Gifts for cat lovers
By Tayson O'Hara, Stillbrook Portraits. Updated October 1, 2026.
The short answer
The best gifts for a cat lover are about their cat, not just about cats in general. Something with their cat's face or name, or something that makes their cat's life better, beats another mug with a cartoon cat on it. If you're not sure, a small, useful thing for the cat plus a kind note is hard to get wrong.
We make portraits of pets, so we have a side in this. Most of the ideas below are things we don't sell.
Personal gifts with their cat's face or name
A portrait of their cat. A painting, a drawing or a printed illustration from a favorite photo. It's the gift they'll look at every day. An artist's original takes weeks; a printed portrait arrives sooner and costs less. What pet portraits cost
A custom ornament. With the cat's name, or a small photo. It comes out every December, which makes it a gift that keeps being remembered.
A photo book or calendar. Gather their best cat photos (they've probably shared plenty) into a small book or a calendar for next year.
An engraved ID tag or collar. Practical and personal, if their cat wears one.
Gifts their cat will actually use
A gift for the cat is a gift for the person. These are the things cat people often want but rarely buy for themselves.
- A window perch or wall shelves. Cats like height and a view. A good-looking perch doubles as furniture.
- A water fountain. Many cats prefer running water and drink more from a fountain.
- A heated or self-warming bed. Especially for an older cat, or a cold house.
- Puzzle feeders and interactive toys. Good for indoor cats who need something to do.
- A really good scratching post. Tall, heavy, and not wobbly. Most cheap ones are too short.
If you can, ask quietly what the cat already has, or what it ignored last time.
Small gifts under $25
- A catnip or silvervine toy set
- A lint roller that actually works, for the black sweater they avoid wearing
- A framed print of a favorite photo of their cat
- A donation in their cat's name to a local cat rescue, with a card saying so
- A digital portrait file of their cat to use as a phone background ($24.99 from us)
For the cat mom or cat dad who has everything
- Time. Offer to cat-sit so they can take a weekend away without worrying.
- A portrait for the wall. Most people have a hundred photos of their cat on their phone and none framed.
- A gift card for something they'd love. A portrait gift card lets them choose their own favorite photo; ours never expire.
- Something for a cat rescue, in their name. Many rescues publish wish lists of supplies.
If their cat has died
A gift after a loss is different. The ones people keep are gentle and personal: a framed photo, a portrait from a favorite photo, or a donation in the cat's name. We wrote a separate guide for that: pet memorial gift ideas, and what to write in the card: what to say when someone loses a pet.
How to choose
- Think about their cat, not cats. The more specific the gift, the more it means.
- Get the photo quietly. For anything with the cat's face, pick a photo they've already shared, or ask someone close to them. A clear, well-lit face works best.
- Check the size of their home. A big cat tree is a lovely gift for a house and a burden in a small apartment.
- When in doubt, go small and useful, with a handwritten note about their cat.
Shopping for more than one pet person? See our gifts for dog lovers.
A Stillbrook portrait of their cat
Our portraits are made from a photo you already have, in soft Watercolor, Royal (a velvet cloak and a gold chain) or Floral style. Each one is a digital illustration made with AI tools, checked by a person on our team, and printed to order on canvas, as a framed print or as an unframed paper print. It is not painted by hand.
- You see the portrait free before you pay, so you'll know it looks like their cat.
- Paper prints from $49 and canvas from $89.99, with free standard shipping in the US. Add a gift message; prices are never on the packing slip.
- For Christmas 2026, order by December 9 (December 7 if you ask for a change to the preview). After that, a digital file (by December 22) or a gift card (any time).
Giving it as a gift? A gift card lets them choose the photo.
Questions people ask
What do you get a cat lover who has everything?
Something about their own cat: a portrait from a favorite photo, a custom ornament, or a photo book. Or give time, like cat-sitting so they can get away, or a donation to a cat rescue in their name.
What are good gifts for a cat mom?
Personal gifts with her cat's face or name, like a portrait, an ornament or a framed photo, or something that makes her cat's life better, like a window perch, a water fountain or a heated bed.
What is a good cheap gift for a cat lover?
A catnip or silvervine toy set, a framed photo of their cat, a good lint roller, or a donation to a cat rescue in their name. A digital portrait file of their cat is $24.99 from us.
Are personalized gifts good for cat lovers?
Usually the best kind. A gift with their own cat's face or name shows you know what matters to them, and it tends to be kept for years.
How do I get a photo of their cat for a gift without asking?
Use one they've already shared on social media or in a group chat, or ask a partner or close friend. Choose a clear photo where the cat's face and eyes are easy to see.
When should I order a custom cat portrait for Christmas?
For Stillbrook, order a canvas or framed print by December 9, or by December 7 if you ask for a change to the preview. After that, a digital file or a gift card still arrives by email in time.