Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Play is essential for every cat, whether you have a kitten who goes through toys like a teething puppy or a senior who can’t run and jump like they used to. It’s important not just for physical exercise, but to keep their minds sharp and engaged. Of course, the key is finding the right toy for your individual cat.
I know that every cat is different, which is why I’ve tested a wide selection of toys, ranging from catnip stuffies to electronic motion toys. For this article, I chose 16 toys to test and came away with 14 recommendations. Let’s hop into my honest reviews.
At a Glance: Best Cat Toys to Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Potaroma 3 in 1 Automatic Interactive Butterfly Cat Toy
- Features a fluttering butterfly teaser, a pop-out feather teaser, and two balls on a track
- Once on, the toy can remain in standby mode for up to 4 hours, activating with the touch of a paw
- An excellent choice for supervised play sessions
Cat Dancer 101 Interactive Cat Toy
- Flexible wire moves unpredictably, encouraging cats to play
- Eco-friendly and budget-friendly
- A great choice for hands-on play sessions
Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Interactive Cat Toy
- Lightweight and flexible
- Long ribbon soars through the air with minimal effort
- Unpredictable movements keep cats engaged
Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy
- Filled with high-quality, organic catnip with no stuffing or small pieces
- Made entirely in the USA
- An excellent choice for independent playAn excellent choice for independent play
Potaroma Chew Ropes Cat Toy
- Contains silvervine and catnip to keep cats engaged
- An excellent choice for cats who like to chew or kick their toys
- Great for independent or hands-on play sessions
Coastal Pet Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
- 2-in-1 cat scratcher and track toy
- Large size and non-slip bottom encourage cats of all sizes to scratch and play
- Horizontal scratcher can help redirect cats who scratch carpets, rugs, or tops of furniture
Quirky Kitty Mice Cream Hide-A-Toy Cat Toy
- Hide-a-toy design provides mental enrichment by giving your cat a small puzzle to solve
- Contains high-quality North American catnip
- Can be filled with treats or extra catnip for added fun
Frisco Axolotl Jumbo Plush Kicker Cat Toy with Silvervine & Catnip
- 16” long kicker toy is designed with large cats in mind
- Contains silvervine and catnip to encourage play
- Crinkly material keeps cats engaged in playtime
Catit Senses 2.0 Super Circuit Cat Toy
- Contains 12 tracks that can be arranged into over 100 different configurations
- Compatible with tracks from other Catit Senses 2.0 toys
- A great choice for independent or hands-on play
PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Cat Feeder
- A simple, engaging puzzle toy that makes mealtimes fun
- Encourages cats to eat slowly and engage in natural hunting behaviors such as batting and chasing
- Dishwasher safe
SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys
- Easy for cats to toss, carry, and bat around
- Perfect for hands-on games of fetch
- Comes in an affordable pack of 10 colorful mice
GoCat Da Bird Single Pole Cat Teaser
- Long, lightweight wand toy
- Encourages cats to run and jump with minimal effort from cat parents
- Flexible wand creates unpredictable, engaging movements
HEX BOTS Nano
- Realistic bug-like movements engage your cat’s hunting instincts
- Lightweight design is easy for cats to bat and toss around
- A great choice for supervised play sessions
Catstages Tower of Tracks Interactive Cat Toy
- Includes three tracks containing six balls total
- Encourages cats to pounce, swat, and chase
- Cats can play independently or with other cats
Top Picks Explained
Why Trust Cats.com
While choosing products for this article, our team scoured customer reviews, chatted with other cat parents, and used our experience with our own cats to make the best selections possible.
Before writing this article, I purchased and tested each product with my own cats. They’re seniors now, so not as rambunctious as kittens, but still pretty active!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I took notes on how the cats responded to the toys, my own experience holding wand toys or setting up electronic toys, and how each one held up under rough play (my boys love to chew!). I also thought about how cats of different ages or with different play styles may react to each toy, in order to recommend to each unique cat and cat parent the best products possible.
In addition to the toys below, I also tested two additional selections that didn’t make the cut: the Kitty Kaster cat wand and the PetSafe Bolt automatic laser cat toy.
