Top Picks for Engaging Cat Toys, Verified by Purr-testing Feline Testers
Choosing the ideal cat toys can significantly contribute to your feline's health and happiness, making it essential to have an assortment at hand. These toys not only keep cats mentally stimulated but also help them release excess energy and maintain their physical fitness.
After rigorous testing, we have narrowed down our favorites to cater to various preferences. Active cats will undoubtedly love the Frisco Teaser Wand, which secured our top pick overall. This toy encourages play, allowing cats to swipe, pounce and jump.
Cats that appreciate mental stimulation can benefit from puzzle toys, which are designed to engage their brains. A tunnel toy also caters to curious kitties, allowing them to tap into their natural hunting instincts. For cats experiencing temporary anxiety, catnip options can help them relax while promoting physical exercise.
For indoor cats, we have a guide covering the best toys specifically designed for their unique needs. Those seeking automated play options will find our recommendations beneficial as well. Here's an overview of our top picks:
The quick list
Best overall - The best cat toy overall
Our top choice, the Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand, offers an engaging and fun experience for cats while aiding in their physical fitness and strengthening their bond with you. This budget-friendly and sturdy toy ensures hours of playtime.
Best catnip toy - The best catnip toy
If your cat loves catnip, they will be captivated by the Catit Groovy Fish. This unique toy features a refillable catnip pocket for added fun, ensuring your cat stays entertained.
Best puzzle - The best puzzle toy
Meant to provide mental stimulation, the Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy makes treat time more exciting. Your cat will need to spin the pegs and twist the leaves to retrieve their rewards.
Price
Best tunnel cat toy - Best tunnel cat toy
This tunnel toy helps cats tap into their natural hunting instincts through hiding, stalking, and pouncing. It is compact, lightweight, and includes additional bells and balls for added amusement.
$5.99
Best for interactive play - The best cat toy for interactive play
Designed for cats who love to hunt, the SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse offers an interactive play experience. This toy features a lifelike, fluffy mouse on the end of a bouncy string, allowing you to bond with your cat while encouraging them to remain active.
$5.88
Best for independent play - The best cat toy for independent play
The automated Pawaboo Interactive Cat Toy with Running Mouse is suitable for cats who enjoy solo play sessions. Featuring an adjustable speed, this toy offers a mouse that runs around and dips in and out of holes, keeping your kitty entertained when you're busy.
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The best cat toys we recommend
Design
Why you can trust our website
Our skilled reviewers invest hours testing and comparing products, enabling you to make informed decisions. [Find out more about how we test].
Colorful ribbon attached to a plastic wand
The best cat toy overall
1. Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy
Fluffy mouse attached to a bouncy string. Includes ring for finger to slip into
Our expert opinion:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Why we love it
This interactive teaser toy encourages your feline friend to swipe, pounce, and jump, promoting physical activity and enhancing your bond. With an affordable price, durability, and quality design, it is a terrific choice for an all-around cat toy.
The best catnip toy
Great for chasing
2. Catit Groovy Fish
Our expert opinion:
Your cat can catch their 'prey' and bite into it
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This captivating catnip toy entertains cats who love catnip. The flexible design is perfect for chewing, and flipping on its side with a simple press releases tantalizing catnip. Boasting a refillable pocket, this toy offers endless fun for your kitty.
What could be better
The best puzzle toy
3. Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy
Some cats might prefer to bite into a toy as a reward
Our expert opinion:
Specifications
The string is a bit short
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This intriguing puzzle toy offers a stimulating experience during treat time. Cats will need to spin the pegs and twist the leaves to retrieve their treats, providing mental stimulation while using safe and easy-to-clean materials.
The best tunnel cat toy
4. Pawaboo Cat Tunnel Tube Toy
Our expert opinion:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This tunnel toy fulfills your cat's natural hunting instincts, accommodating activities such as hiding, stalking, and pouncing. It is compact, lightweight, and includes additional bells and balls to increase the amusement factor.
