When you bring a playful new kitten home, it's natural to want to spoil them with fun toys. You may be wondering: Can kittens have catnip toys?
The short answer is yes! Catnip toys like the one my kitten, Nelly, is playing with below, are safe for kittens!
Kittens can enjoy catnip toys immediately, and their interest grows as they do. Kittens under three months old are drawn to a toy’s material, shape, and movement rather than the scent of catnip. As they reach 3 to 6 months of age, their sense of smell develops, and they can now fully experience catnip.
A catnip toy introduced early can easily become a long-term favorite.
What is Catnip?
Catnip (or Nepeta cataria) is a cat-attracting plant in the mint family. When cats smell catnip, it often sparks bursts of playful behaviors, such as pouncing, rolling, rubbing, and kicking. This excitement lasts for only a few minutes before cats relax again.
Catnip triggers a temporary, playful, sensory response in cats that. The best part? It's completely safe! In another article, we dive deeper into why catnip toys are safe for cats.
Kitten Toy Preference
When you're wondering "can kittens have catnip toys?" it helps to think about how they play. Kittens are naturally curious explorers. They are attracted to a toy’s texture, shape, and movement. Soft, plush catnip toys invite snuggling and gentle biting, while cat toy balls roll, mimicking prey and encouraging a chase.
These physical and sensory characteristics stimulate healthy play and help kittens develop coordination and confidence.
When Kittens Start Responding to Catnip
Kittens typically begin reacting to catnip around 3 to 6 months of age. This is the time when their olfactory system has matured enough to detect nepetalactone, the oil found in catnip.
Surprisingly, about 30% of cats may never respond to catnip due to genetics. These cats lack the gene that lets their nose detect nepetalactone.
Benefits of Catnip Toys for Kittens
- Exercise and coordination: Batting, wrestling, and chasing help kittens build muscle, improve balance, and burn energy.
- "Hunting" practice: Plush toys let kittens express their natural instincts to stare, stalk, pounce, and "kill."
- Mental stimulation: Toys keep kittens entertained and prevent boredom-related behavior like scratching furniture.
- Comfort: Soft, huggable toys give kittens something to cuddle during naps and while adjusting to a new home.
- Bonding and socialization: Play builds confidence and strengthens the bond between you and your cats.
- Training tool: Toys redirect kittens from biting hands or scratching furniture by offering a safe outlet for energy.
Kittens can certainly have catnip toys! A toy that your kitten enjoys early on can become a cherished favorite, enhanced by the familiar catnip scent as they grow.
What to Avoid in Catnip Toys for Kittens
A poorly made toy is a risk for bold, playful kittens. Many mass-produced toys use cheap materials or small parts that can be dangerous to curious kittens.
Avoid toys with:
- Unknown materials: Know what the fabric, parts, and stuffing are made of, where they are made, and whether they are safe. Kittens bite and lick these toys, so safety matters!
- Thin fabric and weak seams: Kittens' sharp teeth and claws can tear apart cheaply made toys, which can lead to swallowing fabric or stuffing.
- Dangerous parts: Beaded eyes, string tails, buttons, and feathers can detach and become choking hazards.
A Kitten-Safe Solution: Americat Company Catnip Toys
Kittens explore with their mouths. Choosing toys with thick fabric, reinforced seams, no small, detachable parts, and safe fillings is the best way to protect curious kittens while encouraging healthy play.
As a cat mom and the founder of Americat Company, I wanted toys I could trust for my cats, including my new kitten, Nelly. That is why we created Americat Company's kitten-safe, USA-made, catnip toys.
They are safe, durable, and handmade in the USA from carefully sourced materials.
What makes our toys kitten-safe:
- 100% made in the USA from U.S. materials
- Handsewn in Pittsburgh, PA
- Durable, 100% cotton denim twill fabric
- Stuffed with organically grown, U.S. catnip and cotton
- Crinkly hulls add an enticing sound
- No parts that could detach
My Experience with My Kitten Nelly
Nelly was two months old when the first batch of Americat Company catnip toys was created.
Although she was too young to react to catnip, she instantly loved the toys. The durable cotton denim was satisfying to bite and grab, yet soft for her to rest on. The crinkly sounds of the hulls sparked her curiosity and kept her entertained.
The shape and size made them easy to chase and wrestle. These toys are small enough to not feel "scary," yet big enough to feel like "prey."
From Kittenhood to Adulthood: Toys that Grow with Your Cat
The best cat toys aren’t just for a season; they grow with your cats.
A well-made catnip toy can start as a comfort item during kittenhood and continue as a favorite in adulthood. Kittens initially enjoy the texture and movement, while adult cats are drawn to the scent of catnip.
Because Americat Company catnip toys are crafted from durable, cotton denim twill and filled with U.S.-grown catnip, they will last as your kitten grows.
The Final Answer: Yes, Kittens Can Have Catnip Toys
By introducing high-quality, engaging toys, like those created by Americat Company, you're giving your kitten the foundation for a lifetime of fun, exercise, and enrichment.
Shop Americat Company Catnip Toys
Shop Americat Company Cat Toy Balls
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
