This Catnip Toy Shaped Like a Fish Actually Flaps Its Tail

A catnip toy can be a showstopper on its own, but a catnip toy that moves ? This flopping fish could entertain your cat for hours!

Hobby Lobby's Shaking Fish Plush Cat Toy is an adorable, easy way to brighten your cat's day, offering play that taps into your feline's hunting instincts while offering all the fun that comes with a catnip treat.

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Shaking Fish Plush Cat Toy, $3.99 at Hobby Lobby

Made from 100 percent polyester materials, the fish's bright colors of blue, orange and green make it easy to find around the house, and the pull-string winds up the tail whip action, sure to get—and keep—your cat's attention.

Filled with catnip to ensure even more excitement, your cat will love pawing the tail, rubbing against the soft fabric and chasing this colorful creature's tail-shaking action evening after evening .

Related: Cute Cat Loves Pawing at Parent's Phone, 'Catching' Digital Fish

How Does Catnip Work?

Catnip is actually an herb, closely related to mint. Native to Europe and Asia, the leaves of the herb contain a compound called nepetalactone that triggers a hormonal response from your pet, mimicking the reaction produced by feline sex pheromones.

These compounds bind to your cat's scent receptors, stimulating a brain chemical response that leads to feelings of euphoria and play behavior. It's a totally non-addicting experience and safe for all cats.

Not all cats respond to catnip. Catnip sensitivity is hereditary, and some 30 percent of cats don't respond to the same hormonal triggers when smelling the herb. Kittens younger than three to six months are also generally immune to the reaction.

Cats lucky enough to enjoy the experience are sure to go wild , rolling around the toy, rubbing against it, jumping and vocalizing with glee. Add to that fun a moving toy, like this flapping fish tail, and you're triggering your cat's innate hunting instincts, which helps stave off boredom and hones your pet's coordination and focus, while also offering some indoor exercise.

Of course, the effectiveness of any toy filled with catnip will be highest in the first couple of weeks of use. It is possible to prolong the life of a catnip toy by keeping it in an airtight container between bouts of play, and you can rejuvenate the effects by placing the toy in a plastic bag alongside some fresh catnip for about 24 hours.

The pull-string tail shaking of this toy adds extra intrigue for your cat in the months to come, but a bit of a catnip refresh should ensure it turns your cat's head time and time again.

Related: Kong’s 5-in-1 Sushi Toy Provides Endless Fun for Cats

This story was originally published by PawNation on Mar 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet Products section. Add PawNation as a Preferred Source by clicking here.