As a cat owner, ensuring that your feline friend is entertained and mentally stimulated is crucial for their overall well-being. One of the best ways to achieve this is through play. Cat toys not only provide fun but also encourage exercise, reduce stress, and prevent boredom. In 2025, there are a variety of innovative and exciting toys available for cats, designed to keep them engaged for hours.
Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, we’ve compiled a list of the best toys for cats that will help keep your furry friend active, happy, and healthy.
1. Interactive Laser Toys
Best for: High-energy cats who love to chase.
Overview: Laser toys remain one of the most popular choices for cat owners because they tap into a cat’s natural predatory instincts. These toys engage your cat’s curiosity and energy, providing mental and physical stimulation.
Top Picks:
- PetSafe Bolt Laser Cat Toy: Automatically moves the laser in unpredictable patterns, keeping your cat on their paws.
- Frisco Laser Toy with Automatic Rotating Light: An affordable, automatic rotating laser that will keep your cat engaged for hours.
Why it works: Laser toys mimic prey movements, encouraging your cat to chase and pounce, which is great for their physical exercise.
2. Catnip-Infused Toys
Best for: Cats who love a little extra excitement.
Overview: Catnip-infused toys are designed to captivate your cat’s senses. Catnip contains a compound that triggers a euphoric reaction in many cats, leading to playful behavior. These toys can help alleviate stress and anxiety while keeping your cat entertained.
Top Picks:
- KONG Catnip Kickeroo: A plush toy filled with catnip, perfect for kicking and wrestling.
- Yeowww! Catnip Banana: A fun, durable toy filled with organic catnip that cats can chew and bat around.
Why it works: Catnip provides both mental stimulation and physical exercise, making it an excellent choice for high-energy cats.
3. Puzzle Feeders and Treat Dispensers
Best for: Cats who need mental stimulation.
Overview: Puzzle feeders are a great way to engage your cat’s brain and slow down their eating habits. These toys challenge your cat to solve puzzles in order to access treats or food, which helps improve problem-solving skills and reduces boredom.
Top Picks:
- Trixie Cat Activity Poker Box: A puzzle toy with hidden compartments for treats that require your cat to think and strategize.
- PetSafe SlimCat Feeder Ball: A treat-dispensing ball that your cat can roll around to release snacks.
Why it works: Puzzle feeders stimulate your cat’s cognitive abilities, giving them both a mental and physical workout.
4. Automatic Motion Toys
Best for: Cats who love to chase moving objects.
Overview: Automatic motion toys are perfect for cats who enjoy chasing moving objects but may not always have a playmate. These toys often feature moving balls, feathers, or other components that engage your cat’s hunting instincts.
Top Picks:
- PetFusion Ambush Interactive Toy: A motion-activated toy that moves erratically to mimic prey.
- PetSafe FroliCat BOLT: An automatic laser toy with adjustable settings for different play modes.
Why it works: These toys provide continuous playtime without the need for human intervention, keeping your cat entertained even when you’re not around.
5. Interactive Feather Wands
Best for: Bonding with your cat through play.
Overview: Feather wands are an excellent choice for interactive play between you and your cat. These toys often feature feathers, ribbons, or other materials attached to a string or rod, allowing you to move the toy in ways that simulate prey.
Top Picks:
- Da Bird Feather Toy: A highly popular toy with feathers that flutter in the air to mimic the flight of birds.
- Frisco Feather Wand: A durable, long-handled feather wand that offers endless fun for both you and your cat.
Why it works: Feather wands provide excellent bonding time with your cat while satisfying their natural hunting instincts. They also encourage exercise through active play.
6. Plush Mice and Balls
Best for: Cats who love to bat, carry, and pounce.
Overview: Simple, yet effective, plush mice and balls are timeless toys for cats. These toys allow your cat to practice their hunting and pouncing skills, as well as giving them something soft to carry in their mouths.
Top Picks:
- Frisco Plush Mice Cat Toys: These soft, colorful mice are great for tossing and chasing.
- KONG Cat Ball with Bell: A lightweight ball with a bell inside that rattles, engaging your cat in fun, noisy play.
Why it works: These toys are perfect for independent play, allowing your cat to bat them around and carry them in their mouth, satisfying both play and predatory instincts.
7. Cat Tunnels
Best for: Cats who love to hide, explore, and pounce.
Overview: Cat tunnels offer a great combination of hide-and-seek fun and exercise. Many cats love to explore tunnels, which mimic burrows and caves in the wild. Some tunnels also feature built-in toys, like hanging balls or crinkly material, to keep your cat entertained.
Top Picks:
- Pet Magasin Cat Tunnel: A durable and collapsible tunnel perfect for playtime and exploration.
- Frisco Crinkle Tunnel: A tunnel with crinkly material that stimulates your cat’s curiosity.
Why it works: Tunnels promote both physical and mental stimulation. Cats enjoy exploring them, and they can be used for hide-and-seek games or to practice pouncing.
8. Self-Play Balls with Bells or Lights
Best for: Cats who enjoy solo play.
Overview: Self-play balls are a great way to keep your cat entertained when you’re busy. Many of these toys have bells inside that make noise when rolled or pushed, while others are equipped with flashing lights to attract your cat’s attention.
Top Picks:
- Frisco Catnip Balls with Bells: Soft balls that are fun to bat around and come with a jingle sound to keep your cat engaged.
- Petstages Interactive Cat Ball: A battery-powered ball with lights that attracts your cat and encourages play.
Why it works: These balls provide entertainment and exercise without requiring any effort from you. They’re perfect for cats who like to entertain themselves.
Conclusion: Best Toys for Cats in 2025
Choosing the best toys for cats in 2025 means understanding your cat’s personality and preferences. Whether your cat loves to chase, hunt, or solve puzzles, there is a toy on the market to meet their needs. Investing in a variety of toys will help keep your cat physically fit, mentally sharp, and emotionally content.
When selecting toys, consider your cat’s age, activity level, and preferences to find the perfect playtime companions. With the right toys, you can enhance your cat’s life and ensure they enjoy hours of fun and stimulation every day.
