Best cat toys for indoor cats | No more bored cats
Is your indoor cat looking listless, lethargic or self-grooming itself excessively? Or you are finding your kitty fighting with other pets or damaging household items as you leave it home alone, even for a short time?
If you are a cat owner and noticing these unwarranted behaviors, then the chances are that your feline friend is bored out of its mind! So what should you do?
In order for your cat to beat this boredom and stay active and healthy, what you need is an engaging interactive cat toy. In this article, we share some of the best cat toys for indoor cats to keep your kitty entertained and mentally stimulated. We will list out both the solo cat toys that your cat can play with when home alone and the social cat toys that your cat can share with you and other pets.
Do not forget to check out our article on the best interactive dog toys for some engaging toys for your kitty’s canine friend!
And if you have a chonky kitty, check out our article on the best cat toys for fat cats for some additional options to help your feline lose some weight.
List of the best cat toys for indoor cats
Some of the best cat toys for indoor cats available in the market are listed below:
The Price Indicator for these toys is defined based on the following scale:
$ – Up to $15
$$ – $15 – $25
$$$ – $25+
Best cat toys for indoor cats review
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: Medium cat breeds. Most suitable for supervised play.
Features:
- Three-stage, track-and-ball interactive toy with separate multi-color balls for each level. Balls are secured within the track and do not come out.
- Encourages instinctual mental and physical play as the cat swats or bats balls at all levels.
- Anti-slip base pads keep the toy stable when the pet is playing with it.
- Design improvements such as the closed top prevents the cat from accidentally sticking the head in. Solid tracks prevent paws from getting stuck.
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy is an inexpensive, yet interactive cat toy for indoor cats that boosts their instinctual senses and helps in stimulating them both mentally and physically.
Made of durable BPA-free plastic, this multi-track moving cat toy is one of the more durable and better -designed models in its class. The toy has an overall dimension of 9.75”L x 9.75”W x 6″H and weighs approximately 0.60 lbs. It is most suitable for cats which stand at 20-inches or less and works well with puppies and small dogs as well.
Each track has a non-escaping toy ball that rotates along the track as the cat swats or pats at it, encouraging the pet to chase its motion as the ball moves along the track. The toy has an anti-slip base, making it comfortable for your cat or puppy to play with it. A single toy works best with a single pet, though some pet owners do use the same toy for two or more pets as well.
In order to address the earlier issues, the latest version has closed top (or a bar on the top) to prevent the feline from getting its head stuck into the toy. This design improvement makes this specific model a great choice for keeping the feline busy for a long time, although we still recommend using this toy mostly under supervision.
The vibrant blazing orange color and multi-color balls make it a “purrfect” choice for your kitty.
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: Kittens and adult cats. Use under supervision.
Features:
- A popular two-in-one interactive cat toy for indoor cats with a scratcher and a ball-track.
- Made of high-quality BPA-free plastic, with all parts recyclable.
- Comes with the toy, catnip spray, ball and a scratcher pad. The ball and scratcher pad are replaceable and available separately.
- Available in multiple colors, but the one available is shipped out, so limited control on the choice of color.
- Removable ball can pop out or be ingested by the dog, so suitable only for play under supervision.
It is a well-known fact that cats, especially growing kittens, love to scratch. For an indoor cat, the permissible scratching options are limited. After all, you would not want your kitty to damage your doors and furniture. So obviously any interactive toy that provides a scratcher along with a stimulating chasing toy is bound to be favorite of many cats and their owners. Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy is exactly such a toy!
The Bergan Turbo Scratcher features a 16-inch circular track with a high-quality, replaceable scratcher pad in the middle. It is made of high-quality, BPA-free plastic. All the sides are molded to be free of any edges.
The toy has a channel for a small ball that the cat can nudge with its nose or shove with its paw through the track. A Catnip spray is also included with the toy to spray on the ball or the scratch pad to entice your kitty.
Both the balls and scratch pad are fully replaceable and available separately from the manufacturer. All the parts of the Turbo Scratcher are fully recyclable. The Turbo Scratcher is available in multiple colors, but only the one available is shipped, so you have limited choice in those terms.
If you are looking for a fun-filled toy for your kitty, then you should definitely consider adding this interesting toy to your collection.
SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All cats. Suitable for supervised play.
