Titillating brain teasers, guessing games, and plucky puzzles. Those are just a few of the activities inspired by day-to-day interactions with cats, whose tricky code we can never quite seem to crack. We try (often to no avail) to discover their likes and dislikes and discern their moods and motivations on an almost daily basis. When we take the time to figure out what treats, catnip, or playtime moves the needle for our cats, we’re always one step closer to the completing the full picture — or puzzle. That’s why we’ve compiled a gift guide of cat puzzles that aren’t nearly as finicky as our actual cats. Below, perplexing puzzles of cats who aren’t our own.
Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)
Maybe you can judge a book by its cover. This “Cat on the Prowl” puzzle illustrated by cartoonist William Steig is one of the many classics to grace the cover of TheNew Yorker. This depiction of a black cat slinking through a colorful garden will remind you of your cat’s mysterious (and mischievous) nature.
This cheetah-printed puzzle by the millennial-favorite brand, Jiggy, is an easy gift that’s practically a home-cooked dinner and game night invite all wrapped in one. Plus, it comes with puzzle glue, so you can keep the gorgeous design as wall art after you’ve completed it.
Animal themes are one of artist Luka Va’s favorites to explore because aren’t we all a little wild at heart? Every animal character comes alive on the page — and eventually, on the puzzle — in this cat-and-plant-themed puzzle from Werkshoppe.
No one does a cozy afternoon at home quite like cats, which is exactly what Talking Tables depicts in their Cats at Home puzzle for Puzzle Weekend. This whimsical illustration inspires the homebody in all of us — who wouldn’t nap in the sun all day if given the opportunity?
Priscilla Weidlein’s puzzle for Ordinary Habit practically jumps off the page at us; with humorous details built in to inspire joy, its colorful facade is the antidote to boredom. See if you can spot the hidden chickens for an extra dose of the enchanting fever dream the artwork inspires.
You heard it here first: Ladies who lounge are the new “ladies who lunch.” Mexican artist Ana Leovy’s surreal leafy landscape illustration is the perfect example of this, with the sunny disposition of the primary color inspired work making for an ideal backdrop — a breezy summer afternoon at home.
Forget about Tiger King; Tiger Queen is the more worthwhile cultural pastime. Illustrated by artist Lay Hoon Ho, the portrait’s lackadaisical air can be felt even before you begin feeling the grounding effects of piecing together this aesthetically pleasing picture.
Look at him. He’s so cute with his little hat. He’s a cat and a cowboy and just plain perfect all over. The puzzle is 500 pieces and measures 25 x 18 inches when fully assembled — and the pieces are random-cut, so each one is different, which makes putting it together a lot more fun. It also comes with a poster of Scotty (that’s the cowboy-kitty’s name), so you can still look at his gorgeous visage even after the puzzle is disassembled and put away.
Piecework, known for their high production value and puzzles that make us want to stay in with a stew for two (the second person being our cat) rather that hit the bars, truly delivers with their latest feline creation. The puzzle features 22 porcelain tchotchke and real-life cats, creating a Where’s Waldo component to an already joyfully colorful scenery. They’ve even blessed cat people with a 45-song, cat-themed Spotify playlist to enjoy while puzzling. Piecework is helping turn the “cat lady” cultural archetype on its head one puzzle piece at a time.
Avery is a writer and producer. She has written for numerous publications, including Refinery29, BuzzFeed, and V Magazine. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her reading, practicing her Greek on Duolingo, and delving into the Sex and the City discourse. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and their cat, Chicken, who rules with an iron fist.