How To Choose The Best Interactive Cat Toy For Your Cat – CatTime
Cats are popular pets that require a fair amount of attention. While petting and cuddling up with your cat is one way to show affection, do not overlook the benefits of playing with your cat with a toy. There are many cat toys on the market–some are obviously more beneficial than others.
When it comes to really pushing the limits in terms of how much fun you and your cat can have, it would certainly be a good idea to look for the best interactive cat toys. These toys will generally provide specific functions, such as adding an element of exercise to a fun activity. Below, we share our selection of the top interactive cat toys along with the specific scenarios where they would be the perfect fit.
Best Choice
Fun Levels of Interactive Play
Pros:
At under $8, the Petstages Cat Tracks Cat Toy definitely comes with an attractive price tag. The bright colors are also beneficial as this helps to keep the cat’s attention. The product does not require any complicated assembly procedures and can be used with multiple cats at the same time.
Cons:
The fact that this toy only comes in a single color option is definitely one of the major drawbacks. While the three-tier design is great, the addition of extra layers would have been useful, too.
Best Electronic Toy
Electronic toy made for cats
Pros:
The toy uses an electronic system that provides a more interactive experience for a cat. The toy provides a feather than randomly sticks out at certain points of the toy itself. The rotating feather effect provides a cat with entertainment and allows them to keep active. The device features smart modes and there is a nighttime light included too. Another unique factor about this electronic cat toy is the fact that batteries are included, which is quite rare for electric devices.
Cons:
Some cat owners may consider the price of this toy to be too high. There are also many pet owners who prefer not to use an electronic device with their pets, as it does pose certain risks that need to be taken into account before deciding if this is the right toy to buy or not.
Best Catnip Cat Toy
Pure & potent catnip cat toy
Pros:
An exceptionally affordable option, with a pack of three toys available for under $2. The toys are filled with catnip, a beneficial product for cats that helps to stimulate their senses.
Cons:
These toys do not offer the same quality as you get with a product that has a slightly higher price tag. This is something to consider.
Best for Aerobic Exercise
An interactive cat toy designed to charm
Pros:
The toy comes in two different color varieties, each offering a range of attractive color options that cats are sure to love. The product combines fun and exercise into a single cat toy. The price is also on the lower side, which is always a plus.
Cons:
The product is made from just a plastic pole and polyester material. While a basic structure and an affordable price, when your cat is able to cat the string-like charmer, it could possibly break easily.
Best Hunting Simulator
Stimulate hunting Instinct of your cat
Pros:
The toy comes in two different color options, including white and pink. It can be recharged with a USB cable and offers up to four hours of fun with a single charge.
Cons:
The product is quite expensive in comparison to other toys, including other products that feature built-in electronic systems.
What Really Matters?
Function
You are looking for the best interactive cat toys, so you should really start your search by looking at the functions offered by the specific toys that you might be interested in. When looking at the function of a toy, you should note what your cat might like and what you personally prefer as well. Deciding what you want from a specific cat toy makes the process of filtering through the available options significantly easier.
The functions of interactive cat toys tend to vary greatly. This is why you must know which functions you want the toy to offer.
Some cat toys on the market feature an electronic system that allows you to set up a device that might be able to keep your cat entertained for hours. Other toys have a manual operation that requires constant human input. If you are limited on time and would like to provide your cat a fun activity to enjoy, then a toy that you have to use manually might not be as ideal.
Quality
A cat toy’s quality should be another important factor taken into consideration when choosing between the various products that are available on the market. You get a large number of cheap cat toys even though they can still serve the purpose of providing your cat with an entertaining activity, the cheaper products on the market tend to wear out or break quickly.
It can be difficult to determine the overall quality of an interactive cat toy simply by looking at it. Even when a manufacturer claims it is a sturdy product, you really do not have a way of telling how well made the toy is before holding it in your hands.
At the same time, you do have the ability to take a closer look at any reviews that cat owners have left on a product page. By taking a look at the review section on a product page for a cat toy, you get a better idea of what other cat owners think of the product. If other customers complain about a product, it would probably not be an ideal option for you, either.
Price
Even though there are many interactive cat toys that come at low prices, this is not always the case. There are a few options on the market that can get quite expensive. Some of the more expensive options do, however, offer extra functionality to help keep your cat active and entertained.
When it comes to the price of the cat toys, it is important to take note of your budget, as is the case with anything you might purchase.
What’s in Right Now?
We often see new trends when looking at what toys to get our cats. Right now, there is a need to ensure cats remain active. The rate of overweight cats is a concerning factor, as it causes cats to experience heart disease, breathing problems, and more. The main cause for an overweight cat is not only too much food, but a lack of physical activity.
Thus, there is a trend toward interactive cat toys that allows your cat to play whether you’re there to play with them or not. The physical activity your cat gets through these toys helps to keep them in shape and therefore reduces the risk of weight gain.
Prices
Expensive
$10 – $20: A higher quality interactive cat toy that would often be equipped with electronic features to keep your cat entertained without you having to be involved all the time.
Mid-Range
$5 – $10: Usually gets you a decent cat toy that may help to improve physical activity levels without breaking the bank.
Cheap
$1 – $5: Basic cat toys that do not include special features but may help to keep your cat’s activity levels up.
FAQs
Do I need to play with my cat all the time when I buy an interactive cat toy?
Many people have day jobs, which means that they are not able to spend a significant amount of time with their cat. Things can be quite chaotic in the morning, as there is much to do to get ready for the day. This brings up the question: Do you need to be with your cat every time they want to play with their cat toy?
This depends on the specific toy that you decide to buy. Many toys that help your cat get some physical exercise require human interaction. On the other hand, there are also many cat toys on the market that you can leave and allow your cat to explore it whenever they feel like it.
Is it a good idea to get my cat an interactive toy with catnip?
Catnip is a popular addition to many of the cat toys on the market. Many cat owners are not sure whether it is a good idea to get their cat a toy that contains this natural herb. The good news is that catnip has not been proven to be harmful for cats; in fact, there is evidence that catnip is actually good for cats, as it provides stimulation to their senses.
Why Trust Us
Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.