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12 Best Cat Toys to Entertain Your Kitty- 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Dean Eby

By Dean Eby

Hepper Catnip Stick Toy - White Cornish Rex on Bed

Cats are inquisitive, playful creatures that need to be mentally engaged and entertained if you want them to live healthy, long lives. Plus, doing so will alleviate boredom, and when your cat is bored, they can easily start tearing up the house with their destructive claws and teeth.

Nowadays, keeping your cat entertained is easier than ever, thanks to the many toys on the market. Some of these toys are electronic and can provide engagement beyond that of an inanimate object.

Others hold treats or catnip to drive your cat crazy or make them work to earn their prize. You will surely find a suitable toy on this list, and we have written short reviews comparing each of these cat toys to simplify the decision for you.hepper cat paw divider

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites – 2024 Update

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Catnip Stick Toy Hepper Catnip Stick Toy
  • 100% organic catnip
  • Double bagged for durability
  • Soft pastel colors to choose from
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Hepper Plush mouse Kicker Toy Hepper Plush mouse Kicker Toy
  • Catnip-infused
  • Large
  • Affordable
  • Third place
    Frisco Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy Frisco Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy
  • Keeps your cat mentally stimulated
  • Provides multiple ways to play
  • Non-skid bottom
  • Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toy Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toy
  • 10 springs for at minimal cost
  • Very affordably priced
  • Provides exercise and mental stimulation
  • Frisco Bird Feather Teaser Cat Toy Frisco Bird Feather Teaser Cat Toy
  • Dirt-cheap pricing
  • Great way to provide exercise
  • Spiked with Canadian catnip
  • The 12 Best Cat Toys

    1. Hepper Catnip Stick Toy – Best Overall

    Hepper Catnip Stick Toy - blue - domesitic shorthair tortoiseshell

    Check Price on Hepper
    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material: Linen, organic catnip

    If your cat is crazy for catnip, it will love the Hepper Catnip Stick Toy! Cat owners know how much felines love to sleep, but you can provide them with endless entertainment with a simple and effective toy to punch in a few extra hours of exercise.

    The Hepper Catnip Stick Toy is double-bagged, so your cat can go nuts without destroying it in a few hours. It contains only 100% organic catnip and provides plenty of stimulation to cats affected by the herb. It’s available in soft pastel colors, and you can choose one or two to complement your home’s aesthetic or coordinate the colors according to your cat’s gender.

    The Hepper toy will be a long-lasting favorite, so you can save on buying flimsy toys that are destroyed in seconds or swallowed by the furniture, never to be found again. A simple wipe will keep it clean, but it is not refillable.

    All in all, we think this is the best overall cat toy that will keep any cat entertained!

    Pros
    • 100% organic catnip
    • Double bagged for durability
    • Soft pastel colors to choose from
    • Easy to clean
    Cons
    • Not refillable

    2. Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker – Budget Buy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material:
    Cotton

    If there’s one thing that cats are sure to love, it’s mice. Unfortunately for us and our houses, real mice are pests. The Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy takes this downside away and enables cats to play with mice without hosting unpleasant guests.

    The design of Hepper’s Plush Mouse has a humorous elongated shape and catnip to entice your cat to play. It’s large and, best of all, extremely affordable, so you know you are getting your money’s worth!

    It’s handmade with non-toxic and soft materials to ensure your cat’s playtime is safe. The natural materials are combined with premium cotton for extra durability during rough play sessions. Plus, there are no hard eyes or additions that could potentially fall off and harm your cat.

    To retain the scent of the catnip inside of this product, you can clean it with a damp cloth. There’s also no way to replace the catnip if the scent wears off, but you can sprinkle or spray your favorite product on top.

    Pros
    • Catnip infused
    • Durable
    • Natural cotton and linen
    • Large in size
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Catnip scent will fade over time

    3. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy

    Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Plastic

    Getting your cat to play with toys is about mental stimulation and engagement as much as physical activity. With the Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly cat toy, you can provide both for your feline, and it takes no input from you. This three-tiered toy provides several ways for your cat to play, ensuring that boredom will be staved off for quite some time.

    On the downside, the Frisco toy is a bit pricier than many alternatives. It has premium features, such as the butterfly on top that jumps around and angers your cat into pouncing. The bottom is non-skid to prevent it from sliding around on hard floors. In the end, we think it’s worth the slightly higher cost since it’s capable of keeping cats entertained for extended periods.

    Pros
    • Keeps your cat engaged without your input
    • Provides multiple ways to play
    • Non-skid bottom to prevent sliding
    • Keeps your cat mentally stimulated
    Cons
    • It’s more expensive than other cat toys

    4. Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toy

    Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Plastic

    These colorful plastic springs from Frisco almost seem too simple to provide as much entertainment for your cat as they do. When your cat starts to play with them, they’ll go bouncing all over, keeping them endlessly engaged. Unfortunately, they can get lodged into tight spaces and under your furniture, so expect to spend a lot of time fishing plastic springs out of various nooks and crannies in your home!

    One great thing about these springs is how affordable they are. For just a few bucks, you’ll get 10 springs, so even if a few get lost in your home, there should be plenty to keep your cat entertained.

    Not only will your cat be mentally stimulated while playing with these springs, but they’ll get plenty of exercise chasing around the springs as they scatter!

    Pros
    • You get 10 springs
    • Very affordably priced
    • Provides exercise and mental stimulation
    Cons
    • Springs can get stuck in various places

    5. Frisco Feather Bird Teaser for Cats

    Frisco Bird Teaser with Feathers Cat Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: Yes
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material: Polyester and feathers

    The Frisco Bird Teaser with feathers is proof that toys your cat will love don’t have to cost a fortune. They hardly have to cost anything since the Frisco Bird Teaser is dirt cheap. It’s a little furry creature attached to a string at the end of a wand. You hold the wand and bounce the toy around, enticing your cat to pounce and play. It’s a simple way to interact with your cat and provide exercise.

    You must be careful when using this toy because the string tends to tangle easily. But the wand is long enough to allow for vigorous play without any chance of being bitten. Your cat can get plenty of exercise, and you don’t have to do much work to make that happen.

    The Bird Teaser is spiked with Canadian catnip to ensure your cat will be attracted. It’s a simple device but very effective, and at this price, it’s really hard to beat.

    Pros
    • Dirt-cheap pricing
    • Great way to provide exercise for your cat
    • It’s spiked with Canadian catnip
    • Long wand prevents you from getting bitten
    Cons
    • The string tangles easily

    6. Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy

    Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Cat Toy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material: Cotton twill

    Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana comes pre-stuffed with 100% organic catnip to entice your cat. Your cat will probably be excited to play with the toy before you even unpack it! It’s crafted from durable cotton twill that’s safe for cats and durable enough not to be destroyed by sharp claws and teeth.

    No fillers or plastic are used in its construction, and the only colorings used are made from soy and natural vegetables. It’s hard to imagine any feline not falling in love with this banana catnip toy. Your cat will likely become highly possessive of it, showing displeasure if you attempt to move it or touch it.

    Aside from the addiction factor, there’s not much to dislike about this toy. It comes ready to play with right out of the box, so no input is needed from you. Just give it to your cat and let the entertainment begin.

    Pros
    • Comes stuffed with catnip
    • Contains no fillers or plastic
    • Crafted from durable cotton twill
    • Only natural vegetable and soy-based coloring used
    Cons
    • Your cat may become highly possessive of its banana!

    7. Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser Cat Toy

    Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser

    Requires Human Input: Yes
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Metal

    Everyone knows that cats love to chase around laser pointers. Unfortunately, many laser pointers are dangerous and can cause blindness if pointed into the eye. The Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser emits safe white and red lights so you can enjoy watching your cat chase a red dot without any chance of causing harm.

