The best personalized gifts for cat moms and dads are made from a photo of their own cat: a scratcher custom-painted to match their cat, a pet portrait or portrait painting class, or a mug, sweatshirt, socks or ornament with their cat's face. For something their cat will use every day, go with a custom-painted scratcher. For something just for them, go with a portrait or embroidered sweatshirt.
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
Best overall (for the cat and the human)MyCatScratcher Sunny Day Scratcher$89.95- Best experienceUncommon Goods Pet Portrait Painting Class (virtual)$35
- Best to wearWest & Willow Custom Embroidered Pet Crewneck$80 to $90 at West & Willow
- Best wall artCrown & Paw Custom Pet Canvasfrom $39.95 for a digital file, $59.95 for an unframed 8x10 print, at Crown & Paw
- Best stocking stufferCrown & Paw Custom Pet Face Ornament$15.99 at Crown & Paw
Personalized cat gifts I actually love
Our shop
1. A Sunny Day Scratcher painted to look like their cat
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.
Up close: the raised sun, clouds and hills on the side of every Sunny Day Scratcher.
Painted from one photo: the tuxedo on this Sunny Day Scratcher, with the real cat behind it.
2. A pet portrait painting class
Uncommon Goods Pet Portrait Painting Class (virtual)
$35, as of Oct 2026
For the cat parent who already has everything. It's a live, two-hour virtual class where they paint their own cat. CNN Underscored's gift editor took it and recommends it for cat lovers who don't need more "stuff."
3. An embroidered sweatshirt with their cat's face
West & Willow Custom Embroidered Pet Crewneck
$80 to $90 as of Oct 2026
CNN Underscored suggests a sweatshirt embroidered with their cat's face as a gift any cat parent will wear. West & Willow makes theirs from your pet photo.
4. A custom pet portrait canvas
Crown & Paw Custom Pet Canvas
from $39.95 for a digital file, $59.95 for an unframed 8x10 print, at Crown & Paw as of Oct 2026
Turn a favorite cat photo into wall art. Choose a digital file to print yourself, or a ready-to-hang print.
5. A mug with their cat's face on it
West & Willow Custom Pet Face Mug
$40 as of Oct 2026
Their morning coffee, with their cat staring back at them. Very sweet, a little ridiculous.
6. Custom cat-face socks
Crown & Paw Custom Face Socks
$29.99 as of Oct 2026
CNN Underscored calls custom socks with their cat's face the go-the-extra-mile upgrade over novelty cat socks. Perfect stocking stuffer.
7. A custom cat-face ornament
Crown & Paw Custom Pet Face Ornament
$15.99 as of Oct 2026
A tiny tree ornament of their actual cat. Cheap, cute, and it comes out every December.
8. A blanket hoodie printed with their cat
Cuddle Clones Custom Pet Face Blanket Hoodie (adult)
$52.50 as of Oct 2026
A cozy fleece blanket hoodie covered in their cat's face, for couch nights with the real thing.
9. Tuck in a long wooden wand toy
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.
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.
Last-minute? The MyCatScratcher Digital Gift Card comes in $25, $50 and $100, so they can pick a custom-painted scratcher matched to their own cat.
Shopping for the cat too, or for someone without a cat? Our bigger guide to the best gifts for cat lovers in 2026 has more ideas.
Questions
What is a good personalized gift for a cat lover?
Anything made from a photo of their own cat: a scratcher painted to match their cat, a custom portrait, or a mug, sweatshirt, socks or ornament with their cat's face. If they already have plenty of stuff, a virtual pet portrait painting class is a thoughtful experience gift.
What photo works best for a custom pet gift?
A clear, well-lit photo where you can see the cat's face and markings, ideally taken at eye level in daylight. If the cat has special markings, a second photo that shows them helps.
Can you get a cat scratcher customized to look like their cat?
Yes. We custom-paint the Sunny Day Scratcher to match a photo of their cat. It's $89.95 with free US shipping and 60-day returns.
What is a good memorial gift for someone who lost a cat?
A custom portrait canvas or an ornament made from a favorite photo is a gentle way to keep their cat close. Choose a calm, happy photo and keep the gift simple.
What if I can't get a photo of their cat?
Get a digital gift card so they can upload their own photo, or ask a friend or family member to quietly send you one.