The 13 Best Cat Toys To Keep Kitties Feeling Frisky
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Cats need play for healthy living at every age and stage, so providing the best cat toys to keep your cat stimulated and engaged is so much more critical than cat parents realize. When cats grow bored and unfilled in life, their behaviors can change. Your once lovebug snuggle puss can become a grumpy kitty that develops unwanted behaviors like inappropriate scratching and destruction.
But some signs of boredom in cats aren’t as easy to spot. A bored cat’s appetite can increase or even decrease. Cats who need more play and stimulation tend to sleep too much as well. They can also develop anxious grooming habits that can lead to hair loss. If you spot any of these symptoms of boredom in your cat, give the vet a call because it’s always good to rule out medical issues that could be causing these problems. But, once your kitty gets a clean bill of health, then it’s time to paw-rty with new cat toys!
Busting Boredom in Cats with Fun Toys
One of the best ways to liven up a bored cat’s life is playtime! But did you know cats crave two types of play?
“Cats display two different types of play behavior: solitary play and social play,” explains the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Michigan. “They direct solitary play toward objects, like toys, skeins of yarn, paper bags, boxes and rolled-up paper. Social play is directed toward fellow cats, people or other animals.”
When aiming to alleviate boredom, consider both solitary and social play needs and choose toys to fulfill each. For example, a cat wand toy is excellent for social play, while food puzzles make for tasty solitary play.
RELATED: 8 Ways To Excite Your Bored Kitty
Look At All the Toys
Whether your cat needs more playtime or just because you feel like splurging on some new goodies, shopping for things to enrich your cat’s life can be a little overwhelming as the market has exploded with shiny, fringy, cat-nippy things designed to draw a kitty in for fun. But cats have a varied preference when it comes to toys. As you’ve probably seen before, a cat will stick her nose up at a toy you think is the absolute cutest, but fall for the tiniest little toy that seems like it would have no appeal. What can we say? Cats are picky, but this is no secret!
Another thing to remember—cats have prey preferences. These preferences for one type of prey over another aren’t just for the wild. Prey preference also spills over into a feline’s toy choices, too. Pay attention to which of your cat’s toys he likes the most. Does he go cuckoo for feathers? Or is he more of a wiggly worm guy? How about a fluffy mouse? Just watch, and you’ll soon notice what your cat likes to stalk best of all.
RELATED: 7 Traits That Make Your Cat A Fearless Hunter
When going on a feline-inspired shopping spree, be sure to keep your purr child’s preferences in mind as you peruse the selections. With that, here’s our list of the best cat toys to liven up feline lives!
13 Best Cat Toys to Frisky Up a Bored Kitty
#1 – Best Tech Cat Toy
- Robotic bug moves in erratic patterns like the real thing & drives cats wild
- Fluffy tail entices cats even more
- Super stimulator for cats who've grown bored with other toys
- Ready for play straight out of the packaging
Watching a cat chase a bug is funny stuff. Especially when the bug runs up under the cat and the kitty starts doing a little dance to find the invader! But who wants live bugs in their house just for cat fun? No one…so the Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy will give kitties the same want to hop around and skitter after a bug.
#2 – Best Laser Cat Toy
- Classic and durably-built laser toy with strong bright beam
- 3 different colors modes, 5 patterns to mix up the fun
- USB charging means no batteries, just charge, and play
- Provides great exercise for cats who need lots of activity
For cats with high-energy drives, the Cat LED Light Pointer Interactive Toy will help those hyper kitties run out their batteries, but the pointer’s charge will still be going strong! When it needs charging, just plug the laser in for USB charging. Remember, though, after playing with a laser toy, put a real toy in your cat’s paws to give them the satisfaction of a catch.
#3 – Best Cat Wand Toy
- Stimulates feline hunting drives for engaging and enriching play
- Interchangeable toy lures with easy clasp will please differing prey preferences
- Removable jingly bell to attract feline attention
- Break-resistant telescoping carbon fiber & fiberglass pole stand up to tough play
- Reinforced eyelet & nylon filament won't snap no matter how hard cats tug
The Pet Fit For Life 5 Piece Squiggly Worm Wand Cat Toy features a telescoping pole to help you get the toy at the end to really dance for your cat. Plus, with a lobster-style clasp on the end of the nylon filament, you can change out the worm to keep things spiced up for your kitty. With lots of options online for additional toys that can be clipped on, you can really appeal to your cat’s prey preferences.
Did you know cat behavior expert Pam Johnson-Bennett recommends one or two 15-minute play sessions a day for cats? A cat wand toy is a purrfect way to create a fun experience for your cat and you! And one tip for fulfilling play, be sure to let your cat catch the toy and hold on to it for a second. Then, tease the toy out of your cat’s paws like prey trying to squirm away. Your cat will go crazy to catch the prey that wiggled out of their clutches!
RELATED: CattyCorner: The Whimsy Of Wand Toys For Cats
#4 – Best Cat Feather Teaser Toy
- Feathers are fun!
- Great for together-time play sessions that encourage bonding
- 24-inch flexible wand gives the appearance of a flitting bird
- Budget-friendly at less than $4
Like cat wands, feather teasers only lack the long ribbon or filament. The Hartz Just For Cats Interactive Feather Cat Wand Toy appeals to all cats, but especially felines who love flying prey as you can keep the feathers in the air more easily than with a wand that sports a long string or ribbon. Fun feathers mean no bored cats!
