Keeping kitties stimulated is important which is why the best interactive cat toys are well worth considering. They can provide your kitty with mental and physical stimulation even when you're not around. You can use them to prevent boredom and destructive behavior – potentially preventing cats from pulling at your carpets and scratching your furniture.
There are many different types of interactive cat toys to choose from such as puzzles, balls that circulate around tracks and toys that double as scratchers. Some of the best cat toys are customizable, some involve treats and others can be operated remotely. Whether you're looking to tap into a pet's natural instinct to scratch, chase or hunt, there will be a toy to suit your cat's personality.
“Interactive cat toys provide a really good way to keep your cat entertained,” says vet Dr. Joanna Woodnutt who believes interactive toys can be particularly great for indoor cats. “In the wild, cats would spend a lot of their time hunting. Domesticated cats don’t need to hunt so they spend much of their time sleeping, but this can lead to boredom, behavioral problems, and weight gain.”
To help you find the right interactive cat toy for your feline friend, we've rounded up the most popular and well-reviewed products but you should consider the best automated cat toys and the best laser toys for cats too. It's also worth keeping an eye out for toys which power up for a short amount of time and turn off automatically since you don't want to overstimulate your cat.
Dr Joanna Woodnutt qualified as a veterinarian from the University of Nottingham where she then went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She really took to the consulting side of things and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behavior, and nutrition - anything that involved helping clients understand their pets better.
PetsRadar's pick of the best interactive cat toys
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Receiving an average of 4.5 out of five on Amazon, thousands of people are happy with this interactive toy. About 86 percent of buyers give it four or more stars, praising it for being easy to assemble, sturdy and durable. Cats appear to take to it well and the ability to rearrange the product in different shapes helps maintain their interest.
Cats love smashing balls around the floor. This is certainly the case for indoor cats, according to a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, but if you're tired of constantly retrieving balls from beneath cupboards, the Catit Senses 2.0 Super Circuit may be the answer.
It's an upgrade on the blue Super Roller Circuit, with the new version taking on a green hue and being fully customizable. Depending on your preferences, the 2.0 Super Circuit can be configured into over 100 different layouts. This will allow you to keep things interesting for your cats, giving you the option to change things around should you get bored.
Since everything clicks into place, assembly should prove to be straightforward. The play process is also simple: cats bat the ball around along the track until their heart’s content and it's the sort of toy that could be left with cats for a little while.
The toy is also designed to be compatible with other Catit products. Whether it’s other circuits, the Senses 2.0 Grass Planter or Senses 2.0 Food Tree, everything fits together seamlessly, leaving open numerous cat activity possibilities.
One downside is that the toy doesn’t come with the flashing light-up ball included in the Super Roller Circuit. You’dl have to buy that separately, or pilfer it from the old circuit.
Yet this is a nitpick. While cats can be fickle, they should be utterly entranced by this toy. You may also want to consider the Catit Senses Play Circuit which works in a similar way.
There are many thousands of reviews for this product and it receives a very respectable 4.2 out of five on Amazon. While some users say it can take a very short while for cats to become acquainted with how it works, users praise the design, say it holds plenty of treats and love the fact it's easy to clean. One user took issue with the instructions being placed inside the sealed ball.
Obesity can be a problem among cats, especially indoor ones. As such, if you've ever pondered the question, “is my cat overweight?”, then this toy is likely to be of great interest.
It allows you to partially fill a sphere with food, encouraging your cat to knock it about so that food is slowly dispensed. The idea is that it makes cats work for their dinner since minimal opportunities for exercise, coupled with the ready availability of food, is usually the cause of expanding feline waistlines.
One thing's for sure, it works well. Filling the sphere will be easy and then it’s a matter of leaving the toy for a cat to smash around in search of their edible treats. In doing so, it will slow eating down and that, in line with the best cat puzzle feeders, is the primary goal here. To aid digestion, cats are generally supposed to have a number of small meals rather than fewer large ones. While this isn’t always possible to achieve during day-to-day life, this device allows for such a possibility once more.
Since the food is dispensed slowly, cats will eat slowly as a result – encouraging engagement and healthy eating in one fell swoop. Whether you choose to use it as a dinner time aid or fill it with treats for some fun and games, it’s equally versatile. It's also made from BPA-free plastic, and can be cleaned safely in the dishwasher, making it safe to use in the long-term.
With a rating of four out of five on Amazon, there's clearly a lot of love for this toy. Cats seem to enjoy using it and some reviewers have said it lasts many months of daily use. In some instances, it has become a favorite toy. It has been criticised for being too fast, though, and one said the noise made a kitty afraid.
