LogoPet-1.png
BestForPets is reader-supported. Your purchases via our links may earn us an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our Affiliate Disclaimer

12 Best Kitten Toys

We all know that kittens enjoy playing; in fact, it is an important component of their education.

Providing plenty of opportunity for regular play sessions throughout the day can help your kitten develop into a well-rounded and happy cat as they grow.

It can be difficult to determine which toy is ideal for your kitten. Some kitties may enjoy a catnip fish, while others will prefer to slumber!

There are so many different kinds of kitten toys to pick from that it's easy to become overwhelmed. Our feline buddies assisted us in compiling this list of the %product_count% best kitten toys on the market in %year%.

BestForPets' (bestforpets.org) reviews are intended to assist you in selecting the finest toy for your kitten; we've tested everything from ball runs to kicker toys.

Reviews

Hartz Kitten Toy Just For Cats – Best Value
 

The Hartz Just for Cats variety pack is without a doubt the best kitten toys for the money. If your cat enjoys playing with a variety of toys, you’ll be pleasantly pleased by the variety of these 13 distinct toys.

From catnip-filled fish to soft pom-poms and hard balls, this pack is ideal if you want a variety of great value toys to keep your cat entertained and excite their hunting instincts.

The only reason this variety pack didn’t take the top spot is that you’ll have to throw these toys for your cat, whereas our best overall choice allows them to play themselves.

Aside from that, this bundle is a clear winner in the category of greatest kitten toys.

Pros

  • 13 toys are included.
  • Ideal for households with many cats.
  • Some of them contain catnip.

Cons

  • Small balls are easily misplaced.
  • Some cats will not use it on their own.

 

Kitten Toy Bergan Turboscratcher
 

The Bergan Turboscratcher Kitten Toy was chosen as one of the top kitten toys available. Despite its deceiving simplicity, this scratcher-and-ball set can keep many cats entertained for hours.

Chasing the ball around the outside channel gives them plenty of opportunities to put their hunting skills to the test!

A center scratcher pad made of rolled cardboard is located within the ball channel, allowing your cat to sharpen their claws without avoiding your furnishings.

You can either purchase replacement pads or manufacture your own.

This toy also comes with a sachet of catnip to sprinkle on it. When the toy is new, this is a terrific way to get your cat to come over and inspect it.

This best-selling toy has all of the qualities that make a great toy, and we can nearly guarantee that your cat will approve!

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Catnip is included.
  • Durable
  • Scratchpad is replaceable.

Cons

  • Some cats are capable of removing the ball.
  • Hard-floor slides
  • The pad must be replaced.

 

Catnip Toy KONG Cat Kickeroo
 

If your cat enjoys capturing toys and giving them a good old bunny kick, the KONG Cat Kickeroo Catnip Toy is sure to become a favorite.

This toy is loaded with excellent catnip from North America and is specifically designed to inspire your cat to spend time bunny-kicking and wrestling.

The catnip will definitely attract your cat to play with this toy – we’ve even encountered cats who like to nap next to this toy!

However, because there is no hole, you cannot replace the catnip, so once the effect has worn off, that’s it.

Pros

  • Well-made
  • Quiet
  • Choose from three different designs.

Cons

  • Catnip cannot be substituted.
  • Too big for little kittens

 

Zenes Kitten Toys That Rotate
 

If your kitty enjoys watching birds and butterflies from the window, they’ll enjoy this rotating toy by Zenes.

The battery-powered base is designed to cause the butterfly on top to flutter in an unpredictable manner, which is sure to pique the interest of even the most laid-back kitty!

Some enthusiastic kittens and fully-grown cats may play too rough with this toy, knocking it over or eating the wire to which the butterfly is attached.

However, if your kitten is gentle, this is an excellent option.

Pros

  • A replacement butterfly is included.
  • Non-slip footing

Cons

  • Some cats will annihilate the butterfly.
  • Can be knocked over
  • A wire stalk can bend.

 

Kitten Interactive Toys SmartyKat
 

The SmartyKat Interactive Kitty Toy is a terrific choice if you’re searching for a fun and simple toy to foster interactive play with your kitten.

This soft and fluffy mouse bounces on the end of an elastic string, which is fastened to your hand with a large plastic ring.

This design eliminates the risk of your kitten biting your hands while yet allowing you to have fun encouraging them to play.

Unfortunately, the string is a little too short, which means that if you have a really active kitty, your fingers may still wind up in the danger zone!

Pros

  • Produced using recycled materials
  • Safeguards the hands

Cons

  • The string is quite short.
  • String is not very stretchy.

