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Oct 21, 2024

22 Best Cat Toys For Bored Cats In 2024

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

Even if your cat skews Garfield on the feline spectrum, these toys will provide a purr-fectly fun time for even the most "not having it" of kitties.

BuzzFeed Staff

BuzzFeed Staff

Promising review: "I got this for my cat and he absolutely loves it! He uses it all the time. The bristles are soft and it’s durable! Its easy to remove, and it comes with the stickys to put in a new spot if you want. It comes with a little bag of catnip which was helpful to introduce my cat to this. The overall product without the catnip has no smell. I recommend getting this for your cat." —Bella Somerville

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

FYI, you can either lay this scratching pad flat or hang it for some added jump-tastic fun!

Promising review: "Bought one in January of 2021. It’s held up well over the past 3.5 years now. I did order a new one today as the scratching material is rather worn out in the middle, but that’s to be expected with a wear item like these. I’ve had it mounted on a wall this entire time and the cat is rather happy with that setup. I can easily recommend this product." —Tim

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

Promising review: "This toy is a revelation! It gets my cat to think and satisfy his appetite at the same time! Plus, it's cute and I'm definitely going to find more for him! My other cat was not very good at it and gave up eventually, so not all cats will enjoy this!" —Chesapeake

Get it from Chewy for $17.62 (originally $18.99).

The expandable design will let you build and personalize the toy, making it fun for both you and your pet.

Promising review: "This is just about the best toy you can buy your kitties for the price. Really durable plastic that stands up to my rowdy cats kicking it across the floor. My kitties LOVE this toy. They love batting it around and chasing it through the track. The change in track elevation creates unpredictable ball movement that keeps them playing for an hour at a time." —Elizabeth

Get it from Chewy for $38.35.

Looking for gifts to buy your cat just because? This toy also comes in a two-pack so you have a spare just in case they play a little rough.

Promising review: "I have an 8-year-old kitty who prefers to sleep over just about anything besides eating. She went NUTS. The squeaking noise is just subtle enough that it isn't annoying at all and half the time it's quiet enough that she's the only one who hears it. My almost senior kitty was playing like a kitten again, rolling all over on her back tossing the toy around, just having a ball." —Lindsay N.

Get it from Amazon for $6.90+ (available in a single or two-pack).

This is one of the gifts to buy your cat that will last for years to come. Easily clean it with the swipe of a cloth and once the traction pad wears down, you can replace it with a new one.

Promising review: "I introduced this wheel to my Bengal kitten when he was about 4 months old. He uses it every day! I'm so glad I have this to help burn off some of that notorious Bengal energy. If he's frustrated, he'll vocalize and jump on the wheel and run full speed. He tends to do this late at night, but I don't find the noise from the wheel intrusive at all." —Pamela M.

Get it from One Fast Cat for $194+ (originally $229, available in five colors and patterns and with or without LED lights).

The decorative butterfly also makes this one of the best cat toys for indoor cats as its realistic look gives them a taste of the outdoors.

Promising review: "This is the ONLY toy my cat comes back to again and again. He hasn't liked most other toys I've gotten for him, so it's nice to have at least one he uses often. The balls don't fall out nor are they destructible. I would highly recommend this toy for any cat owners who have a cat that likes to break things, be challenged, and be active often." —rangerthegreat

Get it from Chewy for $8.31.

Works best with catnip, crinkle balls, mice, cat wand toys, and other favorites, making it arguably one of the best interactive cat toys.

Promising review: "My cat has become an addict! When I first gave him the box, he spent an hour straight playing with it. He was EXHAUSTED! But he never gets bored with it, he keeps coming back and waits for food to be dropped in there. This toy is now his preferred method of eating." —Kuzia

Get it from Amazon for $15.94.

Simply B Vermont is a small, pet-owner- and woman-owned shop on Etsy located in Montpelier, Vermont, that specializes in pet accessories and toys for cats and dogs.

Promising review: "Not only are these the best looking and perfect size (so many are way too big or small), they are so much fun for my cat — she loves them! I love that when she’s bonked out from playing I can put them back in the catnip tin for next time. I keep them in a drawer in the living room and when my cat is ready to get crazy again she tries to open the drawer!!" —szuki

Get it from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $9.25+ (available in four styles).

With an extendable handle, your hands and arms will be at a safe scratching distance.

Promising review: "This is mine and my cat's new favorite cat toy. The stick extends very long so it's easy to use without getting scratched, and also, the toys clip on and off. It's a good way to give my cat some stimulation, exercise, and bonding time." —Anna Friesen

Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

The Mau Store is a small biz that makes chic and unique cat furniture that both you and your kitty will love.

