Cat toys come in a wide variety of styles, but there are a few categories that continually emerge as favorites. Here we’ve collected five example of five different categories of toys: balls, catnip toys, toys with feathers, mice and other prey animals, and scratching posts and playgrounds. These are all tried-and-true toy types which can add a new dimension to your cat’s environment and pique their interest.
To give you a place to start shopping, we’ve compiled 21 of the best cat toys in different styles that are sure to entertain your cat for hours.
This inventive, multifunctional mat provides virtually everything your cat needs in a space. There are places to hide, claw, sleep, dig, and hunt. It’s easily reconfigurable simply by reshaping the surface, which will keep the mat interesting over the long haul. Use the layers and holes to hide toys and treats so your cat can forage among the folds. The non-skid rubber bottom will make sure it stays in place, no matter how outrageous your cat’s play sessions get. These are made in the U.S.A. from recycled bottles are completely non-toxic. This is a toy in itself, but can be combined with anything else on this list to make a real playground for your cat.
Part cat condo, part scratching post, part cat tunnel, this is a large activity center that creates different areas of interest for your cat. The floor is a corrugated cardboard scratching surface, while the top includes a viewing dome. This lets let into the inside, but will also likely make for some hilarious moments in multiple cat households. Simply slots the pieces together and it’s ready to go.
This unique toy combines a couple of the best cat toys in an uncommon way. First is the plush ball on the end of a spring, which is a simple and effective toy. But that’s just an add-on to the main attraction: a horizontally-mounted sisal rope post augmented by a second scratching pad. This should endure a good amount of abuse from your cat while also taking an interesting format.
If you want to increase the challenge for your cat, try this activity center that features five different brain-teasing games. The first game is a simple fishbowl that your cat must dig a treat or toy out of. The second is a peg game that lets cats figure out how to maneuver the treat out of the maze.
The third are small squares meant for liquid treats. The fourth game is a series of waves cats must fish treats from. The fifth game is a long tube which would be good for toys and treats alike.
The bowls twist off for easy cleaning, and the entire unit is dishwasher safe. The rubber feet keep it from moving around, even on non-carpeted floors.
Part scratching post, part perch, and part toy, this cat playground offers several features to keep cats entertained. There’s a ball in the base which will give your cat something to try to figure out. You could also put treats or other toys in there to add to the fun. The two hanging toys offer a little variety, while the whole unit acts as a very good scratching post.
The final toy of our animal category features one nifty variation the others lacked: a built-in slingshot. It’s basically just a loop of stretchy fabric, but being able to fling a toy across a room has a certain appeal that makes playing with your cat a little more fun. The sound function is motion-activated, so whenever you send it flying, it’ll make a noise to alert your cat that it’s time to play.
My dogs absolutely adore their Wubba toys, so I’m betting your cat will love them, too. While the dog ones are made of a canvas material, these are made of plush with tails filled with crinkly material to inspire play.
It’s a little more expensive, but there’s also a rabbit variant.
This is a very different sort of animal-based toy. It’s made of plastic, but it makes up for that non-natural surface with an abundance of natural motion. The joints on this iguana allow it to move like many prey animals, calling on your cat’s instinct to follow those kinds of movements. It has a little loop on the head that you could use to attach to a wand-style toy.
The links can be removed or added to vary the toy. It’s also available in snake, squirrel, and mouse variants.
For a slightly more deluxe option, these adorable mice are made of nicer material and include catnip. Better yet, they include an electronic module that makes a sound just like a real mouse to really kick in the predatory instinct. For this price, you get two mice.
The Play-N-Squeak line offers a wide variety of critters, including a cardinal, a bluejay, a squirrel, and others. You can even get a three pack of birds for $12.49.
Another electronic option, this well-known toy relies on erratic motion, as well. Unlike the one above, though, this one is free to roam the house, which will inspire your cat to give chase. The construction of this toy lends itself to wacky behavior, and the addition of the feather gives cats something soft to bite once they finally corner it.
The feather attachment is screwed in, so it won’t come loose while your cat plays with it. The motor for it is quiet, so especially on carpeted surfaces, this out of control toy won’t make much noise at all.
