The 17 Best Interactive Cat Toys of 2024

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Interactive cat toys we recommend on a yellow background

The Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley

As most people who live with them have discovered, cats either go crazy for a cat toy or couldn’t care less. But interactive cat toys that respond in some way when played with can get even the laziest kitty moving for a more active and healthy lifestyle.

“The benefits of interactive toys for cats, especially indoor ones, are enrichment when they otherwise may not have an enriching environment," explains Dr. Crista Coppola, certified applied animal behaviorist at the University of Arizona. "Indoor life can be a bit mundane for a cat that is a natural-born hunter that would normally spend its day in the wild stalking and catching prey,” she says. “Interactive toys specifically satisfy the categories of mental, physical, and social enrichment.”

Interactive cat toys are particularly valuable in households with just one cat. “While cats are not socially obligate like our dogs, they most definitely enjoy social interactions with social partners,” adds Dr. Coppola. “Interactive toys help strengthen the human-animal bond and can also help relieve stress for a cat that is experiencing stress in its environment.” In addition to making sure interactive toys engage your cat's mind and body, you'll also want to choose toys that are safe and made from durable materials.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Puzzle Game

Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Puzzle Game

Chewy

What We Like
  • No batteries or charging needed

  • Creative entertainment

  • No removable parts

  • Simple and affordable

What We Don't Like
  • Too easy for some cats

The Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy designed by Nina Ottosson for Outward Hound is made to stimulate a cat's natural curiosity and foraging instincts.The puzzle is shaped like a leaf and is equipped with eight small cups to hide treats and/or a taste of your cat's favorite dry food.

To unlock a tasty treat, a cat must paw at the moveable, but not removable, coverings which resemble ladybugs. In total the interactive toy can hold up to 1/4 of a cup, so you might want to portion that out from your cat's daily intake to avoid unintentional weight gain. The Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Cat Toy stimulates the parts of a cat’s brain dedicated to hunting and catching, and the difficultly can be adjusted to keep the game exciting for your cat.

The cat toy is made of food-safe plastic that is free of BPA, PVC and phthalates, but it can be a little tricky to thoroughly clean out all of the crumbs, and some cats figure how the puzzle very quickly.

Dimensions: 13 x 9.5 x 1.26 inches | Weight: 15.87 ounces

Best Budget

Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter Cat Toy

Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter Cat Toy with Catnip

Amazon

What We Like
  • Realistic design

  • Stimulates natural hunting instincts

  • Encourages exercise

What We Don't Like
  • Polyester fabric

  • Not washable

A toy mouse may be the most common and popular cat toy, but that also helps make it the most affordable. Although there are tons to choose from, the Pet Zone Play N’ Squeak Mouse Hunter Cat Toy with Catnip takes “toy mouse” to the next level. This fuzzy, catnip-filled mouse makes mouse-like electronic squeak noises that stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts. 

Your cat will enjoy stalking and pouncing on this plush mouse that’s realistic in size, shape, and color. They’re widely available and, depending on where you buy them, can be had very inexpensively. This cat toy also encourages exercise, keeping cats agile, healthy, and alert. Owners report that their cats love this mouse. You may want to buy one for every room of the house.

Dimensions: 2 inches | Weight: 8 ounces

Best Laser Toy

Valonii Motion Activated Laser Toy

Valonii Rechargeable Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • Multiple laser spread options

  • Rechargeable

  • Motion sensor activation

What We Don't Like
  • Limited pattern randomization

The Valonii Rechargeable Motion Activated Cat Laser Toy is a great upgrade to the classic laser pointer. It features Motion Sensor Activation so it will automatically turn on when your cats are playing nearby. It also features multiple options for laser spread, and as any cat owner knows, variety is the way to keep cats interested in a toy. Plus, it’s USB rechargeable, so you don’t have purchase lots of disposable batteries. It is worth noting that some other randomizing lasers have more complicated randomized patterns to follow, however we found that this has enough going on to keep most cats entertained.

Dimensions: 3.43 x 3.43 x 6.3 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: White

Best Budget Laser Toy

Potaroma Automatic Clamp Laser Cat Toy

Potaroma Automatic Clamp Laser Cat Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • User rechargeable

  • Flexible placement options

What We Don't Like
  • Can't operate while charging

  • Noisy motor

The Potarama Clamp Laser Cat Toy is a budget-friendly and flexible laser toy. The attached clamp allows you to place it in areas where you wouldn’t normally be able to fit a toy. The clamp also makes it less likely to be knocked over by your pet. The dual motors give the laser a very random pattern. It has a setting for automatic ten minute cycles every hour to preserve battery life. You can also use it manually as a laser when you want to be a little more hands-on in your play. 

