Last Updated on March 10, 2023 by ellen
If your vet has told you that your cat is overweight, you may be wondering about the best cat exercise toys. Unlike with dogs, you cannot just throw a ball and expect your cat to chase it. It’s also fairly difficult to get your cat to walk on a leash like a dog does. That doesn’t mean that you can’t encourage your cat to exercise. It just takes a little bit different approach than with a dog.
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Best Cat Exercise Toys
So, what kind of exercise toys are best for your cat. Since most cats are picky, it will take a little bit of experimenting to find out which ones your cat loves the most. Heather and Scout (our two cats) are at opposite ends of the personality spectrum. Heather will play with everything. Scout is very picky. These are the best cat toys for indoor cats that I’ve found.
Cat Dancer
An interactive cat toy designed to charm and not harm. With a polycarbonate wand and very colorful fabric, Cat Charmer provides excellent aerobic exercise and is a safe interactive toy for all kittens, cats, and kids. Now with bright new candy colored wands and a fun selection of colors. Learn more.
Tower Tracks
With three levels of track, each with its own ball, this toy is perfect for group play with one or more cats, but also works for solo play! With sturdy construction and non-skid pads at the bottom, this toy can handle the roughest players. Learn more.
Cat Tunnel With Ball
With a spacious tunnel, built-in crinkle crackle paper, & soft ball toy, this popular tube gives your kitty more ways to have fun. It provides hours of exercise & self-amusement. Learn more.
SmartyKat Toy
An electronic toy replicates the movements of hidden prey with moving lights and erratically moving wand under the durable fabric. Your cat will love playing with this one. It’s one of the best interactive cat toys we’ve found. Learn more.
Interactive Laser Toy
The exciting laser moves randomly across floors and walls, which appeals to cats’ natural hunting instinct. You can use the mirror adjust button to control where the laser points. This is Scout’s favorite cat exercise toy. Learn more.
Catch the Mouse Toy
This is the best cat toy on the market and fun exercise for your cat because it satisfies your cat’s natural instinct. Cats have a natural instinct to stalk and pounce on their prey. The toy can be used as either ground prey or air prey. Learn more.
Have you tried any of these cat toys with your cat? I’d love to know which ones you think are the best cat exercise toys.
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Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.
I like the cat dancer! My daughter’s cats are so lazy! lol Maybe this will get them moving. Thanks!
I’m sure it would!
i need something like my cat goes nut and she want to have toys all the time
I’m sure she’d enjoy them!
I had to pin this I definitely need something for my a little over 5 month kitten. She’s fine playing by herself, but she needs something to keep her busy and out of trouble. She’s like a naughty toddler, looking for trouble and testing my patience. Lol
She sounds adorable!
I love grey kitties! They’re so cute!
Me too, John!
I so enjoy watching cats play and bat at their toys! Petco had a 70% off sale on the very little toys recently and I wanted to get some just to have on hand! I really like the ones that make them work so they get some exercise.
That is a great deal!
I had a cat dancer toy when I had my cat. She loved chasing it.
The are fun!
The laser seems to be something all my cats have loved. all the other toys are hit or miss depending on personality.
That’s certainly a favorite with ours too!
Our cat loves his toy mice, it’s so much fun watching him play with them. 🙂 He’d like the Catch the Mouse Toy.
They are so cute to watch!
my cats absolutely love the laser toy, they go nuts for it. It works best in a dark room so they can see the light better. They also love the track with a ball in it!
Those are loads of fun!
My cat enjoys the laser light as well hours of fun.
It definitely is!
My cat gets very excited when I pull out the toys. We play together every night. It helps calm him down for a good nite’s sleep.
Ours are like that too!
We had recently seen the Lego Ninjago movie and it they use a weapon to destroy a Lego town, it is a laser pointer. The cat then went crazy attacking the town. It was way funny, so we went right out and got our kitty her own laser toy and she loved it. It is good exercise for her! Thanks for the tips we are new cat owners and your site has been helpful!
Our cats love the lasers!