The Kitty Kaster had a great design in the handle and wand, but unfortunately fell apart within one play session. I was able to tie the felt toy back onto the string, and Kitty Kaster does sell replacements—but ultimately, I didn’t feel the quality held up to the expensive price tag.
The PetSafe Bolt wouldn’t turn on unless I was pressing down on the battery cover the entire time. When I looked into the issue, I saw a couple of other reviewers mention a similar problem. While most of the lasers they sell seem to work fine, there does seem to be a design flaw in some of them where the cover just isn’t tight enough for the toy to function properly.
Top 14 Cat Toys Tested and Reviewed
Every cat is unique, with their own play style and preferences. When it comes to interactive toys, cat parents want different things as well!
Our overall top pick is the Potaroma 3-in-1 automatic interactive butterfly toy because it’s versatile and keeps cats entertained without much work for cat parents. However, this toy isn’t the best way to bond with your cat, and won’t encourage jumping or running.
That’s why we’ve broken our selections into categories, so that you can choose the best one for your needs. Whether you’re trying to schedule more exercise into your cat’s day, make meal times more enriching, or encourage independent play, we’ve got you covered!
#1 Overall Best: Potaroma 3-in-1 Automatic Interactive Butterfly Cat Toy
My youngest cats are 12 years old, so it’s difficult to find new experiences for them when it comes to toys. Something I loved about this 3-in-1 toy from Potaroma is that it combines two activities they’re very familiar with (a butterfly teaser and ball track) with something they haven’t had before (the pop-out feather teaser).
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I knew they’d love the butterfly teaser, and I hoped they’d enjoy the pop-out feathers as well. Both ended up being a hit! My girls especially love electronic toys like this, and they couldn’t seem to choose which part of the toy to go after first.
I do think they found it a little overwhelming when multiple parts of the toy were moving at once, but luckily there are multiple settings, so each teaser can be turned on individually. This also makes the toy more unpredictable for your cat, which is always a plus with stationary electronic toys like this.
Another plus is that, once you turn it on, the toy will stay on for four hours. It won’t run this entire time, but instead will pause after five minutes and reactivate if touched. This way, your cat can turn the toy back on as they please, and you won’t have to get up every time.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to entertain their cats while they’re busy doing housework or working from home. While it won’t get your cat sprinting through the house, it will engage their minds and get them moving a little bit. However, cats shouldn’t be left unattended with this one–it’s just not what these kinds of electronic toys are made for.
What We Liked:
- 3-in-1 toy with multiple settings and ways to play
- Features a fluttering butterfly teaser, a pop-out feather teaser, and two balls on a track
- Stays on in standby mode for 4 hours, shutting down every five minutes and reactivating with the touch of a paw
- An excellent choice for supervised play sessions, especially when you’re too busy or too tired for hands-on activities
What We Didn’t Like:
- None
#2 Budget Pick: Cat Dancer 101 Interactive Cat Toy
The Cat Dancer 101 is a simple wand toy made from a flexible steel wire and several pieces of rolled paper. My cats loved chasing this one around the house, and its bouncy, unpredictable movements kept them engaged every time we played. They also liked rolling around on the toy and trying to chew the paper bits when it wasn’t moving.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
In cats, humping behavior is often not sexual in nature. Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
However, I think my cats enjoyed this one more than I did. There’s nothing objectively wrong with it, but I personally prefer wand toys with a comfortable handle. I added it to our toy rotation because the cats enjoy it, but I find myself gravitating more toward the other wand toys on today’s list.
I do recommend this one for cat parents on a budget who want to encourage more movement for their cats, and especially for cats who enjoy other cardboard toys. But if you have a difficult time grasping small objects, I’d skip this one.