Downsides include the inability to use the toy while it’s charging and a motor that’s a little loud—though cats quickly adjust once that laser starts tempting them.

Dimensions: 3.3 x 2.8 x 2.8 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: White and green; White and blue

Best Food Puzzle

Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center

Trixie 5-in-1 Cat Activity Center

Amazon

What We Like
  • Dishwasher safe

  • Durable

  • Safe to use while you’re away

What We Don't Like
  • Made of plastic

  • A little more expensive than some competitors

Cats evolved as hunters, meant to spend their days outdoors on the search for prey. Domestication means they no longer need to hunt for survival, but that doesn’t mean they can’t hunt for fun and mental stimulation. Food puzzles have become very popular ways to give them indoor activities to keep their minds and reflexes sharp.

The Trixie 5-in-1 Cat Activity Center is a food and toy puzzle that incorporates five different types of entertainment and challenge for your cat. Sprinkle their dry food meal, treats, or small toys over the activity center and watch your cat get sucked into trying to figure out how to catch, eat and play. Their digging instinct is awakened by the clear globes while the pegs, alleyways, and indents encourage your cat to seek out the treats or small toys you sprinkle around.

The non-slip rubber feet help keep it in place, so it should stay upright even when your cat gets really excited. The simple white design should blend inconspicuously into your home. This activity center has value every day if you vary the food, treats, and toys you use. Our tester also found it safe and easy to clean.

Dimensions: 11.8 x 15.75 x 3 inches | Weight: 3 pounds

cat standing over Trixie 5-in-1 Cat Activity Center

 The Spruce Pets / Joline Buscemi

What Testers Say

"We like that you can set it and forget it—add treats when your cat isn’t paying attention, and let him or her discover it later on her own," —Joline Buscemi, Product Tester

Best for Chasing

BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy

BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy and box

Amazon

What We Like
  • Makes a great gift

  • Durable

  • Built-in obstacle avoidance system

What We Don't Like
  • Battery needs to be charged

Chasing may be a cat’s favorite natural activity—after sleep, of course. The BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy features a hanging feather attached to two large wheels that swivel, turn, and rotate so the toy will move in unpredictable ways that delightfully trigger your cat’s natural predatory instincts including stalking, chasing, and pouncing.

Two operating modes (fast and slow) allow you to adjust play to match your cat’s mood and activity level while also keeping it fresh and unpredictable. The wheels are large and sturdy enough to run on any type of floor, including most carpets.

There’s also a convenient automatic mode that can be used when you’re away for the day. The toy will run for 10 minutes, then turn off for 90 minutes, and then turn back on for another 10 minutes, and so on for eight total hours. The built-in rechargeable battery will recharge via USB in less than three hours and should last up to eight hours in default mode. You may notice this same toy or a very similar toy sold under multiple brand names including BurgeonNest, Sefon, and CSHope, but the BENTOPAL brand has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of the bunch.

Dimensions: 4 inches x 2 inches x 8.5 inches | Weight: 11.3 ounces

Best Rechargeable Kicker

Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish

Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish

Amazon

What We Like
  • Refillable with catnip

  • Realistic fish-like movement

  • Durable, yet soft plush fish body

  • Rechargeable via USB

What We Don't Like
  • Makes a mild banging and mechanical noise that scares some timid cats at first

The Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish is soft yet durable and closely resembles the look and movements of a real fish. The kicker toy is available in eight fish forms: Carp, Clownfish, Koi, Crucian Carp, Grass Carp, Rainbow Trout, Gemfish, and Salmon.

The toy comes with a USB cord to quickly and easily recharge via a plug hidden inside the toy in a zippered pouch. Within the pouch, you can also place refillable catnip for added engagement that keeps many cats playing with the toy even in the off position. While powered on and flopping around, the toy makes mild mechanical sounds which more timid cats might find intimidating at first. In between playtime sessions, the electronic components can be fully removed and the plush cover can be hand-washed.

Dimensions: 11.3 x 4.4 x 1.26 inches | Weight: 4.97 ounces

Best for Indoor Exercise

PETLIBRO Mouse Interactive Toy

Petlibro Pixie Mouse Interactive Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • Small, fast, difficult to catch

  • Rechargeable with 160 minutes of runtime

  • Cycles through periods of rest and activity on its own

  • A sensor inside helps the toy avoid collisions

What We Don't Like
  • Does not work well on pile carpet floors

The Libro Pixie Mouse Interactive Toy is fast and difficult to catch, inspiring your cat to run around inside your home.

The battery-powered mouse-shaped toy on wheels has a little tail that lights up. With a full charge via a USB power cord, the small toy provides up to 160 minutes of playtime. To keep your cat stimulated—and for water breaks—the toy cycles through periods of hibernation, powering itself back into fast-moving action every 30 minutes. An internal sensor helps the toy avoid collisions and it's able to roll over itself to reset its direction.

The electronic mouse is under three inches long and is sold individually or in a pack of two, which might come in handy if you have a multi-cat home. It's suitable for use on a variety of floor surfaces, including wood, tile, and marble, but it is not recommended for use on pile carpeting.

Dimensions: 2.4 x 2 x 1.4 inches | Weight: 0.17 pounds

Best String Toy

Moody Pet String Cat Toy

Moody Pet Fling-Ama-String Cat Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • No assembly required

  • Even the laziest of cats love it

  • Keeps cats entertained

What We Don't Like
  • Some cats need time to adjust to the noise of the motor

  • Some cats may become so obsessed that you need to put it away between uses

We have all likely witnessed how excited cats can get when playing with a simple piece of yarn or string. Moody Pet’s Fling-Ama-String Cat Toy’s clever design has a proven track record of making cats happily berserk. Designed to hook on any household door knob, this automatic string toy will get even the laziest of cats moving. One end of a long, brightly colored, silky string is sewn onto a flat, elastic conveyor belt that rotates. When switched on, the string flings in and out enthralling your cat who will want to bite, paw, claw, and hopefully stop the string. But as soon as they let go, the string automatically starts to rotate again, enticing them to play for long periods of time.

Made in the United States, Fling-Ama-String has two speeds to offer variety and prevent boredom. Appropriate for any age, this toy requires three AA batteries that can be standard or rechargeable. This toy has been around since at least 2009 and has a long track record of satisfied kitty customers. 

For safety, the manufacturers recommend wrapping the string around the doorknob when not in use to prevent your cat from unsupervised play that could get the string wrapped around a paw or their neck. This, along with the fact that it doesn’t have an auto shut off, lead us to recommend that play with this toy be lightly supervised. 

Dimensions: 29.5 x 5 x 2 inches | Weight: 9.5 ounces

Best Ball Tower

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy with different levels of saucers and balls

Amazon

What We Like
  • Durable

  • Easy to clean

  • Available in fun colors

What We Don't Like
  • Made of plastic

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy is an affordable, available, and well-liked version of this classic cat toy. The Spruce Pets has also tested a similar—but less widely available—product, Easyology’s Amazing Roller Cat Toy. Petstages Tower of Tracks is irresistible to cats because even though your cat will want to pull the three brightly colored balls from their tracks, their efforts only make the balls roll out of sight. When cats are really excited, they may have all three balls spinning and rolling at once. Safe to play with even when you’re not at home, this stacked play station is built to last. It includes non-skid pads on the bottom so it won’t move around or tip too easily.

Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 6.5 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: Blue and Orange

Best Bird

Potaroma Cat Toys Flapping Bird

Potaroma Cat Toys Flapping Bird

Amazon

What We Like
  • Alternate flapping modes

  • USB rechargeable

  • Washable

What We Don't Like
  • Pricier than some alternatives

Potaroma’s Flapping Bird Cat toys make great options for a relatively simple interactive toy. The bird shaped plush with flap and chip when turned on. There are three levels of flapping to add some variety in case your cat starts to get bored. You can also put catnip inside the pouch where the flapping mechanism is. 

For washing you can remove the electronic component and hand wash the plush before reinserting the flapper. It’s USB chargeable too. 

Dimensions: 4 x 8 x 0.7 inches | Materials: Plush, plastic | Colors: White, gray, brown

Best Ball Toy

Sofolor Motion Activate Interactive Cat Toys - Automatic Moving Ball

Sofolor Motion Activate Interactive Cat Toys - Automatic Moving Ball

Amazon

What We Like
  • Automatic start/stop

  • Can handle thick carpet

  • USB rechargeable

What We Don't Like
  • Fast mode is very fast

The Solofor Motion Activated Ball Toy is one of our favorite automated ball toys. This durable ball can get traction on both hardwood floors and most carpeting. It has multiple modes: fast, slow, and motion activated. Motion Activated allows for less supervised play and a longer battery life. The fast mode is very fast and some kittens may have trouble keeping up. 

It is USB chargeable, you can also attach different plush attachments to create a more enticing target for your cat. It comes with three color options, but you could also DIY your own if you’re so inclined. The charge should last about 2–4 hours depending on what mode you have it in and takes about 2 hours to charge. 

Dimensions: 3.4 x 2.7 x 2.7 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: Grey, white

Best Tumbler

Oxawo Interactive Cat Toys Cat Exercise Tumbler

Oxawo Interactive Cat Toys Cat Exercise Tumbler

Amazon

What We Like
  • Automatic start/stop

  • Multiple modes of play

  • Rechargeable by USB

What We Don't Like
  • Wand toy will need to be replaced every so often

Wand toys are a classic that most cats greatly enjoy. It triggers their hunting and pouncing instincts. The Oxawo tumbler lets you give your cat the wand toy experience without your having to wave the wand yourself. With auto on/off, multiple modes of play, and a USB rechargeable battery, it has a lot of what we look for in modern interactive cat toys. 

The tumbler base rolls and will stay upright as your cats try to bat and grab the end of the wand. It can be set to circle, shake, or wiggle, providing the variety that is key in keeping cats entertained by a toy. The auto timer will have it working for ten minutes then switch off, with an auto wake after two hours. 

Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.6 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: White

Best Robot

Hexbug nano Robotic Cat Toy

Hexbug nano Robotic Cat Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • Engages cat's hunting instinct

  • Several color choices

  • Battery powered

What We Don't Like
  • Can easily get stuck under furniture due to size

The Hexbug nano is another great budget friendly option. Its vibrations make it move around on its small legs to mimic the frantic movements of a bug. In a strange move, the company has recently changed the branding on the hexbug from a cat toy to a human toy but it is basically the same product. At the time of writing the best price was at Amazon for a 3 pack for $15.

Fair warning: these get easily stuck under couches and other furniture.

Dimensions: 3.58 x 0.98 x 6.81 inches | Weight: .02 oz | Battery: LR44 Button Cell

Best All-In-One

Oxawo Interactive Cat Toys Cat Exercise Tumbler

Oxawo Interactive Cat Toys Cat Exercise Tumbler

Amazon

What We Like
  • Multiple toys in one

  • Touch activation

  • USB or AA powered

What We Don't Like
  • USB must be plugged in if using it

Potaroma combined three classic cat toys into one package. This toy features a fluttering butterfly on top, ball track in the middle, and feathers that pop in and out on the bottom. It can be run on AA batteries or plugged into a power source using a USB cable. It does not have a rechargeable battery, however.

The variety built into this toy keeps cats interested for a long time, however the multiple moving parts makes this less durable than simpler toys. It comes in white, or muted shades of pink, green, or blue. 

Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: White, blue, green, pink

Best for Multiple Cats

PetSafe Zoom Laser Toy

PetSafe Zoom Laser Toy

Amazon

What We Like
  • Dual randomized lasers

  • Automatic shut off

  • 360 degree rotation

What We Don't Like
  • Not rechaegeable

The PetSafe Zoom offers laser fun for homes with multiple cats. The two lasers that can operate simultaneously will prevent cats from crowding around a single laser. Both lasers rotate 360 degrees in randomized patterns. The zoom features an automatic shut off to keep from overstimulating your pets and leading to disengagement. 

Unfortunately it does not feature a rechargeable USB battery and instead requires three AA batteries to operate. 

Dimensions: 5.32 x 5.32 x 10.43 inches | Materials: Plastic | Colors: White

Best Mat

SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat

SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat

Chewy

What We Like
  • Durable

  • Offers variety of play

  • Satisfies needs other cat toys don't

What We Don't Like
  • Take up a lot of floor space

The ripple rug is a set of two fiber rugs that are durable enough to stand up to, and encourage, cat pawing, scratching and stretching. The ripple rug can be set up in different ways to make impromptu play areas and habitats for your cat. The variety of holes will allow your cat to stalk and explore in various combinations. 

It will be up to you to alter the set up now and then to keep things interesting. Combining with treats or other small toys can also add to the mileage you and your kitties get out of it. 

Dimensions: 47 inches x 35 inches | Materials: Fiber | Colors: Black, mocha, oatmeal, beige

Final Verdict

We like the Catstages Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play Interactive Toy because it’s portable and stimulates your cat’s natural curiosity and hunting instinct. If you are looking for a toy that will encourage your cat to run around, the Libro Pixie Mouse Interactive Toy is small, fast, and has a light-up tail and an internal sensor to help it avoid collisions and keep on moving. It also enters self-programmed periods of rest to keep your cat engaged.

What to Look for in Interactive Cat Toys

“The best interactive toys for cats allow them to engage in their natural hunting behaviors—simulated of course. These include toys that allow for the stalk-chase-pounce-catch and shake hunting sequence,” says Dr. Crista Coppola, certified applied animal behaviorist at the University of Arizona. “The toys that should be avoided are those that encourage and inadvertently reinforce the cat pouncing and catching human hands (or other body parts). This type of toy can teach a cat to grab, bite, and shake at humans which is not only painful but can cause physical injury.” You might need to try more than one interactive toy to determine which types excite your cats most.

Physical and Mental Stimulation

Interactive cat toys should ideally get your kitty moving while also being unpredictable. Enticing them to jump, pounce, roll, and bat will provide mild aerobic exercise that they might have obtained while they were hunting for prey in the wild. But it also provides mental challenge and excitement that will keep them from boredom and the potentially negative behaviors that accompany it.

The right interactive toys can help your cat still feel like a kitten long into their later years, keeping their mood light, healthy, and happy.

Materials and Safety

Your cat will likely bite, chew, kick, and lick their toys, so you want to be sure they’re made durably from materials that are safe and non-toxic. Because the health and safety standards for pet products are generally higher in the United States and the United Kingdom, when possible look for toys manufactured in these countries rather than other places.

When you can, opt for toys made from plant-based materials like hemp, wood, bamboo, and cotton. You might also consider certified organic materials where available and if you can afford any premium on the price.

Business Ethics

A product can be offered very cheaply and on a global scale, but that convenience sometimes comes at the expense and/or exploitation of a company’s workers. Whenever possible, spend your hard-earned dollars with companies that pay their workers a living wage, provide a safe working environment, and give back to the communities that help them grow and succeed. The term “fair trade” often encompasses these ideals.

Some third-party organizations independently verify and certify fair trade practices so look for mention and/or seals on company packaging and websites, such as Fair for Life. However, be aware that some organizations have limitations while others simply issue certifications in exchange for membership fees so it’s important to do your research if you really want to shop fair trade.

Check out the “About” section of a company’s website for clues to their environmental and social responsibility. That’s where they’ll often list fair trade practices and any third-party certifications as well as charitable programs in which they participate such as 1% for the Planet. Many pet supply manufacturers donate some of their products or financial support to animal shelters and hospitals. Whenever possible, choose companies and manufacturers that mirror your own environmental and social ethics.

FAQ
  • What interactive cat toys are best for when you are away?

    “The best toys are ones that are mentally engaging and unpredictable,” explains Dr. Coppola. “The unpredictability variable helps maintain your cat's attention. I especially like suncatchers that throw prisms of light for the cat to 'pounce and catch.' Bird watching is also great for mental stimulation.”

    Be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for potential safety hazards and related warnings. “A toy should not be left with a cat unsupervised if there are any potential hazards like ingestion, choking, or strangulation,” adds Dr. Coppola.

  • How do you prevent cats from getting bored with their toys?

    Dr. Coppola believes rotation and toy novelty are key to preventing boredom. “Cats will get bored with the same toys day in and day out. Limit their access so that the toy maintains its high value for the cat. When you only have access to something some of the time, its rewarding value is maintained (like dessert for humans).”

    Try alternating toys on a daily or weekly basis to keep their interest and excitement fresh and exhilarating.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

This article was updated by Ellie Welles, who has raised dogs, cats, rabbits, and even a green-cheeked conure. She’s passionate about finding the best products for your littlest family members. For this article, she consulted countless product reviews, and cat owner feedback to find products that will bring pleasure to the cat owners in your life and their feline companions.

A specialist in small pets, Ellie previously spoke with a variety of sources and utilized experts in small animal care to assemble the best guinea pig supplies, ferret toys, and chinchilla cages. Her two cats were a little more helpful when it came to finding great window perches.

A previous version of this article was written by Lorraine Wilde, who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years, including some special needs kitties. Two of her cats lived happily and healthily into their early 20s.

Wilde also holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in environmental science. She is a firm believer that consumers can make healthy, informed, and environmentally conscious choices to protect their pets and our planet.

Also cited in this article is Dr. Crista Coppola, a Ph.D. Board Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) who specializes in the treatment of behavior problems in dogs and cats. Dr. Coppola graduated with a Ph.D. in animal sciences from Colorado State University with a concentration in applied animal behavior and welfare. She is currently an assistant professor of practice at the University of Arizona, teaching courses on companion animal behavior, and a writer for SeniorTailWaggers.com. Dr. Coppola has a dog (Guster), three cats (Tia, Jack, and Olive), and a horse (Two Socks).

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