Playing plays a vital role in a kitten’s development. It helps a kitten with socialization, staying fit, and mentally alert.
As kittens are uber-active and mischievous, it’s also important to channel their endless energy in the right direction.
A bored, understimulated kitty is more likely to display destructive behaviors like scratching furniture or aggression.
Providing a kitten with appropriate toys will engage your fluffy little friend mentally and physically and save your belongings from damage.
The toys that require playing on your part will also strengthen the bond between you and your kitty.
To save you time, we have picked the best toys for kittens in the list below.
Without further ado let’s dive in.
The Top 5 Best Toys for Kittens
| Brand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pet Fit For Life Multi Feather Teaser and Exerciser |   | |
| SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug |   | |
| Ethical Sponge Soccer Balls |  | |
| PEEKAB Cat Toy |  | |
| Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel |   |
Best Toys for Kittens – Reviews
1. Best Cat Wand for Kittens – Pet Fit For Life Multi Feather Teaser and Exerciser
There is no better toy to get your kitty’s body exercising, twisting, and jumping than playing with a cat wand.
Pet Fit For Life Multi Feather Teaser and Exerciser is the best, longest, and the most durable cat wand on the market.
The wand is made of indestructible, non-toxic, fiberglass, the same material as the fishing poles are made. It is guaranteed to not break even under the most intense play.
The wand is 33 inches long and has an equally long, 33 inches string. The toy is made of two pieces put together, so you can take the wand apart for easy storage.
The wand comes with two feathery attachments and a detachable bell that are guaranteed to mesmerize your kitty and immerse in active playing.
This cat toy requires a cat parent to play together with a kitty, which will strengthen a bond between you two. The good news for you, the wand is lightweight and has a soft, foam handle so that you can hold it comfortably even for a prolonged length of time.
Never leave the wand with the kitty without human supervision because your kitty may get entangled in the string.
Pet Fit For Life Multi Feather Teaser and Exerciser Key Features:
- Encourages jumping, twisting, and exercising
- Strengthens the bond between a kitty and a cat owner
- 2 feathery attachments and a detachable bell
- Indestructible, non-toxic fiberglass
- Foam handle for a comfortable grip
- Dimensions: 33” long wand and 33” long string
2. Best Interactive Cat Toy for Kittens – SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug
SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug will satisfy your kitty’s need for scratching, stalking, pouncing, hiding, and nesting giving hours of active play and mental amusement.
This interactive cat toy consists of a top and a bottom rug. The bottom rug has a non-slip coating which will prevent any slippage when your kitty pounces on the rug.
The touchpoints located on the underside of the top rug, allow you to attach the top rug to the bottom rug. You can shape the rug in lots of different ways, creating tunnels and caves.
The rug has various holes of different sizes for your cat to dive in and out of them.
The rug is made of recycled plastic bottles and has a carpet like texture encouraging your kitty to dig her claws in it, sparing your furniture.
To make playing with a rug even more fun and interactive, put small toys inside the two mats and your kitty will be even more amused and stimulated.
The toy encourages independent play, but you should not leave your kitty unsupervised when playing with the rug.
This mat is big enough to accommodate multiple kitties playing together.
SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug Key Features:
- Encourages active play, scratching, stalking, pouncing, hiding, and nesting
- Non-slip base
- Made with recycled bottles
- Hand washable
- Encourages independent play
- Dimensions: 47” x 35” x 0.5”
3. Best Balls for Kittens – Ethical Sponge Soccer Balls
Ethical Sponge Soccer Balls will immerse your kitty in hours of active exercise and amusement.
These colorful balls are made from soft foam. They are super bouncy and lightweight. A kitten can easily bite, roll, pick the ball up and carry it in her mouth.
You can either toss the ball and wait for your kitty to fetch or you can watch your kitty as she flips the balls through the air and chases them.
The balls don’t give any sound so you won’t be bothered by the noise if your cat starts playing at night. They are so light and soft that you don’t need to worry that you hit and damage anything in your house.
These foam toys are safe for independent play and will keep your kitty entertained for hours distracting her from scratching furniture or displaying other destructive behaviors.