What We Liked:
- Wire is springy and unpredictable, keeping cats engaged
- Cats love chasing the crinkly paper rolls at the end of the wand
- Eco-friendly and budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Twists into a small circle for easy storage
- A great choice for hands-on play with your cat
What We Didn’t Like:
- Thin wire may be difficult for some people to hold onto
#3 Best Ribbon Cat Toy: Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Interactive Cat Toy
I knew my cats would love the trailing ribbons on the Cat Charmer, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it as well! I usually prefer wand toys with more substantial handles, but this one made up for it by being super lightweight and flexible.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I loved that I could easily play with my cats sitting on the floor or a chair, which is difficult to do with some wand toys. The ribbons are long and glide through the air with minimal effort, encouraging cats to run, jump, and climb.
Another great thing about this one is that it’s gentle, so if you accidentally hit a cat or yourself with it, it won’t really hurt. This is especially helpful when you’re playing with a group of cats, as it can be difficult to avoid catching one of them with the ribbon!
Overall, this was one of my favorites during testing, and I would recommend it for most cats. Hands-on play is great for bonding with your cat, getting them up and moving, encouraging them to use cat trees or scratchers, and so much more.
Even cats who shouldn’t run or jump too much can have fun with this one, though you’ll have to switch up your play style. For my senior cats, I kept the ribbon close to the ground to limit them jumping and putting too much strain on their joints. You could also wave it slowly to provide mental enrichment and a “hunting” experience for cats who have trouble running around.
What We Liked:
- Lightweight and flexible
- Long ribbons soar through the air, engaging cats with little effort from cat parents
- Affordable choice for cat parents on a budget
- Gentle ribbons won’t hurt if someone is hit by mistake
- An excellent choice for hands-on play with your cat
What We Didn’t Like:
- None
#4 Best Catnip Toy: Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy
Most cat parents have heard of the infamous “banana toy,” but we just couldn’t provide a roundup of the best cat toys without sharing this one!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I purchased my first Yeowww! catnip banana years ago, and we’ve been through plenty of them since. They’re one of my cats’ absolute favorites, and their biggest complaint is having to share with the others.
While Yeowww! products tend to be more expensive than other catnip toys I personally buy, they make up for it in quality. I love that the bananas are filled with pure, organic catnip. This makes them safer than toys with stuffing or plastic pieces, especially for cats like mine who like to tear up their toys. And I can tell that the catnip is high quality, because my cats go wild for it every time!
If your cat enjoys catnip and you haven’t tried this one yet, I highly recommend giving it a chance.
What We Liked:
- Filled with high-quality, organic catnip
- Doesn’t contain stuffing or small parts
- Hand-sewn and made in the USA
- An excellent choice for encouraging independent play
What We Didn’t Like:
- Toys turn green over time from catnip seeping through the fabric (this may look gross, but they’re still perfectly fine to play with!)
#5 Best Chew Toy: Potaroma Chew Ropes Cat Toy
If your cat likes to gnaw on or kick at their toys, these chew ropes from Potaroma are a great choice. They’re made from cotton rope and come in a sealed container with a catnip pouch, which immediately enticed my cats. Each rope also comes with a small piece of gall fruit tied to one end.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
If you’ve never heard of gall fruit, that’s okay! Before testing these, I hadn’t either, but it turns out that gall fruit is also known as silvervine fruit, and is one of the more potent parts of the plant. (Silvervine, an alternative to catnip, provides that same euphoric feeling for cats who are unaffected by catnip.)
Your cat can play with the chew ropes independently, or you can use them as a teaser or fetch toy. My cats have really enjoyed them, and they’ve held up well, even after months of use.
What We Liked:
- Long, flexible design is perfect for cats who enjoy chewing or kicking at their toys
- Comes sealed with a catnip pouch in the bag, as well as a piece of silvervine fruit to entice cats to play
- A great choice for independent play
What We Didn’t Like:
- None
#6 Best Scratcher Toy: Coastal Pet Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
The Coastal Pet Turbo scratcher toy features a ball on a track, which surrounds a corrugated cardboard scratcher. If you’ve never given your cat corrugated cardboard, it holds up longer than you might expect, but I like that you can buy replacement pieces as well. That way, you won’t have to replace the entire toy once the cardboard has been shredded.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
My cats really enjoyed this one! They were especially interested in it after a sprinkle of catnip, of course, but they played without it, too. In addition to lots of scratching, they loved sitting in the center of the cardboard and batting the ball around.