#5 – Best Food Puzzle Toy for Cats
- Stimulates your cat's brain and satisfies natural feline foraging instincts
- 14 compartments will keep your cat busy searching every spot for a snack
- Use with your cat's favorite treats
- Helps food-gulping cats slow down their eating
- Made from food-safe materials;100% free from BPA, PVC, and phthalate
Much like the body, the feline mind needs to be exercised, too! And the Petstages Buggin’ Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy can be just the thing as snacks motivate just about everyone. Make kitty think to get their treats!
#6 – Best Cat Kicker Toy
- Cat Daddy-approved!
- Sisal and denim material will stand up to the toughest of claws & teeth
- Satisfies feline hunting instincts while allowing them to purrfect bunny kicks
- Catnip pods located at both ends for double the herby fun
For the cat that loves to get its back feet in on the play-action, cat kickers are the ultimate toy. And the Jackson Galaxy Denim and Sisal Twisted Kicker Toy will deliver bunny-kicking fun that lasts thanks to sturdy sisal and denim materials. Thanks to Cat Daddy’s 20 years of experience, Galaxy and Petmate came together to create a toy that will delight cats who love rough play.
#7 – Best Cat Tunnel
- Fun for kittens and adult cats of all ages
- Three chutes allow for deluxe tunnel experience
- Great for one cat or kitties who love to play together
- Opening in the center allows for hide-and-seek silliness
- Pops out for easy use, simply folds down to store
Cats who enjoy tearing through tunnels will love the Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy! It’s three tunnels in one! Plus, a game of hide-and-seek will be so much fun for multiple kitties. And when you need the space, just fold the tunnels away until it’s playtime again.
#8 – Best Catnip Toy
- Stuffed with 100% organic catnip that's all leaf and flower-top, with no stems
- Durable cotton twill stands up to crazed claws and teeth
- Yellow coloring is made using natural vegetable or soy-based colors
- Handcrafted in the U.S.A.
Oh, this silly banana cat toy! For some reason, the Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy has become a staple among cat toys. Purrhaps cat parents go bananas for this toy because their cat looks pretty darn cute hauling around a bright yellow banana.
Keep in mind, though, not all your cat’s toys need to have catnip in them. Think about catnip like chocolate cake; a slice now and then remains a delightful treat, but eating chocolate cake every single day makes it less exciting. Before you know it, you’re burnt out on cake. It’s just what happens with kitties when they’re overexposed to catnip.
RELATED: Catnip 101: The Highs, Lows, and Everything In Between
#9 – Best Toys for Batting
- Springs roll, bounce, skitter, and fly when swatted, creating silly fun for cats
- Provides great exercise and stimulation for cats of all ages
- Great price for lots of toys
- Good for solo or interactive play
Some kitties like itty-bitty toys they can chase, toss, and bat all over the house, and the Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toys appeal to the paws that want to terrorize the tiny! Because these fun springs bounce, flip, and fly, your cat will feel like a wild kitten chasing after these silly springs.
#10 – Best Ball Toy
- Keeps balls in place on the tracks so they aren't underfoot
- Great for kittens who are learning the joy of toys
- Ideal for helping senior cats get much-needed exercise
- Non-slip pads keep toy in place even during the most vigorous of play
The Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy makes the list of best cat toys because it engages cats of every age. Kittens will love chasing the balls round and round, while senior cats can enjoy a playtime session where they can bat at balls and not have to run all over after them.
#11 – Best Cat Scratcher Toy
- Fulfills play needs as well as provides space for necessary scratching
- Your cat will love going round and round with a ball that never gets away
- Corrugated cardboard scratcher refills are available
- 15-inch diameter makes an ideal size for kittens and cats of all ages
Much like the ball tower above, the Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy holds a ball in the track, so kitties don’t have to scurry all over the house. Senior cats will appreciate it! Plus, cats of all ages can fulfill their scratching desires on the carboard center.
RELATED: Ask A Vet: Why Does My Cat Scratch My Stuff?
#12 – Best Cat Toy Splurge
- Easy-to-use, simply install 4 AA batteries (not included) and turn on to stimulate your cat
- Automatic mode moves the laser in random patterns to keep your cat engaged
- Manual mode allows you to use like traditional cat laser toys
- Timer automatically turns the laser off after 15 minutes for perfectly-timed play sessions
A hands-free way to engage your cat with laser play, the PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy is perfect for moments when you need your cat engaged while you need to do something without their furry paws helping! While this will never be a substitute for playtime with you, it does allow for 15-minute sessions of solitary play, which is also essential. After all, we can’t entertain our felines 24/7, even if we want to!
#13 – Best Cat Toy for Some Laughs
- Realistic look and flopping motion draws cat curiosity and engages natural prey drive
- Automatic motion sensor activates flopping when felines approach
- USB charging means no changing batteries
- Made of soft and durable plush fabric, kitties won't mind cuddling the fish after attacking it
The flopping fish toy has been a sensation for a while now, and it’s no wonder. Cats are just too cute going after them. If you haven’t treated your cat to one, go ahead and catch the Potaroma Flopping Fish! For 2022, the makers have upgraded the battery for longer flopping between charges. Some cats are put off by the noise, so if your kitty doesn’t like motorized noises, the fish may not be for them.
RELATED: 15 Cats Who Love To Terrorize Their Floppy Fish Toys
Enrichment and exercise are two very important things to keep felines sharp and happy. Providing your cat with toys and scheduled playtime is the best way to bust boredom in kitties. And while your cat is fulfilling their need for play, you can enjoy their cuteness while they get frisky!
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