The Best Kitten Toys

Kittens are notoriously energetic and playful, making them just as ornery as they are cute. Their sharp claws can wreak havoc on your furniture and carpet when left to their own devices, but getting a variety of toys can help them stay busy instead of scratching up your home. All cats have different temperaments and preferences, but finding the right toy for them can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best kitten toys so you can spare your sofas and spend more playtime with your furry friend.

What to Look For

When narrowing down the best kitten toys, we considered price, design, and variety. For example, if you wanted a simple toy that comes at an affordable price, the SmartyKat skitter critters cat toys are a great option. If you want a great variety of toys, Mibote’s assorted pack has just about every type of toy you could want in one convenient bundle. Read on to see all our picks and find the toy that’s right for your kitten.

Flurff Toy Butterfly

The butterfly effect

This battery-powered toy can keep your cats chasing with ease.
Best Overall

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It’s only natural for cats to chase any small creatures they find, whether they’re mice, birds, bees, or even butterflies. With this handy toy, your cats don’t have to search high and low for new prey. This toy uses a teaser wand with a butterfly attached to the end of it to entice your cats’ hunting skills and lure them in. The base waves the wand back and forth, giving your pets a moving target to run after. With this much fun all wrapped in one box, the chase is on.

Pros:

  • This comes with two replacement butterflies, so you can have extras even if your cats tear them to shreds.
  • We like that this is a self-play toy. It’s great for lone cats or keeping the whole gang occupied while you’re at work.

Cons:

  • This product runs on batteries, and they’ll need replacing, but it’s a small price to pay for cat entertainment.

Migipaws Automatic Moving Ball Toy

Touchdown

This cat football toy is great for keeping your pets active and on the prowl.
Runner Up

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When humans play or compete, we normally choose to do so in the form of sports. You can bring that same energy to your cat’s playtime. This cat football is built to keep cats occupied and engaged. It moves automatically via motion sensors to keep them chasing, and it even comes with mice and feather attachments. Whether your kittens are on offense or defense, it’s always a home game with this football toy.

Pros:

  • The battery is easy to recharge by USB, so there’s no need to buy replacement batteries.
  • This toy can work for cats playing alone or with other cats, so it can benefit your household no matter how many pets you have.

Cons:

  • The battery can run into problems after recharging, but even if the battery fails, it’s still a fun toy for your cats.

Mibote Kitten Toys Assorted Pack

The more the merrier

This large pack of toys gives your cat a wide variety to choose from.
Best Set

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If you’re not sure what type of toy your cat will like, this assorted bundle is a great place to start. It comes with an assortment of toys that cats can enjoy on their own or with you for some quality playtime. Some are based on fish and mice, while other toys have fun appearances or textures. It really is like a playground for your kittens, so you can’t go wrong with this bargain.

Pros:

  • The price is actually a great value considering the number of toys you get.
  • It comes with a toy storage bag so you can keep them all together instead of spreading them across your home.

Cons:

  • The materials used may wear easily, but this all depends on your cat’s preferences and play intensity.

SmartyKat Skitter Critters Cat Toys

Affordable fun

These toy mice are a simple way to keep your cat occupied without spending too much.
Best On A Budget

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If you have an energetic little kitten and they’re still chomping at the bit to chase prey as they would in the wild, these toy critters can be a great substitute. Rather than let your little one roam free, these artificial mice can provide a way for them to hone their animal instincts and chase them around as they would outdoors. They’re quite affordable, so you can buy them in bulk. Best of all, they replicate a cat’s natural instincts to stalk prey, but in a safe and healthy way.

Pros:

  • We think these mice provide great exercise for cats as they run and chase them around the house.
  • They’re filled with catnip, so they’ll entice your cat for hours of play.

Cons:

  • They will inevitably get chased under couches, behind dressers, or into small crevices to be lost forever, but they’re very affordable to replace.

Lasocuhoo Cat Rainbow Wand

What a tease

This enticing teasing ribbon may be simple, but it’s made for hours of fun.
Best Interactive Toy

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Although most cat toys are built to help them entertain themselves, this toy is based around you interacting with your pet. It can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and want your kitten to play by themselves, but playing with your cat can be a fun way to bond together. The design of this toy is very straightforward, but sometimes simpler is better. Even though it’s just a ribbon on a wand, it can provide hours of fun for your furry friend.

Pros:

  • This toy is very affordable and built for a great value.
  • Since your kitten will have to chase down the ribbon, it can provide more exercise for your cat than other toys.

Cons:

  • This does require you to dedicate time and energy to play with your pet, but that’s just another great part of being a pet owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are kitten toys different than cat toys?

No, kitten toys and cat toys are mostly meant for all ages of cats. Although kittens are more playful and may lean towards certain types of toys, every cat is different, and the toys can be used no matter how big or small your cat is.

Do I have to play with my cat?

Playing with your cat will most likely help them develop a bond with you and is one of the benefits of being a cat owner. It’s also a great way to enjoy the company of your pet. Leaving them to entertain themselves can lead to boredom or mischievous activity.

About the Author

Mitchell is a proud dad of two rescued feral cats, and he is very fond of their curious nature. He knows that it takes some time for cats to open up to their humans, and he knows exactly how daunting it can be to be a first time cat owner. He hopes to share his expertise and his experiences with his own cats with other cat owners so they can give their pets happy, healthy lives.

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.