As a pet writer and lifelong cat mom, I've tested more toys for indoor cats than I can count. From the best automated teaser toys your feline will love to chase to the best puzzle feeders that will keep their brain ticking, I’ve narrowed it down to my top six favorites.
While play is important for every cat, it’s especially crucial for indoor cats who don't get as much mental and physical stimulation throughout the day. They need a rotation of the best cat toys and at least an hour of play every day, which can be broken into shorter sessions of 15 to 20 minutes.
Below, you'll find the best toys for indoor cats, all tried and approved by the PetsRadar testing team. We selected the SmartyKat Loco Motion Electronic Cat Toy as our overall pick for its fun design that encourages exercise.
The best toys for indoor cats
The best toy for indoor cats overall
If you're looking for a way to motivate your cat to exercise, this automated teaser toy is a great option. It moves around in unpredictable patterns, and the feather mimics prey, making it irresistible for cats to chase.
With two speed settings and a timer, you can customize the toy to suit your cat's playtime preferences. The teaser wand can also be removed from the base – something our tester Janet loves doing with her cats to play fetch.
She describes the toy as "durable" and says her cats will drop whatever they're doing as soon as she turns it on. If you're after a quieter toy with a similar concept, try the Cat Dancer Rainbow Cat Charmer.
Reasons to buy: Encourages exercise, mimics prey, good value for money.
Reasons to avoid: Makes a slight noise, batteries have to be changed frequently.
The best teaser toy for indoor cats
This exciting teaser toy will keep your indoor cat active – the colorful ribbon will have them running around for hours. We also love that it’s under $12, making it super affordable!
Our tester Allie gave it to her cat Iris, and says it’s now her favorite toy. Iris is usually fussy about what she plays with, but Allie says she’s “never seen her go so crazy [as with] this one.”
She also notes that it’s long-lasting and durable, even after being dragged all over the house during constant play. She adds: “I've never had a cat that doesn't love a Cat Dancer. This is a super simple toy with a great play payoff."
However, if you'd prefer an automated option, go for the SmartyKat Loco Motion Electronic Cat Toy instead.
Reasons to buy: Entertaining, durable, affordable, eco-friendly.
Reasons to avoid: Not automated.
The best automated ball for indoor cats
This self-rolling ball features engaging sounds and color-changing LED lights, and it avoids obstacles as it rolls and bounces.
It automatically moves in response to your cat's actions, making it super engaging and interactive. Cheerble offers three different settings (fast mode/vibrate, bounce mode, and slow mode/slow roll), along with a play-and-rest cycle.
The battery lasts up to 3.5 hours of non-stop play and will alert you when it needs charging. This toy has been really helpful in keeping my cats entertained while I work from home – they're so curious about it!
For something more affordable, try the Petstages Cheese Chase Catnip Interactive Cat Track Toy.
Reasons to buy: Works on all surfaces, encourages exercise, customizable settings.
Reasons to avoid: Expensive.
The best track toy for indoor cats
This three-in-one toy features a track ball, a catnip toy, and a third ball in the middle, giving your cat plenty to play with. It has a non-slip base to keep it in place and is made from durable plastic.
Our tester Helen says it provides lots of stimulation for her cats and that they're intrigued by the rotating ball. “They have played with this every day so far and are happy when it comes out in the morning! Both have chewed the catnip toy, but it's still holding on.”
She notes that it might not be the best choice for dexterous or aggressive players who tend to tip the toy over, as the middle ball escapes easily. If that's the case, we'd recommend the Cheerble M3 instead.
Reasons to buy: Good for mental stimulation, three toys in one.
Reasons to avoid: The middle ball falls out easily.
The best indoor cat toy for prey-motivated cats
This snail-shaped toy will tap into your cat's natural hunting instincts, encouraging them to pounce after it. Not only does it have LED lights to attract your feline, but it also has two different speed settings to choose from.
Our tester Norah says it's "amazing" and is perfect for cats who love to chase. Thanks to the long-lasting battery life, this toy kept her "typically needy" cat engaged for hours. The only downside? The material isn't the best quality, and the antennae broke off within the first couple of days. If that's a concern, we'd opt for the Cheerble M3 instead.
