Whether you’re a life-long cat lover or a new cat parent, you’re sure to know just how important toys and playtime are for your feline. And though a severed string, pieces of lint, and other various things can entice your cat, they don’t always cut it for a nice long play session that will satisfy them and keep them busy for long. Some cat toys that do that can end up lost under the couch after a short while, broken after one use, or can even be a waste of money once your cat finds the lint more interesting.

But there are tons of cat toys out there that will not only intrigue your cat, but keep them busy and last long through multiple playtimes to keep your pet active and properly stimulated while you’re busy or away. Here’s our list of the top ten best cat toys on the market. They’ll be sure to benefit both your cat’s enjoyment and yours.

Huicocy’s Interactive Laser Cat Scratching Post is a great toy that allows for multiple activities in one package. This toy essentially functions as a two-in-one item, paired with a scratching post shaft that your cat will love to climb on and scratch up. The shaft is 35 inches tall, allowing your cat to stretch vertically, and if you find that it’s too tall or too short, there’s no worries, as it’s detachable and can be readjusted to perfectly match your cat’s size.

It has a feather wand attachment to catch your cat’s attention, but the laser toy component will absolutely distract them once turned on. It has four different speed settings to entertain your cat for hours on end, and can be adjusted up or down to expand the playing area. This toy assembles easily with the four included screws, and once assembled, will stand sturdy enough not to tip over or wobble as your cat indulges in play.

Key Features
  • Two-in-one design scratching post allows for various play
  • 35 inch tall post is detachable
  • Made of natural and durable fibrous sisal
Specifications
  • Main Material: Fibrous Sisal
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 12
  • Brand: Huicocy
Pros
  • Comes with four different feathers
  • Good battery life
  • Rechargeable USB battery
  • Speeds work great to capture attention
Cons
  • Assembly required
  • Base could be more weighted
  • Can be loud

Simple mazes, circuits, and other toys like it provide easy play for a cat’s curiosity, and Catit’s Senses Super Roller Circuit Toy is no different. This eight-piece circuit track can be aligned however you’d like, perfect to navigate around corners, or can be constructed in the middle of a floor for easy access.

It features a light-up ball inside that is motion activated, and openings in the tracks that will invite your cat to swipe at the moving ball and try to catch it. For a more dynamic structure, the track consists of alternating high and low sections that speed up and slow down the speed of the ball inside. Your cat will be head over heels for its design that will interest all their senses—after playing, they’ll even want to sleep in it due to the figure-eight structure you can arrange it into!

Key Features
  • Motion-activated balls light up and zip around track
  • Alternating high and low sections change ball’s speed
  • Open slots allow easy access for interactive play
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 9
  • Brand: Catit
Pros
  • Easy to assemble
  • Great size for most cats
  • Circuit locks in place
  • Good quality
Cons
  • Larger cat’s paws won’t fit in slots
  • Rubber feet on bottom aren’t too secure
  • Ball stays lit for a while

Another great toy that will stimulate your cat’s curiosity quick is this Tower of Tracks by Petstages. It comes with three balls on three levels of tracks sure to catch your pet’s attention as they’’ll watch the balls move back and forth along the tracks. Your cat will love to bat the balls back and forth and chase them around the track as they move.

It’s a great toy especially if you know your cat loves ball toys, but these balls stay attached in the unit so you won’t have to worry about losing any under the couch. As a simple toy, it’s incredibly effective by the way it brings out a cat’s natural hunting instincts from the colorful designs of the balls to their sound and mobility.

For extra curious cats, there’s a safety bar at the top of the tracks to prevent cats from getting stuck, which will allow you to take your eyes off of them at playtime and go about your business as they’ll go about theirs.

Its size is great for kittens, and you can also join in for bonding time to assist them in batting the balls to your kitten for a fun session that will bring you both closer, or just keep them busy and stimulated for a long while.

