Your cat may rule the house, but even the most discerning feline deserves toys fit for royalty. Enter The Catnip Queen, the British family-run brand elevating feline playtime with a collection of beautifully crafted, sustainable cat toys infused with organic catnip and silvervine for the ultimate sensory indulgence.
As the owner of a British Blue Shorthair boy and a British Lilac Shorthair, I’ve discovered just how irresistible these toys are. The moment they emerged from the box, both cats were utterly captivated. They carried them proudly from room to room, tossed them into the air, rolled across the floor clutching them and refused to let them out of sight. In fact, they became so engrossed in their new royal treasures that grooming suddenly transformed from a daily negotiation into an effortless routine. While happily occupied with their favourite toy, brushing became remarkably easier, making it a welcome addition not only to playtime but to their grooming routine too.
Designed to challenge today’s throwaway culture, The Catnip Queen’s luxurious Royal Collection combines exceptional craftsmanship with long-lasting durability. The collection features regal favourites including The Count’s Moustache, Royal Catch and Royal Clutch, each finished in elegant shades of royal purple and gold, colours synonymous with royalty for centuries, complete with playful tassels and delicate bells to keep curious paws entertained.
To keep every toy feeling as exciting as the day it arrived, The Catnip Queen has also created the Royal Elixir, an exclusive refreshing spray blending organic catnip with highly potent silvervine fruit extract.
The science behind the obsession is fascinating. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), a member of the mint family, contains nepetalactone, a naturally occurring compound that triggers feelings of excitement and euphoria in around 70% of cats. Rolling, rubbing, licking and purring are all part of the wonderfully entertaining response.
Silvervine takes things a step further. Native to East Asia, this climbing plant contains multiple naturally occurring compounds, including actinidine and dihydroactinidiolide, which mimic feline pheromones and stimulate cats’ sensory receptors. Around 80% of cats respond to silvervine, making it even more universally adored than catnip and an ideal choice for cats who show little interest in traditional catnip toys.
Every product has been extensively tested by cats themselves. Founders Aimée and Matt Anderson worked alongside rescue charity Felinecare, trialling and refining every design with cats of different ages, breeds and personalities before launching the collection.
“The Catnip Queen was born out of our desire to give our own rescue cats Princess and Tiger a life of luxury after they were found abandoned in a cardboard box. And now we want other down-at-paw kittens to experience the same meow-ments of joy, so we’re donating 1% of all our sales to Felinecare.
“We know there are approximately 10.2 million cats in the UK with almost one household in four home to a cat. And the cat toy market is huge – worth millions, but mostly comprising short-lived, poor quality toys. The Catnip Queen is here to challenge the assumption that toys for our important feline friends can’t last.
“Our toys are designed to be kept and refreshed, not replaced, using our Royal Elixir spray, making us a purrfectly greener choice; reducing your pets’ carbon ‘pawprint’ by replacing their flimsy, short-lived toys with beautifully crafted, made to last ones they’d choose for themselves.”
That philosophy of sustainability is what truly sets the brand apart. Rather than replacing worn-out toys every few weeks, owners simply refresh them with the Royal Elixir, extending their lifespan while reducing waste without compromising on feline excitement.
Beautifully made, thoughtfully designed and enthusiastically approved by two extremely demanding British Shorthairs, The Catnip Queen proves that luxury isn’t reserved solely for humans. Sometimes, the most important member of the household has four paws.
The Catnip Queen’s sustainable cat toys are available from thecatnipqueen.com, Amazon and eBay.
