, so a fresh toy straight away will often be ignored. Short sessions keep each one special and make the reaction stronger. A simple routine is to bring out one of your catnip toys after a quiet afternoon or before an evening play session with a wand, then put it back in its sealed bag once your cat loses interest. Catnip is not addictive and is generally regarded as safe for cats, but some cats become excitable or briefly grumpy during the reaction, so give multi cat homes enough space and toys to avoid squabbles. Chewed or torn toys should be thrown away, as loose stuffing or fabric can be swallowed. If your cat eats large amounts of loose catnip, it may have a mild tummy upset, so offer it in toys rather than in piles. For a cat with health conditions or on medication, ask your vet first. Catnip toys for kittens should be soft, sturdy and offered in short, supervised play sessions.

We cover the rest of the setup in our guide to quiet cat water fountains and the microchip cat flaps guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.