Although older cats are less active and prefer to spend more time lounging or sleeping, they still need a bit of mental and physical stimulation to keep their mind and body fit.
You should pick toys for your senior cat carefully. The toys that made your cat’s body twist and jump in the past, are no longer suitable for older cats as they may cause aching in the body and injuries.
Below we list the best cat toys for older cats. These cat toys will engage your cat mentally and physically but will keep risky gymnastics to a minimum.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
The Top 5 Best Cat Toys for Older Cats
| Brand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish |  | |
| PETMAKER Cat Activity Center |  | |
| AmazonBasics Multi-Level Cat Tree |   | |
| PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel |   | |
| Petstages Tower of Tracks |  |
Best Cat Toys for Older Cats – Reviews
1. Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish – Best Automatic Cat Toy for Older Cats
Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish will physically and mentally excite your older cat at the same time allowing your cat to play on her own terms and pace.
The toy is designed to self-entertain your cat without the need for human interaction.
The flopping fish will automatically start wiggling away each time your cat touches it, enticing your cat to play.
The toy is infused with catnip which will additionally attract your cat to start playing with the toy. The smell of catnip will also relax your cat and alleviate any stress and anxiety.
The product is made from safe and durable materials. The cover and a cotton plush inside the toy are safe and non-toxic so your cat can chew on the fish safely.
A great thing about this cat toy is that it’s USB chargeable, so you don’t need to spend additional money on batteries.
Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish Key Features:
- Dimensions: 11” x 4.5” x 1.25”
- Includes catnip
- Non-toxic materials
- USB chargeable
- Encourages independent play
2. PETMAKER Cat Activity Center – Best Activity Center for Older Cats
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center is a perfect toy for senior cats as it combines a place for lounging and for low-activity playing at the same time.
The bottom of the toy is made from a cozy fleece mat and there are four hanging toys attached to the ceiling.
Your senior cat can comfortably lounge and nap on the mat and when she feels like playing with the toys she can simply roll over and bat on the toys.
This cat toy is designed for self-entertainment and encourages a cat to play independently without a need for human participation.
This product is collapsible and lightweight, so that you can easily fold it down to a convenient size for easy storage and travel.
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center Key Features:
- Dimensions: 22” L x 22” W x 14.5” H
- Zebra print fleece material
- 4 hanging toys
- Foldable for easy storage and travel
- Encourages independent play
3. AmazonBasics Multi-Level Cat Tree – Best Cat Tree for Older Cats
AmazonBasics Multi-Level Cat Tree is a highly suitable cat tree for older cats.
The tree features several platforms that are staggered not far from each other which enables an old cat to easily jump from one level to another.
Your senior cat will be able to easily access this cat tree and then smoothly reach the top.
The tree features one spacious condo and two perches at the very top where your cat can observe the surroundings from the vantage point.
There is a hanging toy attached to the tree that your cat can bat and swat at.
The condo, platforms, and perches are covered with soft plush fabric and the scratching posts are wrapped with a sisal rope, the perfect material for filing cat’s nails.
This cat tree is durable and its natural colors will complement nicely any home decor.
AmazonBasics Multi-Level Cat Tree Key Features:
- Dimensions: 21.5” x 58” x 19”
- Sisal rope and soft plush fabric
- 1 condo and 2 top perches
- Encourages independent play
4. PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel – Best Cat Tunnel for Older Cats 
PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel is a great toy to keep senior cats active and engaged, but also a place where they can spend peaceful time hidden.
The tunnel is 46 inches (117 cm) long and has 10.5 inches (27 cm) of diameter so it’s spacious enough to comfortably fit large senior cats.
The tunnel features two peepholes and one hanging toy at the entrance of the tunnel which entices a cat to play with.
The tunnel has a unique S shape design that provides an additional level of agility.
The product is made of durable faux fur material and a solid sprung steel frame.
The product is collapsible so that you can fold it down to a small size for easy storage and travel.
PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel Key Features:
- Dimensions: 46” (117 cm) long and 10.5” (27 cm) diameter
- 2 peepholes and 1 hanging toy
- S shape design
- Faux fur
- Encourages independent play
5. Petstages Tower of Tracks – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Older Cats
Petstages Tower of Tracks is a great choice of toy for older cats because it won’t over-exercise your cat but will provide a good level of mental stimulation.
The toy features three levels of tracks and three brightly colored balls. The balls spin and roll as your cat bats and swats at them.
The toy is lightweight and has four small rubber feet attached to the base to prevent it from sliding.
