Cat toys don’t come much more fun than this smart interactive box from Migipaws with automatic moving feathers that will unpredictable movements that will delight and entertain your kitty for hours.

Furthermore, many interactive cat toys will help your feline with hygiene and grooming. Toys that initiate scratching can keep your cat’s nails healthy, and toys that inspire your cat to chew can support their dental health. The Best Interactive Cat Toys for When You’re Away Find on Chewy Find on Petco Best String Toy for Senior Cats: Fat Cat Catfisher Teasers Crawdaddy Wand Cat ToyThough not much human interaction is required, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your cat during play, since it’s possible for an especially enterprising kitty to detach the string. The box features seven holes spread across the top and sides and contains three durable multi-colored feathers that pop out at random, stirring your cat’s hunting instincts and allowing them to pounce and play for up to five minutes at a time. The concept is simple enough: a couple of mice pop out of two sides of the cheese at random intervals, sometimes coming all the way out and sometimes just poking their nose through. While it would have been better to have had more holes and, therefore, more mice, this arrangement nevertheless proved sufficient for our test cats to fully engage. Once they figured what was going on, they played with great enthusiasm. Bright and brash, you won't miss the Yeowww Catnip Banana flying across the room but there's much more to this perfect plaything than its standout looks. Yeowww is a big name when it comes to catnip toys and this brilliant banana is crammed full of premium quality, organic catnip that's grown without pesticides.

But what should you consider when choosing? “Cats need to exhibit hunting behaviour to avoid stress and frustration and toys can reduce a cat's motivation to seek out prey,” explains Warren-Cummings, “Toys can reduce a cat's motivation to seek out prey. Fishing rod toys can imitate their natural hunting instinct, for instance, while catnip toys will provide hours of fun.” When choosing your automated cat toy there are some important things that you need to consider: Personal preferences By including food-based puzzles, there is an added benefit: it will help with a cat eating too fast. This is useful if you have kitties that like to gobble their food, something which can lead to indigestion problems. It also makes feeding feel more rewarding since cats will have to perform different actions to get at their food.We love the infrared sensor which detects when your kitty is within 5-10 inches and switches the box on, and the built-in rechargeable battery means you’ll never be caught short. The toy works by attaching the string to a moving elastic conveyor belt but there's no assembly required and the string is sewn for you. There are also two speeds which not only provides an additional challenge but ensures the toy doesn't become too predictable. Just be sure to keep an eye on cats while they play with the toy. Senior cats need exercise too, and this teaser wand from Fat Cat is an excellent choice to get your feline moving. This toy features a plush dangler and soft string, so it’s gentle on your senior cat’s gums and teeth. It also combines just about every possible kind of cat appeal to tempt a slower-moving cat, from bright colors and shimmering ribbons to organic catnip.

Many robotic feather chaser toys will have multiple speed settings for different kinds of cats. Some also come with different types of feathery attachments so you can change them out and keep your cat engaged. You can also program some of them to rotate through a series of options, playing for 20 minutes and then restarting an hour or two later for a day full of fun, even when you’re away. Fling-AMA-String Cat Toy Wand toys are an especially popular subset of cat string toys, since they combine your cat’s enthusiasm for dangling things with an appealing target. They also promote bonding and joint play, which is especially important for kittens and cats new to a household. The best automated cat toys tend to be the ones that stimulate natural behaviors, which for cats means hunting! Cats enjoy toys that act like prey – this means sudden or unpredictable movements or toys that have a hide-and-seek feature. The reward in these games is the ability to be able to catch the prey. Toys that feature lasers can lead to frustration as there is nothing for your pet to physically get hold of at the end. Physical ability Reviewers report that it holds mysterious appeal, despite not containing catnip or silvervine, and is often carried around as a prized possession. It inspired intense focus in our test kitties, who burned a lot of calories chasing it around our living rooms. The humans got tired long before the cats.

Further Reading

One of the best things about interactive cat toys is that your cat can play with them when you’re busy or away. But they can also support the bond between you and your animal when you and your cat engage with the toy at the same time. Many electronic cat laser toys will have multiple speed settings, so you can adapt to your cat’s needs or change it up for variety. They also often have an automatic shut-off timer so your cat doesn’t get tired or overstimulated and stressed out. Robotic Feather Chaser Frustration-related aggression or redirected play aggression can occur when cats are under-stimulated and need an outlet. If an owner’s cat is regularly displaying ‘zoomies’, then it’s a good indicator that they might be under-stimulated and need more toy play in their life.” From the moment we got this toy out of the box, we were very impressed by its build. Although it uses an abundance of plastic, it's sturdy, well-created and has no sharp edges which makes it a toy that is sure to last while also proving to be very safe. Finally, on a practical level, ensure the toys are robust, unlikely to fall apart under heavy play and free of small pieces that could come away and be swallowed. As vet Dr. Joanna Woodnutt says: “A common danger is swallowed string from wand toys – if you allow your cat to ‘catch’ the toy, be sure to remove it before they chew through the elastic.” Why does my cat not show interest in toys?

Even if you have time to play every day, electronic and interactive cat toys can stimulate your cat in a different way and provide variety in their day. Here are the reasons you should buy an interactive cat toy and our choices for the best toys to use when you’re away from home, as well as the best toys for small and large cats. Why Your Cat Needs Interactive Toys

The Best Electronic Interactive Cat Toys for Large Cats

Every now and then, you may wander over to your cat's bowl and find a toy bobbing in the water. Sometimes, you may even find one in the toilet. But why? “The reason is unknown but there are a few theories,” says Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection’s Central Behaviour Officer. Cat owners say that their cats give this toy two enthusiastic paws up, returning to it again and again thanks to its engaging design. While people would like the charge to last longer, it appears to be a small flaw when compared with how long it keeps cats content for. Boredom with toys can also set in so it's your job to ensure they are entertained without being overstimulated. “It’s important to swap toys around regularly to keep them interesting and very short games of one to two minutes are fine,” Warren-Cummings adds. “And older cats will love playing three or four times a day, while younger cats will be happy to play 10 times a day or more.” Why do cats put toys in water? Your cat’s mental stimulation is a vital part of their overall health, and daily play and engagement can even support a long lifespan for your furry friend. Your feline’s need for play and stimulation doesn’t change – it’s a consistent daily need that you might not always have time for. That’s why interactive cat toys are an indispensable part of your pet’s lifestyle.