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7 best cat toys to delight your pet for hours

Can’t decide between catnip or plush mice? We’re here to help you find the best cat toy for your pet’s playtime needs.
By Genevieve Scarano  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

There isn’t one way to describe your cat’s daily activities. They’ll hide in Amazon Prime boxes, or drink from toilet bowls. One thing most pet parents can agree on though is that cats need engaging playtime. If your feline is bouncing off the walls or scratching furniture, it might be time to buy new cat toys.

Googling “cat toy” could send you down an internet sinkhole, because there are so many plush mice, circle tunnels, and colorful wands available for felines. Plus, you might not know if a cat toy will meet your pet’s playtime needs. Before you buy a cat toy, there are some things you might want to consider:

Size: Keep your pet’s size in mind when you’re looking for a cat toy. For kittens, it’s important to buy toys that are compatible with their small bodies. You don’t want your fur baby to get hurt during playtime, so steer clear of objects that have holes or loose materials. If you have an adult feline, look for toys that stimulate exercise, so they’ll stay active around the house.

Cognitive development: Want to upgrade your feline’s learning experience? Some cat toys are super helpful for training. Kittens need comfy toys, such as plush mice, that are safe for cuddling and touching. For adult cats, opt for a toy that will encourage interactive play. These toys, which include treat dispenser balls and circle tunnels, can get your pet moving in no time.

Dental health: Felines are very curious animals. They’ll somehow find a way to nom on your favorite pair of sneakers or yoga mat carrier. If you’re concerned about your cat’s gums and teeth, opt for a dental care toy. These chew-friendly products can help clean teeth and remove tartar without hurting your pet.

Safety: As a pet parent, you want to give your feline friend the best playtime possible. They love to climb, jump, and pounce on almost anything at home, but safety should always be a top priority. The Humane Society of the United States(opens in a new tab) recommends removing all home items that aren’t “cat-proof,” including feathers, plastic bags, paper clips, and string. These items are hazardous for your kitten or adult cat, because they can accidentally choke on them. Avoid cat toys made with nutshells or polyester beads. These materials are not safe for pets.

Ready to take your pet’s playtime to the next level? We’ve found the best cat toys for your furry friend’s leisure time.

Cats could be a handful sometimes. They’ll leave surprise *presents* on your doorstep (hello, birds), hitch a ride on a Roomba vacuum, or eat all of your Meow Mix supply. PetSafe’s SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser(opens in a new tab) can be a game changer for your pet’s playtime, especially if they’re hyper or hungry all the time. 

What’s great about this cat toy is that it provides a workout and a problem-solving challenge. Your furry friend will learn how to push, roll, and rock this toy to get yummy goodies. Concerned about your cat’s erratic eating habits? This cat toy can help you out. It gives your feline smaller portions, so they’re more likely curb hunger and not overeat. 

Tidying isn’t always easy when you have cats. There are stinky litter boxes, random paw prints on the carpet, and crumpled papers scattered everywhere. The list can go on, but this cat toy is super easy to clean and requires minimal upkeep. Place it in the dishwasher and it will be free from dust, dirt, and slobber for future play sessions. 

If you’re still not convinced, read what customers have to say about this cat toy. 

Sovay(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, writes:

“I bought this for my cat not because he needed to lose weight but so I could keep him mentally stimulated. I feed him a "raw diet" in the morning and in the evening. In between meals and after play time, as a reward, I'll fill this ball with dry treats (I like "Bench & Field Holistic Natural Feline Treats" from Trader Joe’s). His play time mimics hunting and the treat following is supposed to resemble him catching his prey, or so I've read. Since my cat was a stray that became an inside cat, I think he may need more interactive type play and this has proven very useful.”

And Maggie W(opens in a new tab), another Amazon customer, says:

“One day my cat became obsessed with shadows. She would sit for hours on the steps and stare at the wall and ceiling, waiting for someone to walk by and make a moving shadow. I read that using laser lights could cause this behavior. She is 9-years-old and never did this before. I even wondered if she was getting a little senile. I  found a few new toys to play with her (eg. feathers and stuffed toy wands), and this ball. She began to not be as obsessed with the shadows. She no longer sits, stares, and meows at shadows. I put a few treats and food in the ball in the mornings before work. Sometimes it’s empty when I come home from work and sometimes she will play with it at night and I find it empty in the morning. I think it is a good toy to keep them entertained when you cannot.” 