There is a safety bar at the top of the toy so that a cat cannot put a head in it.
The interactive design of this toy encourages independent play and doesn’t require human participation.
Petstages Tower of Tracks Key Features:
- Dimensions: 10” x 10” x 5.25”
- 3 balls
- Non-slip base
- Encourages independent play
6. The K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch – Best Cat Window Perch for Older Cats
While not exactly a cat toy, a cat window perch is a great way to provide your older cat with some visual excitement and mental stimulation.
Simply attach the perch to the sill or window and let your cat enjoy basking in the sun and observing birds and the outside world for hours.
The K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch is a high quality heated cat window perch that you attach to the window sill.
The perch is sturdy and can support cats up to 40 pounds. The sleeping area measures 14 inches (35.5 cm) x 24 inches (61 cm) and can easily accommodate large cats.
The sitting area of the perch is made with soft orthopedic foam and covered with a faux-lambskin, removable and washable cover.
The heated perch features a removable, 6-watt heater. You can also choose an unheated version of this product.
The K&H Thermo-Kitty Sill Cat Window Perch Key Features:
- Dimensions of a sleeping surface: 14” (35.5 cm) x 24” (61 cm)
- Can hold up to 40 pounds
- Soft orthopedic foam
- 6-watt heater
- Heated and unheated versions available
7. SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys – Best Catnip Toy for Older Cats
SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys are perfect and safe toys to provide older cats with a bit of exercise at their own pace.
These fish flop catnip toys don’t feature any components that are easy to swallow such as strings or feathers, so you don’t need to worry that your senior cat will swallow something that may get stuck and hurt her intestines.
The SmartyKat brand also guarantees that their toys are always produced without chemicals and pesticides which may be harmful to a cat.
These fish flop catnip toys will entice your cat to play and exercise at their own pace, so that there is no risk that your cat will get over-exercised and injured.
SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys Key Features:
- Polyester and catnip
- 3 toys per package
- Encourages independent play
Best Cat Toys for Older Cats – Frequently Asked Questions
Do older cats need toys?
Older cats may seem to be fine sleeping and lounging for long hours, but it doesn’t mean they don’t crave any mental and physical entertainment.
Senior cats, similarly to elderly people, need plenty of mental and physical engagement to keep their minds and bodies fit and in good shape.
Older cats should not over-exercise and twist and jump too much as it may result in injuries. This is where appropriate cat toys come in place.
Cat toys suitable for older cats keep the activity to a minimum but still allow for mental and physical stimulation.
How do you keep an old cat entertained?
You can keep an old cat entertained by providing her with the cat toys and cat furniture suitable for senior cats.
The cat toys for older cats should keep the exercise to a minimum while at the same time engaging a cat mentally and physically. Some examples of such toys are PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel and Petstages Tower of Tracks.
Cat trees can provide senior felines with entertainment when they can sit at the top of the tree and observe the surroundings from a vantage point. Make sure you choose a cat tree that your senior cat will be able to easily access, like for example, the AmazonBasics Multi-Level Cat Tree.
Another way to mentally engage a senior cat is to provide her with a cat window perch. A cat can lounge on the perch and observe birds and the outside world from the window, which is highly stimulating for a cat.
Is catnip OK for older cats?
Catnip is fine for older cats and can be very useful in getting senior cats moving.
Older cats prefer to keep their activity low, but they still should maintain some degree of exercise to keep them fit.
Catnip can get older cats excited and make them want to move. Examples of cat toys for older cats with catnip are Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish and SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys.
How can I get my older cat to exercise?
You can get your older cat to exercise by providing her with cat toys suitable for older cats.
Cat toys for older cats should keep the exercise to a minimum but still provide mental and physical stimulation.
A good choice of toys for senior cats are the ones with catnip. Catnip will excite your cat and entice her to start to play.
Do old cats get bored?
Although older cats spend a lot of time lounging and napping, they still can become bored and feel lonely.
You can make sure your cat stays mentally stimulated by providing her with cat toys and cat trees designed for older cats.
Also, a window cat perch is a great way to keep your cat entertained by watching what’s going on outside the window.
How do older cats play?
Older cats don’t play as much and as fiercely as kittens and adult cats, but they still need mental and physical stimulation to keep in good mental and physical health.
Older cats enjoy mild chasing and pouncing, swatting on hanging toys, and visual and mental stimulations like observing birds and the outside world.
Providing your senior cat with low-activity, mentally stimulating cat toys will make your cat engaged and happy.
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