The best catnip toys make playtime even more exciting for your feline and encourage them to stay active. While my cats love the best cat toys, there's something special (and hilarious) about their reaction to catnip, and I love seeing how happy it makes them.
However, there is one downside: my cats always seem to lose interest after a week or so, leaving me frustrated and wanting a refund. I was on the verge of giving up on catnip toys altogether until certified cat behaviorist Joey Lasvardi offered a helpful solution...
He says: 'Because the active chemicals in catnip naturally break down over time, the catnip in any toy won't last forever. A refillable toy is a great solution to this because you can just top up the catnip when it seems to lose its potency.'
After taking his advice, I searched high and low for the best refillable catnip toys and put them to the test on my three cats, Chilli, Nala, and Tofu, and found that the Catit Groovy Fish reigned supreme. The PetsRadar testing team also helped me on my quest – here are our top six picks:
The best catnip toys
The best automated catnip toy
Catit's Groovy Fish is a firm favorite in our household; Nala and Chilli are obsessed! The toy comes with two bags of catnip, so once it loses it magic, you can refill it via the Velcro pouch on the side.
This toy never fails to catch their attention, thanks to the motion-activated sensor which makes it from flip side to side, activating their natural hunting instincts.
The battery life is good and it comes with a USB-C cable for easy charging. It's a little bit noisy, but it's totally worth it for how much fun my cats have with it. However, if you'd prefer a quiet toy, opt for the West Coast Pet Products Catnip Kicker toy instead which we also tested.
Reasons to buy: Refillable, rechargeable, motion-activated, includes catnip.
Reasons to avoid: A bit noisy.
The best catnip kicker toy
This stylish kicker toy is handmade in the US and filled with fresh Canadian catnip. There are lots of cool designs to choose from which will look great in your home, including denim, leopard print, chevron, and zigzags.
The toy has a pocket on the side which you can refill with catnip, and the rectangle shape is perfect for your cat to hold and kick.
Our tester Alisa gave it to her cat Tami, who enjoyed swatting, biting, and rubbing her face on it. She says: "She did the bite and shake move that cats do with their prey, so I believe it activated her hunting instincts."
If you'd prefer a smaller toy, try the Catit Groovy Fish in this guide.
Reason to buy: Re-fillable, stylish, catnip is well-contained, handmade.
Reason to avoid: Some bits of loose thread were found, takes up space, tricky to re-fill.
The best plush catnip toy
If your cat is a ferocious hunter like mine, they'll love this little plush toy, which has a realistic fuzzy coat and comes with a tube of premium catnip (a steal for under $7!)
When the catnip wears out, you can replace it via the resealable pouch on the side, making it a long-lasting option. The toy is super easy to clean: just remove the catnip, toss it in the washing machine, and you're good to go again!
Sometimes, the catnip gets stuck in the Velcro pouch, so if that would bother you, I'd recommend the the Motion-Activated Bird Teaser Toy in this guide instead.
Reason to buy: Refillable, comes with extra catnip, machine-washable, affordable.
Reason to avoid: Catnip can get stuck on the Velcro.
The best multipurpose catnip toy
Doubling up as both a toy and a self-grooming device, your cat is sure to love these catnip hedgehog toys, which come as a pack of three and cost under $10.
The toys include double-sided tape, allowing you to attach them to any surface, and I was pleased that they didn’t leave any residue or stains when I removed them. My cat, Tofu, loves rubbing her face against them, licking them, and using her paw to spin the ball of catnip inside.
If you're looking for something that takes grooming to the next level, try the Catit Senses Self Groomer, also featured in this guide.
Reason to buy: Refillable, good for independent play, grooms your cat.
Reason to avoid: Won't keep your cat as active as other toys.
The best catnip brush toy
This might not be a toy per se, but this brush gets a fantastic reaction from my cat, Tofu, who loves rubbing her fur against it.
The bag of catnip slots in the middle, which is a total game-changer if your cat dislikes having their fur brushed and makes this dreaded chore more interesting for them. You can even stick it to the wall if they'd prefer to self-groom.
Made from BPA-free materials and priced under $5, it’s an absolute bargain! However, if you're looking for something to keep your cat active, check out the Motion-Activated Bird Teaser Toy featured in this guide.
Reason to buy: Good for grooming, includes catnip, BPA-free, affordable.
Reason to avoid: Doesn't keep your cat active.
The best catnip teaser toy
Looking for a way to keep your cat active? This teaser toy is my top recommendation and has kept my sluggish cat, Tofu, hooked!
When she bites into it, it makes a realistic bird noise that immediately grabs her attention, and it comes with a pouch of catnip to sprinkle on top. This toy is perfect for tapping into your cat's natural hunting instincts while spending quality time together.
The noises can get a little annoying, and since it doesn’t have a battery, I’m not sure how long this feature will last. I think it works well even without the sounds, but if this is a concern, the Catit Groovy Fish is another great automated option that's chargeable via a USB-C lead.
Reason to buy: Promotes exercise, motion-activated noises, catnip included.
Reason to avoid: Noises can get annoying and non-chargeable.
Photos from testing
Videos from testing
Other catnip toys to consider
Chilli and Nala loved playing with Multipet's Lamb Chop Cat Wand and had a blast chasing it around the house. The wand is filled with little beads, which makes an attention-grabbing noise your cat won't be able to resist. The string is the perfect length, and the fluffy, catnip-filled lamb bounces playfully on the other end.