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It’s no question that cats just love to nom on things around the house. You’re always looking for missing hair accessories or shoelaces, when, bam, you find them all chewed up in your feline’s bed. While you’re happy to witness your cat’s playful side, they might need some extra dental TLC. Pestages’ HDP Catnip Plaque Away Pretzel(opens in a new tab) is here to help. 

This cat toy is the ultimate chewing buddy. When your cat noms away on this soft pretzel, it helps floss teeth and remove tartar. Catnip inside the toy can keep your pet entertained, too, so they’re less likely to chew on your belongings. Plus, this cat toy is easy for your pet to carry, so they can play with it whenever and wherever they want. 

Amazon customer Den(opens in a new tab) writes:

“Petstages makes several styles of these plaque-away items, but my cat loves this one best -- probably because it's thicker and he can sink his teeth into it better. He chews on it every day -- at least once while I'm home and maybe more when I'm not -- for about a minute of chewing that you can hear, as his teeth sink into the mesh/catnip. I also use Oxyfresh Oral Hygiene Solution mixed in his water (recommended by his veterinarian), because he won't let me brush his teeth. And I bought one of these pretzels for a friend's cat as well ... he loves it, too!” 

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Nothing’s cuter than your fur baby’s movements. They’ll play peek-a-boo behind furniture and “capture” crumpled mail. Comfort is key for kitten playtime, and KONG’s Kitten Mice Toys(opens in a new tab) provide all the perks for your kitty. 

From an early age, cats like engaging in hunting-like behavior. They’ll sneak, pounce, and grab just about anything in the house. If you have an energetic kitten, KONG’s Kitten Mice Toys can easily entertain them. Each mouse makes a crinkle sound and has catnip inside, so your fur baby will enjoy playing with these little buddies. Plus, each mouse is made with a soft material and easy to carry, just in case your kitten wants to bring them to their bed, litter box, and other favorite areas. 

Safety tip: Always watch your kitten when they’re playing around the house. Even if some toys are safe for your kitten, they might accidentally swallow materials or choke on loose parts. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian about what’s okay and what’s off limits for kitten toys. 

Amazon reviewer Makai(opens in a new tab) writes:

“My 3-month-old kittens love these! After a few days they learned to recognize the crinkle sound and will coming running when they hear it. I throw them down the hall and they chase after them and carry them away like caught prey. Glad they came in a two-pack so they each have one to play with at the same time. Well worth purchase. Not sure about the catnip effect. They may be too young to respond or simply don't react to catnip.” 

And RS(opens in a new tab), another Amazon customer, says:

“Bought these for my kitten because I noticed he likes to carry things around with him. These are the perfect size and he absolutely loves them. He won't come when called yet, but he comes running at the sound of these crinkling mice. He is thoroughly enjoying them (although I do supervise him when he plays with them). He throws them, bites them, kicks them, and runs around with them in his mouth. Exactly what I was looking for. They could be a little cuter/better made but I'm not complaining. I think I received a pink one and a blue one, but since the blue one is currently lost under the couch I can't double check.” 

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Hyper feline on your hands? We know the struggle. The stakes for playtime are high, or else you’ll end up with scratched furniture and a pet that won’t stay calm. Avoid this solution and give your cat a fun experience with the Creaker 3 Way Cat Tunnel(opens in a new tab)

Remember how much fun you had at amusement parks? Well, this cat toy is like a mini funhouse for your furry friend. They can crawl through three tunnels, roll in the built-in crinkle paper, poke their head out of a peephole, and hit a hanging ball. It doesn’t get better than that. 

Creaker’s 3 Way Cat Tunnel is made with tear-resistant material and a steel frame, so it’s strong enough for your active feline. Plus, this cat toy is super portable for traveling. It easily folds up and fits in a bag, so your cat will be entertained away from home. 

Amazon reviewer bglovestoshoponline(opens in a new tab) says:

“Got this through a Lightning Deal and am so glad we bought it! But even more so, the kitten and our middle cat love it. We used to have a longer one and she loved that thing. So I figured that if we could find another one, but smaller, it would be very welcome. Our middle kitty is not too fond of the little beast; however, it does the heart good to see her playing with him within a day with this tunnel. The kitten took to it within minutes. By this morning it was nonstop fun. Our 6-year-old,16 pound kitty takes a little longer with this type of toy. But we have spotted him checking it out. So far very pleased with the construction, like the three-way tunnels, and really like the colors.” 

