Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Few things compare to the thrill of getting a fun package delivered. Now your cat can share in that joy too! Cat subscription boxes offer a convenient way to keep your cat entertained and happy, without having to shop around for new toys and treats every month.
Since we’re all about showering our cats with love, we decided to check out KitNipBox—a leading brand in the pet subscription market. Read on for feedback from my two discerning cats, plus our take on who stands to benefit most from a KitNipBox subscription.
Ratings:
Quality – 5/5
Variety – 3.5/5
Fun – 5/5
Value – 4/5
Customer Support – 5/5
Overall Score: 4.2/5
Why Trust Cats.com
Our team takes cat products seriously, and we assess them with a thoughtful eye focused on safety, practicality, and usefulness. For this review, I explored similar subscription services to see how KitNipBox compares to its competitors, zeroing in on the quality of items, value, and variety. When our boxes arrived, I observed my cats’ reactions, noting which items were a hit and which were a hard pass (keeping in mind that all cats have unique preferences, of course).
I also evaluated KitNipBox from a human consumer POV, from ordering to delivery. I took note of the sign-up process, the ease of cancellation, and the company’s customer support. I also read scores of customer reviews to see how other cat households fared with KitNipBox. Ultimately, I wanted to learn if this subscription box is worth purchasing and what types of cat parents it might suit best.
KitNipBox Brand Overview
Tissue paper remained intact just long enough to snap a photo. Then Floyd had his way with it. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Headquartered in NYC, KitNipBox was founded in 2014—and the brand has been making a name for itself ever since. The company was even presented with a CUBE Award for the Best Pet Subscription Box by the Subscription Trade Association (SUBTA) in 2017, 2018, and 2020.
KitNipBox offers a monthly delivery of curated cat toys, treats, and accessories. Currently, the brand ships to the US and Canada, though they’ll try to accommodate buyers in other countries upon request. Shipping is free within the continental U.S. and costs $6.95 for customers in Canada. The company plans to expand its shipping to other countries in the future.
Contributing to animal welfare organizations is a core part of KitNipBox’s mission. The company donates to animal shelters, rescues, TNR efforts, and other feline welfare causes. Among others, KitNipBox supports groups like MeowSquad, Wayside Waifs, and The Paw Project. Additionally, KitNipBox collaborates with local artisan suppliers that donate funds as well.
KitNipBox Subscription Features
Boxes come with a card detailing included items and their retail price. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
KitNipBox is a cat subscription service that delivers a monthly assortment of toys, treats, and accessories. Boxes are themed and always a surprise. They run the gamut from video games to gardening, with seasonal boxes around holidays.
The company offers 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. If your cat has dietary restrictions or allergies, you can opt for a treat-free box that replaces edible items with other goodies. For the sake of comparison, I ordered both the smaller box and the multi-cat option.
Happy Cat Box
Multi-Cat Box
$19.99/Month
$29.99/Month
5 items
7 items
If you’re mindful of costs, you’ll be happy to hear KitNipBox is one of the more affordable cat subscription options out there. It’s $6 cheaper than Meowbox and about $15 less than Whisker Box.
The company holds itself to a high standard by selecting items made with quality materials and working with reputable suppliers who prioritize safety. Toys are filled with Grade A catnip grown in North America. Most included treats are made in North America, too—with occasional goodies from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. All items are tested by the KitNipBox team to meet safety and quality standards before being shipped to customers.
If you’re shopping for a cat lover, you can give KitNipBox as a gift (something most cat parents would be delighted to receive). Gifted boxes can be shipped as a one-time treat or for 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. The company also offers a referral program where you can earn 15% off your next box every time someone uses your referral link to subscribe.
Boxes are delivered monthly until you choose to cancel, which is an easy and straightforward process. Just log into your account at least a week before your next shipment and follow the on-screen instructions.
What We Liked:
Surprise themes add to the fun
Quality, cat-friendly items
Offers the opportunity to discover new products and brands
Includes toys suitable for both interactive and solo play
Treats included are healthy
Free shipping in the U.S.
Easy, hassle-free cancellation
What We Dislike:
Only ships to North America (although the company will try to accommodate shipping requests to other countries)
Not much personalization or choice of items
Not a lot of toy variety
What Did Our Test Cats Think?
Floyd wasted no time getting comfy in his new box. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Since we ordered our subscription in February (the month of love), our boxes had a Date Night theme. Lots of hearts, red lips, and sweetness. Both boxes came with a card that detailed all the items included, with a breakdown of the individual costs. Our products didn’t line up exactly with the items listed on the card; however, the brand notes this happens occasionally. No biggie.
Going by the prices listed on the cards, I was able to calculate the savings of buying a KitNipBox vs. purchasing each item individually. For the smaller kit, savings came to about $12.50; for the larger kit, I saved about $11.50.
What did my cats think? Floyd was instantly lovestruck, rubbing himself against the cardboard while purring blissfully. He immediately squished himself into the box to continue inspecting the rest of his new goodies. True to form, he went mildly berserk for any catnip-infused plushies (which made up the majority of the toys, much to his delight).
What Did Our KitNipBox Include?