Many pet owners have asked the question: are laser pointers bad for cats? In truth, it's all about how you use them. The best laser toys for cats tend to be safe and responsible when used properly and there's no doubting the quality of this particular toy from Catit.
The company has a strong reputation for creating products designed to engage with pets. With this toy, the functions are threefold. First, while it spins, kittens will love chasing the plushie bee that adorns the top of its antennae. Second, laser beams are emitted from time-to-time for your kitten to chase and, third, the base contains a dispenser for which to drop food out of, meaning you can choose it as a means of allocating treats.
The results were generally impressive. Although there will be a lot to take in for a small cat, kitties are sure to have a great time chasing the laser. They’ll definitely appreciate the treats. Just be aware that the toy can move rather quickly so if your cat is naturally timid, it might not necessarily be the best option.
Unlike some other interactive cat toys, this also requires two AA batteries (not included), although they will be safely out of reach of your cat. Having to change them from time-to-time may be cumbersome, but ultimately it will be worth it for the experience it offers your kitten. All in all, it’s a great starter kit.
With a rating of four out of five on Amazon, there's nothing fishy about this toy. It's praised for being USB chargeable and one user actually had 10 minutes of entertainment from it before handing it to the cat: “it's just too funny!”. About two-thirds of users give it more than four stars but there are concerns about the noise.
If you've wondered, “why does my cat bring me toys and other gifts?”, then you may well be used to having mice, birds and other assorted wildlife in your home. Yes, it's a nuisance but it also shows what cats are naturally attracted to – hence why this offering from Bilisder is shaped like a fish and happens to work efficiently and effectively.
Arriving with a built-in sensor, the fish moves around when a cat comes into contact with it, making it seem lifelike and engaging. Since it's made of cotton and soft plush, cats can also safely chew and scratch at it and this means you can leave your pet to play without having to worry.
Since it's filled with naturally-grown catnip, it's sure to drive your cat wild, as if they somehow needed any further encouragement. But the more cats attack and tear at this unfortunate fish, the less likely they are to scratch at your carpet or furniture so there's a real daily benefit to be had with this one!
It’s also worth emphasizing the positive behavioral and health effects that come from this toy. Catnip has been proven to decrease anxiety in cats, and playing with the toy has a gradual calming effect (check out more from our guide on What does catnip do to cats?).
It’s also good to see that this toy is rechargeable. What's more, the chargeable motor is easy to separate from the rest of the toy, making it easy to clean when required.
It’s quite a hefty toy, though, which might make it slightly off-putting for smaller cats, but others will enjoy being able to attack and hurl it around in a consequence-free manner. It’ll be both fun for you to watch them embrace their inner kitten, and for them to truly let loose.
Although this toy has achieved 3.9 out of five on Amazon from a few dozen users, the overall perception is a product loved by cats – especially those who are a little naughty. In one household of three cats, it would seem the kitties are trying to bag the toy all for themselves! It has, however, been criticised for only offering a few minutes of play for some cats.
Many pet owners have come to expect quality from Ferplast products, and it’s unlike you’ll come away disappointed with the Tornado Circuit.
Its functions are two-fold: first, there’s a rotating hanging ball on the top, intended for your cat to swipe at (and trust us, they won’t need much encouragement on that front). Second, there are a couple of balls secured by tracks on the lower platform. One of them contains a flashing LED light, designed to catch your cat’s attention and encourage further play.
The device is made from plastic and, given its solid build, you can leave cats alone with it and not have to worry. If one of the balls somehow gets broken, it’s easy enough to take apart and replace, thus ensuring a degree of longevity.
Ultimately, the degree of usage you get out of it will depend on the personality of your cat. If they’re sufficiently hyperactive enough to be enticed by it then hours of fun are guaranteed. Saying this, it’s not the biggest, so it might be liable to get knocked over.
Also, there’s a feeling that this is like two inferior versions of different products. The PetSafe FroliCat Dart Duo’s laser has many more functions, and the track for Petit’s 2.0 Super Circuit offers far more to do than the one included here.
Saying that, if you’re happy with essentially combining these products (and in the process gain an inferior but still worthwhile product in the process), then you can’t go too far wrong.
With an impressive 4.5 out of five, this toy – attracting more than 55,000 reviews – can easily be considered a success. Users have called it an instant hit and many seem happy to leave their cats with it while they nip out. Yes, there are some reviews suggesting cats soon get bored of it, but the vast majority appear very happy indeed.
Petstages’ Tower of Tracks is one of the most popular interactive cat toys around, and it’s easy to see why.
It may look simple – three tiers containing a ball on each track for your cats to knock around – but a lot of thought has clearly gone into this. The user-friendly nature and strong production values are testament to its appeal.
