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Much like humans, cats need regular exercise and stimulation to stay healthy and happy. This can be a challenge for indoor cats, as there are limited ways to burn off energy and receive mental stimulation. They can become bored, which then lead to undesirable traits and actions such as destructive behavior (scratching on furniture, knocking things over), over grooming (could lead to more hairballs, hair loss, and intestinal blockages), chewing on things they’re not suppose to, and over eating, leading to weight gain.
Toys are a great way to keep your cat’s brain and body engaged. By investing in the right type of toys, you can help limit boredom, encourage healthy habits, and help strengthen your bond with your kitter! An active cat is a healthy cat!
🐈⬛ How to choose the right toy for your cat:
When choosing the right toy(s) for your cat, it is important to consider their individual preferences and character traits. Some cats love to chase, others prefer puzzles. For example, my cats, Bella and Boba, both have different preferences for toys. Boba loves hunt and chase toys, so she loves springs and stick toys with the string. Bella prefers toys with textures, so anything that crinkles or makes noises that she can rub her face on. Both cats love puzzle toys and mentally working to get food or treats! Here are a few things to consider when trying to choose the right toys for your cat:
- Interactive Toys: great for higher energy cats to tap into their hunting instincts of chasing and pouncing
- Puzzle Toys: great for mental stimulation and help them develop problem-solving skills. Also great if you don’t have a lot of space.
- Toys for multiple cats: If you have multiple cats, toys that encourage teamwork can work well. Or having a variety of toys available may be necessary so everyone’s needs are met.
- Durability: Some cats, especially high energy ones, love to bite and claw at their toys, so sure whatever toy you get is able to receive some rough housing!
- Noise: Some toys that your cat may love make noise (like chirping). While this may be great for stimulating your cat’s natural instinct to hunt, it may become annoying or disruptive if there are people in the household who work from home. Consider having these as “special occasion toys” or a toy they get when you leave the house
With the above in mind, let’s jump into my top recommendations (as well as Bella and Boba’s) for toys that keep your indoor cats entertained.
🐈⬛ Top Rated Picks
- SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys
- Why it is great: Small, lightweight, contains catnip to entice cats. Stimulate the feeling of catching real prey. Cats can play solo or together
- Best for: Cats who love to hunt
- Price: $2.08 (for a 3 pack)
- Where to find it: Amazon
- Yeowww! Catnip Toy, Rainbow
- Why it is great: It is soft, plush, contains catnip. The purrfect shape for cats to claw, scratch, and bite.
- Best for: Cats who enjoy hunting and rough housing with their toys.
- Price: $7.95
- Where to find it: Amazon
- Frisco Foldable Play Tri-Tunnel Cat Toy
- Why it is great: The tunnel makes for a great hiding spot, has a crinkly interior, and lots of plush accessories containing catnip. Foldable for easy storage
- Best for: Cats who love to hide and love textures
- Price: $14.99
- Where to find it: Chewy
- Mice Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
- Catstages Tower of Tracks 3-Level Cat Track Toy with 6 Balls
- Why it is great: Multi- tiered exercise track with 6 balls for plenty of opportunities to chase and hunt. Encourages mental stimulation. Cats can play independently or together
- Best for: Cats who are high energy, curious, like to hunt, cats who like to play with others
- Price: $14.82
- Where to find it: Amazon
Bella’s Favorites
- Koackl Rechargeable Laser Pointer
- Why it is great: For some reason, cats love to chase lasers! There’s just something about chasing a small red light that they can never catch….Bella is no exception! She does not normally chase toys, but she loves running after the red dot! This one offers different light patterns and rechargeable through USB, meaning the fun never stops!
- Best for: Cat who love to chase and hunt small items
- Price: $5.69
- Where to find it: Amazon
- Fringe Studio Plush Cat Toy Set, Mini 2 piece set
- Why it is great: Bella is not a very active cat… she takes a more lowkey approach to playtime. She loves toys that have catnip and crinkle. She will lay on her back and rub her face on the toy and be the happiest little clam. The fur is a soft Sherpa and she loves it!
- Best for: Cats who enjoy toys with textures and sounds when they play with toys. They are also small enough for them to pounce and chase. Both active and inactive cats will love them!
- Price: $10.99
- Where to find it: Amazon
Boba’s Favorites
- Saury fish
- Why it is great: Boba may be cute, but once she lures her victim (usually me) in with her adorable fluffiness, she then wraps her paws around the unsuspecting victim, bites, and bunny kicks with her back legs. This toy is a lifesaver (for me) because it is long and the curved shape allows her to bite one end and kick the other. It also contains catnip and makes a crinkling sound, which makes it more enticing than my hand/arm.
- Best for: Cats who love to bunny kick, grab hold of their toys, and play more aggressively. Also good for deterring cats who like to play with hands.
- Price: $9.48 (for a 3 pack)
- Where to find it: Amazon
- Andiker Spiral Spring
- Why it is great: who would have thought a small plastic spring would be so enticing? These are hands down Boba’s favorite toy to play with independently (I am her first favorite toy…🙄). The springs are small enough that she can pick them up, throw them, and hunt to her hearts content. She chases them all over the house. They have some flex, so they bounce and their movements are unpredictable, which adds to the appeal. They come in multiple colors, which gives her variety and me a way to keep track of them (and she definitely has a favorite color- green. Yellow if the green is unavailable aka under the couch).
- Best for: Cats who love to hunt and chase
- Price: $5.99 (for a 12 pack)
- Where to find it: Amazon
Combined Favorite
- Cat Dancer Charmer Interactive Cat Toy
- Why it is great: This is a great way for you to get some quality time with your cat! They love that the toy moves and they can chase and hunt the string, and you control the movements, so it is unpredictable for them, which adds mental enrichment. Boba will literally sit next to the toy, meow at me, and bat the toy when I look at her. We both love the bonding time
- Best for: Cats who require a lot of mental and physical stimulation, cats who love to chase, cats who love to interact with you
- Price: $6.99
- Where to find it: Amazon
🐈⬛ Conclusion
Investing in the right toys for your cat is essential in maintaining their physical and mental health (as well as the integrity of your home!) Whether your cat loves to chase, pounce, or problem-solve, there are a variety of toys available to keep them engaged, active, and happy for hours!
What is your cat’s favorite toy? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to check back in for more products, tips, and tricks for keeping your cat healthy and happy!