Cats need plenty of movement and mental stimulation to maintain physical and mental wellbeing.
Indoor cats are by design less active and mentally stimulated than their outdoor counterparts.
If you have an indoor cat, the best way to keep her active and entertained is to provide your cat with interactive cat toys.
Interactive cat toys will kill boredom and will keep your cat physically active and mentally stimulated.
To save you time, we have reviewed dozens of products on the market to pick the best interactive cat toys you can choose from.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
The Top 5 Best Interactive Cat Toys for Indoor Cats in 2023
Best Interactive Cat Toys for Indoor Cats – Reviews
1. SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Active Cats
SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug will kill boredom and keep your cat active and entertained for hours.
This interactive cat toy will satisfy your cat’s natural behaviors including pouncing, hiding, scratching, stalking, and nesting.
The toy consists of two separate pieces of carpet material made of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. The bottom piece is lined with rubber to prevent sliding around when a cat plays with it.
The top piece features different size holes as well as velcros that you attach to the bottom piece to create different shapes, tunnels, and caves for your cat to hide and play.
The material allows you to create different shapes and configurations so that your cat can never get bored.
Cat parents who bought this interactive cat toy said that it’s of very good quality and that the non-slip rubber at the bottom holds it very well in one place when the cats play.
The carpeted cat toy stimulates effectively the cat’s activity and exercise. A few of the cat owners reported that their cats lost weight since they started playing with the toy, hence it’s a good way to slim your cat.
Customers who bought this rug toy also mentioned that their cats like to scratch on it. Therefore the toy may well distract your cat from scratching on your furniture.
SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug Key Features:
- Promotes scratching
- Non-slip rubber bottom
- Made from PET post-consumer recycled plastic bottles
- Machine-washable
- Dimensions: 47 x 35 x 0.5 inches
2. Cat Amazing Sliders Treat Puzzle Cat Toy – Best Treat Puzzle Cat Toy
Cat Amazing Sliders Treat Puzzle Cat Toy is an interactive treat puzzle toy that will keep your cat stimulated and in a hunting mode for hours.
The main, big box features three small slider boxes inside. All you have to do is to put your cat’s favorite treats inside and watch your cat’s hunting instincts arise.
Your cat will start shifting and sliding the three inner boxes in pursuit of getting the treats.
This interactive cat toy is recommended by veterinarians to promote physical exercise and mental stimulation. It also works as a dry cat food dispenser and puzzle feeder for slower eating and weight loss management.
The product is made with industrial-strength double-layer cardboard which ensures durability. The materials as well as the inks are 100% cat safe and planet-friendly.
Cat owners who bought this interactive cat toy said they assembled it in seconds.
Cat Amazing Sliders Treat Puzzle Cat Toy Key Features:
- Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 9 inches
- Made with industrial-strength double-layer cardboard
- Dry cat food dispenser and puzzle feeder for weight loss management
3. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Bored Indoor Cats
SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy will bring a highly energetic activity and exercise to your indoor cat’s routine.
The product is an electronic, battery-powered interactive cat toy. It consists of a plastic base with a motor mechanism which stirs the wand.
There is a furry pray with a ribbon attached to the end of the wand. The base and the wand are covered with a round light fabric, where the wand with a furry prey is hidden.
The toy has two speeds, a faster and a slower one. The furry prey will make complete circles, half-circles, and small movements.
There are tiny rubber pads attached to the base of a toy which prevents the item from sliding around on hard surfaces.
The device will turn off automatically after a while of inactivity to save battery life.
SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy Key Features:
- Battery-powered mechanism
- Two different speed options
- Switches off automatically after a period of inactivity
- Dimensions: 22.5 x 22.5 x 3 inches
4. Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit Toy – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Kittens
Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit Toy will stimulate even the laziest cat with sound, touch, and sight.
This interactive cat toy consists of a partially covered track with a ball that lights up when the cat paws it.
The circuit is constructed from eight pieces that you can shape in different ways. For example, you can make a circle-shaped track out of them.
The surface of the track is uneven and the ball goes up and down the slopes to give it more speed.
