Last updated Feb 13, 2025
Looking to pamper your cat? A cat subscription box is fun for everyone. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
We all love getting something fun in the mail. Doubly so when it includes goodies for our cats! In the past, pet subscriptions have been largely focused on dogs. Lucky for us cat people, a growing number of feline-focused boxes have hit the market in recent years. Cat subscription boxes are great for introducing new toys, promoting enrichment, and discovering new pet brands and items. Some even let you surprise a friend with a delivery!
Receiving a cat subscription box should make you feel like it’s your cat’s birthday every month, but if you choose the wrong service, you’ll end up with regrets and a house full of unwanted toys. To help you select the box that will make you and your cat happy, we’ve tested several popular plans. In this guide, we’ll share highlights of the best cat subscription boxes and, more importantly, what our cats thought about them.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cat Subscription Boxes
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
KitNipBox
- Treat-free option for cats with dietary restrictions
- Toys are filled with Grade A catnip grown in North America
- KitNipBox donates to animal shelters, rescues, TNR efforts, and other feline welfare causes
RescueBox
- Each box feeds 60 shelter animals
- Came with three edible items (might be a con for some cat parents, though)
- Available for dogs, too (lets you specify breed size: small, medium, or large)
meowbox
- Monthly or bi-monthly options
- You get to choose the theme of your first box from three options (or choose “Surprise me!”)
- They send a free birthday toy once per year (you select the month)
CatLadyBox
- An oh-so-soft orange cat t-shirt
- A package of orange cat bandaids (which my daughter immediately put to good use)
- Orange cat tumbler with metal straw (love!)
BoxCat
- Paw butter (smelled divine!)
- A bag of crunchy handmade treats
- Two small plush toys
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
There are a growing number of cat subscription services hitting the market, so I started this review with a deep dive into all the different options out there. I read countless reviews, round-ups, and customer testimonials to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the different boxes available.
During the ordering process, I took note of any customization options, how easy the boxes were to order, and how streamlined the websites were to navigate. I also took into account the shipping times and any shipping fees.
Once I received my boxes, I evaluated them on value, weighing the costs of individual items against the box’s total cost. Boxes with a variety of quality toys that had wide cat appeal received higher marks.
Our rankings are determined by a variety of factors. Each cat will have different needs and preferences, so while KitNipBox is our top choice, it may not be ideal for your unique cat. To help you choose the right subscription box for your cat, we’ve broken down our recommendations by their overall value, quality of items included, shipping cadence, and other key considerations.
This roundup was originally written by Mallory Crusta and has since been updated by Liz Coleman.
#1 Overall Best: KitNipBox
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
KitNipBox ticked a lot of, well, boxes. Hence, its #1 spot on our list. This box is a great value, the contents were a hit with my cats, shipping was fast (and free for customers in the U.S.!), and the customer service was top-notch.
Each KitNipBox is filled with toys, treats, and accessories curated around a surprise theme. Past themes include video games, gardening, and brunch, with timely-themed boxes around holidays. I received a “date night” box, and it was adorably sweet.
You can choose between two subscription plans: a smaller “Happy Cat” box, which is $19.99/month and includes 5 items; and a “Multi-Cat” option, which is $29.99/month and includes 7 items. You can’t choose the types of treats you want to receive, but you can opt for a treat-free box if you’d rather not get food.
The toys in my KitNipBox were mostly catnip-infused plushies, with the addition of a dangling wand toy. So, there wasn’t much variety, at least not in that particular shipment. This wasn’t an issue for my catnip-loving kitty, but might disappoint others.
A cat-sized box sweetens the deal. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
KitNipBox subscription boxes are currently available in the United States, Canada, and Australia, but the company will try to accommodate orders in other countries. Shipping is free in the United States, but they charge $6.95 and $7.95 to ship to Canada and Australia, respectively.
What We Liked:
- Treat-free option for cats with dietary restrictions
- Toys are filled with Grade A catnip grown in North America
- KitNipBox donates to animal shelters, rescues, TNR efforts, and other feline welfare causes
- If you’re shopping for a cat lover, you can give KitNipBox as a gift
- Responsive customer service
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not much customization
- Our box didn’t have a lot of variety
#2 Best for Rescue Cats: RescueBox
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
A subscription box that supports a good cause? Yes, please! Partnering with The Animal Rescue Site, each RescueBox funds dozens of meals for shelter animals in need.
