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11 Best Kitten Toys – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Jordin Horn

By Jordin Horn

Hepper Blue Catnip Stick Toy - Domestic Shorthair Tortoiseshell Cat

 

Everyone loves to watch a kitten play. From laser pointers to teaser toys, kittens with their newfound curiosity can be endlessly entertained by toys. Luckily, there are tons of options (inexpensive ones, too) that you can order today from home.  The problem is, which one should you pick? With our kitten toy reviews, you’ll be able to tell quickly which toy is best for your kitten. Read on to discover all the different kinds of and best kitten toys out there and our best picks for your furball.

 

 

hepper single cat paw divider

 

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2024)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Catnip Stick Toy Hepper Catnip Stick Toy
  • Infused with irresistible catnip
  • Handmade of safe, natural materials
  • Interactive design thats easy to hold
  • Second place
    Hepper Furball Set Hepper Furball Set
  • Affordable
  • Engages kitten’s active play
  • Set of 2
  • Third place
    Frisco Foldable Crinkle Play Cat Tunnel Frisco Foldable Crinkle Play Cat Tunnel
  • Tunnel play for curious cats
  • Ball on the inside for more fun
  • Crinkly sound some cats will love
  • Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy
  • Lifelike mice encourage cat play
  • Filled with catnip
  • Inexpensive
  • Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy
  • Non-skid bottom
  • Very entertaining
  • Perfect mental and physical stimulation for kittens
  • The 11 Best Kitten Toys

    1. Hepper Catnip Stick Toy – Best Overall

    Hepper Catnip Stick Toy - White Cornish Rex on Bed

    Dimensions: 6” x 1”
    Material: Linen
    Catnip?: Yes

    This handmade Hepper Catnip Stick is the perfect companion for any kitten or cat. It gets kitties active due to its durable chewable exterior and intriguing texture. This toy is only filled with catnip, making it an irresistible toy that is easy to toss around and hunt. Made of all-natural materials, you do not have to worry about your furry family member being exposed to chemicals or toxic components that could negatively affect their well-being.

    The exterior is strong enough to accommodate even the roughest of players. The length offers plenty of chewing and clawing surfaces for cats of all sizes to enjoy. Even young kittens can enjoy the pliable surface without fear of hurting a tooth or nail.

    While this toy is safe for all life stages. However, this toy cannot be washed due to being filled with catnip but cleans easily with a wipe of a damp cloth.

    All in all, we think this is the overall best kitten toy.

    Pros
    • Handmade of safe, natural materials
    • Features an interactive design
    • Filled with irresistible catnip
    • Long
    Cons
    • Cannot be washed

    2. Hepper Furball Toy Set

    cat playng with the Hepper Furball Toy

     

    Dimensions:
    2 in diameter
    Material: Faux fur, premium cotton
    Catnip?: No

    Kittens are easily amused with small toys that are fun to bat around and carry in their mouths. The Hepper Furball Toy Set is just that! The faux fur exterior and hidden bell offer multisensory play. You can either choose to use these toys interactively, throwing them for an adorable game of fetch and are enticing enough to keep your cat locked into an independent play session of pouncing and chasing.

    Best of all, they are extremely affordable, so replacements can be purchased without breaking the bank. It comes in a set of two which extends the value and makes them a great option for multi-kitty homes.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Set of 2
    • Encourages self-play
    • Can be used for interactive play
    Cons
    • Only comes in one color set

    3. Frisco Foldable Crinkle Play Cat Tunnel

    Dimensions: 47 x 11 x 11 inches
    Material: Polyester
    Catnip?: No

    Cats and kittens love to crawl through tight spaces. This Foldable Crinkle Play Tunnel from Frisco is about 4 feet long, making it perfect for spoiling one kitten or multiple cats in one household. Kitties can crawl through the tunnel and pop up through the hole in the top to jump on unsuspecting “prey.” Inside the tunnel, there is a ball hanging from the tunnel’s ceiling to add to the fun. When you are done with playtime, the tunnel folds up for easy storage. Or, leave it out for your cat to nap in.

    Because the tunnel crinkles, it may scare a timid cat. Evaluate ahead of time if your cat might be scared by the crinkly noises it makes. Also, the tunnel only comes in one color: brown.