Key Features
  • Brightly colored balls spin and roll
  • Durably built with a closed top for cat safety
  • Three balls are suitable for one or more cats
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 4
  • Brand: Petstages
Pros
  • Safe for curious cats
  • Durable and high quality
  • Great for multiple cats
  • Balls stay in unit and don’t get lost
Cons
  • Lightweight construction can slide along the floor
  • Best suited for smaller cats
  • Balls can get stuck in track occasionally

If you have a cat with a frequent desire for playtime during your busy time, Bojafa’s Interactive Self-Rotating Ball is the perfect toy to keep them busy without you having to lift a finger. It’s also great for when you’re away, to keep cats active and distracted from the allure of your other household items.

This ball works by rotating itself on the ground, which is a wonderful way to entice your cat to play as they’ll watch it roll along the floor on its own. It rotates up to 360 degrees and even produces a red light to really attract your cat’s attention. To avoid getting stuck and to outsmart your pet, it will change direction randomly to make for a fun toy that seems like it has a mind of its own.

It turns off automatically after 45 minutes of play, which is great to save battery and give your cat a well-deserved break. Charging it is even easy, as it uses a USB connector instead of batteries that’s easy to get to by unscrewing the plastic ball. With this toy, you won’t have to worry about chasing your cat around the house with a string anymore—you won’t have to worry about a thing, and your cat will be all the more excited to play with their new round, robotic friend.

Key Features
  • Battery lasts for up to 4 hours of playtime
  • Quick charging time
  • 360 degree self-rotation with external on/off button
  • Automatically changes direction randomly for interesting play
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 1
  • Brand: Bojafa
Pros
  • Keeps cats entertained
  • Great quality
  • Works on some carpets
  • Travels far for fun play
Cons
  • Makes a humming noise as it moves
  • Does not move as well on thick carpet
  • Loudness may startle some cats

For cats a little more tapped into their wild side, a more lifelike toy might satisfy their feline needs. Blackhole has a wonderfully innovative fish toy they’ve taken to the next level by making it as interactive and as stimulating as they could. These colorful fish have automated robotic fins that move around as soon as they’re put in water. So grab any play-safe bowl of water, place these fish in, and they’ll swim around and light up with flashing LEDs, making for an irresistible cat show.

Cats can try to catch the fish, and once they are taken out from the water, the automatic swimming feature turns off to save power, so you won’t need to worry about stocking up on extra batteries to make your cat happy. This toy will be sure to catch your cat’s attention, and is a great way to introduce them to water activities if it’s something you’d like your cat to get used to.

Key Features
  • Catches cats’ attention with flashing LEDs
  • Automatic swimming feature turns on in water
  • Colorful design is easy to see in water
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: Yes, Included
  • Number of Pieces: 4
  • Brand: Blackhole Litter Mat
Pros
  • Fins stick out to allow cats to catch fish
  • Swimming speed changes randomly
  • Good battery life
  • Comes with spare batteries
Cons
  • Can be messy
  • Swim better in warmer water
  • Will need extra batteries eventually

Lasers are a cat’s best friend with Friends Forever’s Interactive Laser Cat Toy. Using handheld lasers with cats can be a pain as you try to hold down the button for the duration of play, but you won’t need to worry about that with this toy.

It’s a step up from a regular laser with its auto-rotating mechanism that will invite your cat to chase the red light around in randomized 360-degree patterns that will allow for a larger expanse of play-space. The laser emanates from a concealed blue diamond design that looks good and works well to keep your cat guessing.

They’ll never get bored with this interactive laser, as it also has three different speed settings to play with for every mood. It even has a fifteen minute timer that’s great to keep your cat active, but not overworked, and it can be moved almost anywhere you want with its sleek design. With all those unbeatable features, there’s no doubt that this will be a hit in your household.

Key Features
  • Randomized 360-degree patterns for fun play
  • Fifteen minute timer doesn’t overtire cats
  • Creates a large play area
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: Yes, Not Included
  • Number of Pieces: 1
  • Brand: Friends Forever
Pros
  • Laser beam is visible and strong
  • Uses three AA batteries
  • Pattern is widespread
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Only three settings
  • Delicate and can fall over often
  • Batteries not included

If you often find yourself having to coax something out of your cat’s mouth, there might be a great solution for your problems. With this Cat Treat Lobster Chew Toy by Rucacio, you can give your kitty something else to chew on that they’ll adore.