Features:
- Popular concealed-motion, moving cat toy to stimulate the natural hunting instincts of the cat.
- Features a high-quality wand with a plush toy attached to the end that moves unpredictably at two adjustable speeds.
- The toy also has moving lights that entice the cat to follow them.
- Uses 3 AA batteries. The toy should be turned off after the play session.
By their very nature, cats are hunters and can be mesmerized by a concealed motion toy that stimulates these instincts. Among these cat motion toys, The SmartyKat’s Hot Pursuit Electronic cat motion toy is one of the most durable and interesting models.
The SmartyKat’s Hot Pursuit Motion Toy features an erratically moving prey with a teasing tail visible under the durable fabric cover. The toy is attached to a plastic wand that moves the prey unpredictably at two adjustable speeds. The wand is pretty durable and fully replaceable with other types of preys.
In order to further entice the cat, the toy produces intriguing moving lights under the cover, keeping the feline engaged as it chases the prey or follows the lights.
The Hot Pursuit toy uses 3 AA batteries. To avoid draining of batteries, the toy should be turned off after a play session. SmartyKat provides a satisfaction guaranteed commitment on all its products, so you can get one without any worries.
Overall, the SmartyKat’s Hot Pursuit Electronic cat motion toy is an excellent toy for your indoor cat to stimulate its senses and provide it with the much-needed workout.
PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All cats. Interactive supervised/unsupervised play toy.
Features:
- Interactive laser pointer toy that can run in both automatic as well as manual mode.
- High-quality and safe class IIIa laser beam that can be used to generate automatic patterns on the floor and walls.
- Runs on 4-AA batteries (not included) and can run automatically for 15 minutes.
- Backed by a one-year warranty.
Laser pointers are one of the most popular interactive cat toys. They are compact, portable, safe and totally mess free. And most cats go bonkers chasing the light emitted by these pointers.
And if you are looking for a laser pointer toy that does not require your continuous involvement, then PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Pointer is the best option to check out.
The PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Pointer features an adjustable mirror that adjusts the safe Class IIIa laser to create zig-zag patterns on any surface around the toy. It stands about 8 inches from the ground level and hence can produce a pattern on the nearby surfaces as well.
The Laser Pointer runs on 4 AA batteries and can be configured for manual as well as automatic mode. The best part is that the automatic mode automatically turns off after 15 minutes to prevent over-exertion.
The PetSafe Bolt Laser Pointer is backed by one-year warranty. All in all, the PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Pointer is a perfect modern laser pointer toy for your beloved feline. And it can overwork even the laziest cats without overworking you!
NOTE: Since a laser pointer is not a physical catch for the feline (it is just a light pointer that your kitty will never be able to catch), you should limit its use, especially if your cat has anxiety issues. Generally a 10-15 minute play session should be sufficient to workout your kitty.
Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Suitable For: All cats. Suitable for unsupervised play
Features:
- High-end, multi-activity interactive cat toy made with food-grade plastic.
- Five activities designed to use all the five feline senses. Supports all pet treat types – dry and wet.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Backed by a one-year warranty.
Trixie Pet Products is an established brand for interactive pet toys and its 5-in-1 Activity Center is one of the most popular interactive cat toys in the range.
The Trixie Pet Products Activity Center is designed to stimulate each of your cat five senses and makes it use its mental and physical instincts to access different types of treats. The Activity Center supports all types of cat feed – dry, wet and liquid. It has fish-bowl shaped globes, pegs, alley, and tunnels and requires the kitty to use its paws, toes, and tongue to access the treats.
The Activity Center is made of food-grade plastic and measures 12 inches by 16 inches and weighs a reasonable 3 lbs. It is pretty durable and free of pointed parts which can harm the cat. It is dishwasher safe (top rack) and can be air dried.
The Activity Center comes with an instruction booklet on how to use the toy, along with some useful additional tips and tricks. And like other Trixie Pet interactive cat toys, the Activity Center is backed by a one year warranty, so you can use it for a long time without worries.
If you are looking for a single interactive cat treat dispensing toy, then consider getting the Trixie Pet Products Activity Center. Your kitty would definitely love you for it!
Hex Bug Mouse Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: Adult cats. Suitable for supervised play only.
Features:
- Smart Robotic moving cat toy that exhibits a realistic critter movement. Starts, stops and moves just like a real mouse.
