If your cat gets bored when you leave the house, an interactive cat toy is an easy way to keep her busy. Whether you prefer motorized or non-electronic interactive toys, the best interactive cat toys for when you’re outside will engage your feline’s natural predatory behaviors and encourage independent play. they will also be safe enough for your cat to use alone.
While there are many interactive cat toys that don’t require a human to play, not all of them will appeal to your cat. Finding the right toy may require trying a few different types, but if you want to increase your chances of landing on an option they find appealing, consider snagging a toy that taps into your cat’s natural instincts to hunt and chase. basic ball toys and stuffed toys are options in many homes. Some motorized cat toys automate movement to provide a fun challenge for felines who love to hunt, but whether the toys are engaging or terrifying will often depend on the individual cat. Alternatively, if you have a pet who is more motivated by food than a game of tag, consider snagging a treat-dispensing toy or cat puzzle.
No matter what, safety should be a priority when choosing a toy for your cat, especially when you can’t supervise playtime. The Oregon Humane Society recommends avoiding toys with small, loose components, such as feathers or string, which can be accidentally swallowed or pose a strangulation hazard. You’ll also want to watch out for toys with openings where your cat (or her paws) could get stuck. For motorized cat toys, look for options with electrical components that your feline cannot access.
Just remember that it’s best to supervise any cat when introducing her to a new toy, and if you have a kitten, you may need to supervise her with all toys, just to be safe.
Here are nine of the best interactive cat toys for when you’re away, plus a security camera to keep an eye on your cat when you can’t.
1. the value pack of ball toys
advantages:
- inexpensive
- made of durable plastic (instead of delicate mylar or foam)
- it doesn’t hurt to step on it
- can roll into hard-to-reach areas of the house
- incorporates two play activities into one
- has an optional rocker feature
- promotes scratching on an approved surface
- the cardboard surface will deteriorate over time and will need to be replaced
- durable construction
- has crinkle padding to attract cats
- large size may not appeal to some cats
- responds when cats interact with it
- incorporate catnip
- shy cats may find it scary
- dispenses treats for food-motivated cats
- dishwasher safe
- small pieces of food can come out quickly
- self-propelled design
- rechargeable battery
- might scare the most timid cats
- ideal for food-motivated cats
- working parts are not removable
- can be too frustrating a challenge for some cats
- encourages cats to safely forage for treats
- easy to clean and store between uses
- may not be suitable for cats who like to scratch
- encourages climbing and scratching on a suitable surface
- available in a variety of sizes
- relatively bulky when it comes to toys
- inexpensive
- the footage can be accessed through an app on your phone
- requires sd card or cloud storage to save recorded footage
cons:
If your cat loves the thrill of a chase, she might love these simple ball toys. Balls come in bright primary colors and in variety packs, ranging from three to 15 balls. They’re made of a flexible plastic, which Amazon reviewers have attested to be durable. one buyer even mentioned that they “won’t break” or even “hurt your feet” if you accidentally step on one of them. should they break, they won’t cost much to replace—a set of three is just $4.
one cat owner wrote: “I bought these because I was looking for a toy similar to plastic milk gallon rings, and my cat loves them. he whips them all over the house, chases them, throws them into the air, carries them in his mouth and loses them under everything. I appreciate that they are flexible plastic and don’t hurt if you accidentally step on them.”
2. the cat scratching post with ball tracks
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This cat scratching post offers a cardboard surface that serves as a healthy outlet for your pet’s scratches, along with two-ball tracks for them to play on. You’ll also receive catnip, as well as two attachable feet to make the scratching post sway from side to side like a seesaw. Since this scratching post is made of cardboard, you can expect it to eventually show signs of wear, but one Amazon reviewer described it as “holding up well” to her cat’s frequent use.
one cat owner wrote: “kitty loves this notepad. it’s the first thing he looks for in the morning when we go down for breakfast. Despite constant use it has held up well. I definitely recommend this product.”
3. the wrinkled stuffed animal with a bag of catnip
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When you’re away, this crinkly stuffed animal can provide your cat with much-needed entertainment. The plush toy makes squeaky noises when your cat chews, kicks, throws or pounces on it, and if your cat is attracted to catnip, she’ll be delighted to find that it’s full. Made from a looped cloth material, cat owners have reported that it is durable enough to withstand tough play sessions. This toy is made to look like a sheep, but is available in several other options, including ones with a squeaker.
one cat owner wrote: “my cat loves it! It’s not too big for him to drag and throw. the crinkle noise is a selling point for my cat and has been pretty durable so far (my cat tends to rip up toys).”
4. the electronic toy fish that fails
advantages:
cons:
When a basic stuffed toy just won’t cut it, consider this toy fish for cats. It not only looks like a real fish, but also moves like one, springing into motion when touched. It also features a catnip bag (some is included) to attract cats. The interactive toy is made from pet-safe fabric, and to keep your cat safe when in use, its electronics store inside a sturdy zipper closure. It goes into standby mode to save battery life when you’re not playing with it, and when it runs out of power, you can plug the toy into a USB-compatible power source.
