The Best Cat Toys in 2022

You may believe that you have already selected the perfect toy for your cat, but it is worth thinking in a little more detail about some of the key features to ensure that you are making the right choice. So, here are a few things to look out for.

• Safety

First and foremost, your cat’s safety should take number one priority. Check for small or sharp parts which could break off and are at risk of being swallowed. Inspect the toy to ensure that it seems durable enough to withstand many play sessions. After all, you don’t want your cat to break the toy when they have only just got it home. Bear in mind that no matter how well the toy seems to be made, the best way of ensuring that your cat stays safe while they are playing is by supervising them at all times. This way, you will be able to react to any risk quickly.

• Durability

While a cat toy may seem like a great deal at first, this is not going to be the case if it breaks within a couple of playing sessions. So, check what sort of materials the toy is made from, as well as the trustworthiness of the brand. You should also inspect the customer reviews to see what other people have to say about it. Often, you will get information which the manufacturer didn’t tell you. Of course, you should take a wide sample of reviews and not just listen to one or two highly good or bad ones. Some of the above toys come with replacement parts to ensure that you can keep on using them for a long time to come.

• Movement

The movement of the cat or kitten toys have a big impact on how much they engage your feline’s attention. Even though your cat is entirely domesticated, their play technique is still based around their natural hunting instincts. There are a number of different ways in which the cat toy can mimic prey including movement, shape, and design. Perhaps it is a mouse which your cat bats around the floor on their own or a wand which requires you to be part of playtime. Some toys are even designed to move around on their own. If you know a bit more about how your cat likes to play, it is easier to buy them the type of toy which they love.

• Size

The size of your cat and the size of the toy which you buy for them should match up. If the toy is too big for your pet, they could find it too intimidating to play with in the way that they would like. If it is too small, they may not find it engaging. Remember that cats are natural hunters who take on prey because of its size, as well as how appealing it seems to them. If you have a young cat who is still developing, you could look at kitten teething toys.

• Texture

Another feature which could play a role in your decision-making process is the texture of the cat toy. A lot of this comes down to your individual feline and how well you know them. Some cats prefer softer toys which are easier to sink their teeth into while others prefer smooth ones which are more slippery and easier to knock around. Some cats love crinkly toys which make a noise every time they are stepped on, while others prefer something harder. Ultimately, the choice is yours and your cat’s!

• Smell

One of the most attractive scents which encourage cats to play is catnip. Bear in mind that not every single cat will respond to catnip, but the ones that do will find it intriguing and it is likely to stimulate their desire to play. While you may not want every single one of the toys which you choose to contain catnip, having one or two can really help to step up playtime. Rather than having them available all the time, you could bring them out for an extra dosage of excitement! Find out more about catnip toys and treats here.

• Sound

Another influencing factor is the type of sounds which the toy emits. Bear in mind that your cat has sensitive ears and can be jumpy. For example, some larger and motorized toys can end up startling your cat and having the opposite effect to the one that you were intending. Some toys contain little squeakers which are designed to stimulate their playtime activities. Again, everything comes down to your individual cat, what they enjoy, and what they don’t.

• Cleaning

You may need to clean your cat’s toys from time to time – particularly if they are the food dispensing variety. So, you should investigate how you can clean the toy. Some are as easy as putting them on the top shelf of the dishwasher, while others will require you to do the cleaning by hand. As for the mice and other soft toys, you should check whether you can put them in the washing machine or not. While you want the toys to be as clean as possible, you don’t want to risk causing any avoidable damage.

• Other Benefits

As well as mental and physical stimulation, you may also want to look at what other benefits the cat toy will offer to your feline. For example, some of them include scratch mats or other textured surfaces which help to fulfill their natural desire to sharpen up their claws. This helps to keep them away from your furniture! Another common type of cat toy is the food dispensing variety. If you have a cat who tends to overeat, this helps to control their eating and makes them work for their food. Ultimately, you should look at a toy as a full package when it comes to working out what it can do for your four-legged friend.

Playing with your cats is not just a fun distraction; it is also important for their mental and physical health. Here are just a few of the top reasons why it is crucial for your feline friend to play.

• Stimulates Natural Hunting Instincts

As we have already mentioned, cats are natural hunters who have an inbuilt desire to hunt their prey. If you have an outdoor cat, this can manifest itself in unwanted ‘presents’ like birds and mice brought in by your furry hunter. Playing with your cat for a few minutes every day can help to satisfy their inbuilt desire. Of course, the toy needs to be stimulating enough to hold their attention. If you are the one controlling it, you should let your cat catch it from time to time to allow them to feel like a predator.

• A Great Form of Exercise

As many as half of cats are overweight, and they are especially at risk of becoming plump if they are indoor felines. Therefore, it is so important that you help to provide your pet with the physical activity which they so badly need. If your cat becomes obese, this is likely to increase the risk of them suffering from a whole host of negative health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart conditions. Try to vary the toys which your cat plays with, as well as the games you play with them to hold their interest and ensure they get daily exercise.

Check out our guide on Cat Food for Weight Loss for more info.