- Battery powered (included) and can find ways across corners and flips back if overturned.
- Features two modes of operation – paw mode for docile cats and chase mode for active cats.
- Works on hard surfaces only. Not suitable for carpets or rugs.
HexBug is a prominent brand for smart robotic toys for pets and kids and they have a bunch of interactive cat toys specifically for indoor cats. The HexBug Mouse Cat Toy is one of our favorites as it appeals a lot to the instinctive nature of cats who love to chase mice.
The HexBug Mouse Cat Toy features a plush robotic furry mouse that is programmed to showcase realistic mouse movements when powered on. It runs on batteries which are included with the toy. The toy is designed to start, stop and pause like a real mouse and can find its way through corners and obstacles. It can even flip back on its feet from its back if overturned.
The Smart toy features two modes of operations – the gentle paw mode for docile cats and the faster chase mode for really active cats. The mouse is safe for the feline to grab, but you should keep an eye on any damaged or displaced parts and discard the toy if you observe such damage.
The major limitation of the HexBug Mouse Cat Toy is that it works well only on hard wooden or tiled floors and does not work on carpets or rugs. So keep that in mind while opting for the toy. Because of some small electronic parts, this toy is suitable for supervised play only.
Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Intermediate
Suitable For: All adult cat breeds. Suitable for unsupervised play.
Features:
- Smart puzzle feeder for cats that stimulates its senses and slows down feeding time at the same time. Can be combined with other Catit Senses 2.0 products.
- Made with BPA-free plastic that is both durable and safe. Easy to assemble and disassemble.
- Has three adjustable levels of difficulty that can be easily set.
- Wide base helps in keeping the toy stable as the kitty hunts for food. Left-over kibble ends up in a Whisker-stress free bowl.
Catit Senses series of toys are a hugely popular collection of interactive cat toys, and the Catit Food Tree is an excellent multi-purpose toy in the range.
The Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree features an improved cat slow feeder that stimulates natural pawing behavior during playtime and also helps in slowing down feeding. Made with BPA-free plastic, the Food Tree features a wide stable base and a stress-free bowl at the base to provide stability and prevent spillage.
The Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree features three difficulty settings which can be adjusted by rotating the middle disc and adjusting the opening sizes for kibble to flow through the tree as the cat hunts for kibble. The tree is easy to disassemble and clean by hand with soap and water and fits well with other Catit Senses 2.0 toys.
So, if you have multiple cats or a fast feeding adult cat that gulps food like a vacuum, then get the Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree to help in slowing down the feeding time and making feeding a lot more fun for your furry friend!
PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy to Intermediate
Suitable For: All adult cats. Can be used for unsupervised play.
Features:
- High-quality treat dispensing toy for cats. Made of FDA-approved, food grade plastic polymer.
- Holds up to 0.75 cups of dry cat kibble with an adjustable opening to control the feed dispensing rate.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe (in top rack).
- Affordable and available in four vibrant colors.
If you are concerned about your cat’s weight or its fast-feeding habits and looking for an inexpensive solution, then you need the PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser. This inexpensive cat treat toy combines exercise with feeding and helps in managing your cat’s weight.
The SlimCat Interactive Cat Ball is made of BPA, BPS-free, food-grade plastic. The ball is about 3.2 inches in diameter and can hold up to 0.75 cups of dry cat kibble. The ball has adjustable openings to control the feed dispensing and challenge your cat to move the ball to dispense the treats.
The SlimCat Treat Toy is very easy to use and clean and is dishwasher-safe (top shelf only). It is available in four vibrant colors, so you can pick one that suits you and your kitty – blue, green, orange or pink.
The PetSafe SlimCat Cat Treat Dispenser is an excellent cat treat toy for your kitty and also helps in managing its weight and increasing the feeding time.
Cat Amazing Treat Maze and Puzzle Feeder
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Suitable For: Kittens and adult cats. Suitable for supervised play.
Features:
- Award-winning cat toy box that acts as a mental stimulation toy and a puzzle feeder. Suitable for kittens and adult cats.
- Made of high-quality, durable recyclable cardboard. Built to last.
- The cat toy box has three difficulty levels to challenge the feline – beginner, intermediate and advanced.
- Works as a dry cat food dispenser and puzzle feeder. Also works well with catnip toys, wand toys and other feline favorite toys.
