Yeowww! Catnip Banana: The Cat Toy That Lives Up to the Hype

There is a reason the Yeowww! Catnip Banana has become legendary in the cat toy world. It looks ridiculous - just a bright yellow fabric banana - but thousands of cat owners swear by it.

I’ve watched it turn even the laziest, most indifferent cats into crazed hunters. Cats who ignore every other toy suddenly become obsessed with this simple banana.

Is it worth the hype? After months of testing (and watching our cat violently attack it daily), here is my honest review.

What Makes It Special

The Yeowww! Catnip Banana is stuffed with 100% organic catnip. Not catnip mixed with filler. Not “catnip-scented” fabric. Not polyfill with a sprinkle of catnip dust.

Just pure, potent catnip packed into a banana-shaped cotton pouch.

This matters because most catnip toys on the market are disappointing. They contain:

Minimal catnip (mostly polyfill)
Low-quality catnip (weak smell)
Catnip mixed with fillers (diluted effect)

The Yeowww banana is basically a cat drug delivery system, and it works shockingly well.

Size and Design

The banana is about 7 inches long and 2 inches wide - perfect kicking size for most cats.

The fabric is durable cotton twill that holds up to:

Bunny kicks (back leg attacks)
Teeth punctures
Aggressive throwing and carrying

We’ve had ours for over a year. It has been slobbered on, kicked across every room, thrown down stairs, and carried like a trophy. It is still intact.

Where to Buy: Available on Amazon for $5-7, Chewy, Petco, PetSmart

Why Cats Go Crazy for It

1. 100% Organic Catnip (No Filler)

Open the package and the smell hits you immediately. It smells like a potent herb garden.

Most catnip toys have barely any scent. The Yeowww banana is the opposite - it is overwhelmingly fragrant.

Our cat’s reaction: Went from zero interest in toys to rolling around with this banana like his life depended on it within 30 seconds.

2. Perfect Size for Bunny Kicks

Cats have a natural hunting behavior called the “bunny kick” where they:

Grab prey with front paws
Roll onto their back
Attack with rapid back leg kicks

The 7-inch banana is perfectly sized for this behavior. Not too big (awkward to grab), not too small (can’t kick properly).

3. Satisfying Texture

The cotton twill fabric is sturdy enough to bite and claw without immediately shredding. Cats enjoy the texture under their paws and teeth.

4. Strong Scent Lasts Months

Unlike cheap catnip toys that lose their scent within days, the Yeowww banana stays potent for 6-12 months with proper storage.

The catnip is packed densely, so the scent releases gradually over time.

The Good Stuff

It Actually Works

I am usually skeptical about catnip toys because most seem to have barely any scent. Not this one.

Effects on cats who respond to catnip:

Immediate interest (sniffing, licking, rubbing)
Rolling and writhing (classic catnip response)
Aggressive play (bunny kicks, carrying, throwing)
Euphoria lasting 5-15 minutes
Followed by contentment and often napping

Our cat typically ignores toys. But the banana? He seeks it out daily.

Durable Construction

We have had cheap catnip toys split open within days, leaving catnip leaves scattered across the floor.

The Yeowww banana has survived:

Daily bunny kick sessions
Being carried by the teeth
Accidental drops down stairs
Aggressive throws across rooms

Construction details:

Double-stitched seams (prevents splitting)
Thick cotton twill (does not tear easily)
No weak points or loose threads

After 12+ months, ours shows wear (faded color, slightly flattened shape) but is still fully intact.

No Stuffing to Vacuum

Because it is packed solid with catnip leaves and flowers, there is no polyfill to explode across your living room if it gets damaged.

If a seam does split (which we have not experienced), you just lose some catnip leaves - easy to vacuum up.

Simple and Effective

No batteries. No squeakers. No moving parts. No electronics that break.

Just catnip in a funny shape. Sometimes simple wins.

Incredible Value

At $5-7, this is one of the best-value cat toys available.

Cost comparison:

Electronic toys: $15-$30 (batteries die, motors break)
Interactive toys: $10-$20 (cats lose interest)
Cheap catnip toys: $3-$5 (fall apart within days)
Yeowww banana: $5-$7 (lasts 12+ months)

Even if you replace it yearly, it is cheaper than most alternatives.

