10 Best Hunting Toys for Cats – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Despite their small size, cats are excellent and skilled predators made to hunt smaller prey, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles. While domestic cats no longer need to hunt to survive, they still have their hunting instincts that need to be exercised regularly.

Providing “hunting” opportunities for your cat will reduce boredom and boost happiness. However, it can be challenging to find the right toys to encourage your cat to hunt and play. Our reviews provide helpful information on toys that are currently popular amongst cats. It may take a few tries to find the best toys for your cat but knowing your options will help you figure out your cat’s favorites.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Hunting Toys for Cats

1. Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy – Best Overall

Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy gets our vote for the best hunting toy for cats due to its large, enticing design and multisensory features. It’s a catnip-infused kicker that draws in felines with its irresistible scent. This toy is engaging and activates hunting instincts in a few ways. The exterior of the mouse, complete with chewable ears and tail, is made of a durable fabric that is strong enough to withstand biting, clawing, and scratching. The length makes it an ideal option for cats of all sizes to grapple and bunny kick. There is a bell inside of the mouse that jingles with every bat, kick, and toss – mimicking that of real prey.

It only comes in one color but your cat likely will not be too concerned with the shade of this unreal kicker toy.

All in all, we think this is the best hunting cat toy available in today’s market.

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2. Hepper Mice Toy Set in Hessian  — Budget Buy

Is there anything more enticing than a small, catnip-infused toy when it comes to catering to feline instincts? Our Hepper Hessian Mice Set Toys are a great way to get your cat engaged in physical and mental activity at a phemonimal price. Each set comes with two different-sized toys which only increases the value of this quality catnip-infused option!

This set is ideal for cats who like to stalk, pounce, batt and chase as well as carry toy in their mouth – touching on all things you would imagine a hunting cat would do!

Each toy is made of a durable hessian exterior, designed to withstand the roughest of play sessions, and the interior is a soft premium cotton, keeping it lightweight and easy to toss around. Play with your cat by dragging the mice around by their tail, or dangling them over their cat tree. The catnip scent will fade over time but replacements are an easy buy at a great price.

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3. INSTACHEW PureChase Smart Mouse Cat Toy

This Smart Mouse Cat Toy uses advanced technology to create a fun and interactive experience for cats. It’s a rechargeable, electronic mouse toy that you can control with your phone. Once you download the app, you can either control the speed and direction of the toy manually or turn on a mode that enables automatic, irregular paths. So, you can enjoy playtime with your cat or let it play on its own if you’re busy.

The toy can run on carpet at a slower speed and has a double-sided roller that enables it to keep running even if your cat flips it over. The battery lasts up to 2 hours and takes about 30 minutes to charge fully. Just keep in mind that you do need a strong Wi-Fi connection for the toy to work with the app. So, without Wi-Fi, it’s not the most interactive toy.

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4. KONG Puzzlements Pockets Cat Toy – Best for Kittens

Kittens need plenty of playtime to stay happy. Interactive, multi-functional toys don’t just entertain them, but they also stimulate their minds and help with cognitive development. This KONG puzzle mat is a safe and fun option for kittens. It has nine pockets where you can hide toys or treats, and the pockets open on different sides to provide a challenging experience. The mat also comes with two toys to encourage your cat to explore.

The mat is made with soft fabric and contains crinkle material that adds even more entertainment for your kitten. Just keep in mind that the size of the mat runs a little small. So, while it’s an ideal size for a kitten, it may be too small for larger adult cats.

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5. OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Dog & Cat Toy

This treat-dispensing toy is a great option for food-motivated cats. It provides a fun and productive playtime that engages a cat’s mind. The puzzle has nine compartments you can fill with treats or food. It works as both a great toy and alternative feeder that helps cats to slow down their eating.

The caps that go over the compartments fit in a slider and won’t fall out. So, you don’t have to worry about losing any pieces. One thing to keep in mind is that this puzzle does not come with multiple difficulty levels. Once your cat can solve it consistently, it may lose interest.

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6. KONG Infused Cat Gyro Cat Toy

This interactive KONG toy is another excellent option for food-motivated cats. It has a food container at the center and an outer ring that makes the toy more challenging and engaging. This toy can roll, spin, and flip, and its unpredictability with treat dispensing makes the toy a fun challenge for cats as they bat at it.

The outer ring is also infused with catnip oil and has a bell that may entice cats to play. The food container is removable to make cleaning and filling easy.

While this toy can be entertaining and engaging for most cats, owners with smaller cats must consider its large size. It can be a little too big for kittens and small cats to play with, and the treat dispensing hole may be too large for smaller treats.