The Cat Amazing Treat Maze and Puzzle Feeder is a perfect cat toy box if you are looking for a mentally stimulating puzzle toy for your kitty. It helps in exercising your pet, slow down feeding and can be an effective tool for your kitty’s weight management.
The Treat Maze features an all-cardboard construction and is pretty sturdy (most owners have reported it to be going strong even after a couple of years). The cardboard used is made of 30% recycled material and is 100% recyclable.
The Maze and Puzzle Feeder toy box has three different difficulty levels ranging from easy to advance and a bonus extra-difficulty level for really-smart cats. It acts as an excellent puzzle feeder and works with almost all types of dry cat kibble (not wet or semi-wet feed). It can also be used with catnip toys, mice toys or other cat favorites.
Overall, the Cat Amazing Treat Maze and Puzzle Feeder makes a great choice for an inquisitive feline or even a mild chewing puppy.
Creaker Collapsible Pet Toy Tunnel
Level: Easy
Suitable For: Kittens and Small Cats. Also works well for bunnies and hamsters.
Features:
- High-quality, steel framed, polyester three-way tunnel with a peephole and soft ball toy for extra fun.
- Built-in crinkle crackle paper makes a natural sound as the cat walks through the tunnel.
- Fully collapsible and portable using an elastic band.
- Available in two colors – Blue and Red.
Tunnels provide an instinctively interesting environment for cats to hide and play around. So if you have one or two kittens or small cats then the Creaker 3-way tunnel is an excellent interactive toy to get.
The Creaker tunnel features a three-way, 10-inch high and one-foot long tunnel setup. The tunnel toy is made of tear-resistant polyester that is wound on a rust-free steel frame. The tunnel is fully collapsible and comes with an elastic band for easy storage and travel.
The tunnel has a built-in crinkle paper that crackles as the cat walks through it. You also have a peephole and an attached soft ball toy at one of the ends to further amuse your cat as it explores through the tube.
The Creaker Crackle Tunnel is available in two colors – Blue and Red and is backed by 100% satisfaction guaranteed commitment by the manufacturer. It is an excellent toy to get for young kittens and small cats. And it works quite well for bunnies, hamsters, and other pets too!
Yeowww! Catnip Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All kittens and cats. Suitable for unsupervised play.
Features:
- Popular, made in the US catnip plush toy. Fully handmade.
- Features a cotton twill body stuffed with 100% natural, organically grown catnip.
- The curved yellow banana shape makes it suitable for grabbing and nuzzling.
About 80% of adult cats react to the irresistible aroma emitted by catnip. If your cat is one of those, then consider adding the Yeowww! Catnip Cat Toy to its collection.
The Yeowww! Catnip Cat Toy features a yellow banana-shaped plush cat toy that is filled with 100% natural catnip. The banana is handcrafted with cotton twill and stuffed generously with the catnip. It is about 7-inches in length.
Close stitching and seams make it pretty durable even if your cat tries to chew upon the toy. Its smart shape and natural catnip scent makes the toy enticing to the cat to grab, nuzzle or simply carry around.
And if you prefer different shapes, the manufacturer also offers apple, lemon and rainbow shaped toys. With its affordable price, it is worth adding one to your cat’s toy basket!
OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mice Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All adult cats. Suitable for unsupervised play
Features:
- A simple, real mouse-like squeaking plush toy. Features a high-quality fur cover on each toy.
- Comes with batteries sewn in the mouse fur. When pressed by the cat, it makes an almost real-mouse like squeaking sound.
- Contains catnip to entice the cat.
- Does not move on its own.
- Comes in a set of two mice. Suitable for biting and carrying around.
The OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mice Cat Toy is a simple chew-and-carry cat toy that appeals to the natural mice-hunting instincts of the cat.
The OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mice Cat Toy features a set of two, real-mouse looking plush toys. Each toy is fitted with a set of batteries sewn in the fur. When the cat bats the mouse, it makes a patented, real-mouse like sound, providing safe, indoor prey for your cat to play with.
To add to the enticement, each mouse contains catnip which further enhances the feline’s interest in the toy.
The OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mice Cat Toy is a perfect plush two-toy set to get if you have two or more cats. It is affordable, durable and a great addition to your cat’s toy kit.
The Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy to Advanced
Suitable For: All cat breeds. Suitable for supervised play.
