Americans love their cats. It explains the fact that nearly 43 million American households are owned by felines.1 While toys arent high on the list of expenses, we like to spoil our pets. After all, they make it so fun to watch. You may be surprised to learn that we share more cat videos than selfies, to the tune of over 3.8 million versus 1.4 million.2Pet owners know that cats are tenacious when it comes to playing. Part of the reason is that many toys simulate hunting. Think of how many products resemble mice, squirrels, and birds. That instinct runs strong in felines. In many ways, cats are closer to their wild nature than dogs. Canines diversified into so many different roles. Hunting often gets lost, especially in companion animals.Toys are an excellent way to keep cats mentally healthy, especially if they live indoors. Our roundup of reviews cuts to the chase to highlight the best cat toys to keep your feline BFF happy without the caught mice and voles.In this articleOur Top Picks At a GlanceOur ReviewsBuyers GuideOur Selection ProcessWhy Trust Catster?Final ThoughtsView 5More +Less -A Quick Glance at the Winners in 2025 Image Product Details Best Overall Hepper Catnip Stick Toy Filled with 100% organic catnip Beautiful pastel colors Great for cats to bite and kick at CHECK PRICE Hepper Hessian Catnip Mice Toy Set Great for all life stages Encourages self-play & exercise High quality and affordable price CHECK PRICE Petlinks Motion Electronic Toy 4 different speed options Engaging Simple CHECK PRICE Yeowww! Catnip Banana Toy Clever design Larger size Made in the USA CHECK PRICE Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy Engages pets Easy to clean Affordably priced CHECK PRICE The 12 Best Cat Toys1. Hepper Catnip Stick Toys Best Overall Check Price on Amazon Check Price on HepperTheres nothing quite like watching your cat go crazy for catnip. A good catnip toy provides hours of fun, and Heppers Catnip Stick Toy do more than fit the bill. These durable toys are double-layered with tough material to withstand even the most enthusiastic of cats.The toys are crafted to give your cat the best experience with catnip and are long and slender to provide a good amount of room to kick and bite. Theyre pretty, too; the toys come in lovely pastel colors, which we think is a nice touch. These sticks are filled with 100% organic catnip and can really motivate your cat to exercise. The beauty of this toy, too, is that it needs no adult supervision, so if your cat is home alone, the toy can be used.Cats need stimulation and exercise to be healthy and happy, so bringing a beautiful, irresistible toy into the home can get them moving in no time. All it takes is one sniff of Heppers Stick Toy, and your cat will bounce off the walls. We loved that the toy is made to last and gave it the number one spot as our best cat toy.At Catster, weve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!Pros Durable Filled with 100% organic catnip Beautiful pastel colors Great for cats to bite and kick atCons Wont be as fun for cats that dont react to catnip2. Hepper Hessian Catnip Mice Toy Set Check Price on Amazon Check Price on HepperThe Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is our pick for the best cat toy this year. Its one of the best high-quality, price for value cat toys you can add to your pets collection.It will keep your cat active and entertained. These playful mice come in two different sizes, whether they are energetic kittens or full-grown adult cats.Crafted with natural hessian fabric thats non-toxic and resistant to cat biting, these toys can handle all the kicking, tossing, and clawing your cat throws at them. Each mouse is filled with premium catnip and is lightweight, making them easy to carry around for self-guided play.It comes a very affordable price, especially for its high quality. When the catnip scent naturally fades over time, or if youre buying it for a multi-cat household, you can confidently stock up on replacements, knowing youre investing in durable, enriching toys your cats will actually use.At Catster, weve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!Pros High quality and affordable price Encourages self-play & exercise Great for all life stagesCons The catnip scent will fade eventually3. Petlinks Mystery Motion Electronic Motion Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe premise of the Petlinks Mystery Motion Electronic Motion Cat Toy is so simple, yet its absolutely brilliant when it comes to engaging your pet. You might think that your feline would get bored with it. Certainly not! Even though the motion just involves going around in a circle, it never gets old. Your cat will still play with it and even paw at it to get you to push the button.The toy runs on three AAA batteries. While they arent included with your purchase, they add some welcome weight to it to keep it upright Thats a great thing because avid fans will turn it up a notch the more they get used to its action. Youll likely find that your cat may paw at it for you to turn it on so that she can play.Pros Four different speed options