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7. SmartyKat Chickadee Chirp Electronic Bird-Sound Cat Toy

Cats that are drawn to birds will love playing with this toy. This SmartyKat Chickadee Cat Toy is made with soft material and contains catnip in a refillable pouch. It’s touch-activated and makes realistic bird sounds to pique your cat’s curiosity and interest.

The toy’s battery can emit up to 10,000 sounds before running out of energy. The touch activation is fairly sensitive, so the toy comes with a switch that you can use to turn the toy on and off.

Because the toy contains batteries, it’s a bit more weighted than other plush cat toys. So, it’s not the best for batting and bouncing around.

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8. Petstages Grass Patch Hunting Box Cat Scratcher Toy

This Grass Patch Hunting Box Cat Scratcher Toy is a fun and interactive game that hides balls for your cat to hunt and chase. The balls jingle when they move, which can be more enticing for cats to chase. The top has five holes that your cat can peek through to find the balls. The surface is also made with faux grass and can be used for scratching. It’s also soft enough for cats to lounge on, so you really get your money’s worth with the toy’s various functions.

The box is made with cardboard, so you can recycle it once it gets worn out. However, because of the material, the toy can break easily and may have to be replaced multiple times. Also, some cats may mistake the toy for a litter box, so it’s helpful to store it away when your cat isn’t playing with it.

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9. Catit Sense 2.0 Super Circuit Cat Toy

If your cat enjoys chasing and running around, it’ll love this toy. This Super Circuit Cat Toy is a tube track with multiple pieces that come apart so that you can assemble over 100 different tracks. It has a peek-a-boo cover and multiple holes that enable your cat to bat at the ball inside. The ball has a swirly pattern to encourage your cat to chase it.

This toy is also very convenient and a good solution for cats that keep losing their toys. The ball is very difficult to get out of the track and is unlikely to get swatted under furniture and in hard-to-reach spaces. While it has many positive reviews, some cat owners have noticed that younger cats seem to be more entertained by this toy than older cats.

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10. SmartyKat Skitter Critters Value Pack Catnip Cat Toys

The Skitter Critters Value Pack Catnip Cat Toy has a simple yet effective design to make playtime fun for cats. It has floppy ears that are easy to grip and fun ribbon tails that cats can chew and swat.

It’s a great budget-friendly option as it comes in packs of 10. You can hide these toys all over the house for your cat to hunt. Each toy contains premium catnip for your cats to sniff out and enjoy. The toys are lightweight so that your cat can play independently and have an easy time carrying them around. They also bounce really well, so many cats will enjoy batting and swatting them around.

Just keep in mind that as the toy wears down, the tails start to detach easily, and your cat may accidentally swallow them. So, make sure to supervise your cat when it plays, especially if the toy is getting old.

Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Hunting Toy for Cats

There are so many different kinds of cat toys made with various materials, and it’s impossible to sift through each one to find a high-quality toy. However, there are a few things to look for when shopping for good hunting toys for cats.

Stitching

One of the first things to examine is the stitching. Low-quality toys will have loose stitches and threads. If you’re at a pet store, you can gently pull at the seams to see if the toy is tightly stitched. Avoid any toys with gaps or openings between the seams.

Treat Pouch

Many cats will need some extra encouragement to play with a toy, and a treat pouch is a great feature that gives them more incentive to play. Treat pouches work for cats that like catnip or are food-motivated. If you buy one of these toys, make sure that the toy is machine-washable in case it gets dirty.

Charging Capacity

Electronic cat toys are popular because they allow cats to engage in independent play. They’re great options for moments when you’re too busy to play with your cat or when your cat’s home alone. When shopping for electronic toys, try to look for toys with long battery life or the ability to recharge well. You can check customer reviews to see if an electronic toy contains a reliable recharging system.

Multiple Functions

Cats can get bored easily, so it is often helpful to get toys with multiple functions. For example, you can find puzzle toys with varying difficulty levels that provide variety for cats. Some electronic toys may also contain catnip, which adds an extra element of fun for cats.

The best toys will give your cat hours and hours of exercise and entertainment. Our Hepper Catnip Stick Toys are packed with 100% organic catnip and shaped like prey to give your cat both mental and physical stimulation. Plus, they're as nice to look at as they are sturdy and fun!

Conclusion

Hunting toys are both fun and extremely beneficial for a cat’s well-being. Overall, the Hepper Plush Mouse Kicker Toy is the best hunting toy in our reviews. It has caters to instinctual behaviors and will last the test of time. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly toy, the Hepper Hessian Mice Set Toys is a great deal that comes with a variety of replacement tails. The INSTACHEW PureChase Smart Mouse Cat Toy is another option that is worth every penny and can provide extended entertainment for both you and your cat. Whichever you choose, we hope you found these reviews helpful.

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Featured Image Credit: ginkoveyka, Freepik