Cat parents who bought this interactive cat toy said that the lighten-up balls effectively catch their cats’ attention. The ball lights up without batteries, you simply need to pull out a plastic bit on the ball that will allow it to light up once a cat touches the ball.
Cat parents of large cats with big paws mentioned that their cats were not able to paw the ball easily.
Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit Toy Key Features:
- Lighted-up ball effectively draws the cat’s attention
- No batteries required
- Dimensions: 8 inches x 9.5 inches x 9.5 inches
5. Pet Fit For Life Interactive Cat Wand – Best Cat Wand Toy
If you want to get your cat active and make her body moving, then the Pet Fit For Life Interactive Cat Wand is a perfect fit.
This interactive cat toy will immerse your cat in playing and pouncing. It will also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.
The wand is 33 inches long and has three different attachments that are extremely appealing to cats: a furry tail, a feather boa, and a snake. You can be sure your cat will go crazy about them.
The wand’s handle is soft and made from foam for comfortable gripping during the long hours of playing with your cat.
The product is made with a high-quality carbon fiber material, the same as fishing poles are made. This makes it a very durable and flexible wand, resistant to high pressures.
Cat parents who bought this wand praised it for being ‘unbreakable’.
Pet Fit For Life Interactive Cat Wand Key Features:
- 33 inches long
- Made from high-quality carbon fiber
- Soft, foam handle
- Three attachments: a furry tail, a feather boa & a snake
6. PETMAKER Cat Activity Center – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Cats Home Alone
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center is a cozy and entertaining interactive cat toy that your cat will fall in love with.
The base of a play center is a soft, zebra print fleece mat that provides a comfortable and relaxing place to play and lounge on.
To the top of the activity station are attached four hanging toys for your cat to swat on.
The product is collapsible to a convenient size for easy storage or for travel. It’s lightweight and portable so that you can easily take it with you from one place to another.
This cozy cat activity center will keep your cat entertained and stimulated when you are not at home. It’s generally safe and doesn’t need much supervision from human.
The product is suitable for kittens and cats of all ages and sizes.
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center Key Features:
- Dimensions: 22” L X 22” W x 14.5” H
- Collapsible design for easy storage and travel
- Suitable for kittens and cats of all ages and sizes
- 4 hanging toys
7. Bergan Turboscratcher Cat Toy – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Scratching
Bergan Turboscratcher Cat Toy is a round chaser toy with a spinning ball combined with a scratching cardboard pad in the middle.
This interactive cat toy provides your cat with exercise and mental stimulation. It also provides a place to scratch on, distracting your cat from clawing on your furniture.
The product features non-skid feet so that it won’t move around when a cat plays with it.
The scratchpad is replaceable, so when it shreds, you don’t need to buy the whole toy again.
The colors are selected randomly at the time of shipment based on availability.
Bergan Turboscratcher Cat Toy Key Features:
- Replaceable cardboard scratchpad
- Non-skid feet
- Comes with catnip
- Dimensions: 16” diameter x 1.88
8. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Independent Play
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy encourages independent play and will keep your cat’s attention for when you’re not at home.
This cat toy is a three-tier circle tower, equipped with three bright-colored balls designed to attract your cat’s attention, to bat and spin around.
The product is sturdy and has a non-slip base that keeps it in one place during playing.
Cat parents who bought this interactive cat toy reported that the balls don’t come out easily from the tracks.
The toy’s dimensions are rather on the smaller side, so this interactive cat toy is more suitable for kittens and small cats, rather than large adult cats. On the positive side, the toy’s small footprint makes it great to fit into smaller spaces.
The design of this interactive cat toy encourages a cat to play independently and does not require human supervision. You can rest reassured your cat is safe while playing with this toy when you are not at home.
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy Key Features:
- 3 balls
- Non-slip base
- Small footprint
- Dimensions: 9.75″L x 9.75″W x 6″H
9. Kitty City Tunnel Bed – Best Cat Tunnel
Kitty City Tunnel Bed is a toy where your cat can chase and hide all day round.
The circular tunnel is formed by zipping two tubes together. Once zipped, there is a round place formed in the middle of the tunnel where a plush cat pad is inserted, which creates a cozy bed for your cat.
This cat tunnel takes up quite a lot of space and is suitable for large and multiple cats.