Ethical Sponge Soccer Balls Key Features:
- Encourages chasing, flipping, and fetching
- Soft, lightweight foam
- 4 balls in a pack
- Encourages independent play
4. Best Cat Scratching Toy for Kittens – SPEEKAB Cat Toy
PEEKAB Cat Toy is a combination of a scratching post, a hanging toy, a trackball toy, and a perch that will keep your kitty entertained and excited for long hours.
The scratching post has 25 inches (63.5 cm) and is wrapped in natural sisal rope that cats love to scratch on (you can read more about scratching posts and different scratching materials in our guide on the best cat scratchers). Your kitty will be busy scratching the post and not your furniture.
At the base of the post, there is a trackball toy. Your kitty will be batting and swatting at the balls making them spin and roll around the tracks.
Finally, the hanging toy with feathers will entertain your kitty to the bits, stimulating her hunting instincts.
The base of the post and the perch are covered with soft plush fabric.
The toy is designed for self-entertainment and independent play.
PEEKAB Cat Toy Key Features:
- Encourages active play, climbing, jumping, and batting
- A trackball toy and a hanging feathery toy
- Sisal rope and soft plush material
- Length of a post: 25” (63.5 cm)
- Encourages independent play
5. Best Cat Tunnel for Kittens – Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel
Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel will provide your kitty with hours of active play and self-entertainment.
The tunnel consists of three spacious tubes joined together in the middle. Each tube is approximately 10 inches tall and 17 inches deep.
With a peephole in the middle, a swinging bell toy at the end of one tube, and one tube lined with crinkly material, your kitty will be chasing, pouncing, and hiding in the tunnel for hours.
The product is made of durable, tear-resistant polyester which is wrapped around a sprung-steel frame with protective ends for safety.
The polyester material doesn’t attract cat hair like the tunnels made from cloth.
The tunnel is easily collapsible for convenient storage and travel.
Prosper Pet Cat Tunnel Key Features:
- Encourages chasing, pouncing, and batting
- 3-way tunnel design
- Each tube is approx. 10” tall and 17” deep
- 1 peephole and 1 swinging bell toy
- 1 tube lined with crackling paper
- Tear-resistant polyester
- Foldable design
- Different colors
- Encourages independent play
6. Best Cat Activity Center for Kittens – PETMAKER Cat Activity Center
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center is designed as a place to play and lounge in one.
The base of the play area is made out of a cozy and soft fleece mat. There are four hanging toys attached to the ceiling of the play station.
Your kitty can comfortably roll on the mat while batting and swatting the hanging toys. She can also lounge and nap on the mat after playing.
The toy has an interactive character and encourages your kitty to play independently. The toy will self-entertain your kitty while you are away from home.
Last but not least, the product has a practical, collapsible design, so that you can fold it down to a compact size for easy storage or travel.
PETMAKER Cat Activity Center Key Features:
- Encourages batting and biting
- Zebra print fleece material
- 4 hanging toys
- Pop-up design
- Encourages independent play
- Dimensions: 22” L x 22” W x 14.5” H
7. Best Automatic Cat Toy for Kittens – Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish
Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish is an interactive cat toy that will stimulate your kitten’s hunting instincts, keep her physically active and mentally stimulated.
Whenever your kitty touches the toy, the built-in motion sensor goes on automatically and the fish starts to wiggle away. The wiggling moves attract a cat to play, kick, bite, and wrestle with a toy keeping her intrigued and engaged.
The toy also contains a catnip pouch which will additionally excite your kitten to start playing with a toy. Catnip also alleviates stress and makes cats relaxed.
The toy is designed to self-entertain your kitten and encourage independent play. It’s a perfect toy to keep your kitten entertained and occupied while you are away from home.
The product is made from durable, safe, and non-toxic materials, so your kitten can chew on it without worry it will make her sick.
Last but not least, the toy is USB chargeable, which means you don’t have to spend money on batteries. The USB cable is included in the package.
The toy can be hand washed. The inside motor is detachable and should be removed before washing the cover.
Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish Key Features:
- Encourages kicking, biting and wrestling
- Includes catnip
- Non-toxic materials
- USB chargeable (no batteries)
- Encourages independent play
- Hand washable
- Dimensions: 11” x 4.5” x 1.25”
8. Best Cat Chew Toy for Kitties – Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel
Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel will provide your kitty with physical and mental stimulation while promoting healthy dental hygiene.
With a ring and two strings attached to it, this chew toy is very simple, yet very appealing to kitties that love to chew on things.
