There are thousands of different cat toys on the market today. While that’s great for selection, it’s often challenging for those who are trying to figure out the best cat toys for their pet. Of course, as with most things related to your cat, the “best” toys will likely be the ones that he or she most prefers to play with. Some cats enjoy fancy store-bought toys and revel in chasing little fake mice around the house. Others are happy with the seal rings from your milk jugs.
Find Out What Your Cat Likes
The best way to determine the best cat toys for your pet is to consider what they enjoy. If you’re not sure, try some stuff. Start with cheaper toys and buy one or two different things you think they might like. If they show interest in something around the house, try to find a toy that mimics it. That way, you’ll be able to connect with your cat and make sure that they’re getting toys that they’ll play with.
After all, few things are worse than spending a small fortune on cat toys only to find out that your cat doesn’t even like anything that you have chosen. Try a few and see what your furry companion likes best before you buy the farm.
Are Certain Toys More Engaging For Cats Than Others?
Some cat toys are just toys. Others are designed to be more puzzling, interactive, and engaging for cats that are frequently bored or left to entertain themselves. Today’s market makes it easy to find just about anything that you want. If your cat doesn’t get a lot of interaction or if they seem overly hyper, you might want to choose engaging toys that engage their natural hunting skills and provide more interaction than just chasing a toy mouse or ball.
Ultimately, it is usually good to pick a selection of some “just toys” and some toys that require skills or interactive play to provide balance. This way, your cat will have options when they’re feeling like playing, no matter what mood may strike.
The Top Five Cat Toys Right Now
If you’re talking about what’s out there in the market that’s popular and getting attention, there are some cool toys to consider. Whether your cat is a creative genius and needs a challenge or you just want to give them something a little more engaging than the average catnip toy or feather wand, these are sure to please everyone.
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Petstages Tower of Tracks
This vividly-colored tower is sure to get your cat’s attention, with three circular tracks stacked atop each other, featuring various brightly colored balls that spin furiously when swatted. Plus, the balls are secured to the toy, which means that you’ll never have to chase them down or deal with your cat losing toys. Plus, it allows you to interact with your cat if you want, or you can leave them to play on their own. It’s fun, functional, and is even a great choice for kittens and multi-cat homes.
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Bergan Turbo Scratcher
This cat toy is a simple, engaging option for those who want to give their cats a dual-purpose toy. It offers the fun of a spinning ball track and the pleasure of a cardboard scratching pad in the middle, making sure that your cat has two of its most important needs in one simple toy. It’s not complicated, but it’s enough to keep even the friskiest cats entertained for hours. Plus, it comes with catnip and the scratchpad is replaceable.
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Smarty Cat Electronic Motion Cat Toy
This toy is designed for simple, effective entertainment when you might not have time to play with your cat. There’s a soft toy attached to a wand that comes out of the center of the toy, which is covered by a piece of circular fabric. Your cat knows something needs chasing, but they can’t quite see what it is– they’ll spend hours chasing this toy. It is battery operated, but the batteries last quite a while and you won’t mind changing them once you see how much fun your cat is having.
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SmartyKat Catnip Toys
What cat doesn’t love catnip mice? There are a few, of course, but it is rare. The SmartyKat collection includes three critters from eco-friendly materials and filled with delicious catnip. They’re colorful, soft, and fun to chase and you can trust that they’re made with your cat’s safety and enjoyment in mind. These stimulate their hunting behavior and keep them busy with so many hours of enjoyment.
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Hartz Just for Cats Kitty Frenzy
These catnip-filled mice come in a colorful 12-pack, offering plenty of endless fun. Since half of these are sure to end up lost under some furniture or elsewhere throughout the house, it’s handy to have extras on hand. You’ll get more for your money and enjoy the same high-quality catnip and production quality that you get from other brands that charge more for fewer toys. Plus, these mice are smaller, which is ideal for cats who prefer a more bite-sized toy.
So, What’s the Verdict? Ask Your Cat
If you’d like, you can try out any of the toys on the list above. You can also just take a trip to your local pet store and grab a few different toys to find out what they like. Make sure that you’re choosing toys designed for cats from brands that are committed to creating safe, fun products. The top five are sure to please, but if your cat likes something else, that’s okay, too.
Some cat owners get lucky and find toys that are enjoyed right away. Others have to search and scour, trying all kinds of different things, only to have a cat that’s disinterested in it all. Therefore, no matter how good a toy may be, the ultimate decision comes down to your cat and what they like. If you keep them entertained, they’ll be less likely to get into mischief, which is good for everyone.