Norah says: "It's a fully independent toy that engages our cat and helps her get healthy exercise. She loves it, I would highly recommend it for any cat owner who lives in an apartment."
Reasons to buy: Automated, good battery life, engaging, avoids objects.
Reasons to avoid: Material isn't the best quality.
The best puzzle toy for indoor cats
Does your cat eat their food too fast? If so, it’s worth investing in a puzzle feeder like this one. It helps prevent vomiting, aids digestion, and supports weight management.
This bowl is great for mental stimulation, activating your feline's natural foraging instincts – especially important if they can’t go outside. With over 80 different compartments, it’s sure to keep them busy and entertained.
After months of testing, I’m super impressed by how much it’s slowed my cat’s eating and pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy using it. I’ve tried eight different puzzle feeders, and this is my all-time favorite.
To keep your cat active, consider the SmartyKat Loco Motion Electronic Cat Toy instead.
Reasons to buy: Aids digestion, affordable, activates foraging instincts.
Reasons to avoid: Not the best for physical stimulation.
Photos from testing
Videos from testing
Other toys for indoor cats we tested
As a team, we’ve tested hundreds of toys, but not all of them made the final cut. Here are a few other options you might want to consider:
Enabot ROLA PetPal
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This robot cat toy has lots of exciting features and doubles up as a treat dispenser. After downloading the app, you can control where it goes and watch your cat’s reaction on the built-in camera. It also plays noises, like meowing or barking, and you can talk to your cat using the microphone.
I thought this toy would be a hassle to set up, but it was actually very simple. It's hilarious watching my cats on the camera, and I think I had more fun than they did! It’s great that you can download the videos and watch them back. It engages my cats, but they don’t chase after it, which is why it didn't select it in the top six.
Read my full review of the Enabot ROLA PetPal.
PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Cat Toy
The PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Cat Toy encourages your indoor cat to stay active and helps with weight management.
Our tester, Laura, recommends it for cats who eat too much or too fast. She loves that it doubles as a regular ball when you close the holes and thinks the concept is a great idea. However, she struggled to figure out how to open it and said it was too big for her kitten.
She also says: "[My kitten] would push the ball just enough to roll out a piece of food, without having to actually play with it. I think this product is better in theory than in practice. But it still might be good for cats who need food as encouragement."
When it came to selecting the best puzzle toy in this guide, the Catstages Kitty Lickin’ Layers Multilayered Cat Fun Feeder Cat Treat Puzzle proved to be a better alternative.
Cheerble M1
The Cheerble M1 was featured in the last edition of this guide but has since been updated to a new and improved model. Our editor, Georgia, recommended it for kittens and playful cats, saying it was a great distraction for her kitten, who tends to climb all over her.
However, she noted that it didn’t work too well on carpeted surfaces – an issue that’s been addressed in the new M3 edition.
How we tested the best toys for indoor cats
To ensure your indoor cat is healthy and happy, they need to have a good selection of toys to play with. As well as improving their physical health by keeping them active, cat play helps with stress, anxiety, and strengthens your relationship.
With so many options on the market, it's challenging to find the best toys for indoor cats. As pet parents ourselves, we know what that's like – and we also know what you're looking for. We gave each of these toys to our team of experts, who tested them on their cats. Here's what they looked out for:
Suitability: Just like humans, every cat is different. That's why we included a variety of toys to suit different personalities. Whether your cat has lots of energy and loves to run about, or needs a little motivation with food – we've rounded up a great selection to choose from.
Cat approval: What's the point in spending money on toys that your cat won't enjoy? We ensured that the toys were engaging, stimulating, and something that our pets actually wanted to play with.
Affordability: High-quality cat toys don't need to cost the earth, and we're pleased to say that all of these are under $35. We also included some budget options in the mix for under $12.
While we recommend all of these cat toys, there's always room for improvement. Here at PetsRadar, we're transparent about the things that could be better and make sure we include these in our testing notes. That way, there are no unwanted surprises for you.