This feathered toy is a bit more deluxe than some of the others. This electronic hide-and-seek game uses a feather that darts back and forth between holes and disappears. The erratic nature of the game will keep your cat guessing and pouncing for extended play sessions. It even makes a mouse-like sound that will draw the other cats of the house to it once it’s turned on.
By its nature, it’s fixed in place, so this would also be a good choice for spaces where free-play toys might risk breaking something in your home. If your cat gets bored easily, try stepping up to something a bit more dynamic like this.
Another toy that has it all, this play mat features toys attached to the corners to create a multi-functional play space for your cat. In addition to the feathers that put it in this category, you also get crinkling material, catnip, and a bird toy. The playmat itself is soft and inviting, and will give your cat something to claw and lay on.
No list of cat toys would be complete without a wand-style toy on it. This particular model comes with options, with five different feathered attachments in five bright colors — red, purple, green, yellow, and teal. It’s almost like getting five toys in one. Even better, each of the feather attachments comes with a small bell that will grab your cat’s attention. Once assembled, the wand reaches about three feet, which makes it easy to use while standing or sitting. It’s a classic cat toy.
This catnip toy also fits into the ball category. Much like the mouse above, this is simply a ball of compressed catnip. Why not go right to the source? It’s much less messy than loose catnip, and it’s more interesting, too. Roll this thing across the floor to your cat and watch them turn loose.
If you have a lot of cats or at least a couple of very active ones, you might consider buying your catnip toys in bulk to be sure you always have something on hand for your weekly toy rotations. This bin of 24 catnip sacks should get the job done. They’re pretty basic as far as toys go, but if you need something your cat can abuse and have fun with, in addition to getting its catnip fix, this fits the bill. They’re pretty good for tossing in your cat’s direction and watching the chaos ensue.
For a pure, unadulterated catnip blast, consider these all-catnip mice. Not need to invite any layers to get between your cat and the catnip. This realistic-shaped mouse is made almost entirely of compressed catnip, with the exception of the tail and ears. The long tail makes it easy to dangle in front of your cat for interactive play time. For less than five dollars, you get two of them, which should keep your cat occupied for awhile.
A spin-off version of the Star Chaser Turbo we included in our interactive cat toy post, this toy features two rails of captive balls that cats can bat and chase around the ring. The advantage of this version is that the center can be filled with catnip for an intense play session. The circulation of the ball will create wafts of the catnip to keep your cat interested. It makes a very good, already-popular toy even better. For a little less, you can get the simpler Cyclone version.
Much like the real-world versions they humorously parody, these kitty cigars are filled with catnip leaves, which should produce a strong effect in cats sensitive to it. These are roughly seven inches long, and come in a three pack. I used to buy a product like this for my cats when I was a kid and they loved them. They’re easy to carry and bat around. These aren’t refillable, but you could always grab some catnip spray to keep the toys fresh.
What I like about this one is that it looks crazy. It’s just a zany toy to give your cat. As I covered in my durable dog toys post, JW makes some tough toys, so this should stand up to a lot of abuse from your feline pal. The rubber gives your cat something to bite and claw, and these balls are known for their excellent rolling power. There’s also a little rattle in there to provide auditory stimulus.
Sure, they’re not exactly balls per se, but they’ll roll around just the same. The odd shapes produce unexpected bounces that will keep the cat guessing. As an added bonus, you can put a treat inside that they need to figure out how to access after they’re done chasing the die across the room. If Jackson Galaxy was really involved in making this, it’s almost certainly worth trying. He makes his money sorting out difficult cats, how far off could he be?
The old classic: a slotted plastic ball with a bell. The bell will help entertain any cat, but is especially useful if your cat happens to be blind like the one in the video above. Every cat I’ve ever known has loved these simple toys. Even though the manufacturer claims they’re virtually indestructible, I think that’s pretty dubious, so be sure to throw them out when they break. Still, they’re cheap enough to replace and should provide plenty of entertainment. You can also get the Hartz version for a little less, if you prefer.
