These are the 5 best types of cat toys, according to vets

Not sure which cat toys to grab at the pet store? I feel the same way. And since many cats spend most of their day curled up napping, it’s important that they have a few toys lying around to help shake off some of that lethargy and get a little exercise. It also gives them something to attack that isn’t your brand-new furniture.

But with so many different toys spanning the cat aisle of your local pet store, it can be hard to tell if you walked out with the right toys. Well, the good news is that there really aren’t many ways to go wrong when picking out toys for your feline friend, as vets say that keeping a mix of different types of toys in your cat’s toy box should be the goal.

“As most cat owners can tell you, cats can be very particular about their likes and dislikes, so you may need to try a few different styles or types of toys before finding something your cat loves,” says Dr. Katie Merkatoris, director of veterinary medicine and veterinary expert at JustAnswer.

1. Prey toys

Cats are natural hunters at heart, even if they spend most of the day sleeping innocently on the couch. Small prey toys shaped like mice, rats or birds are great choices because they tap into a cat’s natural hunting instincts. Dr. Maggie Placer, a veterinarian and the veterinary sciences program manager at EveryCat Health Foundation, says that bell balls and spring toys can fulfill this need just as well. “These let cats engage in independent play and encourage bursts of running and chasing,” she says. “These toys trigger their natural hunting instincts.”

You may even want to try grabbing a few toys that make rattling or crinkling noises when played with. Merkatoris says that the crinkling sound of some cat toys “is thought to mimic prey sounds and encourage play.” It’s also more tolerable on the ears than listening to a jingling ball roll around your home.

2. Wand toys

Wand toys encourage interactive play between you and your cat. “Owners should engage in play that mimics the cat’s natural stalk-hunt-catch-kill instincts,” Placer says. Shaking the toy on the end of the string stimulates your cat’s natural instinct to catch and kill small prey. 

To make the game even more enjoyable for your cat, Placer says that “playtime with a wand should conclude with mealtime, as though they have ‘caught’ their dinner.” 

3. Puzzle toys

Sometimes referred to as “enrichment toys,” puzzle toys help to “exercise the brain and encourage slow eating,” Placer says. They’re great for food-driven cats, as they have to “work” to get to the food or treats inside. Placer says that puzzle toys are also good to have on hand to alleviate boredom, and can be a good distraction for your kitty while you step outside for a bit. 

4. Catnip toys

According to Merkatoris, catnip toys can “provide entertainment and mental stimulus” for your feline friend. Many cats also go wild for catnip-infused toys, so it’s worth having a few in your cat’s toy box. Merkatoris (and other cat parents out there) say that the little catnip banana toy below is a favorite for many cats. 

5. Tunnel toys

Tunnel toys encourage a cat’s natural instincts to hide, wait and ambush, according to Placer. My cat certainly fits that description — she loves sitting in her tunnel until I walk by, then pouncing on my feet (all in good fun, of course). But if you aren’t too fond of being the target, I recommend dragging a thick shoestring or a wand toy around the perimeter of the tunnel and waiting for your cat to go after the toy instead of your legs.

Be careful when using ‘trash’ as toys

Not everything your cat loves batting around is safe to play with. I get it — it’s cute, and it’s certainly cheaper to toss an old ribbon on the floor than buy another toy. But Merkatoris says to be cautious about the types of “trash” toys you hand over to your kitty.

“Any item you allow your cat to play with should be safe,” she says. “It should not have small pieces or be made of a material that a cat can easily chew off and swallow.” Merkatoris says that items like hair ties and ribbons, in particular, should be kept out of your cat’s reach, as “they are commonly ingested and often require surgery to remove.”