EngagingCons Tips easily Batteries not included4. Yeowww! Catnip Banana Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Yeowww! Catnip Banana Cat Toy may seem large at 7 inches, but the size makes sense. Your kitten can grab hold of it for bunny kicking. The addition of catnip seals the deal. The shape and nip make this toy irresistible. Thats the proverbial double-edged sword when it comes to some pets. They will go off on this banana and may destroy it. Fortunately, its not too expensive to replace.We have to give props to the manufacturer for the design. It certainly is a hit. We liked the fact that its made in the USA, too. Unfortunately, its not refillable if your cat breaches the outer fabric layer. If that happens, its probably done. However, the toy is so darn cute, too. Because of its size, its probably a better choice for adults instead of kittens.Pros Clever design Larger size Made in the USACons Nonrefillable Not indestructibleSee also:10 Best Cat Toys for Indoor Cats Reviews & Top Picks5. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe concept of the Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy is so simpleand so addicting for felines! Cats cant resist the swirling balls that fortunately they cant pop out of the rings. The fact that its plastic is a boon. Its easy to clean and keeps the price reasonable. Its also indestructible, even for the toughest pet. Shes not going to break this one. Instead, shes going to love it and come back to it often.While its lightweight at only 9.6 ounces, the non-skid rubber feet keep the toy in place if your kitten gets especially zealous in her play. Fortunately, the design accounts for this fact with a quiet usage no matter how intense it gets. This is one of the most popular cat toys this year too.Pros Engages pets Easy to clean Affordably pricedCons Some quality control issues6. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Motion Cat Toy is another interactive hunting-pursuit product that cat young or old will enjoy and is one of the top cat toys this year. The design is spot-on to simulate prey hiding under the cover. The toy is a flexible rod that adds to the erratic movement. It moves then pauses as lights flash before the action begins again. That addition is brilliant because it builds up anticipation in your pet.On the downside, its easy for an energetic cat to tip over or get her nails caught in the polyester covering. Felines with long claws will put holes in it. On a positive note, we loved the auto-shutdown feature to save on battery life. The toy runs on three AAs. It also includes a small packet of catnip, which isnt necessary to get your pets addition. However, we did appreciate the treat.Pros Two speeds Toy motion mimics real-life Auto shutdown Environmentally-friendly constructionCons Easy for cats to tip over Flimsy cover7. Hepper Fish and Chews Check Price on HepperFish and Chews is an adorable and fun toy for any cat! It is essentially a fishing rod with a sinker and fish on the end, and it provides your cat with multiple playing options. You can dangle the fish so your cat can give chase or just let your kitty play with the fish on its own.The rod is made with birch and is almost 18 inches long, with a 31- to 33-inch string in a sturdy polyester material. The fish is 7.4 inches and is made with cotton and wool, so its nicely sized for cats of all shapes and sizes.This toy is handmade with primarily natural materials, and its machine washable. Its also available in four colors: beige, ivory, charcoal, and mixed.The primary disadvantage of this toy is that its quite expensive. But given the quality of the materials and the fact that its handmade, this isnt unexpected.At ExcitedCats.com, weve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!Pros Multiple playing options Made with natural materials Handmade Machine washable Available in four colorsCons Expensive8. Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy View Latest PriceThe Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy is one of those products that you may have to teach your pet how to use. However, once she gets the hang of it, shell love it! It plays on the cats instinct to stick with the hunt. The ball is always just out of their reach. The toy also has a cardboard insert on which you can sprinkle a bit of catnip to entice your pet to play. The product comes with a small sample.The pad helps teach your pet to scratch on something other than the furniture. On the downside, it is messy. Youll find that you must vacuum often after a rousing playtime. You can get replacements for it. Just make sure to get them from the same brand to make sure they fit. We like how the toy engages our cat. However, it can get loud sometimes.Pros Cardboard scratchpad Entertaining Wont flip over easilyCons Messy Loud9. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy View Latest PriceThe Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy is another best cat toy for cats home alone on our list that will amuse your cat. This one has three rings with balls that she can bat inside of them, with each one moving independently of the others. The premise is clever. It also includes two butterfly attachments for the top of the toy. We thought they got more in the way of the rest of it. They were also a bit flimsy.One issue you may encounter with these kinds of toys is your pet popping out the balls. If she gets a paw underneath them, theyll go flying. Its not a big deal to get them back inside the ring. Just dont lose them. The manufacturer does not sell replacements. We thought that was a fail on their part since its inevitable that a cat is going get at least one out of the toy.Pros Easy to clean Non-skid feetCons Replacement balls unavailable Butterflies not well-made10. Pet Fit for Life Squiggly Wand Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Pet Fit for Life Squiggly Wand Cat Toy is a great way to interact with your pet and reinforce your bond. The value of this product is that itll never get boring. You can mix it up and keep your kitty playing. The wand is made of carbon fiber so that it can take a lot of punishment. It comes with five worms in different colors, which is more for you than your cat. Replacements are available.Theres no doubt your pet will enjoy this toy. The wand is long enough to keep your hands and fingers from the frontline. However, we have to admit that it gets boring for us after a while, especially if youre good at using it. We recommend inspecting the worm before playtime. A determined cat will tear it apart easily. Theres a reason that the manufacturer included several additional pieces.Pros Excellent action Replacements available Fun interaction with petsCons Tiresome after a while Choke hazard11. Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy goes to the other end of the spectrum with a product that takes on the playing task for you. This mouse-like toy scurries around the floor. It runs on an AG13/LR44 battery, which is included with your purchase. The concept sounds fine out of the box. You can think of it as an electronic babysitter for your cat.There are a few problems. First, it can only work well on hard surfaces. It may move a little on the carpet, depending on how thick it is. The whole point is to get your pet to chase it. The toy goes in random directions, so it can get lost if youre not paying attention. We also have concerns if a kitten chews on it because of the smaller parts and battery. The latter is toxic and can cause intestinal blockages.Pros Hands-off play Battery includedCons Hard surfaces only Gets lost easily Choking hazard12. Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent Cat Toy Check Price on Chewy Check Price on AmazonThe value of the Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent Cat Toy is your pets instinct to find cover. This product does it well. However, its a bit on the small side if you have a larger adult. The holes are also a bit tight to engage in peek-a-boo, as the description suggests. It has a detachable ball that you can put on one of the entrances. Our experience is that cats tire of those types of toys quickly.We didnt see this product as much of a toy as a place for your pet to nap. Kittens might make more of a game out of stalking each other than older cats. There is a mat inside of it to make it more comfortable. Unfortunately, the material is a bit thin. Rambunctious pets will make short work of it, too. We were also hard-pressed to see the value of the side openings as described.Pros Fun hiding placeCons Too small for some adults Tight side openingsBuyers Guide: How to Find the Best Cat Toy for Your CatAs weve discussed, cats are a ball to watch playing. Many adults still act like kittens, which we adore. Theres a good reason why we watch the Kitty Halftime show every year. Buying quality toys is just as essential for them as it is for you. Your pet gets the mental stimulation she needs, and you get to laugh at her antics. Its a feline version of the win-win.Things to consider when shopping for cat toys include: Durability Choking risk Engagement factor PriceAll play a role in the value youll get from these products. Well delve into each one and discuss the essential features to look for in a cat toy. Well also provide some tips about the best ways to use them to save you time and money.DurabilityMany pet owners choose to declaw their cats because of their destructive scratching behavior. If your kitten still has her claws, you are probably well-acquainted with the damage they can do. Now, think about toys. If they can shred a carpet, they can do the same thing to a plush toy. The first factor we always consider with these products is how well they will hold up under vigorous use.After all, the whole point of getting toys is to keep them occupied and as an appropriate alternative to your furniture. Cats are going to scratch something. Its evitable because its instinctive. The thinking among animal behaviorists is that scratching is a form of communication for felines. They are not sharpening their claws as much as they are trying to mark their space.Think about how cats use their claws. They bring down prey, climb trees, and play