7 Best Toys for Cats with Anxiety — 2023 Reviews & Top Picks

Having an anxious cat at home can be stressful for pet parents who want the best for their animals. Watching as your fur baby shows signs of worry or stress doesn’t need to be upsetting, however. Thankfully, there are ways you can provide your cat with anxiety relief. Toys are an important part of a cat’s life. It provides them with stimulation, keeps their minds active, and yes, they can even help relieve anxiety. Here’s a look at 7 toys, along with reviews of each, that we feel can help your cat relieve their anxiety when it peaks. Each toy provides a different means of relief, so as always, choose the option you feel your cat would benefit from the most.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Petstages Snoozing Sloth Toy	Can be machine washed Made from soft material Features a self-activate purring system	Check Price
Best Value		Petstages Unicorn Plush	Features a buckwheat insert Noise-free relief Easy care and washing instructions	Check Price
Premium Choice		Cat Amazing Interactive Toy	Made from recycled materials Promotes activity and thinking skills	Check Price
Best for Kittens		Petstages Purr Pillow Cat Toy	Soft and cuddly Makes a purring noise to soothe kittens	Check Price
		Van Ness Cat Scratcher with Catnip	Made from 100% recycled materials Includes catnip Can be used as a lounger	Check Price

The 7 Best Toys for Cats with Anxiety

1. Petstages Purr Pillow Snoozing Sloth Calming Cat Toy – Best Overall

What could be more adorable than watching your anxious kitty cuddle with a snoozing sloth? Our pick for the best overall toy for cats with anxiety is this cute plush from Petstages that can help your kitty calm themselves when things get too hectic. This toy is soft enough for your cat to cuddle without worries about being injured. The purring sounds also make it ideal for helping them deal with separation anxiety or other forms of stress they may experience. You’ll also be pleased with how easy it is for your cat to enjoy this toy and for you to wash it when you feel it needs a bit of freshening up.

The only issue we found with the Petstages Sleeping Sloth is the purring. If your cat is sensitive to sound or gets startled easily the self-activated purring could be startling as it is a bit loud. Unfortunately, it can’t be lowered so keep this in mind if your cat is fearful of strange sounds.

2. Petstages Cuddle Pal Unicorn Cat Plush – Best Value

Our pick for the best toy for cats with anxiety for the money is the Petstages Cuddle Pal Unicorn Cat Plush. This plushie is designed to give comfort and relief from anxiety while also catering to cats who are alarmed easily. This silent plush uses a buckwheat insert that can be microwaved to provide warming comfort when your cat is suffering from anxiety or fearfulness. The low cost of this plush makes and the easy cleaning instructions make it easy to purchase several for homes with multiple cats.

The only issue we found with this Petstages plush is that the material does tend to shed slightly. You could find tufts of fluff around the house especially if your cat feels the need to carry the toy and use it often.

3. Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze and Puzzle Cat Toy – Premium Choice

Keeping your cat stimulated and using their thinking skills is a great way to calm them when things are stressful. That’s why our premium choice is the Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze and Puzzle Cat Toy. By placing a favorite toy or treats inside, your cat can engage with this toy and stay occupied no matter the situation they are experiencing. We also like the fact this toy is made from 30% recycled cardboard and can be fully recycled when your cat is finished with it.

The only downside we see with this calming cat toy is that every cat may not be a fan. If your kitty isn’t a fan of being challenged or prefers to hide away when they are feeling stressed, this toy may not be the right option for them. Make sure you understand your kitty’s needs before making this purchase.

4. Petstages Purr Pillow Cat Toy – Best for Kittens

We feel the Petstages Purr Pillow Cat Toy is the perfect way to help anxious kittens feel better. This toy is designed for cats of all ages, but the soft plushy is ideal for smaller cats. Most kittens can lay on the material and cuddle to their heart’s content. Another great bonus is the activated purring noise that emits from the toy. Your kitten can enjoy 2 minutes of soft purrs to make it feel like it is back with momma and its litter mates when anxiety hits.

The only downside to this toy is that many cats may love it but others may be a bit fearful of the sounds. You’ll also find that the fan that creates the purring noise is located inside the head of the plush. This makes the body flat and easy for your kitten to lay on but if your kitty wants to carry it around, it will need to wait until they are a bit bigger.

