The best gifts for someone with a new cat are the useful basics they might not have yet: a sturdy cat tree, a scratcher or two, a long wand toy, a fur roller, a water fountain and a good brush. Skip food and litter unless you know what the cat already eats and uses. Cats can be picky.
By George, a cat dad in New Jersey and the maker of MyCatScratcher.
Heads up: MyCatScratcher is my own small New Jersey shop, so I am very biased about the Sunny Day Scratcher. Everything else here is stuff I use or that pet editors recommend. I don't make it and I don't earn anything if you buy it (no affiliate links).
Quick picks
- ClimbingYaheetech 63" Cat Tree$53.98 on Amazon
- ScratchingFUKUMARU 26.8" L-Shaped Cat Scratcher$19.79 on Amazon
Floor scratcher and nap spotMyCatScratcher Sunny Day Scratcher$89.95- PlayEarthtone Solutions Felted Wool Squid Wand$13.99 on Amazon
- Fur cleanupChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover$24.99 on Amazon
My starter kit for a new cat
These first five are what I'd hand any friend who just brought a cat home. They come straight from our house.
1. The Yaheetech cat tree
Yaheetech 63" Cat Tree
$53.98 as of Oct 2026
I have two cat towers at home, and this Yaheetech one is the best bang for your buck. Cats want to be up high, and this gives them climbing, lounging and a lookout spot without a fancy-furniture price.
Our orange half Maine Coon on the Sunny Day Scratcher painted to match, with one of our cat towers behind.
2. An L-shaped scratcher for big stretches
FUKUMARU 26.8" L-Shaped Cat Scratcher
$19.79 as of Oct 2026
L-shaped scratchers are great for cat spines. The upright part lets them reach up and do that full-body stretch while they scratch. This FUKUMARU one is the L-shape we use.
Our shop
3. The Sunny Day Scratcher, for floor scratching and napping
MyCatScratcher Sunny Day Scratcher
$89.95 as of Nov 2026
For a ground scratcher, the Sunny Day Scratcher is the best and cutest in the game. It's us, but it's true! Our cats scratch on it and then fall asleep on it. It's corrugated cardboard in a wipe-clean frame, and when the pad wears out you swap in new replacement pads instead of buying a whole new scratcher. We can custom-paint it from a photo to match the cat.
Painted from one photo: the tuxedo on this Sunny Day Scratcher, with the real cat behind it.
4. A long wooden wand with a string and a fish
Earthtone Solutions Felted Wool Squid Wand
$13.99 as of Oct 2026
This is my #1 cat toy rule: go long, go wooden, put a fish on the end. A longer wand makes it a 10x better play session, because your cat gets real room to stalk, chase and pounce. I tossed the cheap green plastic ones. This one has a thick solid wood rod, a wool cord that adjusts up to 4 feet and a felted wool squid on the end. Not technically a fish, but it's the best long wooden wand we found in stock right now.
5. A strong nylon string
Niko and Oscar's The Original Blue String
$8.49 as of Oct 2026
Sometimes the best toy is the simplest: a strong nylon string. It outlasts flimsy yarn and gets even lazy cats moving. This one's a ready-made option if you don't want to DIY.
6. A ChomChom roller for all the new fur
ChomChom Roller Pet Hair Remover
$24.99 as of Oct 2026
New cat, new fur on everything. Wirecutter and Consumer Reports both recommend this reusable roller. Consumer Reports says it was the best performer in its tests.
7. A cat water fountain
Catit Flower Water Fountain (3 L)
$32.99 as of Oct 2026
Some cats drink more from moving water. The Catit Flower fountain is on Consumer Reports's list of gifts for cat lovers.
8. A self-cleaning slicker brush
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
$16.95 as of Oct 2026
Getting a new cat used to brushing early makes life easier for everyone. A self-cleaning slicker brush is on The Spruce Pets' list of supplies to get when you adopt.
9. The Cat Dancer (a classic for a reason)
Cat Dancer 101 Interactive Toy (2-pack)
$7.98 as of Oct 2026
A cheap, springy wire teaser that cats go nuts for, recommended by Wirecutter, People and The Spruce Pets.
Our shop
10. A gift card so they can choose
MyCatScratcher Digital Gift Card
$25, as of Oct 2026
New cat parents often don't know what their cat likes yet. A gift card lets them pick a scratcher once they've met their cat's personality (and fur colors).
Safety note: string, ribbon and feather toys are for supervised play only. Put them away after every session. The Cornell Feline Health Center warns that string and other strand-like parts can be swallowed.
New to scratchers? Here's our guide on how to choose a cat scratcher.
The digital gift card comes in $25, $50 and $100, so they can send their own cat’s photo.
Questions
What do you get someone who just got a cat?
Useful basics: a sturdy cat tree, a scratcher or two, a long interactive wand toy, a fur roller, a water fountain and a brush. A gift card is a safe bet if you don't know what they already have.
What does a new cat owner need?
Beyond food, litter and a litter box: places to scratch (both upright and flat), somewhere to climb or perch, interactive toys, a carrier, a brush and fresh water. Some cats drink more from a fountain.
What should you not buy a new cat owner?
Avoid food, treats and litter unless you know what the cat already uses, and skip big furniture unless you know their space. Toys with small or stringy parts should only be used during supervised play.
Is a scratcher a good gift for a new cat or kitten?
Yes. Scratching is normal and necessary, and giving a new cat good scratchers early helps steer them away from the couch. Offer both an upright or L-shaped one and a flat one to see which they prefer.
How many scratchers does a cat need?
At least one, and ideally a couple in different spots and styles, such as one near where they sleep and one near the couch. In multi-cat homes, give each cat its own.