Features:
- High-quality, made in the US multi-functional and reconfigurable activity rug for cats.
- Large dimensions of 47” x 35” make it suitable for multiple kittens or cats.
- Made with 100% recyclable, non-toxic and machine washable material.
- Easy to use, fold and rearrange to create, tunnels, caves and crevices to hide toys.
- Costlier than most other indoor cat toys, but you get what you pay for.
Tired of seeing your furniture, rug or carpet scratched by your fur-ball for its manicure? Then you need a SnugglyCat Ripple Rug – a truly amazing multi-function activity center.
The SnugglyCat Ripple Rug features a twin-layer play-rug that can be customized into various shapes to form unique shapes and arrangements using its patent-pending Velcro touch points. The rug is a healthy 47-inches by 35-inches with the bottom layer featuring a slip-resistant surface and the top layer having a rigid carpet with holes of different sizes.
The Ripple Rug is made in the US using 100% recycled PET bottles and is a perfect toy for behavioral and physical activity for your cat, kitten or even multiple cats. It is fully foldable and machine washable. So cleaning is never going to be a problem.
It may be a costly cat toy, but it is a perfect gift for your furry kitty!
Cat Dancer – Cat Charmer Wand Teaser Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All kittens and cats. For interactive supervision play.
Features:
- Best-selling, made in the US cat charmer wand teaser toy for interactive play with your cat.
- Features a 16.5-inch Poly-plastic wand and a 50-inch wand fleece with a mesmerizing twirling pattern.
- Extremely durable fleece fabric that can survive stretching, tugging and biting by the feline.
- Multiple patterns available for the cat to play with, including the most popular Rainbow pattern.
Every cat owner knows that cats love to be charmed and show their acrobatics with a moving wand toy. So, if you are in the market to pick one such wand teaser toy, then look no further than the Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Wand Toy.
This made in the US Wand Toy features a 16.5-inch highly durable Polycarbonate wand. Attached to the Wand is a stretchable, multi-color fabric fleece that is about 50-inches long. This 65+ inch arrangement means that you are at a safe distance from the claws of your kitten or cat.
The fabric is easy to twirl and whirl and is extremely durable. Some owners have even reported it to survive constant tugging and chewing by the cats. And with multiple arrangements available, you can rest assured, your cat would show all its moves as you play with it.
If you are looking for an interactive toy that exercises you and your furry friend both and give you many clickable moments, then do not forget to add the Cat Dancer Cat Charmer Wand Toy to your collection.
GoCat Da Bird Cat Pole
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All kittens and cats. For interactive play under strict supervision.
Features:
- Best-selling, made in the US, feather-wand cat chasing toy for interactive supervised play with your cat.
- Features a 36-inch, 2-part Fiberglass wand with a 32″ nylon string and a feather bird dangler
- The swiveled attachment make the feathers look, sound and feel like the real bird wings when moved to encourage the feline to exhibit natural hunting behaviors.
- Backed by a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
- Similar feather teaser toy is also available with a retractable poly-carbonate wand and foam handle.
Just like the Cat Dancer Charmer toy, the popular Go Cat Da Bird Pole is an excellent cat teaser toy that caters to the natural bird-hunting instincts of felines.
This made in the US Wand Toy features a 32-inch long durable Fiberglass wand with a 32-inch stretchable nylon string and a 3-inch or bigger dangling feather teaser. This 65+ inch arrangement means that you are at a safe distance from the claws of your kitten or cat. The wand is collapsible in two parts for easy storage.
Da Bird Feather Teaser simulates the motion of a bird at your control. As you swivel the wand in the air, the feather attachment floats and feels like a flying bird, encouraging the cat to unleash her hunter instincts and pounce, chase and swat at the prey.
Just a word on advice on the such wand teaser toys. It is important that you do not leave such a wand toy unattended and supervise your pet while playing at all times. Moreover, if the fiberglass rod shows signs of damage, discard it immediately to prevent splintering and injuries to your hand. You can also wrap a tape around the the holding part to act as a handle. (You can also opt for a similar variant on Chewy with a polycarbonate retractable wand and a foam handle).
If you are looking for an interactive toy that encourages your kitty’s instinctual hunting behavior and provide it much needed workout, then do not forget to add the Go Cat Da Bird Pole to your collection.
Ethical Pet Colorful Springs Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All Cats. Suitable for unsupervised play.