I would recommend this one for people who want to add a wider variety of scratchers to their home, especially those on a budget. It’s also great for independent play and keeping your cat entertained while you’re out of the house.
What We Liked:
- 2-in-1 cat scratcher and track toy is a great way for cats to play, stretch, or sharpen their claws
- Large size and non-slip bottom allow even large cats to have fun
- Offering horizontal scratchers like this can help stop cats from tearing up carpets, rugs, and other surfaces
- Replacement cardboard pieces sold separately
- Great for independent play
What We Didn’t Like:
- None
#7 Best Plush Puzzle Toy: Quirky Kitty Mice Cream Hide-A-Toy Cat Toy
This cute toy from Quirky Kitty features a plush scoop of ice cream on a string, which can be tucked into a pouch resembling an ice cream tub. “Catmint chip mice cream,” to be specific.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
This one isn’t only adorable–it also provides cats with mental enrichment, and can be used in a variety of ways.
My cats enjoyed playing with it on its own and were enticed by the smell of the catnip. They found the hidden ice cream scoop pretty fast and spent a lot of time batting it up and down the hall. Of course, they also loved finding treats hidden inside the ice cream tub.
This one is for supervised play only, because the string and feathers may be hazardous if eaten. It’s also more fun for your cat if you hide the ice cream scoop each time, perhaps with some treats or extra catnip!
That said, I recommend this one for any cat who enjoys catnip. It also works well for cats still learning to solve puzzle toys, if you’d like something simple and familiar to start off with.
What We Liked:
- Hide-a-toy design provides mental enrichment by giving your cat a small puzzle to solve
- Contains North American catnip and a crinkly texture that entices cats to play
- Can be filled with treats or extra catnip for added fun
- A great choice for supervised play sessions
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains stuffing
#8 Best Kicker Toy: Frisco Axolotl Jumbo Plush Kicker Cat Toy with Silvervine & Catnip
This plush catnip toy from Frisco has a 12” long body and a 4” long tail (including the ribbons at the end). The gills on the axolotl’s head and its tail both make crinkly noises, which most cats love!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
My cats took turns playing with it during testing, and also spent some time napping with it. I found it in a different part of the house each day, as they carted it into their beds, down the hall, and throughout the living room.
This one is great for large cats who like to bunny kick their toys, like my boy Frankie. It works well for supervised independent play, and most cats could be left alone with it if you trimmed off the strings at the bottom–just check periodically to make sure they aren’t pulling any stuffing out!
What We Liked:
- Designed with large cats in mind
- Perfect for cats who like to bunny kick their toys
- Contains silvervine and catnip to entice cats to play
- Makes crinkly sounds for extra engagement
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains stuffing, which can cause health problems if eaten
#9 Best Circuit Toy: Catit Senses 2.0 Super Circuit Cat Toy
The Catit Senses 2.0 Super Circuit toy comes with twelve tracks that can be fitted into over 100 different shapes, as well as one bell ball for your cat to bat through the tracks. More balls can be added, and these tracks can also be combined with other Catit Senses 2.0 toys.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I found these fun to put together, kind of like a puzzle! I can also see it being a fun activity for helping children and cats to bond with one another.
My cats enjoyed this one when I sat and played with them, but didn’t spend a lot of time using it on their own. It takes up more space than similar toys on our list, but it’s also more versatile.
I would recommend it if you have plenty of space in your cat’s play area, and I think it would be most intriguing for kittens or cats who’ve never tried a circuit toy before. Though it does require time to set up, your cat can play with it independently after that. There are also plenty of ways for you to get involved if you’d like, whether it’s batting the ball around with them or setting up new track configurations.