    Pros
    • Tunnel play for curious cats
    • Ball on the inside for more fun
    • Crinkly sound some cats will love
    Cons
    • Only comes in one color
    • Some cats are scared of the sound it makes

    4. Frisco Basic Plush Mice Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 2.5 x 4 x 1.3 inches
    Material: Polyester
    Catnip?: Yes

    Another classic kitten toy is these Basic Plush Mice that are filled with catnip. Kittens and cats go crazy for these pretend mice, with their polyester outer fabric in a variety of colors, short little tails, and Canadian-grown catnip on the inside. This toy is best for older kittens that are at least 6-8 months old because that is the age which kittens start to grow more interested in catnip. To keep the catnip fresh, store the toys in a cool and dark place after you are done with playtime. You can purchase this toy in a 3 or 5 pack.

    Kittens turned their noses up at these mice when they didn’t feel there was enough catnip inside the mice. If your cat loves catnip, they may be disappointed with these mice. 

    Pros
    • Lifelike mice encourage cat play
    • Filled with catnip
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Not enough catnip

    5. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy

    Frisco Butterfly Cat Tracks Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 9.8 x 3.5 x 9.8 inches
    Material: Plastic
    Catnip?: No

    Your kitty will have hours of fun with this tower of fun. There are three levels of spinning balls, each a different color, with two springy butterflies on the top to bat at. When your cat discovers that they can push the balls around, they will spin them around from standing, sitting, laying down, and maybe even upside down!

    The bottom of the toy has padding to prevent skidding when the play gets going. While this seems like a great toy for kittens and cats alike, most cat experts agree that this toy is probably more interesting for kittens overall. Some people may have a difficult time assembling the toy, too.

    Pros
    • Very entertaining
    • Perfect mental and physical stimulation for kittens
    • Non-skid bottom
    Cons
    • Some assembly required
    • Not all cats love it

    6. Frisco Scratch & Roll Scratcher Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 15 x 2 inches
    Material: Plastic and cardboard
    Catnip?: Yes

    Those who have kittens who love scratching might be interested in purchasing this toy for their furball. It’s a round pad with corrugated cardboard for your kitten to scratch up to their pleasure. Catnip is provided for sprinkling on the cardboard if your kitty needs encouragement to scratch the pad. Not only that, there is a little ball contained around the rim of the toy that spins around for your cat’s enjoyment and your entertainment.

    Occasionally, like all catnip toys, some cats are just not interested in the toy. Other kittens were able to get the ball out of the toy, so always supervise while in use.

    Pros
    • Cats love to scratch it 
    • Little ball adds more entertainment
    Cons
    • The ball can come out at times

    7. Frisco Colorful Springs Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 2.8 x 1.4 x 3.2 inches
    Material: Plastic
    Catnip?: No

    For some reason, cats and kittens love this spring toy. Even though it looks nothing like something a cat would hunt in the wild, it definitely moves like one! Once your kitty gets used to this toy, all you need to do is give it a little squeeze and your cat will be alert and ready to play. When the spring toy gets batted around, it continues to move, making it a very stimulating toy for your cat. You can spring-load it and shoot it across for your kitty to chase after, too. Plus, it’s easy for your cat to pick up with its mouth and carry around.

    Some cats will not be interested in this toy. Other, more destructive cats may break through the plastic that it’s made of easily.

    Pros
    • Springy toy moves like a small animal
    • Easy for a cat to play with and pick up with its mouth
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Some may not like the plastic material

    8. Frisco 2-in-1 Laser & LED Light Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 5.5 x .5 inches
    Material: Plastic, aluminum
    Catnip?: No

    Kittens are perplexed and endlessly entertained by this little laser light. Just shine it onto the floor or wall near your cat and he will try to chase it all over. This little gadget has 3 modes, which include a pulse, strobe, and steady mode. Plus, it’s a flashlight. There’s no need to wait to use this toy when you get it: it comes with batteries and replacement batteries. Once you introduce this toy and your kitten hears the jingle of the keychain, she will come running for her next exercise/play session.

    Many customers loved this product, but some found the on/off button annoying to work with. It doesn’t click on and click off, but you have to press it down to keep it on. Others found that the batteries did not last long enough.

    Pros
    • Easy way to get kitty exercised
    • 3 modes
    • Extra batteries
    Cons
    • On/off function is inconvenient
    • Batteries run out quickly

    9. Frisco Refillable Catnip Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.5 x 1.8 inches
    Material: Polyester
    Catnip?: Yes

    This little squirrel is about to be your kitty’s favorite new toy. Whether your kitten loves catnip or does not care for it yet, the Refillable Catnip toy can suit any needs. Because it’s refillable, you can take all the catnip out or even refill it with more with the vial of catnip that’s provided. Once it’s ratty and dirty, just take the catnip out and throw it in the washing machine for a cycle.

