Cats · Product picks
The Best Cat Toys
The Cat Dancer is our top pick for cat toys. See four toys for wand play, solo play, kicking and chasing, plus how to choose and use them safely.
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If you want one toy that gets your cat chasing and pouncing, the Cat Dancer is our top pick. It is a simple wire-and-cardboard lure you move for your cat. Below are four toys for different play styles, plus how to choose and use cat toys safely.
Our picks at a glance
- Best overall: Cat Dancer
- Best for solo play: Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
- Best for kicking and cuddling: KONG Kickeroo Cactus
- Best motion-activated toy: Catit Senses Mushroom
The best cat toys
Cat toys
Cat Dancer
Best for: Playtime with you, for cats of any age
The Cat Dancer is made of spring steel wire and rolled cardboard, and the maker calls it the original interactive cat toy. You hold it and make it dart and bounce like prey. It needs you to play, so skip it if you want a toy your cat can use alone.
- Pro: Simple spring steel wire and rolled cardboard build
- Pro: Made in the USA, according to the maker
- Pro: Lightweight and small enough to store out of reach
- Con: Needs you to move it, so it is not a toy for solo play
- Con: Cardboard can wear out with rough play
Cat toys
Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Best for: Cats left to play on their own, and homes with more than one cat
This three-level tower has balls that spin and roll around the tracks, with a non-slip base. The maker says it suits homes with one cat or several, and recommends it for cats 12 weeks and older. It needs supervision, and you should check it for broken or loose parts.
- Pro: Balls spin and roll around the tracks
- Pro: Non-slip base and sturdy construction
- Pro: Made for single or multiple-cat homes
- Con: Balls can come loose or break, so check it often
- Con: Takes up floor space
Cat toys
KONG Kickeroo Cactus
Best for: Cats who like to wrestle and kick
This long plush toy is about 14.5 inches long and is filled with catnip and crackle material. Its size lets a cat grab it and kick with the back legs. The maker says to use it only with supervision and to stop using it if it is damaged. Skip it if your cat does not react to catnip.
- Pro: Long, oversized body for hind-paw kicking
- Pro: Filled with catnip and crackle material
- Pro: One size, about 14.5 inches long
- Con: Not for unsupervised play
- Con: Plush can get worn and should be thrown out if damaged
Cat toys
Catit Senses Mushroom
Best for: Cats who like to chase moving prey
Feathers pop out of eight openings at random. It has a sensor mode that reacts to your cat’s movement and a continuous mode. It runs on 3 AA batteries, which are not included. Cornell Feline Health Center warns about feathers that can come off, so check them often and supervise.
- Pro: Feathers pop out of 8 openings at random
- Pro: Sensor mode and continuous mode
- Pro: Replacement feathers sold separately
- Con: Needs 3 AA batteries, which are not included
- Con: Feathers can wear out, so check them often
How to choose cat toys
Match the toy to how your cat plays
Cornell Feline Health Center says toys let cats stalk, pounce and solve problems. That can help prevent weight gain and problems like scratching furniture. Think about what your cat enjoys:
- Chasing and pouncing: a lure you move, like the Cat Dancer, or a motion toy.
- Playing alone: a track toy or a toy that moves on its own.
- Grabbing and kicking: a long plush toy.
Skip toys with parts that can come off
Cornell advises avoiding toys with small pieces or string-like parts, such as feathers and string, that may come loose and be swallowed. Also avoid anything with an electrical cord your cat could chew.
You don’t need to spend a lot
Cornell notes that high-tech toys are not needed. Paper bags, cardboard boxes and ping pong balls give cats plenty to do. Rotate toys, since cats can get bored with the same ones.
Safety tips
- Supervise play. KONG and Outward Hound both say their toys should be used with supervision.
- Check toys often. Throw out any toy that is damaged or has parts coming loose.
- Put away small or loose parts after play, and remove packaging before giving a toy.
- Clear the play area. Cornell says to move heavy objects that could fall, and make sure your cat can’t fall from a height while distracted.
- Ask your vet if you are unsure whether a toy is safe. If your cat swallows part of a toy, call your vet right away.
Catnip toys are popular, and you can read more in our guide on whether cats can eat catnip.
Common questions
What kind of toys do cats like best?
Cats like toys that let them stalk, chase, pounce and grab. Cornell Feline Health Center says toys help cats act on these natural urges. Many cats also like cardboard boxes, paper bags and ping pong balls.
Are feathers and string safe on cat toys?
Cornell Feline Health Center says to avoid toys with small pieces or string-like parts, such as feathers and string, that can come off and be swallowed. If a toy has them, supervise play and check them often.
How often should I change my cat's toys?
Cornell Feline Health Center suggests rotating toys, because cats can get bored with ones they see every day. Put some away and bring them back later.
Do I need expensive cat toys?
No. Cornell Feline Health Center says costly, high-tech toys are not needed. Simple things like cardboard boxes, paper bags and ping pong balls work well.