Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Quintero.
Hi Eva, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Katnyx started because of one very determined little cat named Tito.
Tito has Pica, a condition that causes cats to chew and swallow things they shouldn’t. Over the span of a year, he required multiple emergency surgeries after ingesting parts of toys and other household items. As pet parents, we were constantly searching for toys that were both engaging and durable enough to stand up to his habits, but we kept running into the same problem: toys either fell apart too quickly or weren’t designed with safety and longevity in mind.
At the same time, we were struggling to find products that matched our style. We’re lifelong lovers of spooky, alternative aesthetics, and every October we’d get excited to see Halloween pet products hit the shelves. The problem was that they would disappear just as quickly as they arrived, and many of them weren’t built to last. We wanted high-quality cat products with a darker, year-round aesthetic, not something that only existed for a few weeks each year.
So in 2024, my sister Elvia and I decided to create what we couldn’t find. We started designing safer, longer-lasting toys inspired by the things we love: spooky season, folklore, creativity, and of course, cats. What began as a solution for Tito quickly grew into something much bigger.
Today, Katnyx creates cat toys, scratchers, beds, treats, and enrichment products designed for cat lovers who don’t fit into the traditional pastel pet-store mold. Everything we make is guided by our commitment to quality, safety, sustainability, and creating products that both cats and their humans can genuinely enjoy.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been connecting with an incredible community of cat lovers who tell us they finally found a pet brand that feels like them. Whether someone discovers us through our products, our social media, or events like Cat Con and Cattastik, our goal has always been the same: to celebrate cats while bringing a little more creativity and personality into the pet world.
After all, we believe cats deserve products that are just as unique as they are.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but that’s part of what makes the journey worthwhile.
One of our biggest challenges has been creating products that meet the standards we set for ourselves. Katnyx was born from our experience with Tito’s Pica, so safety and durability have always been incredibly important to us. We never wanted to create products just because they looked cute. We wanted products that were thoughtfully designed, tested, and built to last. Sometimes that means going back to the drawing board, changing materials, or spending more time developing a product than we originally planned.
Another challenge has been balancing creativity with the realities of running a business. We have more product ideas than we could ever launch at once, but every new design requires time, testing, sourcing, and investment. Learning when to be patient and focus on sustainable growth has been one of the biggest lessons along the way.
Like many small business owners, we’ve also had to wear a lot of different hats. On any given day we might be designing products, packing orders, creating social media content, answering customer emails, planning events, or photographing cats who may or may not be cooperating with the photoshoot.
That said, every challenge has reinforced why we started Katnyx in the first place. Seeing customers tell us that they finally found products that their cats love and go feral for, or hearing them say they found items for their pets that also fit their style, makes all of the hard work worth it. Building a business isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding when it’s built around something you genuinely love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Katnyx is a cat-focused lifestyle brand created for people who love cats as much as we do and want products that are as unique as their feline companions. We design and create toys, scratchers, beds, treats, enrichment products, and accessories that combine quality, functionality, and a year-round spooky aesthetic.
What sets us apart is that we didn’t start Katnyx simply because we saw a gap in the market. We started it because we lived the problem ourselves. Tito’s Pica led us to search for safer, more durable toys that could better withstand heavy play and chewing. At the same time, we struggled to find cat products that reflected our alternative style. Most spooky pet products only appeared around Halloween, and many weren’t built to last. We created Katnyx to change that.
Everything we make is inspired by our belief that cat products should be both beautiful and functional. We focus on creating products that enrich cats’ lives while giving cat parents something they genuinely enjoy having in their homes. Whether it’s a coffin-shaped scratcher, a handcrafted bed, or a simple toy, we want every product to serve a purpose while staying true to our aesthetic and values.
Beyond the products themselves, we’re passionate about building community and giving back to cats in need. Supporting rescues, promoting adoption, and creating spaces where cat lovers can connect are all important parts of who we are. That passion ultimately led us to create Cattastik, a cat-centered event designed to bring together cat lovers, artists, makers, educators, rescues, and businesses for a weekend dedicated entirely to celebrating cats.
What we’re most proud of is the community that has grown around Katnyx. There is something incredibly rewarding about hearing from customers who tell us their cats love our products, discovering photos of our creations in homes across the country, and meeting people who say they finally found a pet brand that feels like them. At the end of the day, that’s what Katnyx is all about: creating thoughtfully designed products, celebrating cats, and building a welcoming community for cat lovers who appreciate a little darkness with their purrs.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I think we’re going to see the pet industry continue moving toward a more personalized and intentional approach. People increasingly view their pets as family members, and they’re paying closer attention to the quality, safety, and purpose behind the products they buy.
One area we’re especially excited about is enrichment. Cat owners are becoming more aware of the importance of mental stimulation, play, and creating environments that support their cats’ natural instincts. We expect to see continued growth in products that help cats stay active, engaged, and fulfilled rather than simply entertained.
We’re also seeing consumers seek out brands that align with their values. People want to know where products are made, how they’re made, and who is behind them. They are looking for authenticity, transparency, and quality over mass-produced products that all look the same.
Perhaps the biggest shift we’re noticing is that cats are finally getting more attention. For a long time, many pet products, events, and marketing efforts were heavily focused on dogs. Today, there is a growing community of cat lovers who are looking for products, experiences, and spaces designed specifically for them. The response we’ve seen to Katnyx and Cattastik has shown us just how eager that community is for more cat-centered offerings.
As that continues to grow, I think we’ll see more innovation, more specialized products, and more opportunities for cat lovers to connect with one another. That’s a future we’re incredibly excited to be part of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katnyx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katnyxpets
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katnyxpets
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@katnyxpets