While it seems like a great option for unsuspecting cats, some amazon reviewers have noted that it left their felines more scared than excited, so it’s something to keep in mind if you have a particularly nervous cat. choose between four styles of fish.
one cat owner wrote: “I work from home with my 4 month old kitten. there are many times during the day when he wants to play while I need to focus on work, so he was looking for a toy to give him “interactive” play when I can’t. this fish is perfect! It took my kitty a few days to figure it out, but now she loves to wrestle with him and does an amazing job of entertaining and distracting him while I do other things.”
5. the wobbly treat-dispensing toy for cats
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according to cat owners, their food-motivated felines immediately took to this wobbly treat-dispensing toy. One Amazon reviewer described: “My kitty doesn’t play with many toys by herself idle. However, he is very food motivated so I thought I would give it a try to motivate him. It worked!” The feeder toy’s compartments feature openings that you can adjust to accommodate different-sized treats or to make it more of a challenge. As it rocks and rolls, the puzzle toy dispenses treats, encouraging your cat to use their paws to retrieve every last bit of food.
One cat owner wrote: “I’ve tried other types of slow feeders, but this is the best. i put it in a small open hole and my cat chases this egg all over the kitchen. Please note that I give my cat dry food only as a snack, but for half an hour during lunch he is busy and he loves it. the egg material seems fine, it’s been a couple of months and it’s not broken or cracked. good buy.”
6. the electronic toy ball for cats
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If your cat loves to chase, check out this electronic toy ball. The ball automatically rolls and changes direction from time to time (or when it collides with an object in its path) to keep the cats on their toes. The ball runs on USB rechargeable batteries for up to four hours, and you can set its timer to turn off after 30 minutes. It’s made of durable, pet-safe ABS plastic, and the electronics are secured inside the ball for your cat’s safety.
Amazon reviewers have noted that it moves rather slowly, so it shouldn’t move destructively around the house when you’re not around. If you need more reassurance that your cat is safely interacting with the toy, consider getting this pricier smart cat toy (with a camera and treat dispenser) that you can control remotely from an app.
One cat owner wrote: “It works best on a solid floor. it keeps him busy so i can do other things. the ball seems very sturdy and i think it will last quite a while. money well spent with a little creativity for my cat.”
7. the challenging puzzle feeder for cats
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If you have a smart feline who needs a more difficult challenge to stave off boredom, this puzzle feeder might be a natural choice. Made with BPA-free wood-plastic composite, it features 16 slots with random sliders to hide kibble or hard treats. In order for your cat to receive the reward from him, he has to use his nose and paws to discover the treats. When it’s time to clean up, simply wash the toy with soap and water. If this is too difficult (or easy) for your cat, this puzzle feeder is available in several levels to suit his abilities.
one cat owner wrote: “my cat is curious, needy and extremely food motivated. I needed something to occupy him when he couldn’t spend time actively playing and this puzzle feeder works great. i found that using scented treats like tempts and salmon puffs were the most successful. It took him a minute to figure out what was going on at first, but after a few tries he got the hang of it, so I’m considering buying another variety of puzzles so he doesn’t get bored.”
8. the snuffle mat for cats
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This snuffle mat isn’t just for dogs; Food-motivated cats like it, too, according to Amazon reviewers. The mat features multiple hiding places for kibble or treats, including pockets, flaps, and fringe, with a grippy bottom. Constructed of 100% polyester, it’s durable, too, according to reviewers. As a bonus, this mat folds down into a smaller size for easy storage. when your cat is done foraging, simply clean it in the washing machine.
one cat owner wrote: “very good quality. my 2 cats love it. I hide [their] treats in the different areas and they smell them. it keeps them busy.”
9. the multi-level cat tree with a scratching post
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If your cat is comfortable in high places, she might like this multi-level cat tree. It’s covered in carpet and has three levels for your cat to choose from, with the highest point over 46 inches tall. The cat tree also has three posts made of jute rope for your cat to scratch instead of your furniture. just keep in mind that this option has a 30-pound weight capacity. Its cream-colored exterior will match most home decor, but you can also purchase it in gray, as well as other design options.
one cat owner wrote: “love it love it love it! It’s reasonably priced, easy to assemble, smooth, lots of great scratch options, multiple platforms, and looks great in our home. my tabby enjoys the little cave like area at the bottom. I am happy to provide him with another environment since he is an indoor cat. It’s 14lbs and you can’t tip it over even if it’s on top. he is happy, so I am happy. I have no complaints about this post!”
also useful: a pet camera with two-way audio
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To keep an eye on your cat when you’re away, a pet security camera will come in handy. This eufy camera has 1080p resolution, plus two-way audio so you can hear and be heard by your pet. it also has smart motion detection capabilities, plus night vision that can see up to 32.8 feet. It offers a wide view of wherever it’s placed, rotating a full 360 degrees horizontally and 96 degrees vertically. requires wi-fi to work, and is compatible with the google assistant and alexa.
A cat owner wrote: “AI technology can tell if it’s a human or a pet, which is very helpful when I have a cat at home. 2K resolution provides sharp and clear vision both day and night. I love this the most because the camera can be rotated horizontally and vertically, giving me a wider view overall.”
