Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Cat Toys

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Pawzone Automatic Electric Rotating Butterfly & Ball Interactive Cat Toy
Pawzone
Automatic Electric Rotating Butterfly & Ball Interactive Cat Toy
Check Price
Most Interactive
Bottom Line

An outstanding interactive toy that's suitable for just about any cat thanks to the many moving parts that mesmerize most kitties.

Pros

Great for active kittens and cats, this fun toy features moving butterflies and rolling balls that keep them entertained. Components can be used together or separately, so it's like 2 toys in 1.

Cons

A little noisy, and some of its parts feel flimsy. Batteries are required for the butterflies.

Best Bang for the Buck
Fashion's Talk 20-Piece Cat Toy Variety Pack
Fashion's Talk
20-Piece Cat Toy Variety Pack
Check Price
Feature-packed
Bottom Line

Twenty different cat toys to keep your felines entertained. Balls, mice, feather sticks, catnip sacks, and more. A great deal.

Pros

With so many toys, you'll have replacements for the ones your cat inevitably swats under the furniture. Fun features such as jingle bells, feathers, and catnip.

Cons

Your cat might not enjoy all of the various toys but will likely find at least a few favorites.

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Petstages
Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Check Price
Most Entertaining
Bottom Line

With not 1 but 3 levels of track, each with its own ball, your cat will spend hours trying to catch the elusive prey.

Pros

Rolling balls stimulate the hunting instinct. The heavy-duty toy stands up to rough play. Nonskid pads on the bottom hold the toy in place while your cat swats at it.

Cons

None to speak of, but your cat might eventually tire of it.

Petsafe Bolt Interactive Cat Toy
Petsafe
Bolt Interactive Cat Toy
Check Price
Laser Fun
Bottom Line

Most cats love chasing a laser dot. The Bolt lets you set an automatic play session or manually work the toy for bonding time with your cat.

Pros

In automatic mode, the battery-powered toy flashes random laser patterns to keep cats active. Automatically shuts off after 15 minutes so Kitty won't be overstimulated.

Cons

Some owners complain the laser moves too quickly in automatic mode.

YEOWWW! Yeowww! Catnip Toy, Yellow Banana
YEOWWW!
Yeowww! Catnip Toy, Yellow Banana
Check Price
Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A hand-made cat toy filled with fragrant, 100% organic catnip. Likely the only fruit your kitty will be interested in.

Pros

This banana-shaped toy has a tough cotton twill fabric with a plush feel that cats like to gnaw on and scratch as they inhale the delicious catnip aroma. The fabric contains vegetable-based dyes that are safe for kitties.

Cons

This toy arrives with a label glued to the fabric that buyers find hard to remove.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

52
Models
Considered
65
Consumers
Consulted
16
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for best cat toys

You only need to watch a cat batting around a bottle top or pouncing on a blade of grass moving in the breeze to realize they're extremely playful animals. All cat parents should buy a selection of quality cat toys for their feline friends to keep them happy and engage that playful spirit.

Not only do kitties get a kick out of playing with cat toys but toys also provide mental and physical stimulation, which helps your cat stay active and staves off boredom. Knowing your cat is happy will make you happy, too, so everyone's a winner.

With such a huge variety of cat toys on the market, however, selecting the right ones for your furry family member can seem overwhelming. Don't worry. We at BestReviews have put together this detailed guide to cat toys to make your purchasing decisions easier.

Content Image
Not all cats like all toys. Think about how your cat enjoys playing before picking a toy.

Key considerations

Types of cat toys

Sure, you want to buy a cat toy, but what kind? With so many toys available, the first step is to decide what type or types you want to buy for your feline friend. While this list isn't exhaustive, these are some of the most common varieties of cat toys —

  • Cat dancers or wands: These are pieces of string or other material on a stick, sometimes with feathers or similar on the end. You hold the stick and wave the string around, your cat chases it. Simple.

  • Plush toys: Cats love to pounce on and wrestle with plush toys that may or may not be filled with catnip.

  • Balls and mice: Balls, mice, and other small cat toys are perfect for felines who like to bat objects around and chase them.