The tunnel is made of a thin fleece. Cat parents who bought this product said that the tunnel is surprisingly quiet, unlike other cat tunnels made of crackly fabric which can be quite noisy.
There is a hanging toy attached to the entrance of the tunnel for added fun.
The tunnel is foldable for easy storage and travel.
Kitty City Tunnel Bed Key Features:
- Suitable for large and multiple cats
- Made from fleece material on the tubes, plush bed material, plastic zippers
- Machine-washable
- Dimensions: 39” W x 39” D x 12.5” H
10. PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy – Best Interactive Laser Cat Toy
PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy is a laser type of interactive cat toy that will appeal to your cat’s natural hunting instincts.
The automatically rotated mirror beams the laser out in random patterns. Your cat will be chasing and pouncing on the moving laser dot.
The battery-powered device has operates in two modes. You can either choose an automatic mode that allows for hands-free solo play or a manual mode where you are in charge of creating your own patterns of laser light.
The laser features a timer that automatically turns the laser off after 15 minutes to conserve battery life and not to over-stimulate the cat.
The product doesn’t come with batteries, which you will have to buy separately.
PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy Key Features:
- Laser technology
- Automatic and manual modes
- Timer switch off a device after 15 minutes of playing
- Battery-powered (batteries need to be purchased separately)
- Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 9 inches
11. Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Multiple Cats
Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel will provide your cat with hours of stimulating playtime.
This interactive cat toy is a construction of three tubes joined together in the middle, forming a seamless tunnel chute.
There is a peephole in the middle where the three tubes join and a swinging bell toy at the end of one of the tubes for additional engagement.
Each tube is 10 inches tall and 17 inches long. One of the tubes is lined with crackly paper for enhanced sound effects.
The tunnel construction does not collapse like other similar tunnels thanks to a polyester material wrapped around a steel frame.
The toy is easy to fold down for easy storage and travel.
Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel Key Features:
- Three tunnels in one
- Swinging bell toy
- Made from ultra-strong, tear-resistant polyester
- Foldable for easy storage and travel
- Dimensions: each tube is about 10 inches tall and 17 inches long
12. MIBOTE 24Pcs Cat Toys – Best Interactive Cat Toy on a Budget
MIBOTE Cat Toys Assortment is a set of 29 various interactive cat toys that will stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts and will keep your cat active all day long.
All the toys are made from non-toxic materials so that your cat can chew on them safely.
Cat owners who bought this assortment of interactive cat toys said that their cats were immediately interested in the toys and loved playing with them.
The assortment includes the following cat toys: 1x Cat Tunnel (dimensions: 19.7 inches long, 8.8 inches x 8.8 inches diameter), 1x Teaser Wand, 1x Tumbler Toy, 1x Linen Fish (rubbed with catnip), 2x Fake Fur Mice, 3x Cotton Mice, 1x Column Bell Toy, 2x Jingle Bell, 1x Linen Feature Toy, 1x Linen Ball, 1x Cat Plastic Ball, 1x Cage Mouse, 2x Rainbow Ball, 2x Sparkle Ball, 3x Crinkle Ball, 5x Chew Stick (made of a branch of a plant called actinidia polygama, rubbed with catnip), 1x Storage Bag.
MIBOTE Cat Toys Assortment Key Features:
- 29 different interactive cat toys in one purchase
- Made from non-toxic materials
13. PAWZ Road Cat Collapsible Tunnel – Best Interactive Cat Toy for Large Cats
PAWZ Road Cat Collapsible Tunnel is a great interactive cat toy for large cats.
The tunnel is very long (51 inches) and the openings are very large (12 inches diameter).
There are two vents on the top of the tunnel and a dangling toy inside the tunnel for added entertainment.
The product is made of a soft plush material on the outside and crackly nylon material inside the tube for added fun.
The tunnel has a solid sprung steel frame structure that allows for folding and setting up in seconds for easy storage and travel.
