Buzz
1. A cat dance toy that costs under $4 (simply a steel wire with cardboard at the end), but is completely irresistible to kitties everywhere.
2. A self-grooming toy for your kitty who craves constant scritches and scratches, yet doesn’t seem to understand that you can’t cater to those needs while you’re sleeping, eating, or using the bathroom.
3. A soft, purring cat toy designed to soothe anxious kitties. If your pandemic pet can’t stand to be apart from you or their siblings, this could be the perfect solution.
4. A three-level cat toy featuring polka-dotted balls they can bat around. One of my cats places her paws on either side and ends up playing a solo version of tetherball with herself.
5. A catnip-infused carrot for your furry friend to bunny-kick as much as they desire. This way, your arm (or another cat) can finally get some rest.
I’ve had this toy for around four years, and even though the catnip has long since worn off, it’s still my cat Salty’s top pick. She chases it down the hall (it’s the perfect weight — almost like a beanbag — so it’s easy to throw) and she enjoys licking and grooming the feathers as if they were another cat. It’s just SO adorably cute.
Promising review: "My cat immediately loved it, and he’s still playing with it. It’s incredibly well-made, and I’m sure he’ll have it for a long time. It’s become one of his go-to toys." —Miss Edwina
Get it from Amazon for $6.61.
6. Some catnip-soaked felt balls that are the *ideal* size for cats who think of themselves as football players. They also come with a "charging tin," so when the catnip fades, just pop them back in to refresh them.
Simply B Vermont is a charming small business based in, you guessed it, Vermont. They create all kinds of delightful pet accessories and toys for both cats AND dogs.
Promising review: "Annie was immediately obsessed. I love that she can carry them around and drop them in different spots around the apartment." —Nicole Simone
Get a set of four from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $16+ (available in three color combinations; refills for the balls and catnip are also offered).
7. A "jingle and roll" cat kicker toy filled with organic catnip, silvervine, and valerian root so irresistible, your kitty may prefer scratching and biting it over going after your arm or their siblings instead.
HoffnPaw Pet Toys is a small, Chicago-based business that creates eco-friendly, handmade pet toys. Owner David says his cats, Sweetp and Simba, are his inspiration.
Promising review: "I meant for this to be a Christmas gift for my cats, but they couldn't even wait for me to open the package! They were obsessed with the toy before I even took it out of the mailer! They have a blast kicking it and rolling in the catnip! I'm so happy with my purchase!" —Sally Wight
Get it from HoffnPaw Pet Toys on Etsy for $15.95+ (available in sizes S–L and four colors).
8. A "ripple rug" that your kitty can crawl into, scratch as much as they want, and just roll around on. The mat’s non-slip rubber backing holds it in place and lets you set it up in different ways if your fur babies love to tunnel.
Promising review: "My cat started playing with the rug before I even fully unboxed it! She loves tunneling through the top layer and hiding her favorite toys inside. I move the top rug every couple of days, so it’s like a new adventure each time. It’s easy to clean and move when needed. A total win in our home." —Connie
Get it from Chewy for $46.
9. A $3 string on a stick that will bring more joy to your cat than any pricey gadget or even the box it came in!
This inexplicably happens to be my cat Clementine’s all-time favorite toy. When I think of Linus from Peanuts, I think of his blanket, and when I think of Clemmy, I think of her string-on-a-stick. She’d trade me for it in a second — no doubt.
Promising review: "My cat is obsessed with this toy. It’s surprising because the only wand toy he’d ever touch was a dollar fish on a string. I tried getting him a nicer red one, but he hated it and always went back to the blue one. But this one? He loves it. As soon as I took it out of the package, he was all over the fabric string. Now he even plays with it on his own. I’m definitely buying another one, probably in a different color or pattern." —Fluffy
Get it from Chewy for $3.18 (available in two designs).
10. A large catnip-infused cotton swab for those kitties who have an undeniable love for the real deal. Give them this, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll stop fishing out used ones from the trash.
Oddball Cat Toys is a woman-owned, Rapid City, South Dakota–based small biz from Anne Springer (and her seven cats) that's been selling all sorts of fun toys, collars, and bandanas since 2013.
Promising review: "I bought this as a Christmas gift for my cat haha but had to give it to him early cause I was so excited! My cat is notorious for stealing cotton swabs out of the garbage can so this gift was perfect. And he IMMEDIATELY loved it! And it’s good quality and is holding up beautifully while my cat chews it and pats it around. So happy!" —LexHendrick
Get it from Oddball Cat Toys on Etsy for $6.98 (available in six colors and with or without bells and catnip).
11. A refillable catnip mat for lazy lil' kitties who rather roll around on the floor than get in some cardio chasing after a robotic toy.
The 9 x 9-inch mats come from 3 Kitties and 2 Humans, a shop in Willowick, Ohio, offering a variety of cat-related products.
Promising review: "My senior cats, aged 18 and 16, immediately took to these mats as soon as I opened the package! They sniffed, rubbed, nibbled, kicked, and had a blast. I even bought two for my sister’s cats, and they were a hit with them too! The mats are sturdy and generously filled with top-quality catnip. I can’t recommend these enough!" —routsongk
Get it from 3 Kitties and 2 Humans on Etsy for $8 (available in 15 colors/prints).
12. A pair of play-'n'-squeak mice perfect for your former ferals who still love to hunt. These little guys will keep them entertained so they don’t go after your toes instead.
13. An interactive treat maze designed for energetic cats in need of a mental challenge. It offers three levels of difficulty — beginner, intermediate, and expert — so you can adjust it as their skills grow.
Just hide some treats or food in the various compartments and let your kitty get to work!
Promising review: "So my little 2-year-old kitty baby has come to recognize Chewy boxes and knows that whatever is inside is for her. After watching her drop my earrings inside a tissue box to fish them out and do it again, until they were lost for good or torn up, I bought her this puzzle. She was interested from the moment we took it out of the packaging. She busied herself for several minutes until she decided it was easier to turn the puzzle box over and tear a hole in the side to get to her treats. Then she continued to play with the cardboard. This puzzle was too easy for her, but she LOVED it." —Jacquelyn
Get it from Chewy for $15.94 (originally $16.95).
14. A banana toy sure to please as it's filled with nothing but 100 percent catnip! One reviewer said the faux fruit is so potent, their fur baby is still attacking it a full year later!
15. A floppy robotic fish that only moves when your cat engages with it. Once they figure it out, I guarantee they’ll be karate-chopping and bunny-kicking the heck out of it.
16. Some mouse-shaped feeders designed to keep your cats on their paws by tapping into their natural hunting instincts. Just fill them with food, hide them around the house, and watch your cat go on the hunt.
17. A zebra-print activity mat that resembles a baby play mat, and I find that absolutely adorable. If your kitties are in need of some tummy time, the attached dangling toys will keep them engaged and entertained.
Some reviews in this post have been shortened or edited for better clarity and brevity.