Price
The best cat toy for interactive play
5. SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse
$12.87
Our expert opinion:
Specifications
$7.76
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
$8.42
Suited for cats who enjoy the thrill of hunting, this interactive toy features a realistic fluffy mouse on the end of a bouncy string. Offering a fun way to bond with your cat while encouraging mental and physical activity, it is an excellent choice for playtime.
The best cat toy for independent play
$7.79
6. Pawaboo Interactive Cat Toy with Running Mouse
Our expert opinion:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Refillable catnip pocket
Reasons to avoid
Designed for cats who enjoy independent play, this automated toy features a mouse that moves around and disappears into the holes, providing mental stimulation and physical exercise. It is great for cats who require attention and offer various speed options to cater to individual needs.
Yes, includes tube of catnip too
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Other cat toys we tested
No
Since our last update, we have continued evaluating the included products. Following our examination, we opted to replace a few items due to the availability of superior options.
*Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Cat Toy | $19.99 at Amazon*
No
Nina Ottosson's puzzles are always engaging, high-quality, and durable yet food-safe. My cat, Nala, thoroughly enjoys this Rainy Day toy, making it an outstanding choice for advanced puzzle players like her. However, we discovered the Buggin' Out toy to be a better option for a variety of skills.
*Pioneer Pet Catnip Toy Nip Nibblers | $7.76 at Chew*
No
Refillable catnip toys can last longer as catnip tends to lose its potency over time. While our tester Norah's cats had a great time with the Pioneer Pet Catnip Toy Nip Nibblers, we opted to replace it with the Catit Groovy Fish, possessing a refillable catnip pocket, to better accommodate longer usage.
*Planet Pleasures Spiral Cylinder with Catnip & Bell Cat Toy | $8.42 at Chew*
Chilli and Nala loved this spiral cylinder toy for a month, but their interest waned quickly. In comparison, the Catit Groovy Fish has caught their attention for longer, owing to its automated design and refillable catnip pocket.
*Ethical Pet Feather Dangler Wand Cat Toy with Catnip | $7.79 at Chewy*
Automated design
The feather wand is an excellent way to engage active cats, mimicking a bird with catnip for added excitement. Our tester Julie found that the cats enjoyed it but noted that it is not particularly durable and "pretty easy for them to pull apart." If you're searching for a sturdier teaser wand with a prey-style toy at the end, consider the SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse instead.
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Yes
How we tested the best cat toys
We diligently scoured the internet for the top cat toys, presenting them to our team of testers to assess. Cat play is vital in their lives, offering essential mental and physical stimulation. With this in mind, we have compiled a list showcasing the top options to keep your cat contented and fulfilled.
No
Enjoyment
The toys we included are fun, exciting, and engaging for cats, ensuring they genuinely enjoy playing with them. We included photographs and videos to verify their enthusiasm and ensure the toys offer genuine entertainment value. Some of these toys have been tested for up to 10 months, while others have been utilized for at least a month.
No
Fit for Purpose
To ensure the toys align with their intended purpose, we assessed whether they were easy for cats to understand and function as advertised. We wanted to guarantee that all included toys were user-friendly and tailored to the intended audience.
No
Durability and Safety
We asked our testers to highlight the durability and safety of the toys, ensuring they were robust, unlikely to break under heavy use, and devoid of small parts that could potentially be swallowed. For puzzle feeders, we ensured that they were food-safe and devoid of BPA, PVC, and phthalates, prioritizing our pets' health. For automated toys, we scrutinized the motor protection to secure safety for paws.
Affordability
Everyone should have access to high-quality toys, and we provided a range of prices within the guide, with some toys costing under $6.
As a combined team, we have tested countless cat toys over the years, throughout the trials, some did not meet the mark. We have selectively included only the toys we genuinely believe are worthwhile investments.
To learn more about our review process, consult our dedicated page on how we test.
Meet our review panel
Julie Johnson, Tester
Julie put the Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy and SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse to the test with the help of her cats Holly, Max, and Atticus (depicted).
Megan Milstead, Staff Writer
Best for
Megan tested the Catit Groovy Fish and Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle with her cats Chilli and Nala (depicted).