with their toys. Ripstop materials, such as nylon, are excellent places to start for finding indestructible products. Even if your kitten only has her back ones, she can still do a lot of damage. That brings us to our next factor.Choking RiskMany manufacturers acknowledge the destructive behavior of cats with disclaimers, cautioning pet owners to supervise their animals. Thats sound advice to a point. Felines are independent creatures, with many able to make anything a toy. However, the point is well-taken because a destroyed toy presents a choking hazard if your pet ingests the smaller pieces.Another risk exists for bowel obstructions if your pet swallows fabric or stuffing materials. That is an emergency that often requires surgery. Its one reason that we strongly urge you to inspect your pets toys regularly. Replacements are much cheaper than the alternative. Even a small tear is enough reason to toss it out and get another one.Engagement FactorThe engagement factor is a significant selling point with cat toys. Many products like balls will catch your pets eye immediately once she spots it rolling away from her. Others have a higher learning curve, making it necessary to show your pet how to use them. Some of the best products play on the felines instincts to chase would-be prey.Youll find a host of choices, ranging from chews to catnip toys to fake mice. You must also consider your role in play. Products like teasers and wands require action on your part. You supply the engagement factor. We like these items because it reinforces the bonds between you and your pet. Many breeds are quite gregarious, so you may find that your kitten has boundless energy for playing.There are also interactive and electronic toys, like several in our roundup of reviews. The main benefit of these products is that they challenge your cat. Puzzles and food-dispensing toys make your cat have to think to get the reward. The mental stimulation they provide is priceless. Often, pets will play longer with these kinds of toys. That adds to their value because of the exercise they encourage.Image Credit by: Maximilian100, ShutterstockPricePrice is always a consideration. The cost of these products has increased in recent years as pet ownership has risen. Theres also the widening gap between owners and pet parents. People are more likely to think of their companion animals as members of the family. That likely means that they are more willing to pay more to keep them happy.That fact isnt lost on the manufacturers and sellers in the industry, either.Our advice is to stick with companies that produce high-quality products. Toys that wont fall apart are worth the extra cash upfront. Do your homework, and find out the materials and construction of them before you buy them. It helps to think of your cat as a curious toddler wholl try to figure out how something works, even if it means breaking it.We recommend Chewy, and we think its one of the best places to find toys for your cat.Keeping Your Cat EntertainedIf youve owned a cat for any length of time, you quickly realize one thing. These animals are smart and inquisitive. If they can find the trick to something, they will. Their tenaciousness also stokes the fire. These are excellent traits in a pet and make a strong argument for the interactive toys we discussed. However, it also means that your cat may get bored quickly with some products.The best way to get your pet interested in the toys you buy her is to switch them out once in a while. Let your cat have her fun with one of them. When it looks like shes losing interest, swap it for a different type of toy. Even if its one shes used before, itll seem like something new to her. And the cycle will continue. Its an excellent way to keep your toy budget under control, too.Our Cat Toys Selection ProcessCatsters dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best cat toys. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cats needs.Why Trust Catster?Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about cat toys. Were a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary teams experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.Final VerdictTo conclude, we think that the Hepper Catnip Stick Toy is the best cat toy overall and is an excellent choice for cats that are home alone. Whether your cat is chewing, kicking or tossing it around, this self-play today has many possibilities that will entertain your cat.In second place, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is probably one of the best cat toys for you keeping them highly entertained and active.The best cat toys will stand up to the claws and teeth of your pet. Theyll stand the test of time to keep your kitten engaged and off the furniture. Our roundup includes several ways to provide healthy mental stimulation for your cat. Its an ideal way to keep her sharp and less destructive. After all, keeping your feline friend happy is the purr-fect way to ensure a good quality of life.You might also like:Best Cat Toys for Cats Home Alone Reviews & Top PicksBest Robot Cat Toys Reviews & Top Picks