What to Know Before You Buy

Not All Cats Respond to Catnip

This is critical: About 30-50% of cats have no genetic response to catnip.

Cats who do not respond:

Kittens under 3-6 months (catnip sensitivity develops with maturity)
About 30-50% of adult cats (genetic trait)

If your cat has never cared about catnip toys before, this won’t magically change that.

But if they do respond, this will likely become their favorite thing.

The Smell Is Strong

Like, really strong. We store it in a sealed container when not in use, or our whole house smells like catnip.

Pros: Strong smell = effective for cats Cons: Your guests might wonder why your home smells like a dispensary

Storing it in a ziplock bag or container between play sessions helps.

It Loses Potency Over Time

The catnip will not stay fresh forever. After 6-12 months of heavy use, you might notice your cat losing interest.

Signs catnip is losing potency:

Cat spends less time playing with it
Smell is weaker when you sniff it
Cat walks away after brief investigation

Solution: Replace it. At $5-7, it is cheap enough to replace annually.

No Noise or Movement

Some cats need more stimulation - lights, sounds, things that move on their own.

This is just a pillow full of plant matter. If your cat likes interactive electronic toys, they might ignore it.

Best for: Cats who respond to scent and enjoy tactile play (carrying, kicking, batting)

Bright Yellow (Visible but Easily Lost)

The bright yellow makes it easy to spot on the floor. But it also gets lost:

Under furniture
Behind appliances
In weird hiding spots (cats carry it around)

We regularly find ours in random places: the bathtub, inside shoes, under beds.

How to Use It (Best Practices)

1. Do Not Leave It Out 24/7

Treat it like a special occasion toy - bring it out every 2-3 days for play sessions.

Why this matters:

Keeps it exciting (novelty effect)
Preserves catnip longer (less air exposure)
Prevents your cat from getting bored

Toys left out constantly lose their appeal.

2. Store in a Sealed Container

Between play sessions, keep it in a ziplock bag or airtight container.

Benefits:

Preserves catnip potency
Prevents house from smelling like catnip
Extends lifespan from 6 months to 12+ months

3. Supervise Initial Play

The first time your cat experiences the Yeowww banana can be intense. They might:

Roll around aggressively
Drool excessively
Act unusually hyper

Supervise to make sure they do not hurt themselves or get overstimulated.

4. Rotate with Other Toys

Even the best toy gets boring if it is the only option. Rotate the banana with:

Wand toys
Puzzle feeders
Interactive toys

This keeps playtime varied and interesting.

5. Replace When Potency Fades

When your cat stops showing interest, replace it. The catnip has likely lost most of its effectiveness.

How Cats Play with It

Every cat has their preferred style:

Bunny Kickers:

Grab with front paws
Roll onto back
Rapid fire back leg kicks
Most common play style

Carriers:

Pick it up with teeth
Carry it around the house
Leave it in random places (territory marking)

Wrestlers:

Pin it with front paws
Bite and shake aggressively
Resembles hunting behavior

Rollers:

Roll on top of it
Rub face and body against it
Scent-marking behavior

Throwers:

Bat it with paws
Send it flying across the room
Chase and repeat

All of these are normal play behaviors. The banana is durable enough to handle all styles.

Common Mistakes

1. Leaving It Out Constantly

Your cat will get bored, and the catnip will go stale faster.

Solution: Rotate it. Bring it out every few days, not every day.

2. Not Storing It Properly

Leaving it on the floor exposes it to air, causing catnip to lose potency.

Solution: Store in a ziplock bag or airtight container between uses.

3. Buying Knockoffs

The Yeowww brand specifically uses high-quality organic catnip. Generic banana-shaped toys won’t have the same potency.

Look for: “Yeowww!” brand name on the package

4. Giving Up If Cat Ignores It Initially

Some cats need time to investigate new items.

Solution: Leave it near your cat’s favorite spot and give them time to discover it on their own terms.

5. Expecting It to Entertain for Hours

Catnip effects last 5-15 minutes, then cats become temporarily immune for 1-2 hours.

Solution: Use for short play sessions, not as a constant entertainment source.

