The Best Enrichment Toys For Cats
Cats need to stay active and engaged, which is why the right enrichment toys are so important. If your cat has a boredom-busting arsenal of playtime supplies, they'll enjoy hours of entertainment for their mind and body. In this article, we'll review some of the most engaging cat toys available today. From interactive tracks to automated toys, you're sure to find something special here that your feline friend will love.
What to Look For
When looking for the best enrichment toys for cats, start by considering what your feline companion likes to do and how you can bring that fun into their world. Look for interactive options offering a variety of activities such as exploring, digging, hiding, and hunting. Make sure whatever you choose is safe – no sharp edges or small pieces made of toxic materials. For example, Cat Amazing’s puzzle box exercises your cat’s mind while they “hunt” for treats. However, if you want to keep your cat fit and mentally engaged, we recommend Doc & Phoebe’s hunting cat feeder. They’re shaped like mice, and all you have to do is place them around your home. Your cat will love finding their prey. Read on to learn more about our top picks.
Cat Amazing Cat Treat Puzzle Box
A puzzling choice
This award-winning puzzle box for cats will surely be a hit with your inquisitive feline. It features three chambers, each with their own level of difficulty. Just throw in some treats and watch your cat go for it. We found that cats, young and old appreciate the challenge particularly because this puzzle box engages with their natural instincts. And if you own multiple cats, rest assured that it’s durable and large enough for rambunctious play. Plus, the box is intentionally lightweight so that it will slide around on the floor, so your cat exercises both their mind and body. What’s not to love?
Pros:
- Quite durable, considering that it’s basically just cardboard.
- Most cats really engage with this toy
- Suitable for multi-cat homes
- Eco-friendly materials
- Excellent replay value
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- Treats can get stuck
Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder
It’s a well-known fact that cats love to hunt mice. But if you’re like us, we’d prefer to keep the mouse entrails in our home at a minimum. That’s why we love Doc & Phoebe’s unique cat feeder. Their mouse-shaped design is sure to grab your cat’s attention; if that doesn’t, the treats you place inside will. But you don’t have to just place treats in this feeder. In fact, we’d recommend using these as a creative way for their daily chow. Cats are natural-born hunters, so if you place these around the house, it’s pretty much a guarantee that they’ll find their prey. Even better, this toy will keep them from scratching up your sofa or chewing your drapes.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Great for portion control
- Ideal for kittens and adult cats
- Deters your cat from deviant behavior
- Successfully engages cats’ hunting instincts
- Designed to be used twice a day to match your cat’s natural feeding cycle
Cons:
- May take some cats a while to adjust to this new form of feeding
Trixie Activity Fun Board
The game is afoot
If you want to challenge your cat, you should certainly consider the Trixie Activity Fun Board. We love how it engages with a cat’s five senses. There are four stations — globe, peg, alley, tongue, and tunnel — each varying in difficulty. For example, the globe station looks like a fish bowl and allows cats to use their paws to scoop out treats, while the tongue station is for liquid treats, where they’re discouraged from using their paws. And since you’ll be using both wet and dry food, we’re pleased to report that this activity board is dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Challenging but not frustratingly difficult
- Keeps cats occupied for some time
- Excellent replay value
- Durably designed
Cons:
- More adept cats might figure out the puzzles too quickly
AmazinglyCat Flopping Lobster
Sometimes a cat needs more than just a limp, lifeless toy to bat around — they want their toy to bat right back. That’s where AmazinglyCat’s flopping lobster comes to play. This interactive sea creature operates automatically courtesy of the built-in motion sensor. Plus, AmazinglyCat includes a USB cord so you can quickly charge it up for the next play session. And while this fluffy toy may get slobbered by your kitty, we found that you just throw this lobster right in the washer.
Pros:
- Most cats get really excited over the flopping motion of this toy
- Fun to play with, but also cuddly
- Comes with catnip
- Surprisingly quiet
- Long battery life
- Very durable
Cons:
- Toy may be too big for some cats’ tastes
PetSafe Cheese Automatic Cat Toy
This fun cat toy is perfect for solo play. It operates automatically, so you’re cat will be entertained even when you’re not home. We don’t think your curious furball will be able to resist batting at the pesky mice as they pop their heads in and out. Durability-wise, this toy can handle some rough play, which is great for multi-pet homes. And since it uses AAA batteries, you can place this toy anywhere.
Pros:
- Instantly peaks your cat’s attention
- Cats of all ages engage with this toy
- Affordably priced
- Sturdy design
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Not motion activated
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are enriching cat toys important?
They provide cats with stimulating activities that encourage them to stay mentally and physically active. These toys also help to reduce anxiety, boredom, and destructive behaviors in cats by engaging their natural instincts, such as hunting and stalking. Finally, these toys can provide a great way for bonding between owners and cats since the two parties can interact during playtime.
What if my cat doesn’t engage with their puzzle box?
First, ensure that the puzzle is set up appropriately so your cat has access to all the treats or rewards inside. If your cat still isn’t engaging with the box, try putting some toys around the base and leaving them for a few days to encourage playtime. You can also put food on shelves and windowsills if you have those accessible for your pet — cats love hunting for meals. They might then give the puzzle box another try.
About the Author
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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.