Unlike other similar products, the balls won’t come loose, no matter how hard your cats swipe at them. They stay there securely for long-lasting fun and continue to stimulate your cats’ senses and hone their hunting instincts for long durations. It’s both a mental and physical workout.
Moreover, there’s a high degree of versatility to this. Cats can either play solo, with other cats or with you. Simply knock the ball towards them, and see if they bat it back. Another layer of comfort is the safety bar on top, which keeps cats from getting stuck. The product description recommends supervision, but this seems pretty safe to us – you can feel secure knowing that they’ll come to no harm while using this.
Indeed, chances are your cats will love it, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. It won’t break the bank. It’s hard to know what more to ask for. When looking for interactive cat toys, this should really be near the top of your list.
Amazon customers have given this toy 4.1 out of five, praising it for being easy to use. In one case, the toy has proven so successful, the pet parent can finally get a good night's sleep, with most users saying their kitties engaged well with the product. Described as a great feeding tool and said to be of “lovely quality”, just be wary of using it on hard floors because one user objected to the noise.
You could make use of one of the best automatic pet feeders or you could try to combine eating with fun and opt for a toy such as this. Indeed, this particular offering encourages cats to play, not least because the feeders are shaped like a feline's favorite prey.
The idea is that you fill three mouse-shaped feeders with food, after which you hide them around the house. Once your cat finds them, voila! Dinner is served. Not only that, but you are also encouraging natural cat behavior and providing them with smaller meals (each mouse holds 1.6 tablespoons of food). It really does work a treat!
At the same time the toy combats destructive behavior, scarf and barf and night waking. Manufacturers Doc & Phoebe claim to take their approach from “science and nature”, so it’s no surprise that this product’s health benefits are emphasized but that's not to say the toy doesn't introduce problems of its own.
If you choose to leave your cats to play, for instance, then don’t be surprised if you come back to find a load of leftover food on the floor. There’s also every chance that cats will treat these mice just like they treat any rodents that they may encounter in the wild.
Even so, while shaping these feeders like mice may be a gimmick, there’s no denying their effectiveness, and it’s hard not to recommend it. Machine washable, easy to use and maintain, it’s among the more innovative cat feeders on the market.
Having been given four out of five on Amazon, this is a toy well worth considering. Praised for its ability to turn on and off at random which keeps kitties on their toes, the product appears engaging, even for those cats who tend to get bored easily. The unpredictable movements and tail flip seem to work well but one user – who still gave it a four – says it can run into cats when it zips along at speed across a hard floor.
ICats love to chase and, according to a study published in Acta Analytica, it’s important to allow your feline friend outdoors for that very reason. If this isn’t possible, however, and your cat is getting bored with chase toys then this offering from Burgeon could be worth a look.
Taking the form of a moving platform, it contains a number of attachments, such as feathers, for your cat to chase. This can be done in a pre-programmed fast or slow mode, depending on your cat's preferences or level of mobility.
On one full charge (which can be performed via USB), it stays active for 20 minutes, before switching off for 1.5 hours, and then starting up again. This gives your cat a chance to rest, as well as preserving the battery life, which in this mode can last for 7 days.
When in operation, the movements are suitably random. It will move forwards and backwards, and occasionally rotate, keeping your cat on its toes.
While it works fine on most indoor surfaces – including carpet – it can get stuck in rooms with plenty of obstacles. Also, some user reviews have complained about there being little leeway between the two modes – a medium-speed option would have been nice.
Regardless, this does its job well, and is one you should consider if you plan to leave your cat at home alone for an extended period of time.
Given an impressive 4.4 out of five on Amazon, this toy is said to keep cats motivated, challenged and amused. Although some cats worked out the puzzle rather quickly, this will depend on the individual cat. It should, however, slow down eating, as some users report, and prove a welcome distraction.
Although most of the toys here will keep a kitty occupied when no-one is around, this one is perhaps more fun when played under supervision. It'll pose a great challenge for any cat while also giving you a chance to bond.
The idea is that you load it up with treats by initially placing them inside shallow cups. The hope is that cats soon learn they can paw at the plastic raindrop shapes used to cover the cups, enabling them to have a small morsel of food.
As time goes on, however, and a cat becomes acquainted with the task, you can up the ante a tad. The toy comes with a series of pegs and food can be dropped inside those as well. A cat can only get at the treats by pawing at the pegs until they're over the shallow cups, allowing the food to drop. By swishing the cup away, they're able to get at the food.
