The Best Catnip Balls

A catnip ball is a great way to treat your cat while sneaking in some health benefits. These attachable fixtures give your cat a tasty snack to lick on that will also clean their teeth as they nibble. But not every catnip ball will be suitable for your feline, which is why we've made this list of the ones we were most impressed by. Read on and get ready to introduce your cat to their new favorite pastime.

What to Look For

There were three big things we considered when deciding whether a catnip ball should make the cut or not: do cats find it delicious? Does it provide benefits such as increased dental health? Finally, is it easy to set up, put away, and replace as necessary? Every catnip ball on our list was weighed against these three measures and passed with flying colors. Our favorite was the Potaroma ball due to its tasty, all-natural ingredients and excellent tooth-cleaning abilities. We were also impressed with the rotatable Kayina ball and its ability to give your cat a new angle on snacktime with each lick. Keep reading to see which catnip ball will fit best with your kitty meal plan.

Potaroma Teeth Cleaning Edible Catnip Balls

Healthy and tasty

From dental to digestive health, this catnip ball contains everything you want from one of these treats.
Best Overall

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Anyone interested in a good catnip ball won’t be steered wrong by this tasty trio. Potaroma provides three excellent balls that make for a great cat snack as well as an effective way to keep their teeth clean. Each ball is also a different flavor, making each snack time a unique experience. This catnip ball set will make a great way to reward your cat for good behavior.

Pros 

  • Many cats enjoy the texture of this catnip ball and like to rub against it.  
  • They make a good way to treat cats who ordinarily don’t enjoy catnip in traditional forms.  

Cons 

  • They can leave a mark on certain types of walls when removed.   

Potaroma Silvervine Catnip Balls

A moveable feast

Thanks to this multi-pack, your cat won't be short on tasty treats for a while.
Runner Up

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This catnip ball fixture offers even more tasty goodness than the typical pack provides. These four rotatable balls fix to the wall in a single line, making the set a veritable catnip buffet for your kitty. It also sticks firmly to the wall, meaning even the most excitable cats won’t knock it off. One catnip ball makes a great diversion for your cat, and four are even better.  

Pros 

  • Each catnip ball comes with an easy-to-use cap for covering it when snack time is over.  
  • The sugar ball makes a fun way to stimulate older cats who aren’t as active as they used to be.  

Cons 

  • That said, the sugar ball is a hit-or-miss attraction, with some cats showing no interest in it.  

Kayina Three-Piece Edible Catnip Balls

Cute treat

Whether you choose the crab or ice cream design, we think you'll love the look of this adorable catnip ball set.
Best Design

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The delightful design of this catnip ball set will brighten up treat time for both you and your cat. Each adorable crab fixture comes in a different vibrant color and features a cover that snaps tightly over the catnip ball to prevent excessive snacking. The natural mint ingredients keep their breath fresh and their digestive tract healthy. This catnip ball set strikes a great balance between visual appeal and pure, tasty goodness. 

Pros 

  • This set also comes in a cute ice cream cone design.  
  • The catnip is fairly mild, making it a good choice if you don’t want your cat going especially wild.  

Cons 

  • The adhesive foam has a habit of sticking to the wall when the catnip ball is removed.  

Civaner Edible Catnip Balls

Plenty to go around

Quantity and quality are available in spades here.
Best Value

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Most catnip ball sets have a generous selection of treats, but this one takes it to the next level. With six balls and three flavors, this set can satisfy almost any family of cats in a way only catnip provides. And with no added preservatives, it’s completely safe for the majority of cats as well. Getting a lot for a little is one of the best feelings in life, and that’s what this catnip ball set delivers. 

Pros 

  • The strong adhesive won’t degrade no matter how long your cat bats at or rubs against its catnip ball.  
  • The variety of flavors increases the chances that your cat will find something they like.  

Cons 

  • The number of balls can make it hard to remember which flavor is which.  

SmartyKat Compressed Catnip Ball

Roam free

This catnip ball can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.
Best Unattached Catnip Ball

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This unique catnip ball doesn’t have to be fixed to the wall or floor for your cat to enjoy it. It functions as both a toy and a treat, letting your cat bat it around the room before catching it and enjoying their snack. The catnip itself is highly compressed, so there’s little worry of it causing a mess as it rolls around. Mixing snack time and playtime is a natural process with the help of this catnip ball.  

Pros 

  • They can be ordered in sets of five, allowing you to always have a spare catnip ball on hand.  
  • At an inch and a half in diameter, it’s somewhat larger than the standard catnip ball.  

Cons 

  • They make a loud noise when rolling across hardwood floors. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best material for a catnip ball?

While catnip is the key ingredient of any catnip ball, we’ve noticed that many of the most highly reviewed examples tend to be made of either silvervine or mint leaves. The important thing is that you find one made of an all-natural ingredient that won’t upset your cat’s tummy.

What advantage does a catnip ball have over standard catnip?

Sprinkling around catnip can get messy, which is why compressing it into a clean, easy-to-lick surface for your kitty is such a boon to so many cat owners. Plus, since most are made to be fixed to the wall or floor, you’ll always have a reliable spot in the house to treat your cat.

About the Author

Chris is a freelance writer living in Austin with his kitten and elderly cat. Chris adores his cats and understands the joys and struggles of owning more than one feline. With so many options out there, Chris wants to help you find the products to make sure your cat is happy and healthy.

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