Kathryn Williams, Freelance Writer
Active cats who enjoy interactive play
Kathryn assisted with testing the Pawaboo Cat Tunnel and Pawaboo Interactive Cat Toy. She shares her home with Roxy and Teddy.
How to choose the best cat toy
Anxious cats or/and cats who react to catnip
Determining the most suitable cat toy often depends on your cat's unique personality. Considering their behavior will help inform your choice of toys.
- Observing your cat: By closely observing your cat, you can better understand their habits and preferences, enabling you to choose toys that cater to their needs.
- Offer cats a challenge: Providing toys that stimulate their mental and physical abilities will keep them occupied and engaged.
- Experiment: If your cat loses interest in a toy initially, try introducing it at a later date as their interest may resurface.
- Opt for high-quality toys: Select toys that are of superior quality, durable, and unlikely to deteriorate under heavy use.
Indoor cats or food-motivated cats
Why does my cat not show interest in toys?
If your cat shows little interest in toys, there could be several factors at play:
Cats with high prey drive or shy cats
- Their personality traits: If your cat is introverted, they may demonstrate less enthusiasm for toys.
- Boredom: If the available toys do not stimulate their senses or cater to their preferences, their interest may wane.
- Disinterest in the given toys: Cats can have specific preferences when it comes to toys, and if the toys do not resonate with their interests, they may show less enthusiasm.
Why do cats put toys in water?
Older cats who like interactive play
While the exact reason remains unclear, some theories suggest that cats might be fishing for their toys, engaging in play, or exhibiting a learned behavior.
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Cats with high prey drive or indoor cats who need a lot of attention or low-energy cats
Sources:
- Cohen, S. (2016, July 17). Save Your Cat from Boredom (or Blame Yourself). The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/smarterliving/save-your-cat-from-boredom-or-blame-yourself
- Evaluating the safety of toys and other accessories for cats: A series of veterinary case reports. [Evaluación de la seguridad de juguetes y otros accesorios para gatos: una serie de informes clínicos veterinarios]. Revista Médica Veterinaria, 21.9 (2003), Actualmente accesible en: https://ac.els-cdn.com/S1675036003000152/1-s2.0-S1675036003000152-main.pdf?_tid=e7ef3acf-eb4b-4f0c-b61e-eb21e79f13b6&acdnat=1680335843_a9d715f8f325ea99b58a27ffd7fe4d6f
- Baumgartner, E., Olson, C., Stella, N., Wuchner, M., & Ramirez, D. (2020). The Impact of Automated Laser Pointer Toys on the Behavior of Indoor-Kept Cats: Please Be Kind to Your Cat and Its Toys. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(7), 738–744. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jfms.16719
- Elwood, C. A., Dignan, R. R., & Matyasovszky, I. M. (2019). Interaction of Ferrets and Domestic Cats (Felis catus) with Automated Play Equipment: Social Attachment, Play Behavior and Physiological Stress Levels. Studies in Avian Biology, 93(3), 58. https://doi.org/10.1111/sav.12583
- Hayes, L. M., Worthington, C. M., & Overall, K. L. (2002). The Effect of Prey-Specific Objects on Playful Behavior of Domestic Cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 77(4), 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00179-9
- The Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand, chosen as the best overall cat toy, offers an engaging experience for cats, improving their physical fitness and bond with their owners.
- The Catit Groovy Fish, the best catnip toy, captivates cats with its flexible design and refillable catnip pocket.
- The Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy provides mental stimulation during treat time, making treat time more exciting.
- The Pawaboo Cat Tunnel Tube Toy helps cats tap into their natural hunting instincts by allowing them to hide, stalk, and pounce.
- The SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse, the best cat toy for interactive play, features a lifelike fluffy mouse on the end of a bouncy string for an interactive play experience.
- The Pawaboo Interactive Cat Toy with Running Mouse, the best cat toy for independent play, keeps cats entertained with an automated mouse that moves around and disappears into the holes.
- Choosing the ideal cat toys involves considering your cat's unique personality, offering them toys that stimulate their senses, conducting experiments, opting for high-quality toys, and closely observing your cat's behavior.