It's all rather ingenious and the enjoyment is in watching a cat work out what is needed to eat. But that’s not all. Central to the toy is a spinning wheel and this is where you are needed to be on hand. By moving the wheel you can uncover hidden treat cups and it's great to see if a cat responds. Who knows? They may even figure out how to turn the wheel themselves!
Given 3.9 out of five, just under half of users have awarded this toy full marks. In that sense, it seems to split opinion to a degree, with those who love it saying it keeps cats occupied for a good period of time – even after a year in one case – and those who aren't so keen concerned the poking mice may pose a hazard. The electric motor noise is criticised.
If you're someone who takes your cat with you on your travels then you'll want to get them something you can carry around with you. This product from PetSafe perfectly fits the bill, for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it's sufficiently small and lightweight, weighing in at only 237 grams. You will barely notice the extra weight in your suitcase.
Secondly, the level of interactivity is such that it will constantly keep your cat guessing. It will take your cats a long time – if they manage at all – to work out the sequence in which the mice pop up out of the cheese.
Finally, it's perfectly geared for you to leave your cats unattended. It can be programmed to switch on and off at certain times, and there is a timer to ensure that it shuts down when inactive.
However, it may not be suitable for all cats. Due to its diminutive stature, larger cats may make short work of it. Also, some have reported their cats getting their claws stuck on the mice, so it may make sense to monitor them the first few times they use it so that they don't experience something similar.
With a rating of four out of five, this toy appears to be a hit. Many users say their cat took to it straight out of the box and one said it's a good shape for wriggly bodies. A good number of those who didn't use it immediately seemed to do so after the use of some catnip but there are users who suggest it may be too small for some moggies.
The quality and range of products offered by Catit is consistently impressive, and this toy looks to have reached the standard the company is renowned for.
The Catit Senses 2.0 Wellness Center has a number of features that are designed to help your cat's mental wellbeing. Coming with a variety of brushes, textures, and ridges that will help your cat groom themselves, this is an activity center for the senses.
Moreover, the various features on show will prompt your cat to use their natural senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. With 360-degree grooming on show, you can be sure that they will get a lot out of it.
Fitting in with the same design scheme as the rest of Catit's products, it can easily be slotted together with them to create a collection of activity centers for your cat.
The only real quibble is the price but even so, it is, in some regards, a measure of quality. A product that must be considered.
How to choose the best interactive cat toy
When selecting the best interactive cat toy, there is one key consideration: your cat. It's important to select a product that will suit your kitty's personality and this means quickly assessing how your cat currently behaves and reacts to toys.
For example, curious and active felines will want toys that will keep them on the go while catnapping kitties will prefer something they can paw at every now and then with minimal effort. You should therefore consider whether or not a toy is fast-moving and eye-catching or slow and quiet while bearing a cat's age in mind – the older a cat is, the less active they are going to be.
Consider a cat's natural instinct, too. Cats like to hunt, climb, scratch, groom, hide, mark their territory and play so opt for interactive toys that tap into one or more of these. Toys which look like a cat's prey will often prove attractive which is why many mimic real-life animals or contain feathers. Sound is important, too. Kitties will usually wander over to anything making a noise.
Of course, you will also want a toy to last. Those made of hard, durable plastic or wood are more likely to withstand a cat's claws and teeth than anything soft. Just make sure there are no small parts which could become loose and potentially be swallowed. A good rule of thumb is to opt for toys from big brands with a track record of delivering high-quality products such as Catit, PetSafe and Petstages.
How much interactive play do cats need?
Cats love to have fun so it's vital that you know how to play with a cat. You should also understand why your cat wants to play all the time – often it's because they are bored, lonely and craving attention. To that end, you're likely wondering how much play is sufficient, particularly if you're looking at how to entertain indoor cats who will naturally rely on your help for mental and physical stimulation to a greater degree than those who are able to roam outside.
According to vet Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, it may take less time than you think. “It’s a good idea to try to encourage your cat to be physically active in several short bursts each day,” she affirms. “For most adult cats, 10 to 15 minutes of play three to four times a day is perfect. Interactive cat toys can help with encouraging this physical activity even when you’re out of the house or busy.”
Of course, much depends on how active, old and healthy your cat is. If your kitty is struggling to play for 10 to 15 minutes, simply seek to reduce the recommended length of time but increase the number of sessions each day.
How long can you leave a cat with an interactive toy?
It's advisable to stick to the 10 to 15 minute rule. If you allow a cat to play with an interactive toy for much longer than that, then it's likely your pet will become bored or frustrated with it. Not only does that defeat the purpose of having the toy, you will be wasting money. The idea is to encourage your cat to engage in an activity without becoming overstimulated and you should not see an interactive toy as a permanent substitute for some human-cat playtime.
