These Christmas presents are recommended by cat professionals
9/12/2025
Translation: Natalie McKay
If you want to give your cat something for Christmas, the choice is almost endless. So here are four recommendations from experts.
Are you still deciding what to get your cat for Christmas – or do you think it’s just another unnecessary act of commercialisation? No matter how you feel about it: alongside a lot of junk, some gifts for pets can actually be useful.
Experts know best. That’s why I asked four behaviourists and animal psychologists what they would give as a gift. Last year, dog experts gave us their tips.
KONG Kickeroo Cuddler: the anti-frustration toy
Noëlle Chevalley is a cat behaviourist and nutritionist (linked website in German). She often recommends the KONG Kickeroo Cuddler – especially for cats that like to wrestle. They can hold on to the toy, bite into it and kick it with their hind legs. «It gives animals an outlet for their energy, stress and frustration, so they lash out less at their fellow cats,» says Noëlle Chevalley.
PetSafe Slimcat: the diet ball
Animal psychologist Dominque Gloor (linked website in German) is a big fan of the PetSafe Slimcat food-dispensing ball. It has adjustable holes, so you can fill it with almost all types of dry food. Small portions tumble out when cats play with it. This stops overweight cats gobbling down their food, and helps them lose weight. «It doesn’t just keep cats busy when they’re alone. It also deepens their relationship with their owner while playing,» explains Dominique Gloor.
Trixie play mat: the hide and seek game
Cat psychologist Brigitte Richner (linked website in German) also believes it’s important for humans and animals to strengthen their relationship through play. She recommends the play mat from Trixie. It has holes of different sizes, and its shape can be changed as you choose. «Lots of cats love it when you make a feather duster disappear and reappear,» says Brigitte Richner. But cats can also occupy themselves with the play mat. «Some cats deliberately hide their play mouse behind a raised section, lie in wait, then pounce on it.»
The 10-treats game: the non-product
Animal psychologist Christian Lenz (linked website in German) recommends a game rather than a product for interaction between cats and their owner: the 10-treats game. When your cat’s sitting in front of or next to you, count the treats out loud in one hand and place them in the other. Acknowledge that your cat’s waiting with a marker signal such as eye contact. Now drop a treat on the floor. When your cat picks it up and makes eye contact again, drop another treat on the floor.
Christian Lenz explains: «You continue like this and reward your cat until all the treats have been used up. There are so many ways you can combine it, with two cats, with tricks like giving a paw – the list goes on.»
I discuss this principle – classical conditioning – with clicker expert Chris Gasser here:
These recommendations from cat experts show that Christmas presents don’t have to break the bank, and can even be free. The most important thing is the time you spend with your pet.
What are you giving your cat? Let us know in the comments.
Header image: New Africa/Shutterstock
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
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