Features:
- Simple, affordable spring cat toy. Each pack has ten 2-inch long springs made of plastic.
- Multi-colored and fun for kittens and cats who like to pat and see the spring bobble.
- Designed to jump high and roll on the floor.
Springs are probably the simplest indoor cat toy that can keep your pet thoroughly engaged even when you are not around. And the Colorful Wide-gauge Spring set by Ethical Pets is an excellent toy if your cat loves to pat and bobble the springs.
The Ethical Pet Spring Set has 10 colorful springs that are each about 2-inches long and 1-inch in diameter. The springs are metal-free and made of high-grade plastic.
Simply spread the springs on the floor and see your feline go crazy by pouncing and petting these colorful toys. Since these springs can roll under the furniture, you are better off getting a couple of sets for your pet!
Hartz Just For Cats Gator Scratch Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Easy
Suitable For: All Cats. Suitable for unsupervised play.
Features:
- Versatile cat toy that cater to the exploratory natural instincts of cats.
- Soft 20″ alligator head that combines scratching mat with crinkling sound. Made of durable, textured sisal material.
- Designed to lay flat or hang on the doorknob. A suspended catnip-filled ball is also included for swatting.
- Other toys appealing to the hunting, swatting, interacting and exploring instincts of the kitty are also available.
Hartz Just for Cats has a new series of cat toys designed specifically to cater to the natural hunting, swatting and exploring instincts of the felines. The Gator Scratch Interactive toy is one of their most versatile models of the series and hence our favorite.
The Gator Scratch toy features a soft, fluffy yet durable 20” alligator head made of textured sisal material. The toy can be laid flay or hung on the doorknob using the included hanging loop. It is designed to reinforce a positive scratching behavior and stretching to keep the nails healthy and muscles moving.
Scratching the toy surface produces a stimulating crinkling and crackling sound which your kitty would find interesting. And that is not all! The toy also includes a suspended catnip-filler ball finished off with a feather for the kitty to swat and bat around.
Priced well under 10 bucks, the Hartz Just for Cats Gator Scratch and other interactive toys are a perfect gift for your home-alone kitty!
Potaroma Automatic Flopping Fish Cat Toy
Level: Easy.
Suitable For: All kittens and cats. Suitable for unsupervised play.
Features:
- Engaging automatic wiggling fish toy made of high-quality pet-safe plush material and stuffed with PP cotton. Soft, non-toxic and safe for biting, chewing and kicking. Made in China using standard 3D printing processes.
- Features a realistic, 10″ fish with an improved built-in motion sensor-based motor that wiggles the fish whenever touched by the cat, producing sporadic flapping to entice the cat and cater to the pet’s hunting instincts.
- Powered by a USB-rechargeable Li-Ion battery (included) with a standby mode that automatically turns off the power when not in use. The 2020 design has a battery protective circuit to ensure additional safety when charging.
- Easy to clean in running water. The chargeable motor is detachable for convenient cleaning of the plush toy.
- Comes with organically-grown catnip to stimulate the cat to play with the toy. Available in Carp, Trout and Clownfish designs.
The improved, 2020-version Potaroma Automatic Flopping Fish Cat Toy is an innovative self-stimulating interactive cat toy. Such toys have become quite popular in recent times with lot of options available in the market. Of those we found the Automatic Fish Toys by Potaroma as one of the best built with longer lasting battery.
The Potaroma fish toy is made of high-quality plush fleece-type soft material and stuffed with PP cotton with a hidden compartment to add the motor. The material is soft yet durable and generally suitable for mild chewing, biting and kicking (we do not recommend using it for dogs or heavy-chewer cats). The toy is made in China using Good 3D-Printing Manufacturing Processes.
The Automatic Flapping Fish Toy features and improved built-in motion sensor-based motor that wiggles the fish whenever the toy is touched by the cat. This produces an sporadic flapping that helps in enticing the cat to engage in play and stimulates the hunting instincts in the pet. The fish are available in four realistic designs – Black and Red Carp, Trout or Clownfish, so you can pick the best one for your kitty. And to further encourage the cat to play, the toy also comes with 100% organically-grown catnip that you can fill in the toy to produce an aromatic pet-friendly fragrance.