As a critter-shaped toy, your cat won’t be able to resist, as it’s also infused with catnip and made of 100% natural rubber that’s durable and safe. And not only is it safe, but it is designed to thoroughly clean your cat’s teeth, something a lot of normal cat toothbrushes don’t even do.

The treat pocket works great to add more interest should your cat need it, whether it be more cat nip, the included bell, or anything else you can think of. Soon, you won’t be able to interfere with their new beloved possession.

Key Features
  • Filled with catnip to keep cats interested
  • Made of 100 percent natural rubber
  • Bristled design allows for thorough teeth cleaning
Specifications
  • Main Material: Rubber
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 4
  • Brand: Rucacio
Pros
  • Comes with a bell attachment
  • Heavyweight and well made
  • Great for cats’ teeth
  • Nice, large size
Cons
  • Catnip scent isn’t too strong
  • Not ideal for smaller cats
  • Rubber smell is strong after opening

Another great toy is Petnf’s Interactive Tumbler Laser Toy. It has a multifunctional 2-in-1 design that allows your cat to use it as a tactile toy without the laser feature, or as a fun visual toy with the laser feature. The laser has 360 degree rotation and can be adjusted in different circling ranges to promote a widespread circular pattern, or a more irregular pattern for a more intense play session.

It also comes with four different speed settings, as well as three different timer settings to help save battery power by turning off after ten minutes, fifteen minutes, or twenty minutes of activity. The innovative design can’t be tipped over by your cat, so it will be a great addition to your pet’s toy collection by how busy and how happy it will keep them.

Key Features
  • 2-in-1 tumbler and laser design allows for multifunctional play
  • Four different speed modes for laser
  • Three different timer settings to save power
  • Requires AAA batteries
Specifications
  • Main Material: Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: Yes, Not Included
  • Number of Pieces: 1
  • Brand: Petnf
Pros
  • Can be used as a tumbler toy when laser power runs out
  • Durably made, won’t break easily
  • Easy access buttons
  • Various speeds encourage exercise
Cons
  • Requires batteries
  • Can be a little noisy
  • Must be button-operated to turn on

If your cat loves hiding, this Collapsible Tunnel by CO-Z can be a great toy to keep them engaged at home. It’s made of a strong, tear-resistant polyester wrapped around a steel frame, and once unfolded, remains a sturdy construction that can handle all your cat’s antics. It can double as a cozy space to run, sleep, hide, and play in with its attached toy ball dangling at the center of one of the holes.

Your cat, or cats, will be sure to love its multi-use functions, as it’s also great for households with multiple cats. They’ll definitely get their daily exercise and enjoy every minute of it. Because it’s collapsible, it can be easily stored and transportable if you and your cat happen to move around a lot. It won’t be long before this toy is your cat’s favorite, as well as yours.

Key Features
  • Made of an ultra strong, tear-resistant fabric
  • Multi-use tunnel encourages exercise
  • Collapsible feature allows for easy storage
Specifications
  • Main Material: Polyester
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 1
  • Brand: CO-Z
Pros
  • Multifunctional
  • Easy to move and clean
  • A great size for most cats
  • Material is soft and comfortable
Cons
  • Can slide around the floor with rough play
  • Toy ball can come off easily
  • Can be noisy as cats play

MalsiPree’s Interactive Automatic Feather Ball Toy is another great robotic gadget that will do the playing for you. This one acts as a feather wand for your cat by waving around a feather toy attached to a motor that spins its little wheels. With two motors working independently inside, this robot toy is able to run irregularly, which will spark and keep the interest of your cat, no matter how fickle.

It’s also equipped with an LED light inside to attract your cat’s attention as it runs across the floor and around in circles. It has a built-in sensor that allows it to change direction swiftly and reliably, so it won’t spend too much time banging into your furniture the way some other cat toys do, and it works great on most floor surfaces. It has an automatic shut-off feature to save battery and give your cat resting time, and even comes with five different feather accessories to use as easy replacements, or just to change up their playtime.

