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Best Interactive Cat Toys iMore 2021

Cat toys are designed to mimic its natural wild habits, like stalking and chasing. They also create a fun and playful environment which is important for the development of your cat. That's why we recommend the YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy. Its movements are similar to a small animal and it keeps your furry feline entertained in a safe environment. Here is a list of some of the best toys your cat will love.

Best Overall: YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy

The YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy is an excellent toy to keep your cat engaged and entertained for hours. This interactive ball is slightly larger than a tennis ball, which makes it the perfect size for your cat to spot and become intrigued. Its movements are automatic and unpredictable, much like a small animal, which will stimulate your cat mentally and physically and encourage them to investigate.

To turn the YOUFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy on or off, simply press a button. When you're not using it, charge it with the included USB cord. One-and-a-half hours of charge will give your cat four incredibly happy hours of playtime. Feel free to turn this ball on and forget about it as it will automatically turn itself off after 40 minutes.

This interactive cat toy is made from high-quality and non-toxic ABS plastic. It is durable and won't damage easily from running into walls or furniture. Your cat can kick it around freely.

To further catch the attention of your cat, this ball also comes equipped with a red light. Your cat won't lose sight of it when it rolls under a piece of furniture. Its built-in self-rotating technology ensures that the ball won't get stuck in a corner, so you won't have to continuously watch it to make sure it is still fun for your cat.

Make sure that you use this toy on a hard floor or shallow carpet as it may not roll as well on thick or fluffy carpet.

Pros:

  • Self-rotating and direction changing
  • USB charger
  • Automatically changes direction when stuck in corners
  • Auto-off settings

Cons:

  • Does not roll well on fluffy or thick carpet

Best Overall

YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy

Self-rotating and direction-changing cat toy

This interactive cat toy automatically changes its direction and self-rotates, mimicking the movements of a small animal.

Best Value: Petrove 4-Level Tower of Tracks

The Petrove 4-Level Tower of Tracks is a tiered cat toy that is both interactive and entertaining for your cats. This particular cat tower comes with four levels, which is one more level than similar types of toys. Your cats will stay entertained for hours.

The balls included with the Petrove 4- Level Tower of Tracks are fixed into place, allowing them to roll around inside the toy for hours on end. The movements of the balls spike interest and stimulate your fur baby both mentally and physically. Your cat will have tons of fun trying to catch the balls and pull them out.

This interactive toy also comes prepared with a slot to attach a spring toy. This gives you the ability to change the toy up and keep your curious cat interested. The center of the toy is closed off, so you won't have to worry about extra determined cats getting their heads stuck inside. Although this toy comes equipped with four anti-skid mats, it can tip over with rough play.

Pros:

  • Four tiers
  • Balls are fixed into place
  • Comes with slot to attach spring toys

Cons:

  • Needs more weight on the bottom

Best Value

Petrove 4-Level Tower of Tracks

Four-tiered interactive cat toy

This cat toy comes with four tiers and four rolling balls that are fixed into place, giving your cat access to hours of fun.

Best Food Motivated: Catit Senses 2.0 Digger

The Catit Senses 2.0 Digger is an excellent interactive toy for those cats who love to eat. Motivate your cat to become active by placing their favorite biscuit into the included cups. Your cat will automatically become intrigued and start working towards attaining their tasty treats.

This toy comes with five removable cups: two that are long and wide, and three that are short and narrow. Place all of them on the base together, or change it up and pick and choose between a few of the cups to keep your cat engaged. The sloped surface of the base will catch any stray bits of food, keeping your floor clean. You also won't have to worry about it tipping over or sliding away as the bottom comes prepared with an anti-slip grip.

If your kitten is one that likes to gobble food down as fast as they can, then this toy is perfect as it acts as a slow feeder as well. Your cat will enjoy digging for its food and munching on the tasty rewards once they've been hunted and caught. Although this toy is excellent for keeping your cat mentally and physically stimulated, some cats figure out that they can pull the entire cup out to get to their treats faster.

Pros:

  • Acts as a slow feeder
  • Removable cups
  • Anti-slip grip

Cons:

  • Some cats figure out they can pull out the entire cup at once

Best Food Motivated

Catit Senses 2.0 Digger

Food-motivated cat toy

This food-motivated cat toy keeps your cat mentally and physically stimulated by encouraging them to dig for their treats.

Best for Curious Cats: Pioneer Peek-a-Prize Toy Box

The Pioneer Peek-a-Prize Toy Box is an excellent option for anyone whose cat is a curious little explorer. This toy box is made from heavy-duty wood with built-in hiding holes. Hide your cat's favorite toys and treats inside the box, and your furry friend won't be able to resist finding them. It is also great for multiple pets to share in the experience.

This particular product includes two toy balls to spark the fun; however, it is compatible with almost every cat toy. You aren't restricted to using only what comes in the box. Add cat cookies or moving toys into the mix and let the curiosity take over.

Although this toy is excellent at keeping your cat mentally and physically sharp, the holes are quite significant. Smaller kittens could get stuck while investigating all of the cracks and crevices. Some customers also mention that the occasional item comes with manufacturing issues.

Pros:

  • Great for multiple cats
  • Compatible with most cat toys
  • Keeps cats mentally and physically sharp

Cons:

  • Holes too big for kittens
  • Some items arrive with manufacturing issues

Best for Curious Cats

Pioneer Peek-a-Prize Toy Box

Hide-and-seek type cat game

Hide your cat's favorite things in this toy box and watch them investigate every nook and cranny until they find them.

Best Scratcher: Youthink Cat Scratcher

Cats scratch for multiple reasons. They scratch to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to mark their territory, because they're bored, and also to stretch. The Youthink Cat Scratcher is the perfect toy to encourage your cat to stay away from the furniture while engaging in natural scratching behavior. This toy can be manipulated into five different shapes, keeping your cat intrigued with the new toy in the room and away from your walls and furniture.

When your cat is not scratching, this toy can be used as a comfortable place to lounge. Many customers mention that their cats love to lay on the scratching bed and watch what's going on around them. If your cat is a busy body, throw the included tinkle ball on top so your kitten can enjoy patting and playing as well.

The Youthink Cat Scratcher is easy to assemble and take apart as it folds up and collapses in an accordion style manner. This product is made from high-quality honeycomb paper and cardboard that is dense and durable. Your furry friend can bite, grasp, scratch, and pull on the toy freely. Some cats may need to be shown how to use this toy as it does not look like your typical cat scratcher.

Pros:

  • Five different positions
  • Made from high-quality honeycomb paper and cardboard
  • Comes with tinkle ball

Cons:

  • Have to teach some cats how to use it

Best Scratcher

Youthink Cat Scratcher

Heavy-duty honeycomb cardboard cat scratcher

This cardboard cat scratcher is made from durable honeycomb paper and can be manipulated into five different fun positions.

Bottom line

Playing with your kitten is an excellent way to build a trusting relationship between you and your furry friend. It also teaches your cat essential life skills that they would naturally learn in the wild such as chasing, scratching, investigating, and stalking. Giving your cat fun and interactive toys will also keep them mentally and physically sharp.

We recommend the YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy because of its ability to self-rotate and move around your home in unpredictable directions, much like a small animal. It also comes equipped with a red light that keeps your cat even more interested in what this new toy is up to. Your cat will enjoy hours of fun stalking and investigating their toy with or without your supervision.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Author:

Camille Sanghera is a freelance writer who loves telling stories through writing. When she is not content writing, you can find her watching movies, playing sports, or writing books. Check out her blog at www.happycoconut.ca.

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