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Obstacles, feather wands, scratchers and other interactive toys to keep cats from getting bored.
If you're incapable of swinging by the pet store for a kibble or litter restock without an adorable toy or two finding their way into your cart, we're in the same boat. There's nothing cuter than watching your kitty roll around on the floor with their favorite plaything, or watching their tail twitch as they wait for you to liberate a new cat toy from the package.
But cat toys aren't just fun for Fluffy; they're actually good for your cats' health. Veterinarians say that playing has several tangible benefits for our feline friends. First, it can help them maintain a healthy weight if they're running around the house regularly, rather than sleeping the day away. That, in turn, can help them live longer and mitigate chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Play also helps them stay mentally sharp. Just like people doing crosswords or Sudoku to keep their brains limber, puzzle play engages cats' minds and staves off boredom. It even boosts their mood.
Whether dangling a feather toy, tossing a catnip mouse or setting up a cat obstacle course (yes, they exist!), engaging with your pet will strengthen your relationship, which can even lead to better-behaved pets since they'll want to keep you happy. If you're convinced, check out our list of top-rated cat toys below — and share your favorites in the comments! Have a dog, too? We've also got recommendations for the best dog toys you can buy.
For the tech-savvy kitty, try a concealed motion toy that encourages them to pounce and play without much engagement from you. Just turn it on and let colored lights and a fluffy-ended wand get your cat dancing. It works great for independent playtime and has adjustable speeds, so you can customize it to your pet's agility level.
For cats that like to play with feather wands, set up this automatic flutter toy to keep them occupied while you work or get some chores done. The colorful butterflies move sporadically, encouraging your kitty to bat and chase. It comes with replacement butterflies too, just in case they do catch and shred one.
Give your outdoor cat some fun stimulation (and keep them from terrorizing local birds and squirrels) with these colorful electronic swimming fish. Just turn them on, set them in a bowl of water or small pool, and let your cat bat them around. They also light up, for extra fun.
This realistic-looking fish toy wiggles and flops when you turn it on, enticing your cat to chase and catch it. It also comes with a catnip pouch for extra play incentive, and recharges via USB so you don't have to worry about replacing the batteries.
Keep your cat from chasing your robot vacuum or other pets by giving them another critter to follow. These rolling toys work on carpet, tile and wood floors and ambulates in a similar way to natural prey. The set also comes with several attachments, so your cat can play with a crinkle ball one day, a ribbon another and a feather the next, to keep things spicy.
If you just brought home a new furever friend, welcome them with a starter pack with lots of variety. With a tunnel for hiding, a dangling wand, balls, springs and mice, this set of 24 toys will give your cat lots of options as they figure out which types of playthings they prefer.
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For small spaces, pick up this collapsible corrugated cardboard lounger that doubles as a scratching post. It comes with an attached bell toy and reconfigures into different shapes, so they don't get tired of it over time.
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Many cats (and even some dogs) love chasing laser pointers. If yours does too, this automatic laser toy will offer lots of fun without your involvement. The light will move randomly across the floor and then turn itself off after 15 minutes so your cat doesn't get overstimulated.
These low-fi felt ball toys work great for those who prefer playthings that don't make noise or require batteries. They're also pretty enough that you may not mind as much if your little furry angel leaves them all over the living room.
Give your couch potato some much-needed exercise by dangling colorful feathers for them to run after. The retractable wand adjusts to suit either larger or more cozier spaces and it comes with a number of feather bunches, to keep things interesting.
Many cheaper catnip toys fall apart quickly, especially if your kitten uses them for teething or your adult cat gets really voracious as they play. Because of their sturdier fabric, these bite-resistant catnip toys will last longer than the classic disposable mice. They also come in a five-pack so you can replace each one when it does wear out.
If you need a stocking stuffer for your kitty, look no further. Cats love the bouncing motion of these colorful springs when you toss them across the floor, and they're reasonably priced enough that you don't have to stress if some end up stuck behind the couch.
Catnip toys are classic for a reason: Just about every feline really goes gaga for them. Most cats will get excited when they smell the catnip and chase it around, then adorably cuddle the soft toy when they tire out. These refillable versions come in fluffy mouse and koala designs, and the catnip is produced without added chemicals or pesticides.
Interactive puzzle toys like this one often keep cats busy for longer than less-engaging catnip mice or bell balls, which can reduce boredom-related destruction or bothering you while you try to do other things. The balls' movement mimics prey, so kittens and elder cats alike will love chasing them around and around.
Give playtime a colorful bent with this durable, nontoxic cat dancer toy. If you're old enough to remember ribbon dancers, this is basically that retro toy – but for your cat.
We love a toy that multitasks, and this one doubles as a bed and a play tunnel. Perfect for cats who like to burrow and hide, it's got space for them to get out of sight and also take an all-day snooze.
Your cat won't have to pick between an exercise track toy and batting at catnip mice with this multitasking plaything. It has enough elements that two cats can play with it at the same time, or your solo kitty can switch between them.
Keep your cat out of your houseplants by giving them one of their very own. This cat grass kit comes with seeds to grow cat-safe grass that kitties love to nibble. It's both fun and good for their digestion.
Make your cat work for their treats with this fun, active treat ball. They have to bat and chase it across the floor in order to liberate the yummies inside, which promotes active play. It's great for exercise-resistant cats who need a little extra motivation.
Part lounger, part scratcher, this durable toy pulls double duty. It's large enough for several cats to use, reversible for longer use and comes with a one-year warranty in case your kitty really gets into it.