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Awaken your pet's playful side with these top picks. Frisbeed for Training
Our cats are smart — and sometimes, it feels like they are impossible to entertain. If they’re more interested in the cardboard box from a delivery than the toys you have on hand, it may be time to look for a new, purr-fect toy. Playing with your cat not only helps keep them mentally stimulated, but it can also strengthen your relationship with every toss and chase. Getting out that pent-up energy can also help our cats be a bit better behaved and resist shredding furniture or climbing drapes.
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Pet Lab test everything you need to keep cats and owners happy, like the best cat carriers, best cat trees, best cat litter and the best outdoor cat houses. To find the best cat toys, we took into account factors like how long a toy holds a cat's interest, durability and cost.
We narrowed down the best cat toys for every kind of cat, large and small, whether they love swatting a dangling a feather toy or attacking a catnip mouse. The picks ahead are either top-tested products or vetted best-sellers with lots of glowing reviews. Plus, at the bottom of our guide, you can find more information about how we test and choose cat toys, as well as what you should keep in mind when shopping for them.
There is no doubting the cat-attracting strength of the catnip in the Yeowww! line of toys. Though the cigar, banana and other versions are all equally attractive to felines, this colorful rainbow will look the cutest as it gets knocked around on your floor. Reviewers report that their cats can smell the toy through the packaging (and even through an Amazon box!).
Once unboxed, cats tend to pounce on it, kick it, lick it and generally adore it. Our test cat "fought" it, must have decided that she won, then sat on it to claim it as her own. While some people report that their ninja cats have clawed a hole in it, our testers have found it to be durable and long-lasting.
Cats can't help it — they're hardwired to be obsessed with the unpredictable bounce of these colorful springs that comes in a 10-pack. Toss one across the floor, and your cat is likely to chase and pounce.
The springs are small, though, and easily knocked under the couch or refrigerator. Pet parents report occasionally going on a spring hunt and retrieving them from around the house, then letting their cat go wild with them again. But they're so reasonably priced that once they all go missing, plenty of people just order a second set of ten!
Set up this automatic flutter toy that lets your cat practice its stalking skills. The colorful butterflies move sporadically, which encourages your kitty to bat and chase. It comes with replacement butterflies too, just in case your cat does catch and shred one. And the butterflies shine in the dark for cats who get extra active at night.
This realistic mouse will help channel your feline’s natural urge to hunt — without you ending up with their kill on your front steps. Owners say their cats like swatting, pouncing and chasing after these small toys because they’re realistic in size and texture.
They’re a bit more enticing than the real thing with catnip and crinkle sounds, though they can be easy to tear up for some cats. It’s a great toy for an outdoor cat that finds themselves spending time indoors and you can get in on the fun of tossing and hiding these guys around the house.
Essentially three toys in one, this cat tunnel will provide some self-made stimulation to your pet. With three different openings, it’s great for households with multiple cats. Plus, the dangling ball on each exit and an attachable feature toy will quickly tucker them out. Consider cat zoomies conquered. Each tube is 10 inches tall and 17 inches long and can be folded down for travel or to pack away if you don’t want to hear them rustling about at night.
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 either get out of sight or take an all-day snooze. Dangling toys at the entrance give them something fun to swing at. If you've got two rambunctious kittens, they might love to chase each other around in this.
This concealed motion toy encourages cats to pounce and play without much work on your end. Just turn it on and let colored lights and a fluffy-ended wand get your cat on the hunt. Basically, it makes it seem like there's a furry little creature moving around under the mat, which puts your cat on the critter-tracking project, preparing to pounce. It has adjustable speeds, so you can customize it to your pet's agility level. Reviewers said this was great for incentivizing even older cats to play.
Our small and large" tester cats alike couldn't help to chase after a little red dot on the floor. They looked confused when it “mysteriously” disappeared, but stay activated waiting for it to come back — all of which provided some much-needed exercise.
This laser pointer is perfect for teasing your kitty to run and swat the red light across the room. You recharge it via a USB cord, and reviews mention that it does so quickly. It’s also multi-functional and has a black light and flashlight setting that you might also find helpful in your day-to-day, as well as five cute laser patterns.
Many cheaper catnip toys fall apart quickly, especially if your kitten uses them for teething or your adult cat gets really ferocious as they play. These durable sparkles come in a pack of three with fun ribbons and feathers to attract cats. A quick squeeze refreshes the catnip scent too.
"It's the most failure-proof cat toy I've ever encountered," said a cat-sitter who tested them for us. "All the cats I know, regardless of personality, enjoy these little toys and they don't take up much space." They are a bit small though, and might get sucked up by a vacuum if they aren't picked up first.
Wave this like you're conducting an orchestra or doing rhythmic gymnastics in front of your kitty. The swirling ribbon entices your cat to "dance" by leaping through the air or standing on its hind legs and swatting. If you remember ribbon dancers from the '90s, this is basically that retro toy — but for your cat. Kids really get a kick out of using this to get a cat to do silly tricks.