However, when Chilli was playing with it, he started sneezing, and I eventually realized that it was because the fur comes off when it's bitten. It's a real shame because this would have been the number one catnip toy, but it didn't pass our safety check.
My cats also loved Multipet's Mini Lambchop Toy which is pre-filled with catnip. However, since it's not refillable and the fluff came off easily again, I couldn't put it in the top six.
My cats also enjoyed playing with the Planet Pleasures Spiral Cylinder, which is durable, high-quality, and fun for chasing. However, since it's not refillable, it isn't one of the best catnip toys.
How we tested the best catnip toys
After selecting the best catnip toys on the market, we put them to the test with our team of kitties and critiqued them based on the following criteria:
Cat approval: We checked whether our cats had fun playing with the toys and how they reacted to the catnip. We're not interested in throwaway toys that our cats get bored of after one play, so we've been testing these toys for months to ensure they're long-lasting.
Durability and safety: We assessed whether the toys were safe and durable, looking for issues like loose threads and poor-quality fabric. Your cat's safety is our top priority, so if we felt a toy had any hazards, we removed it from the list.
Refillable: All of the toys in this guide are refillable with catnip, as recommended by cat behaviorist Joey Lasvardi. We explained how easy they were to top up and whether they came with catnip included.
Value for money: We included toys at various price points and evaluated whether they were worth the money based on the quality and how much our cats enjoyed them. No one wants to break the bank over a cat toy, so we're happy to say that everything in this guide costs under $20.
If you want to learn more, read our dedicated page on how we test.
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How to choose the best catnip toys
These are some of the catnip toys we think are best overall, but you know what your cat enjoys and how it plays. When trying to decide which product to buy, the most important factors are safety, size, and style of play.
Use your knowledge of your cat’s behavior to inform your choice. If you know your cat chews toys, choose one with a simple shape and no small attachments that could come off in their mouth. If your cat rarely picks up a toy to play with on their own, go for one of the best interactive cat toys you can enjoy together.
Once your new catnip toy has arrived, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, check the packaging for washing instructions – toys with catnip in their filling are often unsuitable for machine washing and should be washed with a damp cloth to keep them potent and hygienic.
Second, be aware that cats will develop a tolerance to catnip if they’re regularly exposed to it for six months or so. If you can throw the toy away from your cat, putting it away when playtime is over will help them enjoy the effects for much longer.
Dr. Godfrey says: "You can choose a toy already containing catnip, or add your own catnip to a toy. However, it’s important to know for sure that it’s catnip you’re adding – never give your cat an unidentified substance. The same rules apply to cat toy safety, whether or not the toy contains catnip.
"There should be no small parts or sharp edges and the toy should be robust and not easily breakable. Avoid materials like wood that could splinter and fabric which could unravel and cause health problems if swallowed."
Still feeling undecided? Here's what I recommend for each type of cat:
Toy | Best for |
|---|---|
Independent cats | |
High-energy cats | |
High prey drive cats | |
Independent cats | |
Cats who usually hate being brushed | |
Cats who need more exercise or high prey drive cats |
Are catnip toys good for cats?
Is catnip bad for cats? No, catnip toys are safe for your cat to play with and can help encourage play, burn energy, and fight boredom, according to Dr. Godfrey.
She says: "Where a soft mouse toy might fail to keep your cat’s attention, a soft toy stuffed with catnip should have them running around, pouncing, kangaroo kicking, and playing in no time.
"While it might seem like a ‘high’ similar to when humans take recreational drugs, catnip is not addictive or dangerous and the behavior changes caused by catnip are short-lived and temporary."
Can I give my cat a catnip toy every day?
Catnip has unusual effects on our feline friends, which might leave you wondering if it's safe to give them every day. However, Dr. Godfrey assures that it's perfectly safe and harmless to do so.
She adds: "You might find that the more they are exposed the less they react. Therefore, giving them a catnip toy a couple of times a week or less might give a better result. You might also notice that your cat becomes resistant to the effects of catnip after 10 minutes or so, but this resistance is temporary."
Why do cats love catnip?
What does catnip do to cats? And why do they love it so much? We asked Dr. Godfrey to find out!
Dr. Godfrey says: "Nepeta cataria is the scientific name for the plant commonly known as catnip. Catnip contains the active ingredient nepetalactone, which is detected by the receptors of the olfactory bulb (which is responsible for a cat’s sense of smell).
"It’s this active ingredient that, when smelled, causes the behavior changes associated with catnip exposure, including rubbing, rolling, grooming, playing, vocalizing, and generally being more active."
If you're questioning, 'Can kittens have catnip?', or 'Can cats eat catnip?', these expert guides have the answer. Or, if your cat is one of the few that don't react to catnip, you'll want to read about silver vine as an alternative.
Megan has been Staff Writer on PetsRadar since 2023 and has four cats, Chilli, Nala, Tofu and Polpetta. As a life-long pet owner, she's tried her fair share of catnip toys over the years and is committed to finding the best products on the market. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in Journalism.
Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focused on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
Joey Lusvardi is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant at Class Act Cats and has a particular interest in cat products. He recently gave a presentation on catnip at the Pet Professional Guild's Celebrating Life Together event, and has extensive knowledge on feline behavior.
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
Recent updates
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available and up to date. This page was last updated in March 2025 by Megan Milstead.
