17 Best Cat Toys to Get Your Pet Moving (2024)

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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:

• Cat toys provide exercise play, which taps into cats' natural instincts and is essential to your cat's well-being.
• It can help them maintain a healthy weight if they're running around the house regularly, rather than sleeping the day away.
• It can help them live longer and mitigate chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
• Play also helps them stay mentally sharp. Just as people do crosswords or Sudoku to keep their brains limber, cats play to stay on top of their feline game.
• Your cat can release stress by engaging in staring, stalking, chasing, pouncing and biting with these toys, according to the Humane Society, which may make them less likely to engage in tussles with your furniture or other creatures.
• It boosts their mood. Playtime is fun!