The best cat gifts based on breed

Gift idea for all cat breeds

We may be biased, but the Wisdom Panel Complete for Cats DNA test makes a great gift for every cat. That’s because knowing your cat’s genetic make-up can help you tailor care to their ancestry, traits, and health needs. And is there any better gift than that? As an added bonus, if you know your cat’s breeds, the rest of this list will be even more helpful.

Gifts for intelligent cat breeds

Smart cat breeds and fast learners like the Abyssinian, Bengal, Burmese, Cornish Rex, and Manx enjoy gifts that provide mental stimulation. These include:

• Puzzle toys. Toys with hidden compartments require problem-solving skills and keep cats mentally engaged.
• Interactive treat dispensers. Curious cats have to find a way to get their favorite treat.
• Programmable buttons. These interactive buttons allow you to train your cat to communicate with you.

Gifts for active cat breeds

Breeds like the American Wirehair, Balinese, Bengal, Oriental Shorthair, and Scottish Straight are bundles of energy. Entertain them with cat toys that encourage physical activity and satisfy their need for exercise, including: 

• Cat exercise wheels. Keep your cat moving even when you’re not able to play with them. 
• Laser toys. Cats that love to run and scramble enjoying trying to "catch" laser lights. 
• Feather wands. If your cat likes to jump and pounce, feather wands are wildly entertaining.

Gifts for cats that like to jump and climb

The Abyssinian, Balinese, Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, and Turkish Van are all known for their climbing and jumping abilities. These cat gift ideas will let them show off their natural acrobatic skills:

• Wall-mounted cat shelves. Give your cat a shelf option that doesn’t also hold your prized possessions. 
• Multi-level cat trees. Jumping from level to level let’s cats show their athletic side.
• Cat ladders. Climbing a ladder takes agility—and some breeds have plenty of that!
• Window perches. Relaxing is even better with a bird’s eye view of the world outside.

Gifts for cats that like water

Some say cats and water don’t mix. But that’s not always the case. Breeds that enjoy getting a little wet, like the Bengal, Japanese Bobtail, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, and Turkish Van, may enjoy these gift ideas:

• Kitty pools. Let it be known: some cats do like to swim. 
• Cat drinking fountains. Some cats prefer to drink running water, which helps them stay properly hydrated. 
• Water toys like floating balls. Poking and pawing at floating toys is highly entertaining to cats that love to play near water.

Gifts for cats that like to hunt

For breeds with a strong hunting instinct, like the American Domestic, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siamese, and Siberian, consider the following cat gifts:

• Feather toys. Let cats experience the appeal of a bird, without putting any feathered friends in harm’s way.
• Realistic-looking mice. If there’s one thing cats love, it’s a game of cat and mouse.
• Robotic bugs. Wind up these toys and let them move and bounce on their own.

Gifts for playful cats

Breeds like the American Curl, Devon Rex, Singapura, Somali, and Turkish Angora are always up for a little playtime. Keep them entertained with the following:

• Bouncy balls. Playful cats like to chase balls with unpredictable bouncing patterns. 
• Fishing pole toys. With a fishing pole toy, you’ll get to have some hands-on fun with your feline friend. 
• Battery operated toys. These are great for supervised use when your cat wants to stalk or pounce.
• Laser pointers. Trying to catch a laser light keeps playful cats entertained and challenged.

Gifts for hairless cats

Hairless breeds, like the Donskoy, Lykoi, Peterbald, and Sphynx, love gifts that keep them cozy and comfortable. Consider the following when shopping for your furless friend:

• Cat sweaters. Functional and fashionable—how’s that for the perfect gift?
• Heated blankets. A little extra heat helps keep our furless friends toasty warm. 
• Fluffy cat beds. Cats that like to burrow to stay warm will appreciate a bed with a little extra fluff.

Additional resources

We hope these ideas help you spoil your cat this year. (Because they totally deserve it.) If you’re looking for more ways to keep your cat active and engaged, take a look at the following articles:

• 11 ways you can exercise with your pet
• 10 ways to keep your cat active (and healthy)