<h2 class=”body-h2″>How can I keep my cat entertained?</h2><p>If you’re out of the house for much of the day (or simply can’t spend the whole day playing with them), you may want to look for a battery-powered toy. We’ve included options that shine lasers, move balls and pop out fake pieces of cheese, all without you needing to be there. </p><h2 class=”body-h2″>Are catnip toys good for cats?</h2><p>Catnip is a herb that comes from the mint family. It contains an essential oil called nepetalactone, a pheromone-like chemical that is known to cause almost euphoric feelings in some of our feline friends. But don’t worry, catnip is completely safe and non-addictive. </p><p>So, it’s safe for your precious furball to enjoy as a treat or as part of a toy. In fact, catnip can be beneficial for cats that experience stress or anxiety and for positive reinforcement in training.</p><h2 class=”body-h2″>How we test </h2><p>We all know how sassy and picky cats can be, so to find the very best toys on the market, the <a href=” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>GHI</a> recruited a panel of curious kitties, both young and old, to really put them through their paces. </p><p>Owners were then asked to evaluate how much their cat enjoyed playing with the toy. We also made a note of how easy they were to use, clean and store away after playtime. The top scorers are marked with the GHI Approved logo below. </p><p>And to give you a wide range to choose from, the GH editors (and pet parents) have also chosen their favourite toys. Covering everything from wands to catnip pouches, and even a robotic laser, these are our best buys. </p>”/>
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Stop them from ruining your furniture and freshen their breath in the process with this compact, mint-flavoured soft chew toy. Mint is almost as appealing as catnip, so far from feeling like a trip to the dentist, they should be in cat nirvana.
This toy was effective at freshening breath and our test cats adored sinking their claws into the soft netting. Our testers did note that the smell started to wear off after a while — although at this price, that’s probably to be expected.
Key specifications
Size
3.18 x 0.64 x 11.43 cm
Weight
13.6g
Material
Dried mint
2
Best laser toy
Pets at Home Spot 5 in 1 Laser Chaser Cat Toy
Score: 83/100
Simple yet effective, children loved using this pocket-sized laser pointer to play with their cats and the cats were very happy chasing the changing shapes. In fact, we’re not sure who loved it more!
One tester did note that it became a little uncomfortable to keep their finger pressed on the button after a while though. And if you also have a dog at home, then lasers are best avoided.
Key specifications
Size
7.5 x 1.5 x 1.5cm
Weight
Unspecified
Material
Plastic
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3
Best catnip toy
Pets at Home Catnip Mice Duo Cat Toy
Score: 82/100
These brightly coloured mice are packed full of catnip, which our feline panellists loved. They were the perfect size for our cats who enjoyed hunting them down during playtime.
We also thought they were great value, with two mice in each pack. Bear in mind though that while the main body is durable, the feathers were easily ripped out of the tail.
Key specifications
Size
9 x 4 x 3.5cm
Weight
Unspecified
Material
Fabric and catnip
4
Best food puzzle
Nina Ottosson Buggin Out Puzzle and Play
Score: 81/100
Make dinner time extra fun for curious cats with this exciting board, complete with hidden food compartments for your pet to discover.
It has multiple difficulty levels to keep them on their paws, and most of our test cats loved attempting to solve the puzzle. Others needed a little training before they understood what was going on! Our testers also found it easy to store but a little tricky to clean.
Key specifications
Size
35.48 x 29.34 x 4.19 cm
Weight
450g
Material
Plastic
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5
Best cat wand toy
Really Mice Hessian Cat Wand
Score: 80/100
Compared to most cat toys, this wand has a stylish, muted grey design that is much better suited to a modern home. Of course, even more importantly, our cats loved it, especially as it vibrates when dragged across the floor. It is made of hessian, however, so watch your cats’ claws don’t get caught in the material.
Key specifications
Size
Not specified
Weight
Not specified
Material
Hessian
6
Best for varied difficulty levels
Trixie Cat Activity Fun Board, 30 × 40 cm
Score: 76/100
A toy that incorporates play and treats is always a good pick for keeping your pet entertained. This one was easy to set up and use and the varying difficulty levels meant that our cats were all occupied working out each section for a while.
We loved the range of activities on offer, but it was quite bulky, so it may be one to avoid if space at home is limited.
Key specifications
Size
39.88 x 29.97 x 7.62 cm
Weight
1.36kg
Material
Not specified
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7
Yaheetech 138.5cm Cat Tree Tower
With multiple levels, dangling toys, and plenty of spaces to hide, sleep, or silently judge from, this cat tower is sure to become a firm favourite in your home.
Its square base means it can be tucked nicely into a corner of a room and it can withstand lots of jumping, playing and leaping, thanks to the sturdy design. There’s even three separate sisal rope scratching posts for cats to sharpen their claws (and discourage them from scratching the furniture).
Key specifications
Size
138.5 x 49 x 49 cm
Weight
14.2kg
Material
Wood, plush, sisal
8
Robo Alive Robo Fish Series 2
Although not specifically designed for cats, these robotic fish are a hit with kittens and owners alike over on TikTok. With one video garnering over 780,000 views, the plastic fish have been praised for keeping cats entertained for hours.
Simply pop the battery-powered toy in a bath, sink or bowl of water and watch the fish swim in different directions and dive under the water. There’s surely no better gift for your cat than their own personal pond life?
Key specifications
Size
7 x 7 x 7 cm
Weight
100g
Material
Plastic
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9
PAWZ Road Plush Cat Tunnel
Combining playtime with a space to sleep, this tunnel toy creates a lovely safe haven for your cat to enjoy by themselves. It’s made of a luxurious, soft, plush material that’s designed to enhance comfort and warmth, while the donut shape offers plenty of opportunities to run, hide and explore.
The tunnel can be taken apart and reformed into two half-rings or an s-shaped tunnel, too. Then, when all of playtime is over, the centre cushion provides the perfect place for a cat nap.
Key specifications
Size
108 x 87 x 25 cm
Weight
1.19kg
Material
Plush
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market. When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her cooking, running and exploring London’s foodie hotspots – or trying to make friends with every dog she passes. Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall and on X @megan_geall