Cats are super playful, especially when they are young. But what if you have a cat that can no longer see? Blind cats love to play too, but finding them the right toys that fit their lifestyle can be a challenge. The good news is that there are enough toys on the market to fill this need. Cat toys are so varied and so advanced these days that there are plenty of options for cats of all types, even blind cats.
Here are the best toys for blind cats this year, including pros, cons, suggestions, and tips for getting your cat to enjoy them to the fullest.
Our Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher is a game-changing solution that goes beyond conventional cat toys, proving invaluable for blind cats, and is our top pick for best toys for blind cats. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, its solid birch plywood frame and non-toxic gloss finish ensure durability while providing a safe, secure, and reliable environment for blind cats to explore and interact.
What truly sets the Hi-Lo Scratcher apart is its innovative three-position design – high, low, and lower, which transforms it into an engaging multi-sensory experience. The dense B-flute cardboard surface offers tactile stimulation, aiding in spatial awareness and offering a familiar touchpoint for these remarkable cats. Beyond its physical attributes, the Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher becomes a haven of comfort and discovery, allowing blind cats to confidently engage their senses and enhance their overall quality of life. While more expensive than a conventional toy, it is worth the investment, as it is a thoughtful choice that provides enrichment and empowerment to blind cats as they navigate their world through their heightened other senses.
Pros
Sturdy, safe, and reliable playspace for blind cats
Cats can be notoriously picky when it comes to toys. Buying individual toys only to have your cat turn their nose up at them can be annoying and costly. If you are looking for something that you can buy on a budget and feel good about, you should definitely consider buying the Fashion’s Talk Cat Toys Variety Pack. This pack comes with 20 different toys that offer a wide variety of fun. Many of the toys in this pack are perfect for blind cats. There are bells, balls, crinkle toys, and catnip included here at a very reasonable price. Many of the toys in this pack are the perfect type for blind cats who will find plenty to love here.
The biggest complaint is that the toys are very small. If you have a large cat, some of these toys might be a little too small for them. Otherwise, you are sure to find a winner in this pack for a low price that will be perfect for your blind kitty.
Catnip is a surefire way to get a cat revved up and playing. Even blind cats can’t resist the sultry smells of catnip. Ropetty Refillable Catnip Cat Toy is a refillable catnip toy that allows your cat to have a great day time and time again. This set comes with an adorable wolf and fox. This toy can be easily emptied and refilled with fresh catnip when it is time to get that sweet sensation again. When the catnip has worn off, this is still a fun toy to lick and carry around. These toys also crinkle, which is an added bonus for blind cats who love to play using sound rather than sight.
In order to get the best effects, you should keep fresh catnip on hand to refill the toy periodically. Catnip refills are not included. Luckily catnip is very affordable and easy to obtain online. Buyers have also reported that the included catnip goes stale during shipping requiring fresh catnip right out of the box.
Scratchers are a hit with most cats. Cats get the urge to scratch when their claws get too long or too sharp. If you don’t provide a scratcher, many cats will find other things to scratch on, including your shoes and furniture. Even blind cats need to scratch, and they will find scratchers to use. The FUKUMARU Cat Scratcher Mat is a phenomenal scratching pad that is perfect for your blind cat. It is extremely high quality with densely woven fibers that hold up to the most vigorous scratches. It is also a cozy mat that cats can lay on when they are not scratching. The mat is sizable, measuring 24×16 inches. This mat will not break the bank either, it is very affordable for anyone who has a cat that likes to scratch. The mat is available in four different styles for you to choose from to fit your particular feline or taste.
Some people reported that their cats simply ignore the mat. It does not have as much volume as some other scratchers that better entice cats to scratch. If you are having trouble getting your blind cat to get on the mat, try setting them on it, especially when they are in the mood to scratch things.
Crinkle toys are one of the best options for blind cats. They get energized by the sound and can follow it to the toy allowing them to chase and play without seeing. One of the best crinkle toys available is PETFAVORITES Original Mylar Crinkle Balls. This pack of 12 contains enough balls to keep your cat entertained for months to come. These balls are perfect for blind cats because they make noise when cats pounce on them or bat them, allowing the cats to chase them without having to see them. These balls are extremely simple, and they are very effective.
The issue with these balls is that they are small and easy to lose. They can be easily pushed under furniture and accidentally swept or vacuumed up. You have to pick them up when not in use, or they will quickly disappear inside your house. The good news is that they are affordable enough to buy another pack if you somehow lose all 12 of these balls.
The Patorama Cat Toys Flopping Fish is the best-selling toy on Amazon in the category of cat toys, and for good reason. This toy does it all. It contains catnip that cats love. It moves and flops around, giving cats something to watch and interact with. It comes with a rechargeable battery. The outer skin is soft, and cats like to lay with the fish and lick it. The motor and battery are removable, allowing you to wash the fish when it gets grimy. Blind cats will love this toy because it moves, contains catnip, and offers plenty to experience without the use of eyesight. It even comes in four different fish configurations, so you can pick the favorite that you feel looks the cutest.
The drawback for this toy is that the charge does not seem to last very long though the company claims to have addressed this with an update this year that increased the battery size. It also can be difficult to put the motor back into the fish if you remove it, which can be frustrating.
Overall, the Potaroma Cat Toys Flopping Fish is a great, affordable, and fun toy for a blind cat.
