Most gift ideas for cat lovers end in the same place. You get a mug, socks, or a wall sign about home and cats. Cat people have seen all of it.
This list has 27 picks sorted by what the person does with their cat. Some are sweatshirts and hats we stitch ourselves, and some are small joke gifts you can wrap in two minutes.
The best gift for a cat lover is something that either shows you noticed their cat or makes daily life with a cat easier. A personalized embroidered sweatshirt covers the first, a window perch or water fountain covers the second. Pick one of those two angles and you will rarely go wrong, whatever the budget.
Embroidered gifts for cat lovers
These are for the person who wears their cat obsession and does not mind strangers noticing. Every piece is embroidered to order, with thread that sits inside the fabric instead of on top of it like a print.
1. Black Cat Energy sweatshirt
For anyone whose cat sits on the keyboard during meetings. The Black Cat Energy Embroidered Sweatshirt pairs a stitched arched-back cat with orange varsity lettering, and it works well past Halloween.
2. Cat meowing hat
Wearable humor for the friend who narrates what their cat is thinking. The Your Cat Is Moewing Embroidered Baseball Hat has a cream crown and a red brim. The strap adjusts, so you do not need to know a head size. Fits about 21 to 24 inches around.
3. Cute Cat Pumpkin sweatshirt
Autumn people get a lot of use out of this one. Four black cats sit on jack-o'-lanterns on the Cute Cat Pumpkin Embroidered Sweatshirt. Order early if it is meant for Halloween.
4. Christmas Cat sweatshirt
Think of the person who puts a Santa hat on the cat every year. The Christmas Cat Embroidered Sweatshirt is a gift they can wear while the cat is wrecking the tree.
5. Vintage Christmas Kitty sweatshirt
A quieter holiday option with a retro look. Pick the Vintage Christmas Kitty Embroidered Sweatshirt when the recipient likes cats but not loud novelty prints.
6. Everybody Wants to Be a Cat sweatshirt
Aimed at fans of old animated musicals. Three cats dance across piano keys on the Everybody Wants To Be A Cat Embroidered Sweatshirt. The sand color goes with almost any wardrobe.
7. Custom pet sweatshirt
The safest pick when you do not know their taste but you know their cat. The Custom Pet Embroidered Sweatshirt puts the pet's face and name on the chest, with a small paw on the sleeve.
Personalized gifts for cat lovers
Personalized cat lover gifts work for the person who already owns every cat-themed object. A name or a face cannot be duplicated, so the gift will not clash with anything on their shelf. One warning before you order: custom items cannot be returned, so check every letter of the name.
8. Embroidered pet hoop
Hang a small hoop on a bedroom wall and it will not take over the room. Browse the Pet Hoop collection if the recipient would rather display the gift than wear it.
9. Paw print keepsake frame
Press the cat's paw into pet-safe clay, let it set, and frame it. This suits the person whose cat is getting old, because a paw print cannot be redone later.
10. Illustrated cat portrait
Send a clear, well-lit photo and ask an illustrator for a hand-drawn version. Filter apps make a portrait that looks like a filter. A real illustration is something people frame.
11. Name necklace with a cat silhouette
Choose one that matches the actual coat and ear shape if you can. A tuxedo cat and a fluffy longhair do not look alike, and the recipient will notice.
12. Engraved wooden ornament
Ornaments come out every December, so this gift gets a second life each year. It also hangs from a bookshelf hook in January, when the tree is gone.
Practical gifts for cat lovers
Practical gifts suit the person who complains about fur on the couch and still would not trade the cat. Start with the problem you have watched them deal with, then buy the fix.
13. Reusable pet hair roller
Sticky sheets run out halfway through the sofa. Buy a roller that pulls hair into a tray and empties out, since it costs a bit more and keeps working for years.
14. Window perch
Cats watch birds for hours, so a seat at the glass gets used every day. Measure the window ledge first, because a perch that does not fit becomes another box in the closet. If they rent, look for one that mounts without drilling.
15. Water fountain
Some cats ignore a still bowl and drink from the tap. Moving water solves that, and steel or ceramic is easier to scrub than plastic. Plan on washing it every week.
16. Litter trapping mat
Grit on bare feet at 6 a.m. is a daily complaint, and a textured mat by the box catches litter before it reaches the hallway.
17. Catnip grow kit
Fresh catnip in a windowsill pot gets used up, which suits people with crowded shelves. Tuck in a handwritten note about the cat who will hog it.
18. Washable cat blanket
Get a throw that goes in the washing machine, because it will be covered in hair within a week. Pick a dark color, which hides fur better than cream.
19. Sisal scratching post
For the recipient with torn-up chair legs. Choose a tall, heavy post, since a wobbly one gets ignored after the first push.
20. Treat tin with a tight lid
Cats learn what a crinkly bag means, and a lidded tin on the counter keeps treats fresh and ends the 3 a.m. raid.