What We Liked:
- Contains 12 tracks that can be arranged in 100+ different ways
- Can add more balls or tracks from other Catit Senses 2.0 toys
- Encourages kids or adults to bond with their cats
- A great choice for independent or hands-on play
What We Didn’t Like:
- Takes up a lot of space when fully assembled
#10 Best Treat Ball: PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Cat Feeder
The PetSafe SlimCat interactive cat feeder is a plastic ball that can be filled with treats or kibble. Twist the top half of the ball to change the size of the holes on the sides, and then let your cat bat at the ball until the treats fall out.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
My cats immediately took to this one, since they’ll do just about anything for food! I like that it encouraged them to stand up and move around, but didn’t require so much work that they gave up altogether.
This is another easy puzzle toy for cats who can’t solve complex puzzles yet. It’s also a good way to provide mental enrichment at meal time or to encourage gentle movement and play.
The only flaw I found was that it doesn’t come apart for easy cleaning. I worried that moisture or debris could become trapped between the two top layers, so I spent quite a bit of time washing and drying it to prevent that from happening. It was more maintenance than I’d like, but other cat parents may not mind as much–especially if you have a dishwasher!
What We Liked:
- Easier to use than most puzzle toys
- Encourages slower eating, as well as gentle movement and play
- Adjustable holes accommodate different sized treats and kibble, and allow you to change the difficulty of the puzzle
- Dishwasher safe
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t come apart for cleaning
- Moisture or debris may get caught between the top two layers
#11 Best Mouse Toys: SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys
Mouse toys are great for playing fetch or for your cat to bat around on their own! They’re small enough for your cat to toss around easily, and they’re filled with catnip to entice your cat to play.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The SmartyKat Skitter Critters come in an affordable pack of 10 cute multi-colored mice. My cats loved batting these around, and they quickly ended up under the furniture as these sorts of toys do. I sometimes joke that retrieving them all is our cats’ way of providing mental enrichment for humans!
I would recommend these for supervised play, especially for cats who like to play fetch (or if you want to teach them to play). However, they do contain small pieces and stuffing, and they tear fairly quickly if your cat is rough with them.
What We Liked:
- Small, lightweight design allows cats to toss, carry, and bat mice around easily
- Comes in an affordable pack of 10
- A great choice for supervised or hands-on play
What We Didn’t Like:
- Contains stuffing and small parts that can be dangerous if eaten
- Not the best choice for destructive cats
#12 Best Feather Toy: GoCat Da Bird Single Pole Cat Teaser
The GoCat Da Bird teaser wand is lightweight, with a thin wand and a replaceable feather toy clipped onto the end. Its movements are bouncy and unpredictable, and my cats loved playing with this one!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Like the Cat Charmer, I could comfortably play with the cats while standing up or sitting down. The wand on this one is longer, so it was easy to get the cats running without moving around much myself. It was also thinner, though, and I found it more uncomfortable to hold than the Cat Charmer.
The feather also fell apart on us during play, but my cat Frankie is very rough on his toys, so I think this one would hold up better with less destructive cats. I also love that I can buy refills of the feather toy, and I can see the wand itself lasting for a long time.
Overall, I think this is a great pick for hands-on play sessions. However, you may want to choose a different wand toy if you have a large, destructive cat like mine.
What We Liked:
- Long, lightweight wand encourages cats to run and jump with very little effort from cat parents
- Flexible wand creates unpredictable, engaging movements
- Feather replacements sold separately
What We Didn’t Like:
- Thin wand may be uncomfortable to hold onto, especially for those with hand or wrist problems
- Feather didn’t hold up long to rough play from a large cat
#13 Best Hunting Toy: HEX BOTS Nano
HEX BOTS are made for children, but their realistic bug-like movements also replicate hunting for cats.
My cats were a bit wary of the vibrations the toys make at first, but warmed up very quickly. They were especially a hit with my cat Mama, who likes to play fetch with small toys. She also loves hiding them in shoes, for some reason!
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The other cats also batted at the toys and carried them around, but weren’t quite as engaged.
I would recommend this one for most cats, so long as you have hard floors they can play on, since that’s what will be the most fun. They do work on thin rugs as well, especially if you turn them on their backs or sides, but they buzz around in circles rather than crawling. I couldn’t get them to do much at all on normal carpet.
Remember to supervise your cat while they play, and to turn off the toys and store them out of reach when the play session is over. Since these toys are electronic, always check for damage before giving them to your cat.