Monthly boxes are $29.95 and contain five pet products valued over $40. Boxes are said to have a unique theme—though, aside from two veggie-themed toys, there wasn’t much of a common thread running through our package.
Our RescueBox arrived within a few days and came with:
- A set of five handmade plush “veggie” toys
- Catnip kicker toy by ZippyClaws
- A bag of “Yam Good Salmon” crunchy treats by Shameless Pets (packed with omega 3s and 6s)
- A 4-pack of chunky wet food in gravy
- A packet of Pawlicks: organic catnip & chicken that can be fed as a treat
It was unclear if the veggie set had catnip, but the kicker toy certainly did, as my cat’s effusive enthusiasm indicated. The majority of treats and chews are made in North America, with select chews sourced from South America in USDA facilities. No edible items come from China.
What We Liked:
- Each box feeds 60 shelter animals
- Came with three edible items (might be a con for some cat parents, though)
- Available for dogs, too (lets you specify breed size: small, medium, or large)
What We Didn’t Like:
- No customization options
- No longer offer the option to gift a RescueBox
#3 Best Bi-Monthly Plan: meowbox
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
For folks on a budget or those who don’t want to be inundated with cat toys every month, a less frequent shipping cadence will appeal. Meowbox was the only subscription service I could find that offered a bi-monthly plan.
For $25.95, you receive a themed box with at least one treat and four toys. First-time subscribers have the option to choose the theme for their first box (though I still opted to be surprised.)
We received a clever “Ameowzing Home Makeover” box. I was delighted that our box was personalized with Floyd’s name—how sweet! A card detailed the different types of toys you might find in your meowbox order and how they benefit cats, which might be of particular interest to new cat parents.
All of the toys were made exclusively for meowbox. They included crinkle kicker toys, a wand toy, and a multi-part plush toy with removable velcro swatches. The toy I found most interesting was a silvervine “paintbrush,” a nice addition for cats who aren’t big on catnip. There was also a (very fishy-smelling) bag of salmon and seaweed treats.
Edible items can be swapped for toys if your cat is picky or on a special diet. Unfortunately, this one took longer to arrive: about 14 business days after ordering.
What We Liked:
- Monthly or bi-monthly options
- You get to choose the theme of your first box from three options (or choose “Surprise me!”)
- They send a free birthday toy once per year (you select the month)
- Every purchased meowbox triggers a donation of canned food to a shelter
- Can be given as a gift
What We Didn’t Like:
- Took longer to ship (about 14 business days)
- None of the plushies appeared to have catnip
#4 Best Budget: CatLadyBox
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
While this cat subscription box is a touch more expensive than some others on this list, it has an interesting twist—it’s designed for both cat ladies and their kitties. You can choose between the standard CatLadyBox ($35.99), which comes with 3-4 items for the cat-loving human; or go with the “Crazy” CatLadyBox ($39.99), which adds two goodies for your cat.
Each month, a portion of the Cat Lady Box’s profits are donated to cat rescue organizations.
The company also supports independent artists and small businesses, so you’re likely to find some unique and interesting pieces in each box.
CatLadyBoxes are curated around a fun theme. We received an “Orange Cat” theme that included:
- An oh-so-soft orange cat t-shirt
- A package of orange cat bandaids (which my daughter immediately put to good use)
- Orange cat tumbler with metal straw (love!)
- Gold-plated sweetheart cat necklace (a darling gift for my cat-obsessed 9-year-old)
- Two plush catnip toys (test kitty Floyd went mildly berserk for these)
- A card detailing the box’s contents with retail values
Even with an “orange cat” theme, white kitty Floyd was all about our CatLadyBox. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Based on the prices provided on the card, our items totaled 89.95—meaning I’d save approximately $50 on a 6-month plan. Another nice feature is that you can buy individual items from past boxes on the CatLadyBox site, should something particular strike your fancy.
While I fully consider myself a Crazy Cat Lady, and I love seeing a company cater to my community of fellow cat lovers, I’d really love to see a box geared toward men, too. My hubby absolutely qualifies as a crazy cat “gentleman,” and I know he’s not the only one.
What We Liked:
- Over $70 value in each box
- You can gift a box to the special Cat Lady in your life
- CatLadyBox donates to rescues with each purchase
- Free shipping to the U.S.