The fish is powered by a standard USB-rechargeable Li-Ion battery (included) that can last a reasonably long time. The 2020 design has an improved battery protective circuit to ensure additional safety when charging. And the motor is equipped with a standby mode that automatically turns off when the toy is not in use.
The Potaroma fish toy is easy to clean – the chargeable motor is detachable for convenient cleaning of the plush toy. And like other Potaroma pet toys, the fish toy is backed by a 100% satisfaction guaranteed commitment by the manufacturer.
So, if your kitty is not a heavy-chewer and loves hunting, then the newly-relaunched Potaroma Automatic Flopping Fish Cat Toy is an excellent toy to consider for minimal or unsupervised play.
Petronics Mousr Interactive Robotic Cat Toy
Buy It on Chewy
Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Suitable For: All Cats. Suitable for supervised and unsupervised play.
Features:
- Hi-tech, smart cat toy that offers three automatic play strategies to stimulate all of the pet’s senses. Made in the US.
- Made with food-grade, FDA-approved, hard polycarbonate, rated at IPX4 to withstand moderate exposure to moisture. Removable cover and parts can be easily cleaned by hand.
- Offers three play modes – Open Wander, Wall Hugger, and Stationary. The play modes can be controlled by a Bluetooth-connected smartphone application. Maximum range of 32 feet.
- Comes with three sensors to detect the feline, overcome obstacles and determine orientation. Can also turn upside down and work on all domestic surfaces – carpets, tiles, marble etc.
- Powered by a built-in, rechargeable 220mAh Li-Ion battery that can last for up to 30 minutes on a single recharge.
- Backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty against defects.
Looking to take your kitty’s interactive play to the next level? Then check out the award-winning, Petronics Mousr Interactive Robotic Cat Toy. This hi-tech, sensor-driven automatic toy is truly a smart cat toy that can provide hours of fun, engagement and exercise to your beloved feline.
The Petronics Mousr Cat Toy is designed to appeal to the natural hunting, swatting and exploring instincts of the felines. It is made of FDA-approved, food-grade polycarbonate body with an ABS plastic docking station for charging.
The toy offers three play modes – Open Wander, Wall Hugger, and Stationary – all of which can be controlled by the accompanying iOS/Android app to control, program and track the pet’s activities. It can work in both interactive auto-mode through one-time configuration or manually-controlled mode through Bluetooth connectivity.
The robotic cat toy offers countless play and exercise combinations, all driven by AI. The robot is also equipped with hurdle-avoidance TOF and Gyro sensors that use infrared laser distance measurement technology for distance tracking and environment mapping.
The toy runs on a rechargeable 220MAh Lithium-polymer battery that can last over 30 minutes in continuous interactive play mode. The battery can be recharged using the included docking station for the toy.
The Petronics Mousr Cat Toy is backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty and a responsive customer support service. This smart pet robot toy offers a complete package for supervised or unsupervised play for next-generation pets and pet owners. It is considerably costlier than standard interactive cat toys, but you get what you pay for.
Why interactive cat toys are important for indoor cats?
Cats, by their very nature, are smart, inquisitive animals who would love a large playground to thrive (remember the cats of the wild – lion, tiger, cheetah and so on). However, as pets, you might be forced to keep your beloved feline indoors for safety and health reasons.
One way by which you can stimulate a cat’s senses is by getting some smartly-designed, interactive cat toys from the list above. These entertaining and enriching interactive toys would help you and your beloved pet in many ways:
- These toys help in preventing boredom setting up in the cat and provide entertainment even when you are not around.
- These toys help in providing the much needed physical workout to the cat and prevent it from becoming overweight.
- Interactive treat-dispensing cat toys help in slowing down feeding times.
- These toys also help you in developing a stronger bond with your feline companion.
- These toys help in keeping your household items safe from your “feline’s fury”.
Cat Toy Bundles
Buy It on Chewy
If you do not want to get individual toys and are instead looking for assorted cat toy bundles, then you can check the following cat toy bundles. These assorted toy bundles also make excellent gifts for multi-pet homes:
- Fashion’s Talk Cat Toys Variety Pack for Kitty: Best-selling cat toys toy bundle that includes an assortment of entertaining toys – feathers, balls and catnip, mice and more. All toys are made of high-quality, pet-safe materials and built to last. Competitively priced at under 15 bucks.