What We Liked:
- Realistic bug-like movements engage cats’ hunting instincts
- Lightweight and easy for cats to bat and carry
- A great choice for supervised play sessions
What We Didn’t Like:
- Vibrating noise may scare sensitive cats
- Doesn’t work well on carpet
#14 Best Ball Chaser Toy: Catstages Tower of Tracks Interactive Cat Toy
Last but not least, the Catstages Tower of Tracks is a long-time favorite in my house! It comes with three stacked tracks and six balls, and requires no assembly.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I initially purchased this one several years ago. After months of daily use, my cats slowly grew bored of it, but I still felt that it was worth the purchase. I bought another for our interactive cat toy round-up years later, and at first the cats ignored it. Then, just when I was ready to put it away, my cat Frankie started playing with it regularly once again.
I still see the other cats joining in occasionally, and when they were first introduced to it I’d regularly see two or more cats clustered around it, batting the balls back and forth to one another or watching the balls roll around the tracks while another cat played.
I would recommend this one for most cats. I think kittens or young cats would be fascinated by their first experience with a track toy like this, and those who struggle to get around like they used to may appreciate being able to sit in one place and play.
What We Liked:
- Includes three tracks and six balls total (two on each track)
- Encourages pouncing, swatting, and chasing
- Perfect for cats of all ages and accommodates various play styles
- Cats can enjoy the toy independently or play with other cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- None
How to Choose the Best Toys for Your Cat
There are so many different types of cat toys out there that it can be difficult to choose between them! Here are some things I think about before buying toys for my own cats:
Look at Their Existing Toys
First, take a look at your cat’s toy collection! Do they already have a lot of catnip toys, but not very many electronic ones? Do you have a few toys they can use while supervised, but not as many designed for independent play? Maybe you haven’t purchased any new puzzle toys for them in a while!
If it feels like something is missing, that’s a great place to start. It’s always nice for new toys to provide something new for your cat, even if it’s just a different texture or sound.
If you’ve just adopted your cat and they don’t have any toys, I recommend starting with the basics: a nice wand toy, a few toys designed for independent play such as stuffed catnip toys, and perhaps an electronic toy for when you can supervise but are too busy for hands-on activities.
Think About Your Cat’s Play Style
Next, think about how your cat plays already. Questions you may ask yourself include:
- While playing with a wand toy, does my cat prefer to see it soaring through the air or wriggling on the ground? Are there other toys that can mimic those movements?
- How active is my cat? Do I want to encourage or discourage strenuous activity? (Stationary electronic toys can be awesome for cats with disabilities, while wand toys are the best for getting cats up and moving.)
- How rough is my cat on their toys? Do I need to look for something extra sturdy, or will most toys hold up okay?
Trying new things is wonderful, but we also want to avoid buying something our cats won’t like, or something they’ll tear to pieces within a week!
Choosing the Best Toys
Now that you have a better idea of what kind of toy you’d like to buy, it’s time to start browsing. Look for toys that:
- Fit into your budget, but keep in mind that very cheap toys may need to be replaced more often. Sometimes, spending a few extra dollars makes all the difference.
- Are durable and will hold up over time. Bonus points if they have replaceable parts and are easy to keep clean!
- Are fun for you and your cat! Cats need daily play, so be sure to pick something that you can both enjoy playing with for the duration. In addition to your cat’s preferences, consider your own convenience. This doesn’t mean avoiding hands-on play sessions, but it might mean choosing wand toys with comfortable handles, electronic toys that have a standby mode so that your cat can reactivate them without you getting up, and other features that help you to play with your cat more consistently.
Lastly, something that’s nice to have are toys without small parts or stuffing inside. This can be difficult to find in a cat toy, and is typically more costly. Not every cat toy needs to fit these criteria, but you’ll want at least a couple that you can safely allow your cat to play with unattended.
On the other hand, toys used only under your supervision, such as wand toys, can be made more exciting to your cat with things like bells and feathers. Just inspect them before each use to make sure nothing is tearing or coming loose from the toy.