What We Didn’t Like:
- No customization, and you can’t opt out of treats
- Caters primarily to females—love to see a neutral option or one geared towards cat gentlemen
#5 Best Luxury Option: BoxCat
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
If your budget has some wiggle room, BoxCat offers a monthly luxury plan for $45 that comes with one special big-ticket item. This can include beds, tunnels, scratchers, and more. Each BoxCat delivery also features a vegan skincare item that retails for $14.99 and up, such as cbd oil, shampoos, and balms.
The company also offers a cheaper basic plan ($28/month) and a quarterly seasonal plan with four giant boxes per year ($50/quarter). Plans are cheaper if you prepay for six months. Shipping is free for all plans.
We tried the luxury plan and were impressed. Our shipment arrived quickly—about five business days. Because it was a first-time shipment, our box also included a free velvet cat blanket (retailed at $24.99). My cat immediately claimed ownership and proceeded to coat it with a layer of white hair.
Our box’s “luxury” item was a retractable cat wand by PetGravity. This compact toy would be convenient for traveling. It came with an interchangeable feather dangler, and it had a laser pointer on one end.
Aside from our luxury item, everything in the package was BoxCat branded. We received:
- Paw butter (smelled divine!)
- A bag of crunchy handmade treats
- Two small plush toys
- An adorable plush cloud toy attached to a silvervine stick
- One plush kicker toy
Since Floyd is more of a nap fiend than a bunny-kicking athlete, the kicker made a fine pillow, post-catnip haze.
The perfect cat-sized body pillow for our champion napper. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
BoxCat might be a good fit if you’re interested in discovering unique items that aren’t available anywhere else. While pricey, the luxury plan is also a fun way for new cat parents to round out their pet’s space with beds, scratchers, and other enrichment items.
What We Liked:
- Offers a nice variety of items, including treats, toys (plush & electronic), skincare, beds, blankets, and more
- Exclusive items you won’t find in stores
- Fast & free shipping
- Monthly and quarterly plans available
- Prepay options save you money
What We Didn’t Like:
- More expensive than other options
- No option to gift this box
How to Choose the Best Subscription Box for Your Cat
Every cat subscription plan offers something different. Here’s how to choose. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
As you can see, every cat subscription box offers something a little different. If you’re looking to splurge on a monthly parcel of joy, there are a few key items to consider.
- Cost: Cat subscription boxes range from under $20 to over $50 per month, so you’ll want to weigh your budget against the box’s value.
- Shipping cadence: Most boxes ship monthly, but some offer bi-monthly or quarterly plans. Consider how often you want you’d like a new rotation of toys.
- Types of items included: The best cat subscription boxes will offer interesting, high-quality products. And they should be relevant to your cat’s preferences. A cat with dietary restrictions, for instance, may want to skip a box focused heavily on edible treats.
- Easy account navigation: The best cat subscription box services have straightforward websites that make it easy to cancel, adjust delivery frequency, or change your shipping address. While it’s always easy to cancel the subscription in theory, some services make things more complicated.
- Customization: Great cat subscription boxes offer personalization. Whether that means a note addressed to your cat or the ability to choose the types of products included in the box, a little uniqueness makes each delivery a reason to celebrate. Most of the boxes we found were notably limited in this department. However, some do a better job than others by letting shoppers opt out of treats,or choose the theme of their first box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cat subscription boxes worth it?
They can be. A regular delivery of new toys keeps things fresh and makes feline enrichment easier. Some toys encourage exercise, and others promote interaction and bonding. Plus, it never hurts to have a bag of healthy treats in the house.
That said, if you’re weighing a cat subscription box against something like pet insurance, it’s clear which is the more practical choice.
Can I control what comes in my cat subscription box?
Most services are pretty set in what they include. But some may let you nix treats in favor of more toys.
Can I gift someone with a cat subscription box?
Sometimes! Of the boxes we tested, KitNipBox, CatLadyBox, meowbox, and Pet Treater offer this option.
What if my cat doesn’t like what comes in my box?
This is always a risk with cat toys. Most boxes come with a variety of goodies, so your cat is bound to find something they like. If not, check on the company’s return policy. RescueBox offers refunds within 90 days. CatLadyBox, on the other hand, has a no-return policy. If you’re stuck with a box of unwanted toys, consider donating them to a shelter, which will be happy to take them off your hands.