cats love to play, and whether your cat is an outdoor roamer or an indoor lover, they have an innate hunting instinct that needs to be stimulated. a great way to harness this instinct is via interactive toys, as these will keep them from hunting local birds and mice and provide a fun way for you to interact with your feline friend.

while a ball of wool or handheld laser may temporarily entertain your cat, interactive toys will provide the mental and physical stimulation that they need to stay healthy and happy.

there is a huge array of interactive cat toys on the market, so it can be an overwhelming task to find the right one for your feline friend. we did all the hard work for you and created this list of in-depth reviews to help you find the best interactive cat toy to suit your unique needs.

a quick look at our favorites in 2024

the 10 best interactive cat toys

1. petsafe bolt interactive laser cat toy — best overall

there is arguably nothing more irresistible to a cat than a laser light darting across the floor, and petsafe bolt interactive laser cat toy provides a unique take on a classic concept. it is a battery-operated, freestanding unit that will give your feline friend hours of play. it has an automated rotating mirror that beams out a laser light in random patterns. it is hands-free and completely automated, so it can be placed on the floor for your cat to play with while you’re away. it also features a manual mode, so you can create your own patterns for your cat to chase around for a completely interactive experience.

this battery-operated cat toy will provide optimal mental and physical stimulation for your furry friend and help prevent boredom and anxiety while you’re busy or at work. the automated cat toy unit has a built-in timer, so it will turn itself off after 15 minutes to conserve battery life.

several users report the laser being fairly dim in a brightly lit room, so your cat may not be able to see it. also, this unit requires 4 aa batteries, which are not included.

we think this is the best overall interactive cat toy and the best battery-operated cat toy available.

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2. petstages tower of tracks cat toy — best value

this petstages tower of tracks cat toy is the best interactive cat toy for the money. cats love to chase and swipe at balls, but these can be easily lost under furniture. this interactive toy solves that problem, as the colorful balls are fixed into three circular tracks that they spin around inside. it is a classic, time-tested design that is irresistible to cats. the separately stacked tracks allow for multiple cats to play simultaneously and will provide hours of stimulation while you’re busy or away.

this interactive cat toy tower is made from durable materials and features non-skid pads underneath to prevent it from sliding or falling over while your cat plays. the tower has three different levels and measures 5 inches high, so it is ideal for kittens and adult cats alike. its simple but effective design will keep their hunting and pouncing instincts stimulated.

some users report that the balls do not move easily inside the tracks or even get completely stuck. this will likely make your cat knock it over in frustration or ignore it completely. also, several users with older felines report that their cats were not at all interested in it, so it is ideal for kittens or young adults.

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3. petfusion ambush interactive electronic cat toy — premium choice

the petfusion ambush interactive electronic cat toy is an innovative and unique interactive electronic cat toy. it is designed to stimulate your feline friend’s natural hunting instinct by providing moving “prey” for it to chase and capture. a colorful feather randomly pops out from one of the unit’s six holes, and it has colorful led lighting to further stimulate and draw your cat in. the random action will satisfy your cat’s innate hunting and pouncing desire, while providing them with mental stimulation and exercise.

the unit also features anti-skid padded feet so it won’t slide around too much, and the feathers are easy to remove and replace when your cat eventually wins the battle. the toy comes with an extra replacement feather and has an 8-minute auto-shutoff mode to conserve the battery.

this toy is noisy, and combined with the bright lights, it may take a while for your cat to get used to it. some cats may be afraid of it at first. while kittens will love it, it is not designed for bigger cats that play rough, as they will quickly break the small internal motor.

