Cats are natural hunters, and even well-fed indoor cats need to exercise their hunting instincts to stay happy and healthy. But if you want to create a great hunting experience for your cat, you need to pick up the right toys first!
As a devoted cat guardian, I’ve experimented with countless toys to keep my furry friends entertained and active. Today, I’m excited to share my top picks for indoor cats that like to hunt. I can guarantee they will bring out the wild side in your indoor companion.
Disclaimer
While we showcase toys we personally use or would like to buy, remember it is less about a particular brand and more about the type of toy. When presenting each toy, I focus on some key features that make it amazing for predatory games. Use my suggestions as inspiration and try to think more about the type and less about the brand!
Inanimate Toys
Inanimate toys are great for solo play sessions. They may not hold your cat’s attention for as long as interactive toys, but they’re a fun addition to the toy box.
Mice Set (Big Set with Different Sizes)
Lightweight and small, these toys are excellent for simulating real prey. This particular set offers a couple of different types and sizes, which makes play sessions more exciting. I also like the fact that it comes as a big set. My cats, especially Kala, love the “freshness” of new mice and lose interest in them after just a couple of sessions. I tried washing them, but it did not help much.
Mice Set
This is a smaller set but still offers great value for money.
Small Mice Set
Crinkly Balls
These classic toys might not be a hit with every cat, but they’re worth trying. My cats are not overly interested in playing with those, but many felines react ecstatically to the crinkly sound and texture.
Interactive Toys
By using the name “interactive”, I mean the toys that allow YOU to interact directly with your cat (as opposed to electronic interactive toys). Such toys are perfect for play sessions as you control the toy’s behaviour. Interactive toys allow you to mimic the movements of prey, triggering your cat’s hunting instincts. Since you can adjust your play session’s style, rhythms, and speed to your cat’s preferences, you create a truly exciting and engaging experience for your cat.
Wiggly Worm Refills
These simple yet highly effective refills are perfect for wand toys. Their wiggly movement captures your cat’s attention and keeps it entertained. My cat, Kala, simply loves them.
Telescopic Wands
Telescopic wands with wires allow you to achieve very dynamic movement. For that reason, we much prefer those to the standard option using a simple stick and a piece of elastic. This option has various attachments, so you can test which types of toys your cat enjoys the most.
Heavy Feather Toys
This toy is relatively large and heavy, completely changing the play session dynamic. Initially, I thought it might be too big, but Kala quickly fell in love with them.
Cat Charmers
Ideal for playing on the sofa or bed, these toys are great for older cats who prefer ambushing over running and pouncing. Hiding them behind cushions can make the play session more exciting and interactive. When choosing the model, look for the shorter types. With those, you will achieve more dynamic movements and greater control over the play session compared to using longer versions.
Simple Teaser with Crinkly Paper
Although not the most durable, these toys are very affordable. We love them for their small, crinkly paper inserts. These catch my cats’ attention really well, much better than any bells or beads. The combination of feathers and crinkly paper makes these toys a hit in our house.
Simple Teaser with Crinkly Paper
Food Dispensers and Puzzles
These toys stimulate your cat’s intellect and motor skills. They are great at mimicking the final stages of the predatory cycle, in which cats play with their prey and kill it. Here, I focus on small food dispensers you can hide around your house. Regular-size food puzzles and snuffle mats will be discussed separately in another blog post.
Mice Dispenser
These are cute little mouse-shaped dispensers. The outer material could be more durable, as we are now left only with the plastic cadavers. Still, this does not affect the toy’s functionality, and my cats still love searching for those little dispensers whenever I hide them around the house.
Food Dispensing Balls
Simple, cheap, and entertaining, these balls can be hidden around the house. Just remember to take them away before night as they can be noisy!
Mouse Tumbler Feeder
Another great option. Tumble feeders offer a slightly different dynamic to ball feeders. These are very cheap, so I recommend buying a couple of them and placing them around your house.
Ambush-Enhancers
While not toys themselves, ambush-enhancers are equally important for enriching your cat’s play environment. As we discussed in this previous post about hunting instincts in indoor cats, ambushing is a basic technique cats use when hunting. For that reason, it is important to ensure your cats have plenty of spots to hide during their play sessions. Various tunnels, tents and playmats add an extra layer of excitement, especially for cats who are less inclined to play.
Tunnel and Tent Set
This set is great for creating ambush opportunities. Even though the tent is now out of shape, I can forgive the producer because the price is decent. My cats just love hiding in these during play sessions.
Collapsible Tunnels
Tunnels are great for stimulating cats’ hunting instincts and playfulness. When choosing the model, go for longer versions made of lightweight and semi-transparent material. This way, your cat can observe what happens outside from within, making such tunnels perfect for ambush play.
Activity Play Mat
These mats can be shaped and sized to fit any play area, perfect for creating customisable ambush spots. Kala loves hiding under them, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting toys.
Activity Play Mat with Velcro
I am looking forward to buying one of the mats with Velcro. I think these are even better than those with buttons, as you can customise them even further.
Not Recommended Toys
Before we finish, let’s quickly look at some toys I would NOT recommend. These types of toys are often praised for stimulating indoor cats’ hunting instincts, but frankly, I can see no reason to hype them up.
Laser Pointers
While they can be fun for some cats, laser pointers often lead to frustration, as cats can never catch the elusive dot. This can cause anxiety and isn’t the best choice for most cats. You can bypass these problems by using follow-up “interactive” play sessions using real toys or treating your cat with a snack after each successful catch, but frankly, I do not see a point (and my cats do not, either!).
Electronic Toys
Mostly expensive and featuring repetitive movements, these toys quickly bore cats and fail to provide the excitement of real hunting. Cats are intelligent creatures; they want real interactions and your attention. You just cannot substitute those with “interactive” electronic toys because they are simply not interactive enough!
Summary
Providing your indoor cat with a variety of hunting toys can significantly enhance their quality of life. From interactive wands to food-dispensing puzzles, there’s a toy to match every cat’s preference. Remember to rotate toys regularly to keep things fresh and exciting.
If you find the topic interesting and would like to learn more about cat-hunting needs, check out our previous blog post. You might also want to check this post, in which we discuss why your cat is not interested in playing with toys and how to change it.
Let us know what your cats’ and your favourite hunting toys are. We are curious to know and check them out ourselves.