    Pay attention to the dimensions of the product, as some people expected a much larger product when they purchased it. Also, some people are convinced the catnip is not high-quality enough, as some cats do not really care for it.

    Pros
    • Perfect size for kittens
    • Refillable catnip pouch
    • Comes with a vial of catnip
    Cons
    • Smaller than some expected
    • Catnip of questionable quality

    10. Frisco Fabric Teaser Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 16.75 x 0.3 x 0.3 inches 
    Material: Plastic and polyester
    Catnip?: No

    Frisco is coming at you again with another teaser cat toy. The design is super simple; just a plastic stick with a piece of fabric attached to it, however, cats love this thing. You can twirl it up high or squiggle it across the floor for chasing. Some cats love this toy so much that they carry it to their owners for playtime, and some even sleep with it!

    The fabric on the ribbon is not durable enough for some kitten’s play, and it can definitely be chewed up or torn apart. Also, be sure to watch your cat while playing with this toy, as it is a strangling hazard.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • A simple toy that offers lots of entertainment
    Cons
    • Strangling hazard
    • Material might not stand up to hard play

    11. Frisco Step-In Cat Scratcher Toy with Catnip

    Frisco Step-In Cat

    Dimensions: 15 x 13 x 4.5 inches
    Material: Cardboard and recycled materials
    Catnip?: Yes

    It’s an instinct for cats and kittens to lay in boxes, and this toy takes advantage of that trait. Cats need to scratch things to take care of their nails. If your kitten is not too interested in the scratcher yet, you can sprinkle some catnip in it, which is included with the toy. If your kitten is scratching things that he shouldn’t, consider buying this nice box to keep you both happy.

    Unfortunately, no cardboard refills are available for this product right now. The bottom may or may not have a bottom on it, so sprinkling catnip in it may result in a mess. You should probably place something on the bottom of the box so it doesn’t make a mess for you.

    Pros
    • Box shape that kittens love to lounge in
    • Scratching surface
    Cons
    • No replacement scratchers
    • Catnip can make a mess

    hepper cat paw divider

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Kitten Toys

    While kittens don’t necessarily need toys to survive, we love to spoil our young cats with new toys that they will love. If you did not find what you were looking for with our list of best kitten toys, maybe our buyer’s guide for kitten toys will help you find what you’re looking for.

    Here are some factors you will want to keep in mind in your continued search for kitten toys.

    Price

    Most kitten toys are pretty inexpensive, so you won’t have to worry about paying a lot for one (or several). The less you pay, generally, the lower quality of the toy in structure and materials. This may not always be the case, but if you want something that’s more guaranteed to last a long time, you might want to try to find something that costs more.

    Durability

    Cats and kittens can be hard on toys. If you have a brand-new kitten, you might not yet know what their playstyle is. However, once they get bigger, you will be able to tell. Buy a sturdier toy for an aggressive-play cat. If your cat is more likely to gently paw at toys, she might be able to handle something a little less tough.

    Mental and Physical Stimulation

    Some cats are just lazy and want to eat a lot and lay around all the time. That is fine with us until it begins to affect their weight. When left alone all day, other cats might wreak havoc on your house out of boredom and need something else to keep them busy. Both of these problems can be solved with cat and kitten toys. Pick toys that you can either manipulate and play with your kitten, and/or some toys they can entertain themselves with. That way, your kitten can stay out of trouble and remain healthy.

    Frisco Butterfly Cat Toy_Chewy

    Supervision

    Always make it a point to supervise your cat when they are playing with toys, especially teaser toys with long strings. That is because cats can end up hurting themselves during play if we are not there to stop it. Small objects can be broken off and cause choking hazards, or cats can strangle themselves with long pieces of rope or fabric.

    hepper cat paw divider

    Conclusion

    We hope our best kitten toy reviews have helped you decide on your next kitten toy. As a refresher, we will review our top picks. The  Hepper Catnip Stick won our hearts for the best overall pick with its high engagement value. If you are looking for something a little more affordable, try the Hepper Furball Toy Set, which was our pick for budget buy. 

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