PAWZ Road Cat Collapsible Tunnel Key Features:
- Dimensions: 51 inches long, 12 inches diameter
- Made from plush cloth material on the outside, crackle nylon material on the inside
- Suitable for large cats
- Foldable design for easy storage and travel
- Two vents and a dangling toy
14. HEXBUG nano Robotic Cat Toy – Best Motion Cat Toy
HEXBUG nano Robotic Cat Toy crawls on a floor dragging a soft and colorful furry prey your cat will chase and pounce on.
This automatic cat play device uses the power of vibration technology. It can autonomously navigate around the corners of your house and change direction on its own when it bumps into obstacles.
This robotic cat toy can only work on hard and smooth surfaces, such as wooden floors. It won’t work well on a carpet.
The product comes together with the batteries so it’s ready to start playing with when you receive it.
The styles and colors are selected randomly at the time of shipment based on availability.
HEXBUG nano Robotic Cat Toy Key Features:
- Vibration technology
- Battery-powered (batteries included with the purchase)
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.5 x 0.75 inches
15. PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy – Best Cat Toy for Lonely Cats
PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy stimulates a fast-moving prey and will satisfy your cat’s hunting instincts.
A colorful feather will randomly pop out from one of the six holes at different time intervals. A device features a color LED light to draw your cat even more into the experience.
The product features anti-skid feet to keep the toy stable throughout the playtime even on smooth surfaces like wooden floors and tile.
The product comes with one replacement feather. You can also buy the replacement feathers separately in a 3-pack.
The battery features an 8-minute auto-shutoff feature that helps to extend its life.
PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy Key Features:
- Color LED light
- Anti-skid feet
- Battery features an 8-minute auto-shutoff feature
- Comes with one replacement feather
- Dimensions: 6.77 x 6.77 x 6.77 inches
Best Interactive Cat Toys – Buyer’s Guide
Who should buy an interactive cat toy
An interactive cat toy is a means to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated.
Cats that don’t have enough movement can become depressed, overweight, and may develop various mental and health conditions.
Also, a lack of any physical and mental stimuli will make your cat feel lonely and bored. A bored cat may retreat to excessive scratching on your furniture or damaging various objects in your home.
Playing with your cat will also strengthen the bond between you and your cat, so if you want your cat to be more into you, then start playing with her.
There are three types of cats that need interactive cat toys in particular: indoor cats, the only cats, kittens.
1) Indoor cats
A cat that lives or spends most of her time outdoors can find plenty of stimuli in the outside world. An outdoor cat can chase the insects, play with the plants and grass, hunt for mice or birds, and freely stretch and scratch on trees.
A domestic cat, locked indoors for most of the time, doesn’t have many opportunities to stay active and mentally stimulated, which can lead to boredom and depression.
A side effect of the constant state of boredom and deteriorated mental condition can lead to aggressive scratching of furniture. This behavior lets a cat vent out her desperation and anger. It also helps to get more exercise.
To avoid excessive scratching of furniture, provide your cat with interactive cat toys that enable scratching on them, such as SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug or Bergan Turboscratcher Cat Toy.
To help reducing scratching your furniture you should also provide your cat with a scratching post. You can read about different cat scratchers in our guide about the best cat scratching post.
2) The only cat
Although cats are very independent animals, they still need a lot of attention and engagement.
If a cat parent of an indoor cat spends most of their time at work, it’s recommended that a cat has another pet companion, so that they can play together and entertain each other.
If, however, there is no other cat or a person to accompany a strictly indoor cat, the lack of stimuli and engagement will eventually lead to a cat’s depression and may even result in serious behavioral problems.
To entertain and engage your cat when she stays home alone, supply your cat with appropriate interactive cat toys that she can play with when she is left at home alone, for example, PETMAKER Cat Activity Center or Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy.
Another great way to keep your cat active and entertained when nobody is home is to get your cat a cat tree. Cat trees are perfect for a cat to play, chase, and look at everything and everyone from a vantage point. To learn more about different cat trees read our guide to the best cat trees.
3) Kitten
Kittenhood is the most important period in the cat’s development. This is when a cat forms her future way of being and behaviors.
If you don’t provide a kitten with enough engagement and stimulation it might develop negative personality traits that will haunt your cat and you in later life.
Another thing is that kittens have tons of energy and you need to make sure that your kitten uses this power on the toys instead of your furniture.
You may also be interested in the following articles: