The Best Cat Toys, According to Our Favorite Cats

Too many cat trees are just plain ugly. They are usually large, covered with carpet and generally do not match any other decor. But Catit’s Vesper line of cat furniture is incredible. The pieces have a modern wooden design with high quality rope scratching posts, carpet pads and hanging ball toys. They come in many colors, sizes and configurations, and my cats are absolutely obsessed with them. Me too, because the trees look great in my apartment. They are also extremely durable, having withstood years of abuse from my two cats with minimal wear and tear.

— Daniel Golson, former senior social media editor

The GoCat Da Bird Teaser Wand is the only toy that can keep my 14-pound panther-of-a-cat entertained non-stop. It’s the longest feather wand toy I’ve ever seen, and the lightweight poll feature makes it look like a real bird in flight.
It’s easy to play with because of the length (I can just sit on the couch and wave it for hours), as well as super unobtrusive to store because it’s a very light, thin wand. There are also a ton of different attachments you can get for the tip of the toy which means you really only have to buy the wand once and then replace the toy as needed.
It’s one of the most basic toys I’ve seen but truly one of the best, and I recommend it to new and old cat parents.

— Emma Wolgast, former paid social analyst

Most cats (and dogs) get zoomies — you know, that time when they go into crazy active mode and run around, bouncing off furniture, racing around the backyard in a frenzy. angry or jumping at everything. (Note: the technical term for zoomies is FRAPs — Frenetic Random Activity Periods, according to animal behavior experts.) If your cat gets zoomies, this toy is for you — it’s an inexpensive laser pointer that allows you, from the comfort of your couch, to direct a red dot around the room that your cat can chase to burn off all that excess energy. Best thing: It’s USB rechargeable, and trust me, you’ll use it a lot and need to recharge it often.

A note: I’m no expert on animal behavior, but I’ve found that cats — being smart creatures — know you’re playing with them with the dancing red dot (aka, invading their space. ). And they might want to “play” longer than you do. So build in an exit as part of your play routine — ie, let the dot disappear in the same place every time (under the door, for example). Over time, your cat will learn that the intruder has left the building and they can take a nap.

— Connie Guglielmo, editor at large

Remy is a unique child — he had his eyes removed when he was a kitten to fight an infection. Finding him toys was a little difficult, because I thought they had to make noise to get his attention. I didn’t have high hopes when my sister bought her a rather ridiculous stuffed pickle, but it was love at first bite. It’s full of catnip and must be good stuff, because she refuses any catnip toy except this one.
He must always lie near it, and will pounce if you try to pick it up. Her favorite game is pretending to be asleep, then attacking her sisters if they dare touch her.

— Courtney Johnston, editor

This puzzle box is the best! I put treats on the days I go to the office so my girls have something to do while I’m gone. This gives them mental stimulation as they reach, dig, grab and push the box, and reward them with a treat when they get one. The cardboard is super sturdy (both of my cats can stand up at the same time) and it has held up for the past three years. There is also a larger Mega version that you can pick up for $36.

— Elena Avis, associate program manager

Cats spend a lot of time sleeping and entertaining themselves, so it’s easy to think of toys as a luxury, not a necessity. However, just like people, cats need exercise and mental stimulation. A bored cat is a sad cat, and this can result in unwanted behaviors, such as overvocalization, clawing and biting. Toys give cats an outlet for their prey-driven behaviors and can provide comfort if they are stressed or anxious.

Every cat has its own unique preferences and energy levels, so you’ll want to try different types of toys to find out which ones your cat prefers. Indoor cats in particular need toys that give them mental stimulation and an outlet for scratching. Low-energy cats may prefer soft toys filled with catnip, while high-energy cats enjoy dancers and teasers that allow them to mimic catching prey.

Many cats are attracted to the smell of catnip and react to it, from lazily rolling and purring to being completely agitated. But fortunately, because it is an herb, catnip is considered safe and non-addictive.

However, remember that it doesn’t take much to let your cat relax. If cats eat too much catnip, either fresh or dried, they may experience digestive issues. If you’re worried about that, it’s best to stick with catnip toys that are durable and unlikely to break.