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4. frisco cat tracks butterfly cat toy

the frisco cat tracks butterfly cat toy is a three-level, circular unit with balls that roll around inside and is available at a highly affordable price. it has a small butterfly attached to the top of the toy via a thin wire, which your feline friend will love to swat at for hours on end. the toy also comes with a replacement butterfly for when your cat eventually catches and breaks the first one, but the butterfly is made from durable plastic with a wire attachment, so it should last a while. the balls are different colors, are securely inserted into the toy, and roll smoothly and quickly. it has a fairly sturdy construction and anti-skid rubber feet.

this toy is fairly noisy with the balls rolling around inside, and although it has rubber feet for grip, a big cat will knock it over fairly easily.

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5. smartykat electronic concealed motion cat toy

this smartykat electronic concealed motion cat toy will keep your cat chasing the “prey” for hours on end. it has a concealed wand that spins around in a random circular motion, which will stimulate your cat’s hunting and pouncing instincts. the wand moves in unpredictable ways and is concealed by a plastic cover. its movements can be adjusted to two different speeds. it also comes with a spare interchangeable wand, and its programmed movement enables your cat to play for hours, even while you’re away.

this toy is noisy and has a loud clicking sound when its motion is stopped by your cat. several users report that the wand unscrews frequently, as often as every 5 minutes, which can become frustrating to constantly replace. the cover also gets easily bundled up when in motion, even if your cat is not playing with it.

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6. catit design senses circuit cat toy

catit design senses circuit cat toy will stimulate your cat’s innate hunting instincts and provide hours of mental and physical exercise. it is an expandable track, with holes for pawing placed along its length. a small swirly-patterned ball rolls around inside to trigger your cat’s pouncing ability. the track is easily set up and can be expanded or reduced in size, depending on your needs. it is great for multiple cats to play with or for a single cat to be entertained while you’re away.

the openings along the track are large enough for your feline friend to reach inside and swat the ball safely, without getting stuck or injured. the best part about this toy is that it requires no batteries or outside power to operate.

one issue with this cat toy is the lightweight tracks. while most cats will easily fit their paw inside to roll the ball, they can also easily flip the entire track over and grab the ball, defeating the entire object of the game. if you are not watching, the ball can easily get lost. some users report that older cats are not at all interested in this toy.

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7. trixie brain mover activity strategy game cat toy

the trixie brain mover activity strategy game cat toy will engage and stimulate your cat both mentally and physically with four different combinations of games. the included games are a ball-push game that will earn your cat a reward when completed, multiple sliders that will reveal hidden treats, a small lever that can open a treat drawer, and a drawer that opens using a loop to reveal another hidden treat. the toy has non-slip rubber feet to keep it from sliding around, and it is fairly heavy, which will help keep it firmly in place.

some users report treats getting easily stuck inside several of the compartments, and this can cause health hazards if not closely monitored. large cats will also have problems getting their paws into the tiny compartments, so it is more suited to kittens or young adults. the toy is cheaply constructed, and a rough cat will likely break parts off it fairly quickly.

• related read: creative diy cat toys

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8. kong eight track cat toy

this kong eight track cat toy is the “hot wheels” of cat toys, featuring a figure-eight-shaped track that your cat can push rattling balls around in. the track has spaced openings for your cats to bat the balls through, stimulating their hunting instincts. it also has a feathered pole attached to it that your cats can swipe and bat, as well as a catnip-filled tail that is irresistible to most felines.

several users report that the balls don’t roll inside the track smoothly, which can cause more frustration than joy for your cat. also, while kittens will love this toy, many users report that their adult cats are not interested at all. this toy is also noisy, with loudly rattling balls, which can get overwhelming for your cat and for you!

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9. cat amazing interactive treat maze & puzzle toy

this amazing interactive treat maze & puzzle toy is a unique interactive toy for your feline friend. it features different compartments to hide treats inside, and this will stimulate your cat’s inquisitive nature as they try to find and retrieve them. the unit has three difficulty levels—beginner, intermediate, and “top-cat”—so your kitty can move through the different levels of stimulation as their skills improve. the toy is made from 30% recycled cardboard and is printed with metal-free inks, making it a safe option for your feline friend.

the toy comes unassembled, so you’ll need to follow the instructions to put it together, which is a complicated process. many users reported difficulties putting it together. also, it is made from cardboard, so many cats will simply rip it apart to get to the treats you hide inside, and any contact with water will ruin it.

