The Greatest Cat Toys for Your Furry Buddy (2025)

Cats are lovely, fascinating, bizarre creatures. They’re additionally very choosy. Discovering cat toys that they will truly play with is hard, particularly with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market in the present day. Cats require a selected surroundings to play, scratch, and calm down. Primarily based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favourite WIRED-approved, techy cat toys (and furnishings). Even when our cats rejected a selected product, we nonetheless examined total building, design, and worth to find out whether or not it could be helpful for different kitties.

We now have examined every little thing on this record with our personal cats. All of those toys have a component to have interaction their pure instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics the actions of prey, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to make use of their pecan-sized mind to get rewarded with scrumptious treats. Plus, rising vertical house with cat furnishings is a good way to supply passive enrichment.

I am a helicopter cat mother specializing in pet tech, and all the cat toys and furnishings on this information are accredited by each my and different staffers’ (very spoiled) WIRED cats. Try our associated guides just like the Greatest Automated Cat Litter Packing containers, Greatest Automated Cat Feeders, Greatest Cat Water Fountains, and Our Favourite Fancy Cat Furnishings. Extra of a canine particular person? We have you coated! See our Greatest Equipment and Tech Necessities for Your Canine information.

Up to date October 2025: We have added The Purrgola, Mau Reiya, and Mau Ivy 3, and eliminated the 5Strands Intolerances & Imbalances Take a look at. We have up to date costs and hyperlinks all through.

Cat Toys

This feline crowd pleaser is the cat toy I like to recommend everybody purchase. My extraordinarily spoiled cats not often work together with a toy for greater than 5 minutes, however they play with this interactive cat toy for hours on finish. It has three modes so cats by no means get bored: Regular, Lively, and Interactive, and it shuts off mechanically after a time period not getting used. It has a easy USB charger (however lasts on a cost for about six days), and a button that controls every little thing, plus it comes with a alternative wand in case your cats are as rough-and-tumble as mine. Though this is a little more than I wish to spend on cat toys, it was the perfect buy I’ve made this yr.

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Viwik

Interactive Cat Toy Mat

My cats go bonkers for interactive play mats, and though this one did not hold their consideration as a lot because the play mat above, it is nonetheless a stable alternative and supplies them with choices in relation to human-free play. The rechargeable rolling ball lights up and strikes erratically contained in the mat, which held my cats’ consideration for most likely half an hour. I put this one away for just a few days earlier than bringing it again out to maintain curiosity. You may even use the rolling ball as a toy outdoors the mat, however beware that it simply rolls beneath furnishings and in hard-to-reach corners. My greatest gripe is that the rechargeable ball has a brief battery life and must be charged after every play session.

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Valonii

Movement Activated Cat Laser Toy

There’s some controversy within the cat-owning group about whether or not lasers are too irritating for cats, who could really feel like they’ll by no means “catch” the “prey” (aka pouncing on the laser dot with out truly having the ability to get it). My cats are each obsessive about laser toys, and it is a good way for them to get train and hold themselves entertained; I simply all the time give them treats after to reward them for a job nicely performed. This toy has three interactive modes and movement sensor activation to additional hold cats’ consideration, and it lasts a few day earlier than needing to be recharged.

One among my cats is an especially clever, high-energy cat who’s additionally very meals motivated, so it’s a continuous problem to seek out issues to maintain him entertained—to not point out, I even have to ensure he does not inhale his meals. With this toy, you possibly can cowl up the treats with the leaves or put them solely within the cups for an additional problem—I like that this puzzle toy is completely customizable primarily based in your cat’s intelligence degree. I’ve each the Melon Insanity and Buggin’ Out fashions, and even years later, my cats are nonetheless entertained by them. I name {that a} good funding.

{Photograph}: Meowbox

If you cannot determine which sort of toy your cats will like, otherwise you simply need them to be refreshed every now and then, Meowbox is a good subscription. You may select to get deliveries each one or two months, and so they embrace each treats and extremely cute toys with an equally cute theme. Plus, for each field offered, the corporate provides meals to a shelter.

{Photograph}: SnugglyCat

Snuggly Cat

The Ripple Rug

Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano’s cats went nuts for this Ripple Rug. The underside piece stays in place whereas the highest may be configured into totally different shapes for taking part in (or looking), and you’ll reshape it as typically as you want. The fabric looks like felt, however is made out of 24 post-consumer plastic bottles and may stand up to sharp claws.

All three of our cats love the Kong Kickeroo, and it has been one of the long-lived cat toys now we have ever purchased. Bodhi is our eldest cat and barely performs with toys anymore, however even he can’t resist the Kickeroo. It’s the proper form to seize and claw at together with his again paws, and it has a tail, combined textures, and crinkly materials inside with a contact of catnip. We additionally tried the smaller mannequin, however it was rapidly chewed by means of, whereas the bigger one has lasted for years. —Simon Hill

{Photograph}: Amazon

Bawan

Silvervine Chew Sticks

My overactive cat Basil is one in all roughly 40 % of cats that do not react to catnip, which is a bummer as a result of he will get FOMO watching his sister go wild. Fortunately, each of my cats go loopy for these easy sticks. It helps them have interaction with pure kicking instincts and redirects aggressive chewing from my iPhone twine. I would suggest that anybody with cats who do not react to catnip or have aggressive chewing tendencies give these a attempt.

