Yahoo Finance 15 Best Cat Toys to Get Your Pet Moving
- 1/17
15 Best Cat Toys to Get Your Pet Moving
We updated this article in November 2022 to ensure the information reflected current prices, features and more. Our top picks, based on testing notes from the Good Housekeeping Institute, remain the same.
If you're incapable of swinging by the pet store for a kibble or cat litter without an adorable toy or two finding their way into your cart, you're our kind of pet parent. There's nothing cuter than watching your precious kitty roll around on the floor, wrestling with their favorite plaything.
Whether dangling a feather toy, tossing a catnip mouse or setting up a robot for your cat to chase, engaging with your pet can strengthen your relationship. Regular play will also lead to better-behaved pets who perhaps won't shred the furniture or climb the drapes to get their energy out. Our experts and engineers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Pet Lab test everything you need to keep pets and owners happy, from the best pet food to pet cameras. To find the best cat toys, we took into account factors like how long a toy holds a cat's interest, durability and cost.
Our top picks:
The picks ahead are either top-tested products or vetted best-sellers with lots of glowing reviews — at the bottom of our guide, you can find more information about how we test cat toys, as well as what you should keep in mind when shopping for them.
Hearst Owned - 2/17
1) Rainbow Catnip Toy
Yeowww!
amazon.com
$6.99
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.
Yeowww! - 3/17
2) Colorful Springs Cat Toys
Ethical Pet
amazon.com
$5.09
Cats can't help it — they're hardwired to be obsessed with the unpredictable bounce of these colorful springs. 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!
courtesy of Ethical Pet - 4/17
3) Concealed Motion Cat Toy
SmartyKat
amazon.com
$12.11
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.
courtesy of SmartyKat - 5/17
4) Electric Flutter Rotating Cat Teaser
Zenes
amazon.com
$17.99
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.
courtesy of Zenes - 6/17
5) Cat Toy Assortment
Youngever
amazon.com
$11.99
If you've got a new cat or kitten or are fostering a litter, this collection of classic cat toy favorites will help you discover something that's a hit with your new housemates. 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.
Youngever - 7/17
6) Robotic Interactive Cat Toy
PetDroid
amazon.com
$21.90
Keep your cat from chasing other pets — or your robot vacuum — by giving them this robot critter to stalk. These rolling toys work on carpet, tile and wood floors and ambulate 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 them engaged.
courtesy of PetDroid - 8/17
7) Electric Moving Interactive Fish Toy
Potaroma
amazon.com
$13.59
This realistic-looking fish toy wiggles and flops when you turn it on, enticing your cat to catch it and wrestle it into submission. 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.
courtesy of Potaroma - 9/17
8) Rainbow Cat Charmer
Cat Dancer Products
amazon.com
$6.49
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.
Cat Dancer Products - 10/17
9) Three-Level Roller Cat Toy
UPSKY
amazon.com
$10.99
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.
amazon.com - 11/17
10) Wool Felt Ball Toys
Earthtone Solutions
amazon.com
$10.97
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.
courtesy of Earthtone - 12/17
11) Interactive Cat Scratcher
AUOON
amazon.com
$24.50
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!
AUOON - 13/17
12) Bite-Resistant Catnip Toys
Legendog
amazon.com
$8.97
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. Because of their sturdier fabric, these bite-resistant catnip toys will last longer than the classic disposable mice. They're larger than the cheap little furry mouse toys, too, so your cat can really get ahold of these and practice their bunny kicks. You get a pack of five.
courtesy of Legendog - 14/17
13) Interactive Cat Feather Wand
ChicWow
amazon.com
$7.99
Give your couch potato some much-needed exercise by dangling colorful feathers for them to run after. Waving the feathered teasers mimics a low-flying bird, which gets many felines excited to pounce. The retractable wand adjusts to suit either larger or cozier spaces and it comes with a number of feather bunches to keep your hunting expeditions interesting.
courtesy of ChicWow - 15/17
14) Pop-Up Cat Tunnel Bed
Kitty City
amazon.com
$39.50
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.
Kitty City - 16/17
15) Refillable Catnip Cat Toy
SmartyKat
amazon.com
$4.48
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.
courtesy of SmartyKat - 17/17
16) How we chose the best cat toys
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 reviewed a dozen cat toys over the course of a few weeks in her two-cat home. We selected cat toys that are durable, beloved by cats and easy for humans to use with their pets and have around their homes.
Jessica Hartshorn - Hearst Owned