Funny gifts for cat lovers
Funny cat lover gifts are for coworkers, gift exchanges and friends who laugh at their own pets. Keep the price low and the joke clear. If the gift needs a paragraph of explanation, skip it.
21. Cat pun enamel pins
Pins sold as a box look like a proper present, and they clip onto a tote strap or jacket collar.
22. Cat wine glass markers
Party hosts lose track of glasses all night. Little cats that clip to the rim fix that, and they double as a stocking stuffer.
23. Cat coasters
Every guest who sets a drink down sees the coaster. Choose a set with several designs.
24. Cat humor comic book
Short comics about cats judging their owners can be read in five minutes, then left on the coffee table to start conversations.
25. Cat stacking game
Wooden cats balance on a tower until someone knocks it over. It works at family gatherings where nobody agrees on a board game.
26. Cat-shaped pancake or egg mold
Silicone molds turn weekend breakfast silly in a good way, which makes this a small gift for a person who cooks on Saturdays.
27. Tiny cat figurines
Mini figures of cats doing unexpected things sit on a desk or a monitor, and coworkers will stop by to ask about them.
How to choose gifts for cat people
Gifts for cat people fall into a few types, and knowing the person narrows the list quickly. Here is a short way to decide in a few minutes.
- Look at what the person already wears or carries. If they live in sweatshirts, go to the embroidered section. If they carry a tote, a hat or a pin set fits better.
- Decide if you are buying for the person or the cat. A fountain or perch serves both, while a sweatshirt is only for the owner.
- Set a budget. For a coworker, think $15 to $30. For a close friend or family member, $30 to $60 buys something personalized.
- Check the cat's quirks. A cat that knocks over bowls needs a fountain more than a decorative print does.
- Count the days. Our embroidered pieces take 3 to 7 business days in total, so order at least 10 days before you need the gift.
Gifts for cat lovers by who they are
The same cat love looks different on different people. Use these as shortcuts.
Cat lover gifts for women
Our sweatshirts are unisex and fit true to size, so you can buy by design. Black Cat Energy and the custom pet sweatshirt are good starting points. For a gift meant for the home, pick a pet hoop.
Gifts for men who love cats
Men who love cats often prefer jokes to cute. A cap with a dry line about their cat works better than a pastel portrait, and the hat fits without a size guess.
Gifts for people with cats who have everything
Skip anything printed on a mass-produced item. Go for something that only exists because of their cat: a portrait, a paw print, or a name on a sweatshirt.
Cool gifts for cats themselves
If you are shopping for the cat, keep the gift simple. A scratching post, a new blanket or fresh catnip is safer than a big piece of furniture that the cat may reject.
Mistakes to avoid when buying cat gifts
A few errors show up again and again when people shop for cat owners, so check these before you pay.
- Plants: lilies are toxic to cats. Choose catnip or cat grass if you want something green.
- Strong scents: heavy candles and sprays bother many cats and the owners who care about them.
- Wrong thread color: pick a thread that contrasts with the fabric, or the stitched words are hard to read.
- Wrong size: our sweatshirts are relaxed fit already. If the person is between two sizes, go up one, not two.
- Misspelled names: personalized items are final sale, so read the name aloud before you order.
- Dark humor for the wrong person: save sarcastic lines for friends who like them. For a new coworker, pick something gentler.
How to care for an embroidered cat gift
Include these steps on a card if you give an embroidered piece, because heat and bleach are what ruin it.
- Turn the garment inside out.
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, with no bleach or fabric softener.
- Dry on low heat or hang it up.
- Never iron directly on the stitching.
Fold sweatshirts instead of hanging them, and stuff a hat with paper when you store it.
Want more? Browse our Gifts For Pet Lovers collection. If the cat lover is someone you only see at the office, try these funny gift ideas for coworkers.
FAQ about gift ideas for cat lovers
What is a good gift for someone who loves cats?
A personalized item, such as a sweatshirt with their cat's name, is the safest choice. If you want something useful, a window perch or a water fountain works.
What to get a cat lover who already has everything?
Choose something made for their specific cat, like a portrait, paw print frame or custom embroidery. A consumable gift such as a catnip kit also avoids adding to the clutter.
How much should I spend on a cat lover gift?
For a coworker or a gift exchange, $15 to $30 is plenty. For a partner, close friend or family member, $30 to $60 usually covers something personalized.
How long does a personalized cat gift take to arrive?
Our embroidered pieces are made to order and arrive in 3 to 7 business days in total, with a tracking number. Order at least 10 days ahead for a deadline, since weekends and US holidays do not count.
Can I return an embroidered cat gift?
You can return unworn, unwashed items within 30 days, but personalized items are final sale. If a design arrives with a stitching mistake, send a photo within 7 days and we replace it for free.
Are cat lover gifts different for men and women?
Not much. Our sweatshirts are unisex, so the choice comes down to the person's taste. Ask yourself whether they prefer cute designs or dry, sarcastic lines.