{Photograph}: Amazon

I’ve had seven cats over the previous 20 years, and each single one in all them has been obsessive about this interactive toy. And never simply any wand toy, this one particularly and its unique feather attachment, which makes use of the identical swivel mechanism as a fishing lure to create motion by means of the air that registers as 100% genuine to cats. There are different attachments obtainable, like fur “mice,” however nothing hits fairly like the unique feather cluster. Be sure to top off on refills, in case your cat finds the wand in the course of the night time and has its approach with it. (Talking from expertise.) —Kat Merck

This pet digicam has the power to regulate a laser through app, so you possibly can have interaction in play along with your cat even when away, and it goals to auto-engage when movement is detected (however fairly often it did not). Though I want the movement sensors had been a bit extra delicate to have interaction in play extra typically whereas I am not residence, it constantly stored my cats entertained, plus it was enjoyable to have the ability to play with them by means of the app from afar.

Is it a toy? Is it a safety digicam? Is it a deal with dispenser? There is no have to resolve! Whereas my cats had been extra curious than excited to play with this li’l robotic pet digicam, it did hold their consideration, which is a win in my e book. My cat Basil was obsessive about the toy attachment and cherished discovering alternative ways to proudly pull it off and produce it to me. The app is usually a bit glitchy, and the robotic is not at all good, however it’s a digicam you possibly can transfer about your home whilst you’re away, and it will roll, slam into objects, and shoot treats out at your confused cats. On the finish of the day, the robotic was nice at protecting their consideration, which is all we actually need ultimately.

Cat Bushes and Furnishings

{Photograph}: Kat Merck

Omlet

Freestyle Indoor Cat Tree

Greater than only a cat tree, the modular Freestyle helps you to customise your individual indoor or outside cat jungle fitness center from a sequence of bamboo platforms, beds, ramps, hammocks, and scratchers. The platforms are sturdy sufficient to help cats of any dimension or exercise degree, and the poles can accommodate ceilings as much as 14 toes. The system just isn’t cheap or particularly simple to place collectively, however my cats Circe and Scylla spend each single day on theirs, making it well worth the funding. —Kat Merck

This is without doubt one of the hottest objects I’ve ever examined with my cats. Neighbors find it irresistible, supply individuals touch upon it, and, in fact, each my cats adore it. It’s tremendous simple to assemble and set up, offered you’ve gotten a vertical sash window—simply shut the window on it, and raised acrylic stakes within the again will hold it in place. (You even have the choice to screw the Purrgola to the window body, which is really useful, and/or safe the window in place with window locks.) The thick, weatherproof acrylic—which is significantly thick; it even survived a tumble out of a first-story window throughout our check—is load-tested to 90 kilos, and the cushion inside has a comfortable, minky, machine-washable cowl. The screens on both aspect are stainless-steel mesh to stop any humorous enterprise. It’s obtained an acrylic door on the room aspect that pulls out and down to shut, however this half is fragile; I’ve now damaged it twice taking it out and in of the window, however it glues again simply high quality. I wouldn’t suggest utilizing a Purrgola throughout a really wet season, as a little bit heavy rain will come within the aspect screens (although not loads!), or the place there are many bugs, because it’s not an hermetic match within the window. Nonetheless, in case your cats are indoor-only (and they need to be!), it is a enjoyable and trendy approach for them to work together safely with the outside. Additionally notice that it could take cats some time to get used to it—it took each of mine a few week, however after that, they had been each in it day-after-day. —Kat Merck

Nobody does high-end cat furnishings fairly like Mau. WIRED has examined a number of of Mau’s cat bushes over time, and each one has been a banger: objectively lovely, sturdy, nicely made, and beloved by cats. The solid-oak Reiya isn’t one in all Mau’s flashier designs, and in reality, I’m stunned by how unassuming it seems on-line—in particular person, it reads as a midcentury murals, Hans Wegner-esque with rounded edges and a glowing oak end. Everybody who visits our home has commented on it. I admit I used to be a little bit anxious concerning the baskets being clawed or unraveled, however they’re plastic rattan. The woolly Oeko-Tex cushion covers zip off for laundry, and for youthful, extra playful kitties, there are rings on the underside of the highest platform for dangling white, inexperienced, or pink elective pom poms ($12). The scratching pad is the exhausting sort of sisal materials, which my cats don’t love, however they rapidly warmed as much as it with some coaching. In any case, a Mau cat tree is an funding, however you get what you pay for, and that is doubtless the final cat tree you will have to purchase in your lifetime. In the event you’re undecided, Mau provides a 45-day trial interval and one-year guarantee. —Kat Merck

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

It is fairly clear that the WIRED evaluations group loves Mau furnishings. It is modern, nicely made, and appears like a high-end piece of furnishings moderately than the ugly, cheaply-made cat bushes of yesteryear. This piece is stable, with a heavy wooden base, two sturdy sisal-rope-lined trunk items that screw collectively, three woven baskets that screw into place, and three super-soft fur pillows. Plus, all the items are replaceable, in order that if one thing succumbs to put on and tear over time, you will not must throw away the complete tree. The fur cushions are machine cleanable too, however be sure you learn the cleansing instructions to make sure they final so long as potential. Mau has free delivery (within the contiguous US and Canada), a 45-day return coverage, and a one-year guarantee. My cats use this tree day-after-day, and I am glad to have this trendy piece proudly on show in my front room.

