Chances are, you cat is pretty lazy, right? Especially if it’s a few years old, and you tend to its needs so all it has to do is eat, sleep, eat, and sleep.
Cats were not always this lazy. The modern domestic cat is coming off the back of a few generations of cats that no longer need to hunt.
A cat with a happy home is more than happy to just chill out. And why not I say. But some exercise and fun is also very welcome.
Why use interactive cat toys?
As mentioned above, most cats will spend their time relaxing instead of exercising. But exercise keeps a cat healthy, on weight, and more alert.
So as a cat owner you need to do your part to ensure they are getting some exercise. The best way to do this is with interactive toys.
This way you can play with your cat. As well as have some fun and exercise yourself if you get involved.
Quick Comparison: Interactive Cat Toys All Cats Love
| Picture | Cat toy | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Cat Dancer 301 Cat Charmer Interactive Cat Toy | $ | 4.4 |
| Petmate Light Chaser Cat Toy | $$ | 4.3 |
| OurPets Play-N-Squeak Thrill of the Chase Interactive Cat Toy | $$ | 4.1 |
Read on for detailed reviews of each product.
Why Finding Good Interactive Toys for Your Cat Is Important
There are a few good reasons why providing interactive toys for your cat is important. Young kittens have a lot to learn about hunting, playing, and coordination.
Using toys that encourage them to play hard, keep them interested, and help them develop these skills are essential before they start exploring the outside world.
Once they go outside they will need to be adept at climbing, hunting, interacting with other cats, and defending themselves.
If you have more than one cat in the house this is great for development. There are some toys that operate themselves that do a great job too.
But you can pass up on an opportunity to play with your cat yourself. It’s a big part of the fun being a cat owner.
Here are some popular toys that cover these bases. They don’t cost a fortune either, so definitely worth taking a closer look at.
Reviews of the Some Interactive Cat Toys
SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy
Basically this toy mimics the actions of a real mouse running around. Perfect for kitty’s, as they love chasing mice as we all know.
Even the most lazy of cats will find it hard to resist jumping up and chasing this around. You don’t have to do anything either. Other than sit back and enjoy the show.
Some of the funniest cat videos on YouTube involve watching cats go crazy for this toy. It ticks all the boxes as far as giving your kitty a good workout goes.
When it comes to cheap and easy answers to getting your cat to exercise these cat charmers are, well, just the charm.
Cat Dancer 301 Cat Charmer Interactive Cat Toy
It retails for around $4. Although I’d recommend buying a larger pack as they will get destroyed over time. But the chase, and then the satisfaction of ripping the toy up is part of the fun for your cat.
This toy is my personal favorite. I have lost countless hours rolling around on the floor playing and laughing at my cat with this one.
Petmate Light Chaser Cat Toy
But they are incredibly fun and addictive for cats to play with. They cannot help themselves but to chase the light around. This means you can sit down and relax while doing this, and send your cat off wherever you choose.
Obviously, it goes without saying – be very careful not to shine it in your cat’s eyes. It can be dangerous to their sensitive eyes. So keep this one away from young children to air on the side of caution.
I have used a couple of different brands before, this Petmate Light Chaser Cat Toy is one of the less expensive ones. It also comes with a collar so you can strap it to your can and let them provide their own entertainment.
It’s funny to watch. The more the kitty moves, the more the laser moves, then as they chase it, it moves again. It’s like a never ending tailspin.
OurPets Play-N-Squeak Thrill of the Chase Interactive Cat Toy
The tag line from the manufacturer is ‘bring the wild inside!’ While this may be a little bit enthusiastic, it does provide a toy that encourages your cat to chase the ‘prey’ inside.
This is a great toy for younger cats. I can imagine the older cats being a little bemused and not tricked into it as much. Still worth consideration, as with the right cat it provides hours and hours of fun.
Another interesting point is that it includes some catnip. So it your cat is one of those felines that gets excited by catnip, even better. It even makes squeaking noises like real prey. Good for tuning another of their senses.