Key Features
  • Double motors allow for dynamic, irregular movement
  • Rechargable battery
  • Shuts off automatically after ten minutes of play
  • Runs smooth with built-in sensor that changes direction
Specifications
  • Main Material: ABS Plastic
  • Batteries Required?: No
  • Number of Pieces: 7
  • Brand: MalsiPree
Pros
  • Works great on most surfaces
  • Good battery life
  • Rechargable with a USB cord
  • Comes with extra feather tips
Cons
  • Feather attachments aren’t durable
  • Can be loud
  • Only has one speed

If you’re a long time pet owner, you may not have all the time in the world to bond with and play with your cats as often as you used to, or you may be trying to get used to the patterns of a cat as a new pet owner. Cats are said to be self sufficient, which can be true to a degree—but don’t be fooled in thinking that food and a clean litter box are all they need!

With cats, playtime is an essential part of their world. Activities help to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as keeping the mind active and alert. It can also be a great time to bond with your cat, and it can make new cats quickly feel more at home. It’s important to know that even getting a simple cat toy can make a world of difference not only in a cat’s behavior and mood, but in their overall health.

How Long Should Playtime Be?

As mentioned above, cats will do well with more playtime in their daily schedules, as it will keep them stimulated, alert, and promote health. It may be harder to try to navigate the idea of exercise with some older, overweight cats, but the best thing to do with them is to start out with a few minutes of exercise or play a couple of times every day.

For younger, and more agile cats, about ten to fifteen minutes of play a few times a day is a good measure for keeping them active and properly satisfied.

How To Tell If Your Cat Needs Playtime

It can be easier than you think to spot when your cat might need a moment of play, especially if they display a few, or all of these behaviors.

Self-stimulation

Some easy signs to tell if your cat is becoming too restless and needs more exercise is if you find them disturbing things like your personal items and furniture, or by the wild bursts of energy where they run around the house back and forth.

This is a cat’s way of physically showing that they are bored: scratching and climbing all over couches, tearing up and down the stairs, rifling through your things. By giving them more attention and stimulants by using toys with them, they will soon be more receptive to attacking a fabric mouse than the things in your room.

Looking Bored

You can usually tell this by the way they might mope around the house, or lounge around excessively. Though cats sleep about fifteen hours out of the day, the rest of this time is usually spent with some spots of activity sprinkled in where they run, climb, and play. If they’re not doing this at all, it may be a sign that your cat is depressed or too bored, and needs some stimulation.

Repetitive Behaviors

Some cats when not stimulated enough will find ways to fill their time with things they already do. You may catch them overgrowing themselves to the point of irritation where they can even pull out their fur in extreme cases. They might also overeat, which of course can end in weight problems that further cause the cat to be even more lazy or depressed, making them a bit harder to stimulate. So be sure to keep an eye on your cat’s behaviors to ensure that they aren’t doing these repetitive acts.

The Best Types of Toys For Cats

Once you’ve singled out all your cat’s bored behaviors, you can figure out what type of toys will stimulate them the most so that you can have a successful playtime that boosts their mood, utilizes their pent-up energy, and satisfies them in the long run.

Most effective cat toys are those that interest and heighten a cat’s natural hunting instincts. Because of this, toys that resemble mice or other creatures are usually a good bet, as well as things that can move sporadically, the way feathers and strings do.

Kittens are stimulated very easily, so some simpler toys may just do the trick for them. Older cats, however, usually need a bit more stimulation, and that’s where some of the more innovative toys come in handy. Laser toys work great for older cats and interest them because it acts as a fascinating, glowing bug. These can be great to get your cat to run around, but be careful when using these, as you don’t want to shine the light directly into their eyes.

Another great useful toy is scratching posts, as they work well to naturally file down the points of your cat’s nails, as well as providing the ability to use their muscles to climb. If you have the space, cat obstacle courses can be a great addition to your home to allow for your cat to roam free, and really enjoy the spectrum of their animal instincts with all kinds of play.

Resources— The Humane Society, Martha Stewart

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