Even though they may appear quite pleased to whack at a piece of string simply, cats deserve some seriously entertaining toys. Your feline friend requires mental and physical stimulation, just like dogs do, and fortunately, there are lots of wonderful methods to keep them busy.
You might believe that your cat is avoiding you. But everything will change when you take out one of these best cat toys. When you offer a catnip mouse or a really large paper bag tunnel, even the most relaxed cat won’t be able to resist.
It goes without saying that we paid extra love to businesses that used recycled materials or otherwise took environmental considerations into account when designing or producing their products. These products were picked with kitty preferences in mind.
Here are some of the top cat toys available for you to try if you feel like you’re constantly trying to make your cat happy:
1. Best Overall: SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat
All of your cat’s favourite pastimes are encouraged by this playmat for cats. There is room for pouncing, hiding, stalking, and resting with infinite combinations. When your pet is hiding beneath the rug, you can use a wand toy to play with them or hide food in the folds and set your cat on a treasure hunt. Cats have the ability to leap into the folds and collapse the tunnels. They can play hide-and-seek by popping up through the holes.
The SnugglyCat Ripple Rug’s use of recycled plastic water bottles is wonderful, and despite that, it is tough enough to endure heavy digging and clawing.
Price at time of publish: $48
2. Best for Exercise: Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Cats bat at the bright toys and race around, hoping to strike them repeatedly as they spin on three different levels of courses. For a cat who is at home alone and needs a pleasant activity to keep its mind and body occupied, the PetStages Tower of Tracks is an excellent toy. Additionally, it’s a well-liked method for keeping cats from fighting over the whirling balls while keeping their interest.
Make sure to purchase the most recent tower model with the safety bar across the top. It prevents intrepid cats from venturing into the toy and getting trapped inside.
Price at time of publish: $36
“Marbles, my cat, adores this toy. She can be bashful, but she enjoys using this toy both by herself and when seated across from a person who will help keep the balls moving. – Margaret Badore, Editor of Treehugger
3. Best Motorized: Petlinks Mystery Motion Concealed Electronic Motion Cat Toy
If your cat exhibits genuine predatory tendencies, this battery-operated toy gives them the chance to hunt without endangering the environment. The PetLinks Mystery Motion toy’s outer shell is a sizable ring constructed from recycled plastic. Underneath, your cat will see a whirling ball of feathers intended to entice him into pursuit.
In order to keep your pet interested and entertained, the toy includes four speeds: slow, medium, fast, and random. As they sprint around the outside of the circle, pounce, and stalk the feathers, reviewers claim that their cats “love to hate” this toy. The toy’s robotic humming sounds signal to cats that it is time to play. It uses three AA batteries to run.
Price at time of publish: $35
4. Best Interactive: Kong Active Feather Teaser Cat Toy
Sometimes, the simplest things can be the most enjoyable: A mischievous cat will amuse itself by dangling shoelaces or crocheting yarn. The Kong Active feather teaser delivers a colourful catnip-filled creature on a lure as a cheap but unmistakably feline alternative.
Playtime should be spent encouraging your pet to demonstrate its hunting and pouncing prowess. Bright feathers and crinkly material on every flamingo, bluebird, and butterfly make the chase so alluring. Some reviewers claim that their cats are fixated on this toy and frequently drag it around the house instead of choosing more expensive playthings. We also appreciate that it is produced by a reliable and well-known Kong brand.
Price at time of publish: $7
5. Best Chew Toy: Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Chew Toy
Since soft food and treats make up the majority of cats’ diets, tartar can easily accumulate on their teeth. (Who said that “dog breath” just affects dogs?) This straightforward chew toy is a quick and enjoyable fix.
The Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Chew Toy has sturdy netting filled with fresh mint, which helps cats and kittens clean their teeth while providing a cool smell as they chew. To make the toy even more alluring for play, the ends are packed with a crinkly material. More than 17,000 Amazon reviewers gushed about how much their cats adore playing, biting, and tossing this toy.
Price at time of publish: $6
6. Best for Older Cats: From The Field Shelby The Hemp Mouse
Although there are several catnip mice toys available, this one is undoubtedly our favourite. Catnip used in From the Field products is grown organically in Washington state without the use of pesticides or weedkillers. Hemp fabric and rope are used to create the toy’s remaining components. A flexible, environmentally friendly material made from hemp is biodegradable.
Some reviewers claimed that this was the only toy their senior cats were interested in, excluding the planet Earth. They enjoy swatting at the dangling tail as well as playing and cuddling with it. The tail is a whopping 4 feet long, so you can swing it over the edge of the chair or tie it to a doorknob.
Price at time of publish: $13
7. Best for Indoor Cats: Dezi & Roo Hide and Sneak Collapsible Paper Tunnel
Cat lovers are aware that cats adore boxes and paper bags. In this clever scheme from Dezi & Roo, crunchy bag fun is combined with box hiding places. Your pet has a place to run, hide, and play in this almost 3-foot-long tunnel with entry holes on either end. It’s a particularly fantastic choice for indoor cats who don’t get to travel outside but yet stay safe (and maintain wildlife safety).
The tunnel was created by a veterinarian and is constructed of cardboard and biodegradable paper. Throw it in the recycling bin if your cat plays rough and pounces or shreds until the walls cave in. Yes, according to some reviewers, this is basically a very long paper bag tunnel with holes, but that is precisely the reason their cats adore it.
Price at time of publish: $15
8. Best Laser: Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser Original 2-in-1 Dog & Cat Toy
The fact that most cats enjoy chasing after objects in motion explains why lasers are so well-liked among feline toys. Numerous expensive battery-powered laser toys dance light beams across the premises. However, you may have fun during playing by shining the LED light on the floor and walls with this straightforward, affordable handheld Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser.
However, some veterinarians advise that you watch out so that you don’t play too much and that your cat becomes fixated. One method is to shine the light on a catnip mouse, a play ball, or a treat at the end of your play session so your cat doesn’t become discouraged and ends up triumphantly winning and catching some “prey.”
Price at time of publish: $9
9. Best Natural: Friendship Wool Dryer Balls
These wool balls are technically intended to be placed in the dryer with your laundry to fluff and soften it, but some people have discovered that their cats actually like playing with them. Similar products are available for purchase from other businesses that advertise them as cat toys, but these are manufactured entirely of wool without the use of an inner filler or plastic ball, and the design was created with non-toxic colors.
Your cat will enjoy chasing these balls around the house, but you’ll appreciate that they were made in Nepal under ethical and environmentally responsible working circumstances. Additionally, Friendsheep collaborates with the Eden Restoration Project to plant a tree for each transaction.
Price at time of publish: $32
10. Best Kicker: Etsy Denim Catnip Kicker Cat Toy
The kicker toys that allow cats to play on their backs and “bunny kick” their feet are quite popular. Kicker toys are especially beneficial for solitary cats without a buddy with whom to wrestle. We adore this kicker created by MoonflowerCastle on Etsy from repurposed denim.
The addition of catnip grown in the United States helps cats understand that this toy is specifically for them and that the denim is strong enough to endure some rough play. It has double-stitched seams, is 2.5 x 12 inches, and features your choice of vibrant appliqué.
Price at time of publish: $17
Final Conclusion
The Ripple Rug from SnugglyCat (available on Amazon) is our favourite cat toy because of its eco-friendly construction and variety of entertaining permutations. Check out the Kong Active Feather Teaser (available on Amazon) if you’re looking for a sturdy wand toy.