Here's more information on how we test.
Meet our review panel
How to choose the best toys for indoor cats
Cat toys are relatively inexpensive, so the best way to find them is to just try things out and see what works for your cat and their temperament.
Be led by how your cat behaves. If they enjoy running around your home, something like the Cheerble Wicked Ball M3 is best, as it encourages your cat to sprint and pounce.
You should also think about how much you want to be involved in play. Most vets recommend you play with your cat for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times a day.
If you don’t exercise your cat daily, this can lead to disinterest and obesity in cats, which can have a detrimental effect on your cat’s physical and mental health. A healthy cat is happier and more affectionate.
We suggest playing with cats yourself as much as possible. As tempting as it is to leave toys lying around the home for them to interact with, cats form better bonds with their owners through play.
Plus, they lose interest in items that they see frequently, so tidying them away, rotating toys, and playing with your cat directly will always be more exciting and rewarding for them than just leaving them to their own devices.
Still feeling unsure? Here's a breakdown of the toys we've tested:
Toy | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
$12.31 | Independent play for prey-motivated cats | |
$11.99 | Interactive play for active cats | |
$34.99 | Independent play for prey-motivated and curious cats | |
$16.99 | Independent play for intelligent cats | |
$28.99 | Independent play for prey-motivated and curious cats | |
Catstages Kitty Lickin' Layers Multilayered Cat Fun Feeder Cat Treat Puzzle | $11.99 | Cats who eat too fast and need more mental stimulation |
How do you keep an indoor cat entertained?
If you have an indoor cat, you might find it difficult to come up with new ways to keep them stimulated. We asked Dr. Rebecca MacMillan, an expert vet, for her top tips:
1. Give them a scratching post
"It’s normal for cats to want to scratch, not only to keep their claws in good shape but also to scent-mark. An indoor cat won’t have access to trees or a garden fence for this purpose, so make sure they have scratch mats or scratch posts to fulfill these natural behaviors," she says.
2. Give them a cat tree
"Cats also enjoy looking down on their territory and keeping half an eye on it whilst relaxing. An indoor cat should have access to a cat tree or some other way of getting up high, so try and incorporate this into your living space where possible," she says.
3. Mix up the toys
Dr. MacMillan says: "A variety of toys will help to keep an indoor cat amused. Try limiting and rotating which toys are out for your cat at any one time, as this will help prevent boredom in cats.
"Puzzle toys or feeders can be a great way of exercising your cat mentally and physically. Instead of putting treats in them (which can add additional calories and lead to weight gain), [...] use some of [your] cat’s daily kibble allowance in there instead. This helps them work for their dinner!"
4. Provide some outdoor space if you can
She says: "If you can, build an enclosed outdoor space for your cat (e.g. a catio), then this will help greatly with their mental wellbeing. We all benefit from some fresh air and being able to watch the world go by, so it is well worth providing for your cat if you can."
How do I tell if my cat is under stimulated?
Here are the signs that your cat is under stimulated, according to Dr. MacMillan:
- Sleeping more than usual
- Pacing
- Excessive meowing
- Overgrooming
- Destruction of furniture and possessions
- Aggression
- Overeating
She says: "The best way to get rid of a cat’s boredom is to simply spend more time with them. This means engaging in more play sessions, spending time talking to them and petting them, as well as being adventurous and trying a few reward-based training sessions."
Found this helpful? Check out our top picks of the best catnip toys and best interactive cat toys. Or, read our expert advice on how to play with a cat (the right way) and whether it's cruel to keep a cat indoors.
Megan Milstead is Staff Writer on PetsRadar and is a lifelong animal lover. As a pet parent of four cats (Chilli, Nala, Polpetta and Tofu), she understands the importance of cat play for their health and happiness. That's why she's committed to helping you find the best toys for your indoor cats. She graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in BA Journalism and joined the PetsRadar family in 2023.
Rebecca is a vet surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. She enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation). She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health.
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
Recent updates
We regularly review our buying guides to ensure the products are relevant, available and up to date. This page was last updated in April 2025 by Megan Milstead.