The durable rubber ring with the spokes is effective in massaging a kitty’s teeth and gums and strengthening your kitty’s jaw muscles.
The toy is made from all non-toxic materials, so you can rest assured your cat won’t get sick by chewing on this toy.
The toy is designed for independent play, however, if your kitty is a hardcore chewer, you should not leave your kitty without supervision in case she bites off some bits of the ring.
Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel Key Features:
- Encourages chewing and chasing
- Promotes dental health and jaw muscles exercise
- Thermoplastic rubber
- Non-toxic
- Dimensions of a ring: 2” diameter
9. Best Cat Kicker Toy for Kittens – OurPets Snagable Platypus Kicker Cat Toy
OurPets Snagable Platypus Kicker Cat Toy will make your kitty kick, wrestle and groom her nails on it.
The toy is made with a looped, durable textured material that is ideal for grasping toys and grooming nails. It will distract your kitty from scratching your furniture while you are not around.
The toy is lightweight so it’s easy to toss and chase around the floor providing your kitty with needed physical activity.
The toy also gives a crinkle sound which additionally entices a kitty to play with it.
OurPets Snagable Platypus Kicker Cat Toy Key Features:
- Encourages kicking, biting, wrestling and chasing
- Helps grooming kitty’s nails
- Crickle sound
- Encourages independent play
- Dimensions: 9.5” x 2.1” x 3.3”
10. Best Catnip Toy for Kittens – SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys
If your kitty has passed 6 months of age then it’s time you can start introducing her to catnip.
SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys are soft plush catnip toys that your kitty will love to bat at, chase, and bite.
These fish flop toys are safely designed with no strings, ribbons, feathers, or plastic elements that your kitty could swallow.
The catnip inside the toys is produced without chemicals or pesticides.
SmartyKat Fish Flop Catnip Cat Toys Key Features:
- Encourages batting, biting, and chasing
- Includes catnip
- 3 toys per package
Best Toys for Kittens – Frequently Asked Questions
As much as it looks cute and innocent playing with your hands or toes with your kitty, it may backfire in the future. If you get your kitty used to bite and scratch on your hands or toes, she will keep doing it when she is an adult cat which may result in deep bites and scratches to your skin.
What kind of toys do kittens like to play with?
Since kittens love chasing and pouncing they particularly enjoy playing with small and light objects, like balls, which they can swat and then chase.
Kittens also like using their hunting instincts and play with prey-like toys, such as hanging feathery toys that they can jump on and bite, such as cat wands.
Kittens also enjoy (and need) scratching, which helps them stretch and exercise their muscles as well as get rid of the outer layers of their nails to keep them healthy. Toys made of carpet and sisal fabric are great for kittens to scratch their nails on instead of your furniture.
How do I keep my kitten entertained?
You can keep your kitty entertained by providing her with appropriate kitten toys, scratching posts, cat trees, and cat window perches.
Kittens need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. Interactive cat toys will encourage your kitten to active and independent play, keeping the boredom at bay.
Heavy duty cat scratching post will provide your kitten with a place where she can conveniently sharpen her nails and stretch her muscles and tendons, sparing your furniture.
Cat trees make for a perfect playground for your kitten where she can climb, jump from one tier to another and observe the surroundings from a vantage point.
A cat window perch will provide your kitty with a place she can bask in the sun and watch the birds and a life going on in the outside world, a highly stimulating mental activity for cats.
How many toys do kittens need?
A kitten should have various toys to engage her different instincts and stimulate her mind and body.
Choose the toys that will encourage your kitten to hunt, chase, pounce, scratch, climb, wrestle, bite, and kick.
As cats love novelty, try rotating the toys so that your kitten doesn’t lose interest in any of them quickly.
How much should I play with the kitten?
Try playing with your kitten at least twice a day for at least 20 minutes each time.
If you need to leave for a day to work, play with your kitty in the morning before you go out and in the evening.
This way your kitty will get tired and will be less interested in playing and scratching your furniture during the day or playing loudly at night.
Do kittens get lonely?
Kittenhood is the most important period of a cat’s development. Kittens need lots of activity and socializing to evolve into good adult felines.
A bored and under-stimulated kitty will feel lonely which may lead to depression and behavioral problems later in life.
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