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10. cat’s meow motorized chaser interactive toy for cats

this cat’s meow motorized chaser interactive toy for cats will keep your cat stimulated for hours. it is designed to stimulate your cat’s desire to hunt, pounce, and stalk with its easy one-button operation. it features a small “mouse wand” that rotates underneath a plastic cover. the rotation is completely random, which will keep your cats guessing where to attack next, just as they would when hunting for prey. this interactive toy for cats works on smooth floors and carpets and has an auto shut-off at 30 minutes to save on battery power.

the spin mechanism on this motorized cat toy is fairly fast, and the speed setting is not adjustable. this can make it quite difficult to play with for kittens or older felines. the battery compartment is almost impossible to open, and when you finally manage to change the batteries, they have a short lifespan. also, when your cat does manage to catch the spinning mouse wand, it breaks easily, and a big cat prone to rough playing will break it in no time.

buyer’s guide: choosing the best interactive cat toys

cats have powerful innate hunting instincts that need to be stimulated regularly. if these needs are not met, not only will your feline friend be less healthy and bored, but they may also end up with other health issues, such as obesity! while cats have a false reputation for being lazy, they do need to stay active and agile, as it is important for their long-term health and well-being. frequent exercise will help your cats avoid getting obese and keeps them mentally stimulated too. as your cat gets older, their limbs and joints may have decreased mobility, and regular exercise will keep them agile for longer.

this is where well-designed interactive toys come in. these will stimulate your cat’s predatory nature, as the bright colors and noises will keep your cat alert, curious, and playful. there are a few important factors to consider, however, when buying a new toy for your furry friend.

durability

cats love to scratch, bite, claw, and pounce on toys, so the toy needs to be as durable as possible. it should have non-slip feet so it won’t slide across the floor, and the design should be sturdy and stable. if it is made from plastic, it should be strong enough to handle your cat’s full weight and withstand scratching and biting. any toys with electronics should have strong motors that can handle any pulling and stalling, and an auto-off function is also ideal to conserve battery life.

safety

safety is another important consideration for your felines. the toy should not be made from any potentially harmful materials or chemicals, as your cat will likely be biting on it. there should ideally be no small parts that can break off and be swallowed.

your cat’s age

cats can be picky, and some may not take to toys that others seem to love. however, your cat’s age also has a role to play in this fussiness and can help you decide which toy your cat will use. kittens need more physical stimulation, as they are still learning and growing, and might enjoy interacting with a complex toy. older cats, conversely, are a bit more docile and may prefer a simpler toy that they can keep up with at their own pace, as opposed to a loud, motorized toy.

toy types

taking the previous factors into consideration will help you choose the right toy for your pet. cats are picky animals, so it may be a good idea to try a few different types at first. there are a variety of commonly used toys that cat owners know and trust:

conclusion

the overall best interactive cat toy we found is the interactive laser toy from petsafe. its battery-powered, hands-free, and automated operation provides your feline friend with an irresistible laser that shines out in infinite combinations for hours of play and stimulation. however, we would recommend consulting a veterinarian prior to purchasing a laser toy for your pet.

the best cat toy for the money is the tower of tracks cat toy from pet stages. its colorful balls on separate tracks allow for multiple cats to play simultaneously and will provide hours of stimulation for your kitties. it is a classic design at a highly affordable price.

regular exercise and mental stimulation are enormously important for cats, and choosing the right toy to cater to these needs can be stressful. hopefully, these in-depth reviews have helped you narrow down the options, so you can find the right interactive cat toy for your furry friend.

related read:

• best cat enrichment toys 
• 6 cat brain games that will enrich their life: vet approved picks