GiftsStart here
Gifts for Big Cat Lovers: Ideas by Person and by Cat
Gift ideas for people who live with a Maine Coon, Ragdoll or other big cat, grouped by person: new owners, groomers, travelers, cozy homes and the big gift.
We earn from qualifying purchases through links on this page. How we make money.
The best gift for someone with a big cat is either gear sized for a 15 to 20 pound adult (a large litter box, a sturdy cat tree, a roomy carrier) or something that celebrates the breed, like a Maine Coon ornament or print. Match it to the person: new owner, groomer, traveler or homebody.
Gifts for cat people are easy to get wrong in one direction: too small. A bed, carrier or tree made for an average cat may not fit a Maine Coon or Ragdoll, whose males can reach or exceed 20 pounds by the registry’s account. The ideas below are grouped by the person you are buying for, with links to the guides that explain the sizing. They work for December holidays, birthdays, Mother’s Day or the week a new cat comes home.
Never a pet as a surprise
We do not suggest kittens or cats as gifts, and we do not link sellers of animals. A new cat is a decision for the person who will care for it.
For the cat dad or cat mom who loves the breed
Breed-themed gifts are the easiest place to start: an ornament of a Maine Coon or Ragdoll, a mug, socks or a framed print. They suit any budget, they never need sizing, and they make good gifts for a colleague or a neighbor whose cat you know by name.
Look for pieces that show the breed’s features: the Maine Coon’s tufted ears and ruff, the Ragdoll’s pointed coat and blue eyes. Our breed hub describes how each breed looks, which helps when a listing just says “long-haired cat.”
Maine Coon and Ragdoll gifts
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
For the new big-cat owner
Someone who has just brought home a large breed kitten or adult needs gear that fits the grown cat. These three make the most difference:
An extra large litter boxHow big a litter box a large cat needs, by the sizing rule veterinary behavior guidelines use.Photo: Ocdp / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
A heavy-duty cat treeThe base, post and perch details that keep a tree steady under a heavy cat.
A large carrierCarrier size, hard versus soft, and what to check before a vet visit or a flight.If you do not know the cat’s size, ask, or choose a gift card for a pet store instead. A litter box that is too small is a gift that ends up in the garage.
For the cozy home
Big cats like to stretch out. A large or heated bed, a deep window perch or a throw for the cat’s favorite chair all suit the person whose cat rules the sofa. The AAFP and ISFM environmental needs guidelines note that perches should be wide enough and long enough for the cat to stretch fully, which is the measure to check for a large breed.
Large and heated cat beds
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
For the groomer, the traveler and the player
Three smaller gifts by person
- The groomer. A wide-toothed metal comb and a slicker brush for a long coat, or good claw clippers. See grooming a Maine Coon.
- The traveler and adventurer. A well-fitted harness and leash, or a backpack carrier sized for a big cat. See harnesses for large cats.
- The player. Heavy-duty wand toys with spare lures, big kicker toys, or a wide tunnel. See toys for large cats.
For the big gift
For a family gift or a milestone, a furniture-grade cat tree or a litter box cabinet is the kind of purchase people put off for themselves. Furniture-grade trees use solid wood or modular wall systems and look like part of the room. Before buying, check the maker’s stated weight limit for each platform and the base size. A litter box cabinet must hold a box big enough for the cat, so check its inside dimensions; see litter box furniture.
Furniture-grade and wall-mounted cat trees
Live listings, shown by eBay
Opens eBay in a new tab. Check condition, seller feedback and returns.
How to size a gift for a big cat
If the gift is for the cat, a quick question to the owner saves a return. These are the numbers to ask for, and where each one matters:
| Gift | What to check | Why it matters for a big cat |
|---|---|---|
| Litter box | The cat’s length, nose to base of tail | Veterinary behavior guidelines size the box by body length |
| Cat tree or perch | The cat’s weight; the maker’s platform limit | Perches made for average cats can tip or sag |
| Carrier | Weight and length; airline limits if they fly | The cat should fit without crouching |
| Harness | Chest girth behind the front legs | Sizes follow each maker’s chart |
| Bed | How the cat sleeps, curled or stretched out | A stretched-out Maine Coon needs a long bed |
Breed gifts, grooming tools and toys need no sizing, which makes them the safe choice when you cannot ask.
Gifts by moment
- December holidays. Breed ornaments, a cat stocking with kicker toys, or a heated bed for winter.
- Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. A print or mug of the person’s own breed, or the big gift the family splits.
- Birthdays. Something the person would not buy for themselves: a furniture-grade tree or a good grooming set.
- A new cat’s first week. The sized-up basics above, before the small ones get outgrown.
Stocking stuffers
Small gifts that suit a big cat: catnip kicker toys long enough for a big cat to hug, replacement lures for a wand toy, a cat stocking, or a breed ornament for the tree. Keep string, ribbon and tinsel away from cats when the wrapping comes off: see the safety notes in toys for large cats.
Frequently asked questions
What do you get someone with a Maine Coon?
Something sized for a big cat or something that celebrates the breed. Practical picks are an extra large litter box, a sturdy cat tree or a large carrier; fun picks are breed ornaments, mugs and prints. If you are unsure of sizes, a breed gift is the safe choice.
What is a good gift for a new cat owner with a large breed?
Gear for the grown cat. Large breeds keep growing for years, and the Maine Coon can take up to three years to reach full size by the registry's account, so a box, tree or carrier bought for the adult will not need replacing.
Are cat gifts good for the holidays?
Yes, but avoid giving a live animal as a surprise present. Gear, toys and breed-themed gifts work any time of year: December holidays, birthdays, Mother's Day or a new cat's first week home.
Sources
- Maine Coon CatThe Cat Fanciers' Association
- RagdollThe Cat Fanciers' Association
- AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines (2013)Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, hosted by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
Filed under Gifts
Keep reading
Start here
Caring for a Large Cat: Weight, Joints, Heart and Grooming
How caring for a large breed cat differs from an average cat: judging weight by body condition, joints, heart screening, feeding and grooming, from vet sources.
Care
Start here
Large Cat Breeds: Which Grow Biggest and How Big They Get
The large cat breeds by registry size: Maine Coon, Ragdoll, RagaMuffin, Norwegian Forest Cat, Siberian and British Shorthair, with weights and age at full size.
Breeds
Start here
Supplies for Large Cats: What to Size Up and What to Skip
Which cat supplies need sizing up for a large cat, from litter boxes and trees to carriers and harnesses, how to measure your cat, and what can stay standard.
Supplies