And Marci(opens in a new tab), another Amazon customer, writes:

“I got this for my 4-month boy kitten so that he could entertain himself while I'm at work. He seems to enjoy because it crinkles to the touch, and has a ball hanging on it. All cats have their own preferences, but my kittens goes crazy over crinkling noise, and this tunnel does the job. There's also a hole in the middle of the tunnel, and when I want to be interactive with him, I like to dangle a toy there, and he seems to have a blast with that. For the quality of the toy, I've had it for about a month now, and it doesn't seem to be falling apart. So for the price, it's worth it. I would say this toy wouldn't entertain him fully alone, because kittens get bored easily, but it’s pretty reliable as a supplement with other toys.”

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Budget-conscious pet owners, rejoice. We’ve found an affordable and fun cat toy for your playful feline. Hartz’s Bend-A-Wand Cat Toy(opens in a new tab) will delight the inner hunter in your cat for a fraction of the price. 

At $5.99, this cat toy provides two wallet-friendly benefits: It’s good for interactive play and it’s house-friendly. Use Hartz’s Bend-A-Wand Cat Toy to get your furball on the move indoors. It comes with a squeaky mouse that your feline can chase, capture, and carry in their mouth. Plus, this cat toy is super flexible and it bends around chair armrests, doorknobs, and stair railings.

Grouper(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, says: 

“My husband is allergic to cats, so I get my "cat fix" by visiting a friend who has two beautiful cats. One is older and likes to lay on the couch and sleep. The other one is a wild, playful, and energetic 2-year-old. When I visit I like to bring toys for the wild one. He is a blast to watch and I had a blast playing with him and this wand. I would wiggle it and watch him swat at it, try to bite it, and chase it. My friend ties the wand to a door handle so the wild one can play with it while she does chores. I've purchased other Hartz cat toys in the past and they have all been durable, innovative, and fun. I will continue to purchase their cat products and certainly recommend this one.”

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Catnip and cats have an interesting relationship. This herb, which has been used by pet owners for years, usually generates three reactions from your cat: they can get hyper, chill out, or not give AF about it. If your pet though falls in the first category, Yeowww!’s Catnip Banana Toy(opens in a new tab) is their best bet for a playmate. 

First, let’s talk about its cute design. Not many cat toys come in the form of a banana, and your feline will love nomming on its comfy but durable body. Yeowww!’s Catnip Banana Toy is filled with 100 percent organic catnip, which will keep your pet entertained for a while if they love the herb. Yeowww! says this cat toy is also made with eco-friendly materials, including soy and/or vegetable-derived dyes. 

Kirk(opens in a new tab), an Amazon reviewer, wrote: 

“My cats, my neighbors' cats, my friends' cats, and my Dad's cats - all of them Love Love LOVE these bananas. They go bananas for bananas! Here is how the latest order went down...Package was delivered. Cats were sleeping peacefully and cared not a bit about me and my activities for the day. I knew what was in the package but just left it sitting out. Within 30 minutes, their cat radar was engaged and they came to check out the package. They normally don't care. Taking turns to rub their faces on the package, I could tell they were in love :)” 

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Having multiple cats can be beneficial: There’s always more than one pet to cuddle with, track down unwanted mice, or occupy the recycling bin at home. We’re sure  you want your feline squad to have the best playtime, and Pestages’ Tower of Tracks Cat Toy(opens in a new tab) can help make the magic happen.  

Challenge your cats’ skills with interactive toy, which can be used by one, two, or more cats at a time. It comes with three balls so they’ll have a lot of fun rolling them down the ramp. What’s great about this cat toy is that it keeps your felines busy, so there’s no need to take out multiple cat toys during playtime. Plus, this cat toy has a non-slip base, making it a safe pick for your kitty fleet. 

Amazon customer MC(opens in a new tab) says:

“A friend recommended this cat toy, as her cat loved it, and she was right to recommend it. My cats love it, too. They will play with the one-level type round track/ball toys, but they really get distracted by this one. It is well designed and the balls roll so easily that I swear breathing on them would propel them (haven't tried that yet). Plus, when one ball moves, the other two tend to move, thoroughly engaging the cats. It's sturdy enough for my 14 pound and 15 pound cats, too. And the toy's footprint is not too big, like some of the other round track toys. One more nice feature: you can hide toys and treats down the center of this toy and the cats will fish them out. My cats are more than 7-years-old (i.e., not playful kittens), and this toy still attracts them.”

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Dana Froome is a Production Associate at Mashable where she works on Snapchat Discover, Mashable Reels, and AMP Stories. Prior to this, she was a consultant at Maybelline New York and an intern at MarieClaire.com and Cosmopolitan.com.


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