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10 Best Cat Toys 2020

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So, you just spent 30 bucks on a variety of toys, you give it to the recipient and all they want to do is play with the box and packaging that they came in?

No, we’re not talking about your kids (although this probably does happen a lot, too), we’re talking about all of your furry, fluffy Catrick Swayze, Elvis Catsley, Cindy Clawford feline friends (any Bootsies out there reading?).

Let’s face it, finding a cat toy that your cat actually plays with is kind of difficult. You have to outsmart your cat when it comes to choosing something, so in our list below, we’ll highlight some of the top picks of cat owners across the globe.

The best cat toys are ones that not only peak their interest but also challenge them to use their innate skills, so have a look at our picks.

A Few Tips When Buying Cat Toys

Since there are so many toys to choose from, we thought we’d offer you a few useful tips to take into consideration as you shop.

  • The Point of the Toy. Do you want a fun way to give your cat a snack, challenge their intelligence or prevent them from clawing up your furniture?

It’s probably a good idea to have a variety of toys in order to keep your cat from getting bored, so most likely you’ll need a few from the list below!

  • Two for One. Some “toys” may actually function in other useful ways. The Purrfect Arch Groomer is an alternative place for your cat to rub. It also brushes them as they do it! A great two-in-one toy that just happens to groom their fur. (number 9 below)
  • Different Versions. Sometimes updated versions are better than the original, and sometimes they aren’t.

If the toy you’re interested in has a few versions available, be sure to read up on all of them so you have an idea of what cat owners like and dislike about them.

Top 10 Cat Toys Table

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Types of Toys

So, we’ve narrowed it down to the basic toy types to help make your selection a bit easier:

  • Rods. These short fishing-like rods require you to interact with your cat. Many have feathers or other light materials that will easily whip and twirl around in the air, requiring the cat to hone in on its lightning-fast hunting reflexes. This is a good way to get a house cat some exercise.
  • Squeaking Toys. In order to mimic the sound of real prey, the squeaking toys are very interesting to cats. To them, it’s like hunting a real rodent or a real bird.
  • Solo Toys. Some are battery operated which allows you to turn them on and let your cat go. You’re free to do as you wish and your cat gets to have all of the fun jumping, swatting and biting the toy as it moves. Others are manually operated by your cat (a simple ball, for example) that allows them to do as they please without any help (or interference) from you.
  • Catnip. Oh, the catnip. This plant, which is a member of the mint family, is very interesting to some cats thanks to the nepetalactone essential oil that the plant produces. It can be very useful at getting the attention of a lazy cat who you’d like to get up and move a bit more, yet some cats could care less about it.

The catnip “high” usually doesn’t last for long (10 minutes) and they’ll lose interest in it eventually. The good thing about it, though, is that it can help make old toys interesting again. Put it away for a few hours and bring it back out if they’ve grown tired of it and the cycle will start all over again. Just remember to store the catnip in an airtight container between uses.

Top 5 Best Cat Toys Reviews

[easyazon_link asin=”B0002DHV16″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]1. Cat Charmer Interactive[/easyazon_link]

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This is the cat toy in its simplest form, yet it is absolutely one of the best cat toys ever on the planet! Well, maybe not on the planet, but it’s an awesome toy and many snub it because of its simplicity. We’re telling you, though, it works!

Your cat will fall in love (or in a trance) with the simple movements of the Cat Dancer. A simple wand with a string of colorful fleece fabric on the end. The plastic wand is durable, which means if you step on it or throw it around, it’s not going to snap in two like a twig.

The fabric whips around pretty well, too.

For the safety of your cat, always supervise them when they are playing with a toy of this nature. Cats will eat toys like this if you don’t watch them. It’s designed to get your cat some exercise with your help, so never leave them to play alone with it. They will eat it!

[easyazon_link asin=”B000AUJFHE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]2. Catnip Toy, Yellow Banana[/easyazon_link]

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Does your cat go kattywompus for catnip? If so, then a catnip toy is essential in the toy box.

Well, actually it won’t sit in the toy bow with the other toys. You’ll need to store it separately and bring it out when your cat needs a little extra jolt to start playing.

This toy comes in different forms (we liked the lemon above but it also comes in an apple, fish, rainbow and banana). Inside, it’s stuffed with 100% organic catnip and while the fabric used is durable, cats have sharp teeth and claws that are capable of ripping it wide open!

This is another great toy but definitely one that you’ll want to give them under your supervision.

[easyazon_link asin=”B001B41TOK” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]3. SmartyKat Crackle Chute Cat Toy[/easyazon_link]

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The SmartyKat Chute is another toy cats seem to enjoy, especially the crackling noise it makes as the zip back and forth through it.

It is a collapsible tunnel, which means you can store it easily when the cats aren’t using it, and the strings on the end seem to add a little extra intrigue to the concept. Since these are actually used to tie the tunnel closed when you need to store it, you might add on a few other strings to keep them occupied so they don’t chew the important ones off.

This is a great daytime toy, but don’t leave it out at night. Your cat (or cats) may end up deciding midnight is the perfect time to go tunnel diving and all of that crackling will wake you up.

[easyazon_link asin=”B001O8L2UO” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]4. Trixie 5-in-1 Activity Center[/easyazon_link]

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Looking for a great way to challenge your cat? Get the Trixie 5-in-1 activity center.

This allows your cat to work for their treats and requires them to use their problem solving skills to get the reward.

It’s nice because it offers you five different ways to use it: the fish bowl globes require the cat to scoop out the treat, the pegs require them to map out a treat escape plan with their paw (like a maze), the allies require them to use their paws and claws to push the treats out, the tongue has them lapping up the treat with their tongue since it can only hold liquids and finally there is a tunnel that allows you to hide either treats or toys.

This could potentially be a great way to slow your cat down at meal times (if they tend to eat fast).

[easyazon_link asin=”B001HWF2W6″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”senappblo-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]5. Play-N-Squeak “Mouse Hunter” Cat Toy[/easyazon_link]

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We can’t forget the squeaky toy!

This little mouse is another classic to have in the cat toy bin. Just like number one, it is an incredibly simple gift yet highly entertaining to so many cats.

This has an electronic squeaker, so once your cat starts to move it, it makes squeaking noises. This builds up their enthusiasm and interest in the toy.

It’s not something that is going to last forever (the squeaker eventually stops squeaking), but if you’re looking for a way to get that sulky cat up and about, this just might be the toy to do it!

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