Cat toys are one sector in the growing global pet business that keeps becoming bigger. As more and more people adopt cats in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, the need for fun, safe, and stimulating toys has grown a lot. For wholesalers of pet clothing and accessories around the world, the question isn't whether to stock cat toys; it's which types sell best and how to get them quickly.
Nepeta cataria, or catnip, has a chemical called nepetalactone that makes cats' sensory receptors work better. The American Chemical Society says that 70–80% of cats respond to catnip by rolling, purring, and acting aggressively in a playful way.
From a business point of view, this means one thing: steady demand.
U.S. pet retail giants like Petco and Chewy say that catnip-based toys are their best sellers all year, not just during the holidays. This means that foreign dealers who sell wholesale catnip toys will have a lot of sales and happy customers.
Some of the best-selling catnip toys in the global wholesale market are:
Stuffed mice are a classic best-seller that are often filled with organic catnip and soft plush.
Kickers: Long, soft toys made for kicking with the back legs in a rough way.
Toys that can be refilled are good for the environment and let owners add new catnip.
When adding or importing items, use SEO-targeted tags like "wholesale cat toys," "catnip toys," and "wholesale catnip" to make them more visible to B2B and DTC customers.
Interactive toys are a must-have category, along with catnip. These toys get cats to use their natural hunting instincts and keep them active both mentally and physically. In Europe and North America, sales of wholesale bundles of bells, rattles, and string-based toys are still very strong.
According to Statista, interactive toys make up 30% of all cat toy sales in the UK. KONG and SmartyKat are two of the best brands because they combine sound and movement.
Kittens and young adults love toys that make sounds like prey, such as jingle balls and crinkle tunnels. They make cats' sensitive hearing feel good and make them feel like they are in a different place.
Stocking Tip: Add collapsible tunnels and multi-pack jingle balls to your catalog. They are light, easy to pack for shipping, and appeal to both budget and high-end buyers.
For safety reasons, don't buy bulk interactive toys that have small parts that can come off. These can cause customers to choke and make them complain or ask for a return.
More and more people around the world want automated and electronic toys.
The trend of smart homes isn't just for people. In the last five years, sales of electronic cat toys, especially automated laser pointers and robotic mice, have gone up by 300% around the world.
Now is the time for wholesalers to add USB-rechargeable versions of:
These toys are popular with busy people who want to keep their pets entertained without having to do anything.
Shipping rules (especially those about lithium batteries) and being more environmentally friendly are slowly making battery-powered toys less common. USB options give you:
It's not just a niche anymore; it's an expectation. This is especially true for Millennial and Gen Z pet owners, who make up the majority of new pet owners. These customers look for products that are eco-certified and can be recycled.
Hemp fabrics, organic catnip, and recycled fillers are changing the way pet toys are made by big U.S. brands like West Paw and P.L.A.Y.
This trend means the following for wholesalers:
Toys that are good for the environment usually have margins that are 25% to 40% higher than those of mass-produced plastic toys. Wholesalers can use this to their advantage by advertising "green" SKUs as high-end, giftable items, especially during holidays or eco-friendly marketing campaigns like Earth Day.
It's very important to pick the right supplier. Wholesalers should put more than just low prices at the top of their list:
Suppliers from places like Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Yiwu control the market, but their products and services are not always of the same quality or level of transparency.
Want your brand name on the next best-selling toy for cats? A lot of suppliers offer white-label options, such as:
But the Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) can be very different. Entry-level MOQs for custom designs can range from 500 to 3000 units, depending on complexity.
To meet Amazon FBA or Shopify shipping standards, pack and barcode private-label orders together.
Shipping has a big effect on how much money you make. Here is the breakdown:
Catnip toys: light, easy to pack, and low risk of customs problems
Electronic toys need extra protection when they're shipped, which costs more.
If you're sending something to the U.S. or EU, make sure to:
For pet products, the tariff code (HS) is 9503.00.00.90.
Lithium battery warnings for electronic devices
Working with freight forwarders who know how to move pet products (like Flexport or ShipBob) can cut down on delays and costs by a lot.
Don't underestimate how much demand goes up during certain times of the year:
Q4: Christmas, Black Friday, and Singles Day
Q2–Q3: New toys and outdoor gear for spring and summer
To make sure there is enough time for manufacturing and shipping, wholesalers should order seasonal items 3 to 4 months in advance.
Whether you're new to the pet business or want to add to what you already sell, buying cat toys in bulk—especially ones that are made of catnip, are interactive, and are good for the environment—is a smart move backed by data. The key is to know what products are popular, only buy from trusted manufacturers, and plan logistics well in advance.
International wholesalers, retailers, and trade professionals can make a lot of money and have a lot of customers by following global consumer trends and investing in high-end SKUs.
Most manufacturers need between 500 and 3,000 units, depending on how complicated the design is and how much branding is needed.
Yes, especially the ones that have batteries. Use toys that can be charged with a USB to make customs clearance easier and lower shipping costs.
For safety compliance in North America and Europe, it is important to have certifications from ASTM, EN71, CPSIA, and non-toxic materials.
Yes, especially in North America and Western Europe, where being environmentally friendly is very important. Margins are usually bigger.
FBA can make fulfillment easier if you're selling directly to consumers in the U.S. Just ensure that packaging and labeling comply with Amazon’s requirements.