This one toy has three ways to entertain your feline. Cats may come for the scratcher, which you can sprinkle with the included catnip, but stay for the roller ball or spring toy. Having a cardboard scratcher to shred might keep a restless cat from clawing the furniture. It's also a nice spot for lounging!
Interactive puzzle toys like this one often keep cats busy for longer than less-engaging catnip mice or plain bell balls. Because your cat can walk over and start the game on their own, it's a toy that can reduce boredom-related kitty destruction or keep your cat from 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.
Anything shaped like an avocado earns immediate cuteness points with us. But the floppy shape and string legs combined with some enticing catnip make it a favorite among cats. "The dangly arms must resemble an insect when the toy is moved around because my cats lose their minds over this," one tester said.
It's great for solo play, and cats like chewing on the legs, though some users say they cut them off if they appear to be shredding. You can also join in on the fun by tossing and throwing it around for some extra engagement.
This set of five low-fi felt balls that cats love to pursue works great for owners who prefer playthings that don't crinkle, chime or require batteries. They're also pretty enough that you may not mind so much if your furry angel leaves the ping-pong-ball-size toys all over the living room. Reviewers say their cats love to play fetch with them and bat them across the floor.
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.
This refillable catnip toy has an opening in its belly where you can put in new catnip to keep the toy fresh. It comes with a small bag of nip and then you can use your own favorite catnip from there.
If you've got a new cat or kitten or are fostering a litter, this unique collection of classic cat toy favorites will help you discover something that's a hit with your new housemates at a bargain price. It's also great if your cat seems bored; something in here should catch its attention!
Some cats particularly love a cat tunnel, which is included in this set. It lets them stage a stakeout, watch what's going on around them and find the perfect moment to pounce on one of the balls, springs or mice that are also included. With 24 toys in this set, you're paying less than 50 cents per toy!
For a realistic indoor "hunting" experience, surprise your kitty with this play wand. Not only will your cat be stimulated by the catnip at the end of the wand's cord, but they will be just as entertained hearing the automatic bird chirping sounds when batted. With a 4.4-rating on Amazon and over 17,000 customer reviews, cat owners agree your cat will probably become obsessed with this toy, too. One two-cat owner wrote she had to buy a second one so both could play!
We surveyed the market for the most well-reviewed, best-selling cat toys and then tested them at home with our cats. Our lead tester has reviewed more than two dozen cat toys over the course of a year in her two-cat home, and enlisted trusted cat sitters to help test.
We selected cat toys that are durable, beloved by cats and easy for humans to use with their pets and have around their homes. For the toys we did not personally test, we chose toys that were recommended by cat owners and vetted them for engagement and longevity.
Every cat is different in terms of their preferences and what will keep them entertained. However, there are a few things to consider when shopping for a cat toy.
✔️ Play pattern: Provide your cat with toys that bring out different skills. A toy that you dangle or a toy that moves across the floor lets your cat chase. A toy that your cat can hold and bite invites wrestling and tussling. Toys that can be skittered across the floor let your cat hunt and then hide its catch somewhere fun, like behind the couch. Balls that can be pushed around give your cat a feeling of playing with prey and tracking its movements.
✔️ Stimulation: Some toys can offer more mental engagement and physical stimulation than others. Puzzle toys or those with catnip can offer a reward system to keep them involved for a longer period of time. It's similar to how they would hunt or forage in nature.
✔️ Interactivity: Playing with your cat is half the fun! Wand toys and lasers can allow you to be more involved with your cat's play and encourage them to engage in their hunting drive. If you know you're going to be away from your pet for some time, it might be worth it to invest in a robotic or automatic toy. These can be set on times or can be activated by play to give your kitty extra engagement when you cannot.
✔️ Durability: Look for toys that your cat can't shred with its claws or destroy with its teeth. The exception is cardboard scratchers, which are made to be ripped up, recycled and replaced.
✔️ Variety: Cats are famously finicky. And though they might stalk a real mouse all night, they often won't give a toy more than five or 10 minutes. Have a variety of toys in different rooms of the house so your cat can play a little all day (and night).
Veterinarians agree that playing has multiple tangible benefits for our feline friends:
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Courtney (she/hers) has spent the past 5 years testing everything from reusable straws to standing desks to homemade kombucha kits. A longtime reviewer, deals hunter, and lifestyle writer, she currently heads up the American Kennel Club's product review site Retrievest and previously worked as the Shopping Editor for USA Today’s Reviewed. Additionally, she has covered design and lifestyle trends for Apartment Therapy, Domino, SELF, and more. A graduate of Elon University, she loves telling everyone about what race she’s planning on running next while raving about her favorite running headphones (they’re bone conducting!).
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