- Youngever 24 Cat Toys Kitten Toys Assortments: Another hugely popular and competitively priced cat and kitten toy assortment that has 24 pieces of cat toys including a collapsible cat tunnel, teaser wand, interactive feather toy, fluffy mouse, crinkle balls, cat springs and The bundle is also suitable for non-aggressive canine puppies.
- HEXBUG Deluxe Nano Cat Toy Pack Plus Remote Control: An excellent value-for-money smart cat toy bundle features four robotic cat toys – 2 Nano robotic cat toys with charmer feathers, one robotic mouse toy and one remote-controlled mouse toy, all powered by button alkaline batteries (a full set of 12 LR44 batteries is included). These toys are also available separately, but you get the best value when purchased as a bundle.
In the next section, we briefly cover the major factors to keep in mind while picking the best cat toys for indoor cats.
Things to remember while picking the best cat toys for indoor cats
Before picking the best cat toys for your furry friend, you should keep a few things in mind to ensure that you and your cat have a wonderful, Youtube-worthy playtime :). Some of these things to remember are summarized below:
- Variety, Variety, Variety: No single toy or even a couple of toys can keep your kitty engaged for long. Mixing and matching in a set of toys is always a good idea. Pick a couple of solo, unsupervised play toys. In addition, add a couple of interactive cat toys in the mix such as laser pointers or wands that you can use to engage with your cat. And finally, in order to ensure proper weight management and ascertain that your indoor kitty is getting the exercise it needs, add a treat dispensing toy such as the treat ball or puzzle feeder.
- Multiple toys for multiple cats: If you have multiple cats, it is a good idea to have a wider variety of toys in the collection. If two felines show considerable interest in a single toy, maybe it is worthwhile to get a separate one for each of them. This is especially important for a cat treat toys.
- Size does matter: Always pick an interactive cat toy that is of suitable size, shape and difficulty level. Getting a toy that is too small or too big can make playing fetch uncomfortable for your pet. Some toys are just meant for adult cats while others would find more favor with kittens and small cats. You can consult some trainers or fellow pet owners about their experiences with the toy or reach out to the manufacturer customer support for help.
- Age of the cat: Just like the size of the toys, the age of the feline is also something to keep in the mind. While the best cat toys for indoor cats are the ones that work well for cats and kittens alike, some toys are more suitable for kittens and young cats because of the physical efforts they involve. Keep the age of your pet in mind before picking the best cat toy.
- Cleanliness: Cats are known to be one of the cleaner pets. So it is obvious that they love to play with reasonable clean toys. Clean-up the toy periodically with soap and water. If the toy is dishwasher safe, always keep it on the top rack while cleaning. For machine washable rug mats, only use a gentle wash cycle.
- Safety First: While we have clearly stated which toys should be used under supervision and which toys are fine to be left with the pet, no toy is durable enough for a cat that loves to expand the limits. If you have such cat, avoid leaving plastic and other non-chew toys with the feline and only engage in supervised play. Moreover, cats are popular for sticking their head in almost everything. Keep this in mind before picking a toy that has an opening, especially if you have an over-excited growing kitten.
- Final Note: If you see a damaged toy or some signs of discomfort in your pat, immediately consult the vet. Your feline might have accidentally ingested a piece or part of the toy.
Keeping these basic guidelines in mind would help you in picking the best cat toys for your fur-ball.
Final thoughts on the best cat toys for indoor cats
Most cat owners prefer to keep their felines indoors to prevent mishaps and unwarranted encounters with other pets. So it is obvious to look for interactive cat toys that can keep the cat stimulated and entertained. This becomes more important if you have to leave your kitty home alone as you earn its chow!
In this article, we looked at some of the best cat toys for indoor cats that can provide some supervised or unsupervised entertainment and stimulation to your kitty. We tried to cover almost all popular categories of interactive cat toys – springs, laser pointers, scratching surfaces, treat dispensers and mice toys. Some of these toys are suitable as solo cat toys while other would require your involvement.
We also looked at some of the factors to consider while picking the best cat toy for your kitty and things to keep in mind while using these toys.
We hope that you found this article useful and it would help you in picking the best cat toy for your indoor cats. Do let us know if your cat was graceful enough to pick one of our recommendations as its preferred toy. Until next time, have a purr-fect playful time with your kitty!
Image credits:Amazon.com
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was an interesting account of indoor cat toys
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