{Photograph}: Mau

Cats like to leap and climb no matter they’ll, so a cat tree ought to assist hold them occupied and off your mantel or breakable glassware. Our favourite cat bushes are made out of supplies that may be scratched up. (We even have a information to the fanciest cat furnishings we have tried should you really need the total scoop.) While you stay in a small condo, every little thing you adorn with issues as a result of it is all on show—nothing will get hidden whenever you solely have one to 3 rooms. A few of us need our cat’s furnishings to match, too. Mau’s Cento is one in all former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano’s favorites. In the event you can afford it, your cats will thanks.

{Photograph}: Kat Merck

Mau

Kona Finish Desk Scratcher

Mau is understood for its high-end and tasteful cat furnishings (together with our Mau picks above), and its Kona aspect desk matches proper into the lineup with a midcentury mod vibe and scratching pad discreetly tucked into the again. The solid-wood desk may be very heavy and well-made, with choices for an oak or walnut end. It didn’t dissuade my cats from scratching the chair it’s subsequent to, however it does include a bag of catnip to assist with encouragement. This desk is in style and infrequently offered out, however you possibly can enroll on Mau’s web site to be notified of the subsequent restock. —Kat Merck

{Photograph}: Medea Giordano

Okay&H Pet Merchandise

Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch

Our favourite window perch lets cats responsibly work together with the surface world. Former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano cherished these window seats as a result of they’re a good way for cats to bask within the solar and hold a watchful eye on the neighborhood whereas safely indoors. They’re simple to put in too, with sticky strips that connect to your windowsill that may maintain as much as 40 kilos. You may as well nail the bottom into the window body, and there are even heated seats for super-spoiled kitties. The covers are detachable and may be machine-washed. Heads up, you may want a windowsill at the very least 2 inches deep to correctly help it.

This cat mattress has a reminiscence foam sculpted-contour mattress base with a brilliant cozy (detachable and washable) nano heating and volcanic-particle-infused cowl. It has a button on the aspect with totally different warmth settings, together with timed heatings. It has elective self-heating pure herb pad attachments for additional ache aid and to assist scale back arthritic irritation, which is very splendid for senior cats. The sculpted mattress is specifically contoured to supply orthopedic help for the cat’s joints. Professional tip: Put the mattress on the next floor or someplace the cats already lounge. Cats like to be off the bottom, and as soon as I moved this on prime of my aspect desk, each of my cats lay in it consistently.

I have been getting Instagram advertisements for this trendy mattress that attaches to your desk for therefore lengthy, I needed to cave and see if it was well worth the hype. Particularly since I’ve a really needy cat who likes to lounge on my laptop computer whereas I WFH. This mattress is simple to assemble, with an arm that screws into the picket base and a screwed vise to maintain the mattress in place on the desk. It has adjustable vertical top, and the bottom additionally rotates. Simply be sure you measure the floor you need to connect it to before you purchase. My desk was too thick, and my aspect desk was too skinny—fortunately they despatched further planks so as to add into the screwed vise to make it sturdier, however I have never discovered the purrfect spot for it but.

Different Necessities We Preserve Going Again To

{Photograph}: Molly Higgins

Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy for $6: This toy has been the one most cherished toy by all of former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano’s cats.

Playology Feather Mice for $17: Do you know there are “chicken” cats and “mouse” cats? Most cats truly desire to hunt particular forms of prey, and I’ve seen this play out in my very own home. Despite the fact that they’re litter mates, one in all my indoor cats clearly prefers to leap at flying issues (birds) and the opposite likes to cover and leap out at issues down low (mice). They each take pleasure in these toys—they’re fuzzy like mice however feathered like birds, with some catnip for added curiosity. I like to recommend placing them away when playtime is completed to maintain curiosity recent, and to take away the bell should you don’t need to hear jingling in the course of the night time. —Kat Merck

Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy for $4: This absurdly easy toy is an inexpensive crowd pleaser. It is just a few rolls of cardboard that overwhelm a springy metal wire. The erratic actions are much like bugs flying, and my cats all the time actively play with it.

Lick Mat for $8: A lick mat is a good way so as to add enrichment and stimulation—plus, it helps them promote sluggish consuming (and fewer throwing up). I even have this set of two cute fish-shaped lick mats ($17) for every of my kitties, and it is a enjoyable technique to give them a deal with whereas selling sluggish feeding and stimulation. I put Churu puree with some added water to assist sneakily add extra hydration to their snacks.