 

Pakoo Kitten Interactive Toy Ball
 

If you want to leave an interactive toy for your kitten while you’re gone, the Pakoo Interactive Kitten Toy Ball is a good option.

This ball will entertain your cat for up to four hours. Because of the 360-degree self-rotating ball, your kitty will never know where it will end up.

This ball also includes a timer function that turns off the power automatically after 40 minutes.

This means your cat can take a break before continuing to play. When the ball turns on, the built-in LED light will draw your kitten’s interest.

Pros

  • Charges are due in two hours.
  • Works on all floor types.

Cons

  • Each charge is only good for four hours.

Buyer's Guide: How to Choose the Best Kitten Toy

If you’ve recently become the proud owner of a new kitten, you’ll be aware that they’ll require toys to play with! There are so many kitten toys to pick from that it might be difficult to know where to begin.

You can be confident that your kitten will enjoy any of the ten toys we’ve discussed above. But, if you want to know more, let’s have a look at what makes a good kitten toy and the greatest toys for cats.

Why do kittens require toys?

Kittens and cats in general are built to play and hunt. While it may appear that your adorable kitty is simply letting off steam, the playing we see in our kittens is actually them practicing for later in life.

Your kitten has no concept that they aren’t a fearsome tiger who has to hunt for their food, so when they play, they’re practicing all the abilities they’ll need for hunting.

When you watch your kitten stalking their toys before running, pouncing, and bunny-kicking them, they are gaining all of the abilities that will help them mature into a well-developed and confident cat.

What characteristics distinguish a decent kitten toy?

Look for toys that have been specifically created for kittens. While some other toys may appear similar on the outside, don’t be tempted to replace cat toys with something that isn’t intended for them.

Small solid balls, for example, can provide a choking risk. For this reason, any hard balls meant for kittens and cats should be hollow and vented.

On that note, make certain sorts of toys are stored out of reach of your kitten when not in use. When you’re finished playing, put away anything with feathers, string, or ribbon; otherwise, they can pose a choking hazard.

What kinds of cat toys can I get?

It’s a good idea to provide your kitten a variety of toys to help them develop all of their skills.

  • Toys that promote jumping and leaping: wands and toys on a string
  • Balls, electronic toys, and laser pointers are examples of toys that stimulate running.
  • Soft mice and kicking toys are examples of toys that encourage capture and “killing.”
  • Toys that promote coordination include ball runs, puzzles, and treat balls.

By offering a range of toys for your kitten, you are giving them the best opportunity of being a well-rounded and happy kitty as they develop.

Independent or interactive?

Another thing to consider when choosing toys for your kitten is whether you want to prioritize interactive or independent toys. Of course, we encourage having a mix of both, but it’s useful to understand the distinction!

Interactive toys necessitate some hands-on time from you and your family. Toys in this category include wands with feathers attached, catnip mice, and kicker toys.

Using these toys is a great way to spend quality time with your cat while also watching how they develop as they grow.

Of course, we all have busy lives and don’t always have time to spend hours playing with our cats. That is why independent toys exist

These are the kinds of toys that your kitten can utilize to keep itself entertained. This category includes ball runs, electrical toys with timers, and balls.

You can leave these toys out for your kitty to play with while you’re at work.

A word about catnip toys

Catnip toys are excellent for kittens, who normally like playing with them. Catnip is harmless for cats, though kittens under 6 months old may not show much of a reaction.

Some adult cats may not react to catnip at all, while others absolutely enjoy it! Catnip’s benefits wear off after around 15 minutes, and if your cat plays with their toys all the time, they’ll develop resistance.

Catnip toys are ideal to keep in a drawer and give to your cat once or twice a week before putting them away. Otherwise, your cat will treat it no differently than any other toy after a while.
 

Conclusion

After researching 12 of the top kitten toys on the market this year, we determined that the Zenes Kitten Toys That Rotate is the best overall. This kitten toy is long-lasting, well-made, and beloved by thousands of cats worldwide.

The Hartz Just for Cats variety pack won the prize for best value kitten toy. This provides excellent value for money, with a collection of 13 toys designed to pique your kitten’s interest.

This set is a terrific opportunity to try out a variety of toys, from catnip fish to wavy wands and balls, to see which ones your kitten prefers.

Hopefully, BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has assisted you in navigating the best kitten toys available. Have a good day playing with your kitty!

Author Image

Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.

Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher

Comment

0.0
Rated 0 out of 5
0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
Excellent0%
Very good0%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Related articles