Comparison to Other Catnip Toys

Yeowww Banana vs Generic Catnip Toys

Yeowww Banana:

100% organic catnip (no filler)
Strong lasting scent (6-12 months)
Durable construction (lasts over a year)
$5-7

Generic Catnip Toys:

Catnip mixed with polyfill (weak)
Scent fades within days or weeks
Often fall apart quickly
$3-$5

Verdict: Spend the extra $2-3 for dramatically better quality.

Yeowww Banana vs Refillable Catnip Toys

Refillable toys (like Kong Refillable Catnip Toy):

Can refresh catnip as it fades
More sustainable long-term
Requires buying replacement catnip

Yeowww Banana:

No maintenance required
Simpler (no refilling)
Cheaper upfront

Verdict: Both are good options. Choose refillable if you want long-term sustainability, Yeowww if you want simplicity.

Yeowww Banana vs Electronic Cat Toys

Electronic toys:

Automated movement
Higher price ($15-$30)
Batteries die, motors break
Some cats ignore them

Yeowww Banana:

No batteries or motors
Lower price ($5-7)
Never breaks (unless torn)
Works if cat responds to catnip

Verdict: Yeowww banana is better value for catnip-responsive cats.

Who This Is For

Perfect for:

Cats who respond to catnip (50-70% of cats)
Cats who enjoy bunny kick play style
Budget-conscious cat owners
People who want low-maintenance toys
Multi-cat households (buy multiple)

Not ideal for:

Cats who do not respond to catnip
Cats who prefer electronic/moving toys
Kittens under 3 months (catnip sensitivity not developed yet)

Alternatives to Consider

Other Yeowww Products

Yeowww Rainbow:

Same high-quality catnip
Different shape (curved stick)
$5-7

Yeowww Stinkies:

Smaller catnip-filled sardines
Come in packs of 3
$8-10

Kong Refillable Catnip Toy

Can refresh catnip indefinitely
More sustainable
$6-8 + replacement catnip

SmartyKat Catnip Toys

Mid-range quality
Variety of shapes
$4-6

Final Verdict

The Yeowww! Catnip Banana lives up to the hype - if your cat responds to catnip.

Pros:

100% organic catnip (extremely potent)
Durable construction (lasts 12+ months)
Perfect size for bunny kicks
Incredible value ($5-7)
Simple and effective

Cons:

Does not work for cats who do not respond to catnip
Loses potency after 6-12 months (requires replacement)
Strong smell (must store in sealed container)
No interactive features (just a stuffed banana)

Final score: 9/10 for catnip-responsive cats, 2/10 for cats who do not respond to catnip.

Where to Buy

Available at:

Amazon ($5-7 with Prime shipping)
Chewy ($5-7)
Petco ($6-8)
PetSmart ($6-8)

Recommendation: Buy 2-3 at once to have backups when the first one loses potency.

What to Do Next

Determine if your cat responds to catnip (test with loose catnip or another catnip toy first)
Order a Yeowww banana (available on Amazon, Chewy, pet stores)
Store in a sealed container when not in use
Bring it out every 2-3 days for play sessions
Replace after 6-12 months when potency fades
Consider buying other Yeowww products if your cat loves it (Rainbow, Stinkies)
Cats who respond strongly to catnip
Owners tired of toys that fall apart
Anyone looking for a simple, reliable toy
Cats who love kicker toys
People who want entertainment value for under $10

Who Should Skip It

Cats who don’t respond to catnip
Cats who prefer electronic or interactive toys
Anyone sensitive to strong smells
Cats who need puzzles and challenges (this is just a pillow)

The Verdict

For about $5, the Yeowww! Catnip Banana is possibly the best value in cat toys. It’s durable, effective, and has brought more joy to our household than toys costing five times as much.

Is it going to change your life? No. But watching your cat go absolutely feral over a yellow fabric banana is deeply entertaining. And honestly, that’s worth the price of admission.

Price: $5-7
Durability: 9/10
Cat Approval: 10/10 (for catnip-sensitive cats)
Dad Joke Potential: “I guess you could say he finds it a-peel-ing”

If your cat likes catnip, just buy one. It’s cheaper than a fancy coffee and will provide significantly more entertainment.