    It’s an easy way to stay engaged with your cat, but you can do it from the comfort of your favorite chair. We found that this laser falls short in two key areas. It’s not built very well and can fall apart when you attempt to change the batteries.

    Thankfully, the Ethical Pet Laser is affordable, so it’s not a major loss when that happens, though it’s still disappointing.

    Pros
    • Provides engagement for users and pets alike
    • Emits safe white and red lights
    Cons
    • Sub-par construction
    • Short laser lifespan

    8. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy

    SmartyKat Hot Pursuit cat toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: Yes
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Plastic

    The SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Concealed Motion cat toy is an excellent concept with poor execution that prevents it from working as well as it could. It’s an electronic cat toy that spins a furry mouse-like item around a circle, which will motivate your cat to pounce on it.

    A small motor in the middle of the device moves the mouse while a pad covers the motor. But the pad is too big and prevents the mouse from sticking out far enough for your cat to catch. For the price, there are several cat toys you could get instead, but we like the idea of an automated toy that makes your cat feel like it’s hunting.

    This one even offers multiple speeds to vary the way your cat can play. If it performed better, the SmartyKat toy would probably be near the top of our list, but sub-par performance prevents it from climbing out of the bottom half.

    Pros
    • Electronic mouse toy moves on its own
    • Multiple speeds
    • Keeps your cat engaged and entertained
    Cons
    • Pricier than alternatives
    • Poor performance

    9. Frisco Refillable Brown Squirrel Catnip Cat Toy

    Frisco Refillable Catnip Cat Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material: Polyester

    Any toy filled with catnip will likely attract your cat. This brown squirrel toy from Frisco features a refillable cylinder for holding catnip. It’s a great idea, but many cats can remove the cylinder and open it, which results in a rather sizable mess.

    The Frisco toy is much smaller than it appears in pictures, though it’s still big enough for most cats to play with. Catnip fills the cylinder inside the toy, so you won’t need to purchase any separately.

    If the toy’s cover gets too dirty from rough play, it’s machine washable, so you can keep it looking good as long as it survives your cat’s claws.

    Pros
    • Can be easily refilled
    • Machine washable
    • Catnip included with the toy
    Cons
    • The toy is much smaller than anticipated
    • Some cats can open the catnip and make a mess

    10. Frisco Moppy Balls Cat Toy

    Frisco Moppy Ball Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: Yes
    Material: Polyester

    Frisco Moppy Balls are as simple as cat toys come. They’re just little floppy balls made out of soft material. While some cats might be attracted to such a toy, there’s not enough to stimulate many felines. Still, it’s an affordable toy that can be easily tossed and pounced on, allowing you to play with your cat or for it to play solo when you’re busy.

    Unfortunately, it feels like an opportunity was missed since the balls don’t have a compartment for holding catnip. That would help with the toy’s main problem, which is that it doesn’t hold cats’ attention for long.

    Pros
    • Floppy texture entices play
    • Ideal for interactive or solo play
    Cons
    • Balls don’t seem to hold cats’ interest for long
    • Many cats are uninterested in this toy

    11. Catit Senses Motion Illuminated Cat Toy Balls

    Catit ball cat toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: No
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Polyester

    Balls with motion-activated lights seem like they’d be a big hit with cats, and the idea is certainly a sound one. When the balls move, they light up, and the flashing lights will rile your cat up for playtime. Well, that’s how they should work, but the lights aren’t sensitive enough, so the balls must be hit pretty hard for them to activate.

    Still, the balls roll easily, so once your cat starts playing with them, they’ll travel all over. Soon, the batteries will die since the battery life of this toy is rather dismal. That’s when you’ll notice the biggest drawback: you can’t replace the batteries! Instead, you’ll have to replace the entire toy, which is a significant design flaw.

