If your cat is bored, you can bet they’ll find something to do—even if it’s something you rather they didn’t. If your cat is getting into all kinds of nonsense, you are probably looking for something to take up their time (instead of them knocking more cups off the counter).
We rounded up the best cat toys we could find on the market. Your cat is sure to find something fun to do with these awesome products. Let’s take a peek at these reviews.
A Quick Comparison (updated in 2023)
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Best Overall
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Hepper Catnip Stick Toy |
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Budget Buy
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Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy |
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Anntoo Interactive Cat Toy |
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Check Price |
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Frisco Butterfly Cat Tracks Toy |
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KONG Play Spaces Bungalow Cat Toy |
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Check Price |
The 11 Best Cat Toys for Bored Cats
1. Hepper Catnip Stick Toy – Best Overall
| Toy type: | Self-play |
| Extras: | Catnip |
| Replacements needed: | No |
Hepper has something to offer cat who fancy catnip —the Hepper Catnip Stick toy. It’s made by double-bagging organic catnip into a stick shape that can be bitten, thrown, chased, kicked and tossed about to their heart’s desire. We like that this toy is designed with durability in mind, as a broken catnip-stuffed toy can be a real pain to clean up after.
Another bonus is that the catnip stick toys come in three pastel shades of popular décorcolors—blue, white, and grey—so if you’re looking for toys that blend in with your furniture, these could be an option. The stick shape design is intended to look like something a cat would want to hunt—another thoughtful detail we can appreciate.
For catnip-motivated but lazy cats, a catnip stick may just give them the motivation they need to get running, jumping, and climbing again. In terms of cons, these sticks cannot be refilled, unfortunately. That said, their durability and the fact that they’re handmade in the US may make them worth the buy!
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
2. Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy with Catnip – Budget Buy
| Toy type: | Self-play |
| Extras: | Catnip |
| Replacements needed: | No |
If you’re looking for something that is cheap but effective and entertaining your cat, the Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toys might be what you’re looking for.
Each mouse is perfect for your cat to grab a hold of on their own terms. Each one is stuffed with alluring catnip to entice play—though not all cats are affected by this herb. This product is well-made, touting a fuzzy texture that is well stitched, not falling apart with aggressive play.
This product is supposed to enhance your cat’s ability to be the predator in the situation, targeting the little mice as prey. It helps strengthen their basic instincts, all the while entertaining them for hours at a time.
3. Anntoo Interactive Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Electronic |
| Extras: | Charging cables |
| Replacements needed: | Batteries |
If you don’t mind spending a little extra, this Anntoo Interactive Cat Toy is an excellent way to keep your cat occupied. This is an interactive toy that has a built-in 2000 lithium battery to power the entire design. There’s also a USB charging port where you can keep things in working order—ready for play.
One awesome thing we found about this design is that it fully charges in three hours and then works for 7 days continuously. If you do choose to power off the device at night, it can last for up to 14 days.
This is not a loud, obnoxious toy that will frighten your cat. Made of quality ABS material, it is built to last and run quietly while it does so. It comes in three modes—self-running, interactive, and standby. It is easy to adjust and all-around perfect for self-entertainment.
4. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Self-play |
| Extras: | Extra butterfly attachment |
| Replacements needed: | No |
The Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy is another good option because it seems to keep our cats’ attention well. This is a three-tier self-play contraption, touting three colorful balls—one per track.
On top of the design, the butterfly easily flails around to promote play. Your cat will have a heyday chasing around all of these moving objects. On the bottom, it has a non-skid pad to keep this item in place without it slipping or falling over.
This kind of toy is perfect for independent play and mental stimulation. If you have multiple cats, they can all indulge at the same time. If you notice that the butterfly is getting a little bit tattered, it also comes with a replacement once they demolish the first piece.
5. KONG Play Spaces Bungalow Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Pop-up |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | No |
If you’re looking for something that doubles as a play/sleeping spot, the KONG Play Spaces Bungalow Cat Toy is an interesting choice. This product is completely collapsible, reducing to a 7-inch ring for easy storage.
It’s also perfect for kittens as it gives them a sense of security and protection. The windows make it perfect for a game of peekaboo with other kitty friends. Plus, the texture is bouncy and movable, enticing play.
You can start this little toy full of other play items and bedding so they can have everything they need in one. However, if you do have a cat that is a rigorous scratcher, the material definitely snags.
6. Frisco Magic School Bus Cardboard Cat House
| Toy type: | Cardboard scratcher |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | No |
If you’re looking for something super adorable that will attract your cat’s clawing behavior, the Frisco Magic School Bus Cardboard Cat House is an amazing choice. Your cat can spend their days lounging inside of the box, as they all love to do.
But the top is made of cardboard for ultimate clawing and shredding. They could spend the time sharpening their nails or snoozing inside, and it will definitely capture their attention.
This bus is easy to assemble. However, this design is not indestructible. This box is made for temporary use, entirely constructed of cardboard. Eventually, your cat will rip it up and it will need to be replaced.
7. MeoHui Interactive Cat Feather Toys
| Toy type: | Interactive |
| Extras: | 9 attachments |
| Replacements needed: | No |
If you are looking for a perfect toy you can enjoy with your cat, think about the MeoHui Interactive Cat Feather Toys. This product comes with two wands and each has interchangeable ends. Your cat will get frisky, trying to attack the ends with vigor.
