Life

Here's What To Get Your Cat For Valentine's Day, Cause You Love That Crazy Kitty

Jan. 8, 2019

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on December 26, stores shove the Santa figurines and snowman greeting cards on the discount shelf and start displaying heart-shaped everything. Yep, it's time to think about Valentine's Day and the tokens of affection you plan to bestow on your loved ones. For cat owners like me, that includes pets, because why leave them out of the fun? Happily, there are plenty of Valentine's Day gift ideas for cats that will have them purring their thanks.

Before you start making those tired "crazy cat lady" jokes, you might want to know that Americans spent $751 million on Valentine's Day gifts for pets last year, according to a survey from the National Retail Federation. That works out to about $5.50 per cat or dog, still considerably less than the $89 average spent on spouses or significant others. So it's not as though people are breaking the bank on their fur babies.

Still, why shouldn't you give a little something to your cats for a holiday that celebrates love? Cats comfort you on down days, entertain you with their antics, provide warmth on your laps on cold nights, and remind you of the importance of treasuring simple joys (relaxing, cuddling, a little catnip now and then). The sound frequency of a cat's purrs may even help researchers understand how bones heal, according to Scientific American.

The gifts you choose for your cat should be as individualized as your kitty itself. Fierce hunter or mellow couch potato, gourmet or athlete, there's something for every type of cat out there. This list should get you started on your quest to find the ideal V-Day present.

1Catnip Heart Toy

Catnip Filled Heart Crush Cat Toy

2Tunnel Vision

Hide and Sneak Unique Cat Toy Tunnel

Dezi & Roo

For mousers who love crawling into paper bags, this tunnel is a dream come true. Made of eco-friendly paper, it expands to three feet for maximum crawling fun, but collapses for storage when you need floor space. Best of all, the company was founded by a veterinarian who donates a portion of profits to animal charities.

$11

See On Dezi & Roo

3Magic Carpet Ride

Magic Carpet

Dezi & Roo

Also from Dezi & Roo comes this clever "carpet" designed for cats who love playing with anything that crinkles and moves. Put it on a bare floor and watch your pet swat and slide, or put some treats underneath and let them burrow to find it. One caveat: This isn't for you if your cat is the kind who eats plastic bags.

See On Dezi & Roo

4Bee-autiful Costume

Bumblebee Cat Costume

Meowington's

Some cats are remarkably good sports who calmly endure their humans' need to dress them up as something other than their magnificent cat selves. If yours is one of them, you could buy this too-cute bee suit, which is easy to slip on and snap shut. Other available costumes include a bunny, cowboy, lion and doctor.

$24

See On Meowington's

5Cat Treadmill

Cat Wheel

One Fast Cat

Some cat breeds, such as Abyssinians, Siamese, and Tonkinese, are high-activity kits who need lots of play and exercise to keep them from getting bored and stirring up mischief. This wheel is a great way for your pet to burn off that excess energy (much as a hamster wheel fulfills a rodent's need for movement). Granted, the price tag is more than you'd spend for a catnip mouse, but it might be worth it to avoid having your knickknacks knocked off the desk for the millionth time.

$200

See On One Fast Cat

6Purrfect Puree

Lickable Puree Creamy Cat Treat

7Fishing Fun

Pusheen Donut Cat Teaser Toy

Petco

It's Pusheen. And a donut. And a cat fishing-style toy. And it's less than $10. How can you lose?

See On Petco

8Track Toy

Think Track Cat Toy

Petco

When you're out of the house, your pet will stay occupied trying to bat the ball out of the round track (spoiler hint: It doesn't come out). For extra fun, the ball lights up, and there's a spring-and-feather toy on top, just begging to be swatted.

$10

See On Petco

9A Gift For You

Valentine's Day Shirt

Etsy

Show the world who your *real* sweetheart is this February. This designer also makes other custom designs for your human valentines.

$19

See On Etsy

10Heart Bowl

Metallic Pet Bowl With Hearts

Pet Supplies Plus

Just like people dishes, pet bowls should be washed after use and replaced periodically to keep bacteria from building up. If you haven't bought a new bowl in a while, here's your chance to get one that's both holiday-appropriate and priced right.

See On Pet Supplies Plus

11Best Box

ScoopFree Ultra Self-Cleaning Cat Box

$130

12Scratch Saver

Cat Nail Caps

Soft Paws

Tired of having your sweaters and jeans snagged every time your pet demands lap time? Try these caps, which cover the claws without interfering with their ability to stretch or walk. The adhesive is nontoxic, and the caps come off naturally as the nail grows.

$20

See On Soft Paws

13Natural Stress Relief

Bach Rescue Remedy

$21

14Laser Light Show

Laser Cat Toy

PetSafe

For the cat who never met a light they couldn't chase, here's a laser toy that tops the rest. You can guide the laser light yourself, or set it to beam a random pattern across the floor or wall for your cat to pursue.

$24

See On PetSafe

15A Matched Set

Cat Collar With Friendship Bracelet

Chewy

Finally, this is an oh-so-sweet way to celebrate the bond between you and your cat. This boxed set has a collar (in Valentine red, thank you) for your kitty, and a coordinating bracelet for you.

$15

$16

See On Chewy

After experiencing a traumatic c-section, this mother sought out a doula to support her through her second child’s delivery. Watch as that doula helps this mom reclaim the birth she felt robbed of with her first child, in Episode Three of Romper's Doula Diaries, Season Two, below. Visit Bustle Digital Group's YouTube page for more episodes, launching Mondays in December.