    Pros
    • The balls contain motion-activated lights
    • Smooth surfaces let the balls roll easily
    Cons
    • Batteries can’t be replaced
    • Limited lifespan
    • The lights aren’t sensitive enough

    12. Hexbug Mouse Robotic Cat Toy

    Hexbug Mouse Robotic Cat Toy_Chewy

    Requires Human Input: Yes
    Holds Catnip or a Treat: No
    Material: Plastic, rubber

    Here’s another toy that seems great in concept but doesn’t quite work out how we hoped. An automated robotic mouse sounds like the perfect toy for a cat. This one is a bit too fragile, and parts such as the ears and tails will break off with only mild play. But its lifelike movements are almost guaranteed to get your cat to pounce.

    You can choose between different play modes to determine which one your cat prefers. But this is another toy with horrendous battery life. After just a few minutes of play, the batteries will need to be replaced. And don’t expect it to work on the carpet.

    It won’t roll on anything but hard, smooth floors, so it’s not going to work in many homes. Altogether, it’s a toy we’d skip since there are so many better alternatives.

    Pros
    • Uses lifelike movements to entice your cat
    • Has multiple play modes to choose between
    Cons
    • Tail is too easy to bite off
    • Batteries die very quickly
    • Only works on smooth, hard floors

    hepper single cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Toy

    We know that trying to pick a toy to please and entertain your cat can be more difficult than you might initially anticipate. That’s why we put together this short buyer’s guide. After reading the buyer’s guide, you should be prepared to make a more informed decision about which toy will be a good fit for your feline.

    Two Main Types of Cat Toys

    While cat toys come in many designs, shapes, colors, and styles, they can be separated into two main groups. Each group serves a different purpose, but neither is better. In fact, it’s generally best to have toys that fit into each of these groups.

    Solo Toys

    Yeowww! Catnip banana cat toy_chewy

    Solo toys are toys that your cat can play with alone and don’t require any input from you. They include stuffed toys with catnip, automated or electronic toys that move independently, and toys that move after your cat touches them.

    Interactive Toys

    Interactive toys allow you to play with your cat. They include stuffed animals attached to a wand by string or a laser pointer. You can use these toys to interact with your cat, enticing them to bite, pounce, and play.

    Things to Look for in a Cat Toy

    It can be hard to compare cat toys since each toy is unique. We’ve found a few characteristics you’ll need to consider most if you want to ensure you get a toy that will provide your cat with all the benefits you’re hoping for.

    Is Your Cat Interested?

    Frisco Bird Teaser cat toy_Chewy

    At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your cat is interested in the toys you provide. If you give your cat toys they dislike, they won’t use them. Granted, it’s challenging to know which ones your cat will like before buying them. But you can use your knowledge of past toys and how your cat has reacted to them to fuel your decision.

    Does it Provide Mental Stimulation?

    It’s good for your cat to play, but the best toys help them take playtime even further, keeping them mentally engaged and stimulated. This will help your cat to remain healthy while expending excess energy that could manifest in unwanted behaviors if not given an outlet.

    How Long Can It Keep Your Cat Engaged?

    Hexbug Robotic cat toy_Chewy

    Some toys initially attract your cat but fail to keep their attention for any length of time. A good toy will be able to entertain your cat for extended periods.

    Does it Hold a Catnip?

    Toys that hold catnip tend to be favorites of most felines. It’s no secret that most cats love catnip, and toys stuffed with catnip can easily entice most cats into playing. Many toys will come stuffed with catnip, but others will feature areas where catnip can be hidden, allowing you to replace the catnip as needed for maximum effectiveness.hepper cat paw divider

    Conclusion

    You might think it’s hard to go wrong when picking a toy for your cat, but if you pick the wrong one, you’ll soon find out that your cat has no problem letting you know. Luckily, our reviews should help you pick the perfect toy for your pet.

    Our favorite is the Hepper Stick Cat Toy, which has an enticing toy shape and catnip to entice your cat to play. We also like the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy because it’s affordable and provides plenty of engagement and exercise for your cat, thanks to the enticing shape.


    Featured Image Credit: Hepper

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