So, there are tons of replacements you can pick. All of the feathered ends are colorful and eye-catching, keeping your cat’s attention for long play sessions. These play toys are ideal for kittens to seniors alike—but if you’re looking for a self-play toy, this isn’t the one you need.
There are clasps on the ends to make changing the tips easy and effortless. This toy has an adjustable height, so you can get more leverage or freedom at the flick of a wrist. You won’t have any trouble keeping up either, as the handle is foam and super light to handle.
8. Youngever 24 Cat Toys Kitten Toys Assortments
| Toy type: | Assortment pack |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | No |
If you want your cats to have quite a variety pack, the Youngever 24 Cat Toys Assortment is ideal. It comes with tons of tiny self play toys and a crinkly tunnel for them to enjoy. This combo is perfect for multicat households.
Inside the box, there are play items like crinkle balls, regular balls, mice, feathered toys, and springs For a texture and function variety. You can keep all of their toys together in one area or disperse a few throughout different rooms in your home.
This affordable playset will keep your cat busy for weeks to come. If you were looking for a way to encourage self-play when you can’t be around, your cat is sure to find a few favorites in this package that they will absolutely adore.
9. Frisco Cat Scratch Roller Scratch Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Self-play |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | Center cardboard |
The Frisco Scratch Roll Scratcher Cat Toy can keep your cat busy for long intervals. The center is corrugated cardboard, enticing your cat to sharpen their claws. The outside is made of a plastic ring holding a plastic ball inside.
There is also optional catnip to motivate your kitty to play. They will spend much of their time chasing this ball around with no assistance needed. This design is well-made, so you won’t have to worry about a short product life.
However, as with any toy, typical wear and tear will break the product down after a while. You can buy replacement pieces for the center corrugated cardboard section. As fun as this product might be, some cats might not show any interest in this type of activity.
10. Goopow Automatic Laser Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Laser pointer |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | No |
What cat doesn’t like a good laser pointer? If you are sick of holding the laser while your cat plays, try this Goopow Cat Toy Automatic. This toy encourages self-play, occupying your cat with several different modes to keep their attention.
No matter what speed setting this product is on, it automatically shuts off after 15 minutes to avoid overstimulation. So every 15 minutes, your cat will be forced to take a break, which can help them recuperate and get ready for the next play session.
There are five adjustable circling ranges that you can choose from as well, giving a 360-degree range of motion. It is powered by AA batteries and also includes a USB charging port.
11. Floppy Fish Cat Toy
| Toy type: | Automatic |
| Extras: | N/A |
| Replacements needed: | Batteries |
If you want to bring out the hunter in your cat, try the floppy fish cat toy. This is a two-pack coming with a regular carp and a yellow grass carp, giving different colors for your cat to choose from. Or, you can give one to each of your house cats if you have multiple.
Each fish measures 5 inches by 11 inches. Inside you’ll find a lithium-ion battery with a charging port. A USB cable is included so you can easily charge these fish on a laptop or with a charging cube. This product also comes with catnip that you can place inside of the toy to encourage play.
You don’t have to worry about the toy getting dirty either. As long as you dismantle the interior battery, you can easily wash or wipe down the exterior to keep everything tidy. Even though it is a fun toy, some cats might lose interest quickly.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Toy For Bored Cats
Why Is Play Important for Cats?
Cats are exceptionally playful creatures. They will interact with each other and with you anytime you want to engage. Because they are natural predators, they love chasing, pouncing, scratching, and attacking toys of all sorts.
If your kitty doesn’t have enough stimulation, they can start to get a little bit erratic and exhibit some questionable behavioral tendencies.
Scratching Toys
When your cat has scratching toys, it helps them build the muscle in their forearms and shed and sharpen their nails. Cats benefit from a variety of different scratching surfaces. It is important to have both horizontal and vertical scratching posts for your cat to enjoy.
The most common types of cat scratching materials include:
Different textures have different tension creating lots of different types for your kitty to enjoy.
Electronic Toys
Electronic toys are usually self-powered. These products come with rechargeable batteries and charging ports. These toys are generally more expensive than traditional cat toys, but they have a lot of life.
Most of these designs don’t require any operation from you. You can simply adjust a few settings and let your cat enjoy.
Battery-Operated Toys
Battery-operated toys are perfect for self-play since they work on their own. Once the batteries drain, you have to replace them to keep the toy in working order.
To increase the lifespan of use, you can always buy rechargeable batteries instead of buying constant replacements.
Interactive Toys
Interactive toys are those you can enjoy with your cat. You can spend quality time with them, letting them chase, attack, and pounce—promoting healthy exercise and bonding.
Self-Play Toys
Self-play toys usually involve basic textures, shapes, and sizes. These toys are perfect for your cat to keep themselves occupied on their own. You can stuff many of them with catnip to enhance play.
Conclusion
Over the others, we loved the Hepper Catnip Stick Toy. This nicely designed toy is filled with organic catnip, comes in nice pastel colors, and features a sturdy bite-proof shape. Plus, they’re handmade in the USA!
If you’re looking for a budget friendly choice, the Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toys might do the trick. These simple, catnip-stuffed mice are great for long sessions of self-occupied playtime for your kitty—not to mention, they’re cheap.
Hopefully, our reviews gave you something to think about—and in the best-case scenario, you picked out a new toy for your kitty to relieve them of boredom.
- You may also want to read: KONG Box vs BarkBox: Complete Comparison & Update
Feature Image Credit: Christian Bodhi, Pixabay