Promising review: "I’m usually not a 'cat tree' person because most of them are unattractive and clunky. But my 4-month-old Bengal loves to climb, so when I found the Mau cat tree, I was happy that there was an option that looked beautiful! My kitten started using it on the second day. It’s solid, beautifully made, and fits with my decor. Definitely recommended!" –Lynda Bertles

Get it from The Mau Store for $259 (available in three colors).

Promising review: "My 9-year-old cats love this! They are completely fascinated by the toy (though quite skittish). It has almost unpredictable movements on both sides where the mice come out. My cats use their paws to slap the mice (when they aren't jumping from the sudden movements). The noise of the mice coming in and out might also have something to do with them being intrigued. The batteries (not included) were very easy to insert — no tool necessary!" —Taylor W

Get it from Amazon for $25.33.

That acts as one of the best toys for kittens, especially for pet parents scared of choking hazards.

Promising review: "This is one of those items where you just set it down and the cats/kittens go right to town with their play. Sometimes two of them will sit across from each other and take turns batting the ball. The corrugated insert is great for their claws especially kittens learning their scratch routine. It is also reversible so when one side gets used you can remove it and flip it over to use the other side. It's well made and my feline crew highly recommends this toy!" —Leesa

Get it from Chewy for $13.24.

Promising review: "My cat loves to play with this! It took her a few minutes to warm up to it, but now she loves chasing the mouse. Even when I turn it off she still tries to find the mouse. The noise is a little louder than expected, but for the price, you can’t beat it and it’s great for indoor cats!" —Lindsey

Get it from Amazon for $22.94+ (available in five colors).

Promising review: "My cat thinks many robotic toys are haunted and won't play with them, but she loves this one! I assume the small size is why she likes it, and that it's relatively quiet. The toy basically vibrates very fast, making it move along the floor. If it gets knocked over, then the vibration will flip it upright again. My cat loves to chase it and also stalk it from afar until the time is right to pounce, and at the end, she can pick it up in her mouth and carry her prey to another room." —Jess

Get it from Chewy for $10.95.

The kit comes with a double-adhesive sticky strip for placing on a smooth surface and multiple flavors including catnip, silvervine, and cat sugar.

Promising review: "I could barely get this out of the package my cats were so intrigued. Once they began licking and playing with these rolling balls they were hooked. Great product for bored cats!" —KAP

Get it from Amazon for $9.98 (available in two versions).

Its smart technology will whisk them around the house as you sit and relax or enjoy a night out.

Promising review: "Our cat loves this toy and he generally bores easily (recent outdoor-turned-indoor cat!), but he’s not bored with this one! We like that it’s not reliant on batteries and that it provides fun for timely intervals so he gets a break and doesn’t get bored! We like the interchangeable 'chasers' — though his favorite seems to be the feathers. Really good for getting your cat to move around!" —D. Thomas

Get it from Amazon for $20.

Fold it and take on your travels thanks to its portable design.

Promising review: "My two cats (a 1-year-old and a 4-year-old) love this thing! It serves as a cozy bed, a prime spot for a good ambush during playtime, and a sort of gigantic hamster ball that they climb into and roll around the apartment in. It's sturdy and well made, the seams are strong and even, and the snaps stay together during vigorous play." —holly

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in two sizes and five colors).

Designed with a felt material for added softness.

Promising review: "All my cats love this! It is paws down their favorite toy, right up there with the laser pointer. I do recommend keeping it locked away when it's not in use as it is a choking/bowel obstruction hazard if your cats are prone to chewing and/or eating strings." —Shields

Get it from Amazon for $7.43.

Promising review: "I'm never sure if a new cat toy will be received as well as I hope, but this one sure delivered! My three cats have been playing with it almost nonstop, except for when I have to take it away to charge it. One of them pretty much 'hogs' it and the other two can't get near it, though they try. It took them a few minutes to realize that they had to touch it to get it to move when it stopped flopping, but once they understood it, they were off to the races. I can't speak to the durability of it, but since the cover can be removed for cleaning, I'm thinking it should last a long time — fingers crossed." —Amazongal

Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available as six different types of fish).

Promising review: " My cat loves to hunt so he uses it to hide in the tunnels and then jump out at us and try to scare us. Lol! He plays with it every day. He has his claws and there are no holes in the tunnel and we have had it for months. The only complaint is it weighs nothing so it’s always blowing around. Guess that’s just the life of a cat owner." –Shallan cook

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 14 colors and patterns).

Promising review: "Arguably the best robotic cat/pet toy ever. Our cat is completely fascinated by it. There is one setting that allows the ball to roll on its own this really is amazing. I could sense that our cat was disappointed when it was taken away to charge. You will have a ball watching your pets go wild over this toy! I hope the brand expands on this concept and continues to improve the design as time goes on. Please! Keep making it better! Love this!" —Ryan

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (clip the coupon to save 15%; available in four colors).

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.