The cardboard box is half the fun. Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Items were identical between boxes, with the addition of two toys in the Multi-Cat box. Every month’s kit will vary, but the toys we received included:
Playful Pet XOXO Heart Wand: With dangling plush hearts and a jingling bell. Great for interactive play. ($7.00)
Queen Pet Conversation Hearts: A two-pack of plush candy hearts with bells inside, perfect for swatting and batting. ($8.00)
KitNip Love Letter: My cat’s personal favorite—another plushie filled with California-grown ‘nip. ($6.00)
Safemade All Nip Movie Ticket: My daughter was especially amused by this cheeky feline movie pass to “Frisky Business.” ($6.00)
Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats: A grain-free crunchy treat designed to support clean teeth and freshen breath. ($5.00)
(Multi-Cat Box only) KitNip Red Poly Lips: plush lips infused with catnip. ($4.00)
(Multi-Cat Box only) LEAP All Nip Champagne Glass: Stuffed with Canadian catnip. ($5.00)
All the toys we received were pretty similar plushies—no chew toys or rubber toys. This worked fine for my cats, but some might be disappointed with the lack of variety.
However, that was just a one-off experience. While this individual box didn’t have much variety, if you maintain a subscription, you’ll encounter a more diverse collection of goodies. Boxes to follow included crinkle toys, a curry brush (my new favorite), a tassel wand, and lickable treats.
Regarding the brand’s customer service: it gets a big round of applause from me. After ordering my boxes, a representative reached out to check if my double order was a mistake. When I informed them I was ordering the kits for testing purposes, they even offered to cancel one or both of the subscriptions on their end to make things easier. Super impressed.
Floyd inspects his second “Wellness-themed” KitNipBox (it received his full seal of approval). Liz Coleman / Cats.com
What Do Customers Think of KitNipBox?
Positive Reviews
By and large, most customers were happy with the assortment of toys they received. A lot of reviewers mentioned their cats went wild the instant their KitNipBox arrived: loving on it, rubbing against it, and purring up a storm. Plenty of cat parents were tickled by the cute themes, too. At the end of the day, subscription boxes should be fun, and lots of reviews thought KitNipBox was a delightful treat every month.
Love these boxes! Perfect for a two-cat household. Enough treats and new toys to go around. Love guessing the theme each time. —Lisa on KitNipBox
Cats are like kids, they tend to get tired of playing with the same toys every day. KitNipBox solves our problem by giving them fun, new toys every month that they are always so excited to receive! —The Orange Bois on KitNipBox
Negative Reviews
Negative reviews tended to circle around value: some folks didn’t think KitNipBox was worth the price. Some cat parents were unhappy with the durability of the toys, and some complained that their cats lost interest quickly (not an uncommon issue with cat toys). There were also complaints of cats who didn’t like the treats included, with some reviews lamenting the lack of choice or personalization.
You get the same products you find in the local grocery store. Nothing fancy, and not worth the price. —Steph D. on Amazon
So I bought this for my cat cause it was cheaper than [C]hewy. Well I’m regretting it… I was not impressed with the items in this box. It was a waste of my money.. my cats had the toys all ripped apart In two days. And the treats my cats wouldn’t touch. —Chels on Amazon
Overall, Is KitNipBox a Good Choice?
KitNipBox is a great choice for cats who like variety and for multi-cat households. And for cat parents, the sign-up process was effortless and took just minutes and shipping was pretty fast. Plus, the subscription box makes for a fun, unique gift for loved ones.
Overall, I was impressed with KitNipBox—and my cats were, too. So much so that we’ve decided to keep our subscription on a quarterly basis (an option that’s made available when you start the cancellation process).
That said, I think the smaller box will be a better value for most customers. Even for multiple cats, four new toys and a bag of treats seem like an adequate monthly treat. But if you have cats who aren’t keen to share (and your budget can spare the extra $10), then maybe it’s worth splurging on the larger box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cat subscription boxes worth it?
For certain households, they will be—for others, not so much. They’re especially handy for people with a new cat or kitten. They’re a convenient way to introduce new toys and keep indoor cats engaged and stimulated. Monthly cat boxes are also a great way to discover new brands, toys, or treats. Plus, they’re just plain fun! But folks on a strict budget may not find subscription boxes the most practical indulgence.
Do cats really need toys?
They sure do. Toys keep cats stimulated and prevent boredom (and the destructive tendencies that can follow). They also help ensure cats get exercise. That said, never underestimate the fun of a plastic bottle cap or crumpled-up paper. Cats go wild for those, too!
What kinds of toys do cats like?
Every cat is different and will have different preferences when it comes to play. The best cat toys will tap into their natural instinct to hunt and chase. A lot of cats like wand toys, soft plush toys (especially filled with dried catnip), balls, laser pointers, and electronic toys that move on their own.
Do cats get bored of the same toys?
Just like children, cats can lose interest in toys after a while. It’s helpful to rotate your cat’s toys occasionally. Leave out an assortment of five or six toys, tucking the rest away in a drawer or closet. Then, every month or so, swap them with some of the toys you’ve been storing.
How can you enrich an indoor cat’s life?
There are lots of ways to encourage physical activity and mental stimulation. You can use food puzzles and interactive toys. Be sure to provide your cat with vertical space, whether it’s with a cat tree, perch, or window ledge. Scratching surfaces are also important. Finally, try offering a rotation of toys, introducing novelty into your cat’s life.
