Finding toys for a blind cat involves a little more creativity than it does for a sighted cat. Blind cats need products that enable them to use their hearing and sense of smell. Cats rely particularly heavily on their sense of smell to get around and interact with the world. A blind cat is still capable of playing, having fun, and enjoying life — they just do it a bit differently. Since there are a few things to remember when it comes to keeping your blind cat safe and happy, here are reviews of the best toys for blind cats in 2023. These capitalize on the senses that your cat has and take into account what they need to maintain their well-being.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
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Best Overall
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Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher Play Space |
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Budget Buy
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SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls |
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Bergan Catnip Hurricane Toy |
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Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy |
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Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy |
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The 11 Best Toys for Blind Cats
1. Hepper Hi-Lo Modern Cat Scratcher Play Space – Best Overall
| Toy Feature: | Scratcher, exercise |
| Material: | Birch plywood, cardboard |
While not a conventional toy, our top pick for the best cat toy for blind cats is the new and improved Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher. It’s like a special adventure for cats who have vision problems. For us who can see, it is visually appealing and modern chic, but for blind kitties, it’s made really well with strong wood and a safe finish, so blind cats can have fun exploring without any worries about their safety.
You can adjust the Hi-Lo in three different ways – high, low, or even lower. This helps blind cats to become accustomed to the play space at a level that they are comfortable with while providing the ability to change it up to keep things exciting. The part they scratch is made of durable cardboard and provides a positive tactile experience. If the cardboard wears, Hepper also has replacements available for purchase, so this investment is built to last a lifetime. This scratcher is like a special place where blind cats can be happy and learn about their world in a fun way. It’s not just a toy, it’s a way for them to have fun and feel good!
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. SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls — Best Value
| Toy Feature: | Crinkle, exercise |
| Material: | N/A |
Noisy toys are among the simplest and easiest options for blind cats, and the SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls are inexpensive options. They come in multi-packs and are the best toys for blind cats for the money. The concept is simple, as most cats love to chase balls. Since these ones are covered in crinkly foil, they enable blind animals to follow the noise to chase them.
These balls are fairly small, so don’t be surprised if you find them all over the house. You may have to fish them out from under furniture on a regular basis. If your cat is particularly rough with them, they will fall apart at some point. But they’re inexpensive and easy to replace when that happens.
3. Bergan Catnip Hurricane Cat Toy
| Toy Feature: | Catnip, exercise |
| Material: | Plastic, cardboard, paper |
We chose the Bergan Catnip Hurricane Cat Toy as the best overall toy for blind cats in 2002 because it engages multiple senses to keep your kitty mentally stimulated. The toy is infused with catnip to stimulate your cat’s sense of smell, and the balls make noise as they move around the tracks of the toy. You’ll be amazed at how easily your cat “catches” the balls.
Since the Hurricane Cat Toy has tracks that contain the two balls, you won’t have to worry about your cat losing the balls as they play. Also, the rubber feet on the bottom prevent the toy from sliding across the floor. One downside is that the aroma of the catnip wears off over time, and the centerpiece isn’t removable to add more.
4. Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy
| Toy Feature: | Squeaky, electronic exercise |
| Material: | Plastic, polyester, synthetic fabric |
Our premium choice toy for blind cats is the Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy. This toy is electronic and interactive. It appeals to a cat’s natural predator instincts because they can stalk the “prey” that’s hiding underneath a mat. You can operate it on any floor surface, and it makes a sound as it moves, enabling your cat to track the motion. Since it’s attached (don’t tell your cat), it never goes missing. When you want playtime to be over, you can simply turn off the motion. The toy is designed to withstand scratching too, so it offers your cat an outlet for excess energy.
The downsides of the Cat’s Meow Chaser Toy are its price and electronic operation. It requires three C batteries to operate, which are not included with the toy. These batteries don’t last long either, unfortunately, you’ll have to buy quite a few batteries to keep it operational.
5. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
| Toy Feature: | Exercise |
| Material: | Polypropylene, plastic |
The Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy has three stacked tiers of rolling balls. Like many other toys on this list, it’s an all-in-one toy that keeps the balls contained. It has a non-skid bottom to keep it from sliding around, and cats can paw and bat at the balls while they spin and rotate. Cats that are blind sometimes struggle with prey toys because they chase their prey but then lose it because there’s no smell or sound. This toy stays in one spot and makes a noise that can be easily followed.
This toy doesn’t require batteries and relies on your cat to spin the balls. If your kitty has trouble getting started, it’s a great opportunity to play with them by moving the balls to get their attention. The toy is lightweight, portable, and easy to move to any room in the house.
If you have a cat that likes to lie on top of their “prey,” they may break this toy. It’s made from plastic and not designed to withstand much weight, so it has been known to break when used by large cats.
6. Petstages Crunchy Pickle Plush Cat Toy with Catnip
| Toy Feature: | Catnip |
| Material: | Polyester, synthetic fabric |
Catnip toys are a good choice if you’re looking for a simple toy option for your blind cat. Cats have an incredible sense of smell, so they won’t lose these toys. The Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Plush also capitalizes on their fantastic hearing, as it crinkles when handled. For cats that like comfort objects, the soft material makes this toy a great plush to snuggle with, so don’t be surprised if it gets stashed in your cat’s bed and never leaves.
As with any plush toy, there is the potential for stuffing to wind up all over your house if your cat gets too rough with it. This one is designed to withstand a bit of scratching, but it will get torn up over time.
7. Planet Pleasures Spiral Ball with Catnip and Bell
| Toy Feature: | Catnip, bell |
| Material: | Rope |
The Planet Pleasure Spiral Ball is infused with catnip and equipped with a ball in the center to keep your cat moving and engaged. This ball is larger than traditional cat bell balls, so it doesn’t get lost as easily under furniture. However, if your cat likes to carry their toys around in their mouth, this one is a bit too large for most cats to pick up. The ball’s construction also allows for stretching the outside, which sometimes means the bell falls out of the center.
8. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Motion Cat Toy
| Toy Feature: | Electronic, exercise, noise |
| Material: | Plastic |
SmartyKat’s Electronic Concealed Motion Toy enables you to choose two different speed settings and change the wand so your cat gets different prey sounds. The constant change of direction keeps cats engaged for hours, and they get plenty of exercise. This toy also glows and lights up for tracking. While that won’t improve its attractiveness to blind cats, it makes it appealing for homes with multiple cats, as you can use it for different purposes. The automatic shut-off feature means you can walk away from the toy without worrying about wasting batteries if your cat stops playing with it.
The cover on this toy is fairly thin, so it won’t stand up to much wear and tear. Customers also report that it sometimes makes a sound when the toy isn’t moving. Whether this is a plus or minus depends on your cat.
9. Petstages Easy Life Scratch Snuggle & Rest Cat Scratcher
| Toy Feature: | Catnip |
| Material: | Cardboard, paper |
The Petstages Easy Life Scratch, Snuggle, & Rest Cat Scratcher is like a corrugated cardboard bowl that offers a multi-sensory station for your blind kitty. The textured surface is comforting for cats that can’t rely on their vision. Since it’s bowl shaped, it offers a cozy place to snuggle up that’s also safe for your cat to scratch to their heart’s content. Scratching can be calming for cats, and keeping their claws in good health is also necessary. As a bonus, the scratcher is infused with catnip, so your cat will have no trouble finding their special spot.
Unfortunately, this scratcher doesn’t offer the option of replacing the center cardboard and can only be purchased as a one-piece unit. Since cardboard naturally disintegrates over time and shows wear and tear, you can expect to have to replace this unit on a semi-regular basis.
10. SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat
| Toy Feature: | Exercise |
| Material: | Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric |
A Ripple Rug is the perfect all-in-one toy for blind cats. This playmat offers a play station, scratching spot, and cozy bed all in one. It has folded fabric and holes for your cat to crawl through and even collects loose fur to prevent it from tracking around the house. The mat can be vacuumed off for easy cleaning, and it’s large enough to accommodate multiple cats at once.
While blind cats thoroughly enjoy playing with Ripple Rugs, they don’t make noise or have smells infused in them, so you’ll need to help your cat discover the mat. Once they find it, however, they’re sure to play in it for hours. The mat also isn’t particularly aesthetically appealing, but it keeps your cat busy, so it may be a trade-off worth making.
11. Catry Felt Cat Tree & Tunnel
| Toy Feature: | Exercise, relaxation |
| Material: | Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric |
Blind cats like to climb and perch just like every other cat, but there are a few things to keep in mind regarding safety. Cats that can’t see need smaller towers and condos, as it can be risky for them to jump or climb too high without visual cues. This cat tree from Catry is close to the ground and has a mid-level perch between the ground and the top. This gives your cat multiple spots that they can easily move between. For those less inclined to climb, the tunnel is at ground level to give them a cozy hiding spot.
We recommend stabilizing this cat tree by anchoring it to the wall. Cats don’t like the fact that it wobbles with their weight on it, and blind cats in particular will feel the unsteadiness.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for When Choosing Toys for Your Blind Cat
Blind cats are affectionate felines that can live happy, fulfilling lives, even without vision, as they rely heavily on scents, sounds, and routines to navigate the world. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for a blind cat.
Toys and Products for Blind Cats
Any interactive toy that involves you playing with your cat is ideal for cats that can’t see. Not only does it help you bond with them, but it also enriches their playtime experience because you can add sounds and smells to the game that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Banging toys on the floor, clicking your tongue, swishing or rubbing toys against different materials, or simply talking to your cat and letting them track your voice are all things that a toy can’t do.
Catnip toys are ideal because your blind cat can find them easily. Cats have an incredible sense of smell, so they can seek these items out no matter where you hide them. In fact, hiding them can give your kitty a fun hunting experience.
Catnip can really enrich your cat's life, especially if you choose a fun, well-built catnip toy. Our favorite option is Hepper's Catnip Stick Toy, which offers sturdy construction, 100% organic catnip fill, and a great range of colors. These toys are handmade in the USA and feature bite-proof double bagging.
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!
Activity centers, play mats, and towers are great options for keeping your cat busy while you’re away from home. Blind cats love these toys as much as any other cat, but they may need help finding their locations. Hiding catnip toys, leaves, or treats inside tunnels, on perches, or under mats works well. Once your cat has found their activity center, leaving it in the same location is best. When you move things around the house, blind cats can get easily confused.
Balls and tracks make great blind cat toys, as the balls make noise when they move around the tracks. Scratchers are essential, but keep them in one place once your cat learns where they are. You can scratch on a post yourself to attract them, hide healthy treats nearby, or sprinkle catnip on it.
Care Tips for Blind Cats
The following tips can be useful for all cats but especially for blind cats. Extra attention to detail can make all the difference in keeping your cat healthy and happy.
Caring for a Blind Cat
Special needs cats, especially ones that are blind, are often euthanized by shelters because many people don’t adopt them. Blind cats aren’t blind by choice, and they can live happy, enriched lives if they are given the patience and understanding that they deserve. The best way to help a blind cat adapt to your home is to keep your routine consistent, avoid moving things around and be patient. Cats can memorize their environment and navigate accordingly.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these reviews have helped you find the best toys for blind cats. To recap, the best overall toy for blind cats is the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher because it provides a comforting, safe place for your cat to stretch, play, and explore, and entices their natural feline instincts. The best budget toy for blind cats are the SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls. These balls crinkle as they move, so cats without vision can chase them easily. Our premium recommendation is the Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy. This electronic chaser enables you to get in on the playtime action by controlling the toy and gives you extra bonding time with your feline companion.
Featured Image Credit: Jana Shnipelson, Unsplash
