The Cat Toys That Cats Will Actually Play With, According to Our Cats
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Cats are famously particular — so it can take some trial and error to learn which cat toys they’ll enjoy playing with, and even then, they often prefer the box the toys came in. But having a few good ones around can help keep your kitty active and entertained. So I polled the cat owners on the Strategist staff to ask which toys their cats actuallygo for, from feather wands to interactive puzzles. Senior editor Michael Berk, a longtime cat owner, also advised getting abasketto keep your cat’s toys in. It helps keeps things organized,andyour cat may even enjoy retrieving their toys.
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Senior editor Jen Trolio's cats are obsessed with the fuzzy mouse on this wand/laser pointer.
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They also go bonkers for this teaser wand with replaceable feathers and charms.
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Berk says kittens especially love this long fabric wand.
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"Nothing beats the Cat Dancer," says Berk.
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Deals editor Sam Daly's cat Fern loves the Yeowww! banana toy ...
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My two cats enjoy bunny-kicking these toys, which come in a wide range of adorable designs.
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This skinnier kicker toy was a particular favorite when my cats were 3 to 5 months old.
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Berk says his cats enjoy attacking this catnip-infused kicker toy from Kong.
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Like pipe cleaners, but without the sharp metal inside.
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Daly buys these shiny, crinkly ball toys for her cats.
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My cats chase these bouncy springs all around my apartment.
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Trolio's cats are also into springs; she recommended this pack of multi-size ones from Target.
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Daly and Trolio's cats both enjoy these catnip-infused ropes.
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Berk's cats like playing with leftover Ikea wooden dowel pins; you can also buy them in packs.
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This bouncy, automatic wand toy reliably keeps my cats entertained.
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Daly says her cat Lottie carries these balls around and trills, like they're her babies.
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These silvervine sticks are practically irresistible to my cats; they bat and chase these all over.
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I like these bulk packs of mice because my cats are always losing them behind furniture.
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Newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang buys toy mice filled with catnip for her cat.
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These catnip-filled crochet toys are one of my cats' favorites to carry around the apartment.
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Daly's cat Fern loves this cuddly platypus toy.
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My cats love to chase the foam balls and plastic balls with bells that come in this set.
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... and Trolio says a good old bouncy ball is a favorite at her house.
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Trolio's cats also enjoy playing with these colorful foam balls.
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I put treats in this gummy-bear toy, and my cats love batting it around to get them out.
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For mental stimulation, Berk uses this food puzzle to challenge his cats.
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Daly's cats like this cardboard version, which has multiple "levels" to hide treats in.
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Berk says kittens especially love this ball-track tower toy.
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This tunnel is one of my cats' most-played-with toys. They hide in it and pounce on each other.
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They also like this cardboard scratcher for hiding and sneaking up on each other.
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In addition to traditional scratching posts, my cats love this vertical wall scratcher.
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Cats can rub and scratch on this brush toy to their hearts' content.
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