  • Laser toys: You can find both simple laser pointers that you operate manually to amuse your cat or large toys that automatically whizz a laser beam around the room, so all you have to do is switch it on and watch the mayhem unfold.

  • Chasers: Electronic chaser toys generally feature a ball or other small object racing around a track for your feline friend to chase.

  • Tunnels: Some cats love making a game of running in and out of tunnel toys, while others simply use them as a place to hang out.

Cat toy features

Playing alone vs. playing with a human

While most cat toys are designed so your cat can play with them alone, you can also find a good number of toys that require a human to join in, such as wands and laser pointers. Playing with your cat is fun and a good bonding experience. However, you probably don't want to wave a cat toy around 24/7, so pick some toys your cat can play with solo, too.

Materials

Cat toys should be made from safe and sturdy materials that are durable enough to withstand rough play. Aside from that, look for cat toys that incorporate materials with a range of textures, such as rough sisal or something similar for your cat to claw, crinkly material that makes an interesting sound, and soft fleece, which many cats like to knead.

Size

Smaller toys are best for batting around, while larger toys are ideal for wrestling and kicking. Some cats have a preference for large or small toys, and other cats enjoy both. If you're unsure, try selecting a range of toys in different sizes to see what your feline friend enjoys best.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria – aka "catnip" – is a plant in the mint family that has a strange effect on cats. Not all kitties are affected by catnip, but those who are tend to roll around, salivate, meow, engage in head rubbing, and more when they come into contact with the herb. It seems to make cats happy and is thought to relieve stress. Many cat toys are filled with catnip, adding an extra dimension of enjoyment for your feline friend.

Cat toy prices

How much should you expect to spend on cat toys? You don't need to spend a lot to keep your kitty happy.

Basic cat toys, such as balls, small mice, and wands often cost just $1 to $3.

Larger plush toys, including catnip-filled toys, are generally within the $4 to $10 range.

If you're looking for electronic cat toys, such as chasers, expect to pay $15 to $30, depending on the quality and complexity of the toy.

Tips

  • Check that any toys you choose are safe for your cat. Buy toys from a trusted manufacturer. They should be made from nontoxic materials and be durable enough that your cat won't easily pull off small parts that could be choking hazards.

  • Choose toys wisely for senior cats. As cats get older, they might not be able to leap around like they used to. It's best to pick toys your elder kitty can play with at her own pace rather than electronic toys that might encourage her to move in a way that's not good for her.

  • Consider puzzle games to occupy your cat's brain. Just like us, cats can get bored if they have little to do. Interactive puzzle games for cats help engage the gray matter and mentally stimulate your feline friend.

  • Spread out snacks with a treat-dispensing toy. If your cat is always looking for tasty morsels, he might enjoy a toy that doles out treats. Not only are these toys great boredom busters but they also make the treats last longer, which is good if you need to watch your cat's weight.

  • Select a toy that suits your cat's interests. Does your cat go mad for catnip? Does he like to hide in tight spots? Or is he interested in stalking and pouncing? The way your cat behaves day today will give you an idea of the type of toys he might enjoy.
Content Image
Cats are attracted to toys with a variety of textures, sounds, and colors.

FAQ

Q. Is it safe to let my cat play with his toys unsupervised?

A. Most cat toys aren't recommended for unsupervised play, but many cat parents make judgment calls. Any toys that your cat could get his head caught in, get tangled up in, or choke on are hard nos. Decently sized balls and plush toys without loose parts are relatively safe for unsupervised play. However, it's down to you to decide what you think is best.

Q. Can I leave electronic cats toys on all day?

A. Electronic cat toys tend to have moving parts that encourage cats to chase, pounce, leap, and tackle. While these activities are good for your cat in moderation, leaving a toy with moving parts running all day could cause your cat to overexert herself.

Q. Are there specific toys designed for kittens?

A. While you can find a handful of toys designed for kittens, most cat toys are suitable for use by young cats as well as adults. Just make sure to choose smaller toys for young kittens and remove any small pieces or strings that could be choking hazards.

Our Top Picks