• Alleviating Boredom

Just like you, your cat can also suffer from feelings of boredom. And when they don’t have enough to do, they are more likely to engage in bad behavior like scratching up your furniture or making their own playtime with your treasured possessions. if you have an indoor cat, they are going to end up being cooped up indoors for hours at a time. Play helps to offer your cat the mental stimulation of exercising their cognitive and motor skills. A stimulated cat tends to be a happier cat, so take this as another incentive to engage your cat in playtime whenever you get half a chance.

• Promoting Bonding

What pet owner doesn’t want their furry friend to love them just a little bit more? Playing with your cat encourages this forging of a closer bond between the two of you. If you have a kitten, playtime is an especially important form of stimulation which helps in their development. Rather than always just sticking to the same types of toys and games, you should try to vary what you buy for them and try out different activities. Your cat will naturally start to associate you as a source of fun and adventure.

• Fun for Both of You

Not only is playtime fun for your cat, but it should also be exciting for you as well. There is so much entertainment to be enjoyed while watching your cat bounding around the house or leaping up to try to reach that dangling feather. If you are sick of the same old games, now is the time to find some new ones which are going to provide you with hours more fun.

Have you found that your cat doesn’t enjoy playing with a particular type of toy? Don’t worry; there are plenty of different varieties out there to choose from, so you are bound to find something they love.

• Balls

The simplest toys are often the best ones, and this is certainly the case with balls. While some of these are free-rolling for your cat to chase around on their own, others are lodged in tracks which your cat will enjoy trying to dig out. Some of them are spiked with catnip to encourage your feline to play with them, while others are interactive and will bounce off surfaces and move around of their own accord. Essentially, you can experiment with your cat to find out which ones hold their interest the most or choose a variety of different ones.

• Mice and Furry Toys

Stuffed toys often come in mouse-form or another type of small creature which your cat would naturally enjoy hunting. Generally, these are lightweight and easy for your cat to bat and toss around as they would like. Sometimes, they are filled with catnip for a bit of extra encouragement. Usually, they come in bright colors which are easily visible for your feline. These are an affordable type of toy which are well worth adding to your cat’s collection.

• Cat Teaser Toys

As we mentioned earlier on, many of the best cat toys are the ones which stimulate your feline’s natural desire to chase and hunt their prey. Often, these come in the form of a wand with a feather or another object dangling off the end of it. The best ones have a sturdy handle and string which will withstand your cat’s attentions, as well as keeping your hands well out of the way of slashing claws and biting teeth! Some of the above options also come with replacement feathers or other dangling objects when the originals are no longer usable. Head over to our review of laser pointers for cats for more alternatives.

• Interactive Toys

Cardboard scratchers and motion toys are just two which fit into the category of interactive toys. Essentially, these are designed to give your cat something to engage with. Some come with treats inside which your cat must work to access. Others include feathers hidden under a mat which your cat has to catch. Often, they feature a way which you can increase the difficulty level so your cat can face a greater challenge. If you are looking for more options, check out our guide on interactive cat toys.

You have probably already noticed that a lot of cats will chase and attach anything which moves – as long as it is small enough to seem like prey and not a threat. Some cats have preferences of what they like to go after. Knowing your cat’s personality a little bit better will help you to select toys which are best-suited to them. The only way that you are going to be able to tell what your cat enjoys is by experimenting with different toys and activities.

Whichever variety you choose, you should try to make the toy move like the prey would. Movements should sometimes be fast and slow, while other times the toy can alternate between being hidden and seen. When your cat hunts, it is as much about the mental stimulation as the physical exercise. You can also get them some toys which encourage solo playtime. After all, cats traditionally hunted on their own.

• On-the-Ground Hunters

Some cats prefer to chase toys which stay close to the ground. If your cat likes crawling and stalking their prey stealthily, this could be the type for them. Alternatively, you may have an older or physically limited feline who cannot jump up to attack objects in the air, but still loves to go after things which stay grounded. Otherwise, you may have an especially timid or anxious cat who doesn’t like to make themselves vulnerable by jumping up in the air. Perhaps you have a cat who simply loses interest when the toy moves off the ground level. Balls and mice toys are a couple of good examples of those which are designed for on-the-floor usage.

• In-the-Air Hunters

The opposite type of cat hunter loves leaping up into the air and catching the toys which dangle over their heads. The cat teaser toys are a good way to stimulate this type of feline, and they can also be used at ground level as well. Even cats who love leaping around appreciate movement on the ground as this makes it easier for them to catch the toy. Avoid keeping the toy continually out of their reach as this can lead to them getting frustrated and losing interest. Otherwise, they may end up jumping too high and causing themselves an injury.

Our best cat toy on the list is this one from Bergan. Running around the outside channel is a ball, while the center is a textured scratch pad which allows your feline friend to sharpen up their claws. Not only does this help to keep them interested and engaged, but it also protects your furniture from getting scratched to pieces.

This highly-rated product is the kind of toy which can provide your cat with hours of entertainment. For us, it is the kind of toy which should be in every owner’s collection.