Pros
Contains catnip
Moves and shakes
Rechargeable battery
Washable
Cons
Short battery life
Removing and replacing the motor can be frustrating
If you are looking for a natural toy that is perfect for your visually impaired feline, look no further. The Gochanmon Natural Silvervine Stick Catnip Toy is a great option for any blind cat. It is made out of natural wood that is safe to chew on. The balls are able to be pawed, batted, and thrown with ease. They also include bells inside that make them jingle when in motion. That elevates these toys from good to great when it comes to blind cats. The wood is completely natural and safe, which is perfect for any owner that is hesitant about the amount of plastic included in many cat toys today: no plastic here, just wood and metal.
Since this toy is made out of malleable wood, there is a chance that your cat will chew it to pieces. That is the trade-off for natural materials. That shouldn’t be an issue unless your cat is a voracious chewer. Owners with cats that chew often report that these balls start coming apart after some time.
Pros
Natural materials
Great for a variety of play methods, including chewing
Bells make plenty of noise for blind kitties
Cons
Heavy chewers can destroy this toy
8. SmartyKat Chickadee Chirp Electronic Sound Cat Toy
Chirping is another sound that is perfect for blind cats. The SmartyKat Chickadee Chirp Electronic Sound Cat Toy is a small and lovable toy that makes a realistic chirping noise when played with. This toy is small, believable, and affordable. Blind cats will love the natural bird sounds that come from this toy, even if they can no longer see birds. It also includes catnip which is always a winner. The combination of catnip, soft lickable skin, and believable sounds make this a top-notch toy for blind cats.
The biggest red flag is that some units seem to ship without the sound feature included. This does not seem to be a widespread issue, but it is important to note. More than one buyer reported receiving a toy without any sound, and that would be a double bummer for a blind cat owner.
The Potaroma Chirping Cat Toys Balls are some of the best toys on the market for blind cats. They have everything you need to keep a blind cat entertained for days on end. These balls are textured with a pleasing fuzziness, they roll and bounce, and they make a variety of appealing sounds. These balls can play sounds from frogs, birds, and crickets. Between the texture, the rolling motion, and the sounds, these toys can really make your cat feel like they are on the hunt, even if they can no longer see. You can even add catnip to them for an added treat.
The one red flag for these toys is that since they chirp, they have a battery included. Some owners have reported that their cats were able to tear open the toy and access the battery, which can be dangerous depending on what kind of cat you have and their usual behavior or disposition.
Pros
Textured
Includes sound
Can have catnip added
Tons of fun for blind cats
Cons
Cats can get to battery in some situations
Cats can break the battery housing during rambunctious play
Buyers Guide – What Makes a Toy Good for Blind Cats?
There are a few features that make toys perfect for blind cats. First, noise is a huge plus. Any toys that make noise will be instantly appealing to blind cats. Cats that have lost their eyesight need to use their ears to hunt and play. There are tons of toys that make noise, from chirping and squeaking to crinkling and jingling. Find a noisy toy that is great for your cat.
Texture and feel are also good things to consider here. Toys that have soft outsides or balls that are textured or fluffy can help give your cats something else to latch onto outside of purely visual appeal. Many toys on this list are soft or textured to help your cats feel more comfortable and engaged while playing.
Ignore the flashy toys that use colors or lights to attract cats. Instead, focus on noisy and textured toys that are perfect for the visually impaired.
Test Multiple Toys
Do not be afraid to test multiple toys to find one that is a perfect fit for your particular cat. Even cats with their eyesight intact can be picky. Blind cats might be even pickier than normal. If you have the patience and the budget, it might be a good idea to buy a plethora of different styles of toys. Your cat might not click with the first one, but they might fall in love with toy two or three. If you have an older cat or a cat that is overweight, they might not want to play anymore in general. As cats age, they can slowly lose their interest in cat toys. If that is the case, do not be discouraged, this is a completely natural occurrence.
When In Doubt, Use Catnip
Catnip is always a winner. Even blind cats are heavily influenced by catnip. Catnip works through the nose, so the fact that your cat can’t see will not hamper their ability to enjoy the catnip to its fullest extent. If you are having a hard time finding toys that appeal to your blind cat, try catnip. There are dozens of different types of catnip toys. Even if you don’t like the options featured here, test out some different catnip toys. You are sure to find a catnip toy that will appeal to your cat.
There is a small percentage of cats that are seemingly immune to catnip. Hopefully, your cat is not one of those rare few that are. If they enjoy catnip, they will enjoy a catnip toy, eyesight, or no eyesight.
Toys to Avoid
It is best to avoid any type of toy that relies heavily on sight. Things that shine or flash will have no appeal to a blind cat. Even feathers won’t have the same appeal that they do for cats that still have their sight. Unfortunately, laser pointers are also out. You might also want to avoid any type of toy that might confuse your cats, like cat towers or cat condos. If they can’t see exactly where they are, they might not feel comfortable if you give them a perch they are unfamiliar with.
Conclusion
No two cats are the same, and each individual cat will have their own preferences. The Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher provides a safe space for your cat to explore and stretch their bodies. If you are on a budget Fashion’s Talk Cat Toys Variety Pack is a good option. Finally, we found the Ropetty Refillable Catnip Cat Toy if your cat is a catnip fan. This list contains a ton of great options that are sure to appeal to cats of all types. From fuzzy balls to flopping fish, the options are broad and varied. Just because a cat has lost its eyesight doesn’t mean it has to lose its ability to play and have a good time.
