Cat Stocking Stuffers: 9 Small Gifts Under $35 That Cats Actually Use
By the MCC team · 6 min read · Reviewed for accuracy
The best cat stocking stuffers are small, safe and used after Christmas morning: a catnip toy, an interactive toy, a grooming tool or an ornament with the cat’s name on it. Everything on this list costs under $35 and fits a standard stocking. Below are nine picks grouped by the kind of cat you are shopping for, the things that should never go in a cat’s stocking, and the order-by dates for Christmas 2026.
Quick picks by price
- Under $20: Bright-Trim LED Cat Nail Clippers ($15.95) and the Cat Grooming Glove ($19.95).
- $20 to $25: Cat Hair Remover ($20.95), Shed-Free Deshedding Brush ($21.95), Custom Name Cat Mug (from $21.95) and the Custom Name Cat Ornament ($24.95).
- $25 to $35: Catnip Kicker Toys 3-Pack ($26.95), LED Windmill Cat Toy ($29.95) and the Orbit Chaser ($34.95).
For the cat that plays
Catnip Kicker Toys 3-Pack. Three plush kickers, each about 7.9 inches long, filled with catnip and crinkle paper. They are sized to be hugged with the front paws and kicked with the back ones. In a multi-cat home, one pack fills three stockings. Kittens under about six months often do not respond to catnip yet, so save these for older cats.
LED Windmill Cat Toy. A two-ball arm that spins when your cat bats it, on a suction cup that holds to tile, wood, glass or a wall. It includes an LED ball and two catnip balls, measures 7.9 inches tip to tip and needs no charging.
Orbit Chaser. A self-rolling ball in a soft ring that starts when your cat taps it, runs for about 10 seconds and waits for the next pounce. One 1.5-hour USB charge gives about three hours of play. It is not for heavy chewers.
For help matching a toy to a play style, see our guide to the best cat toys for indoor cats, or browse Toys and Enrichment.
For the cat that sheds
Cat Grooming Glove. A single right-hand glove with silicone tips that collect loose fur as you stroke. The reverse side lifts hair from furniture. It is a gentle first tool for cats that dislike brushes.
Shed-Free Deshedding Brush. Fine stainless-steel pins with rounded tips reach the undercoat, and a button retracts the pins so the fur lifts off in one piece. It weighs 3.2 ounces.
Bright-Trim LED Cat Nail Clippers. An LED at the blade lights the claw so you can see the pink quick before you cut. At 5.8 inches long, it is the smallest gift on this list. Our guide on how to trim cat nails explains the method.
For the cat parent
Custom Name Cat Ornament. A solid Hinoki wood ornament printed with the cat’s name, in a heart or oval shape, with a ribbon for the tree and a magnet for the fridge. It is made to order.
Custom Name Cat Mug. A glossy ceramic mug with a line-art cat and the cat’s name, in 11 oz or 15 oz, dishwasher and microwave safe. It suits a large stocking, or wrap it separately. It is made to order.
Cat Hair Remover. A palm-sized scraper, 4.2 by 2.8 inches, with four edges that pull embedded hair out of sofas, rugs and car seats. It needs no refills. Every cat household uses one.
See the full range in Personalized and Grooming and Health.
What not to put in a cat’s stocking
- Ribbon, string, yarn, tinsel and elastic. Swallowed string can block the intestines and often needs surgery.
- Chocolate, raisins, and sweets made with xylitol. Keep human treats in human stockings.
- Toys with glued-on eyes, bells or feathers that can be chewed off and swallowed.
- Anything with button batteries that a cat could reach.
- Loose catnip in an unsealed bag. The stocking will be opened overnight.
Hang the stocking out of reach until morning, and supervise new toys the first few times they are used. More on holiday safety is in how to keep cats off the Christmas tree.
Build a stocking that ships free
Orders over $50 ship free in the U.S., and smaller orders ship for a flat $4.95. Two or three stuffers usually pass the line. For example, the kicker toys, the nail clippers and the grooming glove come to $62.85 and ship free.
Order-by dates for Christmas 2026
- Personalized gifts (the ornament and the mug) are made to order and arrive in 6 to 10 business days. Order by Monday, December 7.
- Everything else on this list ships from our U.S. warehouse and arrives in 5 to 8 business days. Order by Thursday, December 10.
These dates leave a buffer for arrival by December 23 under normal carrier conditions. Earlier is safer in December. The full table is in our Christmas gifts for cat lovers guide.
Free stuffers cats like just as much
A paper bag with the handles cut off, a cardboard box, or a crumpled ball of plain paper costs nothing and gets used. Add one to the stocking and keep the bought toy for a second round of play in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
What do you put in a cat’s Christmas stocking?
Small, safe items the cat will use: catnip toys, an interactive toy, a grooming tool and a few of its usual treats. Leave out ribbon, string and anything with small parts that can be chewed off.
Are catnip toys safe for kittens?
Catnip is not harmful to kittens, but most do not respond to it until they are around six months old. A toy without catnip is a better choice for a young kitten.
What is a good stocking stuffer for a cat owner?
Something with the cat’s name on it, such as an ornament or a mug, or a practical tool like a pet hair remover.
How much should a cat stocking cost?
Whatever suits your budget. One or two well-chosen items between $15 and $35 are enough, and a cardboard box is free.
When should I order stocking stuffers for Christmas delivery?
For 2026, order personalized items by December 7 and U.S. warehouse items by December 10.