5. Van Ness Scratch and Relax Cat Scratcher with Catnip

If your cat scratches when they are nervous or anxious, this Van Ness Scratch & Relax Scratcher with Catnip is a great toy for them. Made from 100% recycled cardboard, your kitty can relieve their tension by focusing on this scratcher when they need to calm themselves. When they aren’t in the mood to scratch, this toy can easily be used as a lounger to provide them with a comfortable and safe space when they need it. The addition of catnip can easily make this one of your cat’s favorite toys.

The biggest downside to this scratcher is its durability. While it’s great that it is made from recycled materials if your cat gets nervous easily and feels the need to scratch, this scratcher may not last ages. Luckily, the price is affordable making it easy to grab another when needed.

6. Frisco Butterfly Cat Track

Every cat needs mental and physical stimulation. For cats who need a bit of grounding while they play, the Frisco Butterfly Cat Track is a great choice. This toy features colored balls on a track for your kitty to pat and watch roll. They can spend hours chasing the ball and avoid damaging the rest of your home. As a bonus, cute butterflies bounce happily on top of the toy giving your kitty something else to snatch their attention. An extra butterfly is even included for rambunctious cats that may play a little rougher.

The only true issues we see with this cat toy are the butterflies, which Frisco sends an additional for when one is eventually pulled loose by your kitty, and the stability of the tower. A cat that plays hard can easily knock the tower over or steal a butterfly leaving you with no option but to replace it.

7. Frisco Moppy Ball for Cats

The Frisco Moppy Ball is a great way to stimulate your cat while also providing them with a bit of comfort when they need it. The ball is made from soft materials which makes it great for carrying around, batting, or snuggling when your kitty needs it. The use of catnip helps grab your cat’s attention making this an ideal toy for cats who may not seem interested in playtime.

As with any cat toy, supervision is required when playing with the moppy ball. The fiber used to make these balls is not indestructible. If your cat is rough on toys, it can easily bite or pull the material free of the ball. Keep this in mind if your kitty is the type that loves to play rough with its toys.

Buyer’s Guide — Finding the Best Toys for Cats with Anxiety

Finding cat toys that help with anxiety is not an easy task. Cats need stimulation and exercise to be healthy, but those that are anxious or need a bit of calming from time to time aren’t always looking to exert tons of energy. This is why we included several types of toys in this review. All cats aren’t the same. Cuddling and soft sounds may work for one cat that suffers from anxiety while doing nothing for another. As a pet parent, you know your fur baby best and should always choose the toys you feel they would connect with most.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll take a look at a few of the criteria we had in mind when compiling our review. This will help you better understand why we felt these toys deserved to be on the list and whether they are the right choice for your anxious cat.

Materials

Before buying any toy for a pet, you should know what materials are used to make it. Our list is composed of cuddly toys, scratching toys, and even interactive toys to help calm your cat while keeping them stimulated. We listed the materials used to make each toy so you could have peace of mind when making your choice. Most cuddle toys are made from synthetic fibers and polyester. The scratcher we featured is made from recycled cardboard as is the interactive puzzle. The cat track we shared is made from plastic and should be safe for most kitties unless they prefer chewing to chasing balls. As with any pet toy, however, no matter how safe you feel it is, always supervise your cat while they play.

Soothing vs Stimulation

As we mentioned already, all cats aren’t the same. If your cat suffers from anxiety, it may prefer to cuddle or hear soothing sounds to help them calm down. Other cats require a bit of stimulation to keep their anxiety under control. This is why we chose to share toys that provide both the soothing a cat may need and the stimulation their minds require. If you aren’t sure which toy would work best to help with your cat’s anxiety, give each kind a try. You may find several avenues your cat prefers taking when its anxiety is at a peak.

Lifestages

Most toys on our list say they are intended for adult cats, yet when you read their descriptions on Chewy, you’ll see that they mention being safe for kittens. While they may be perfectly safe for cats of all ages, we felt it was best to provide you with the listings from the website. If you feel your kitten could easily play with other toys from the list without issues, feel free to choose the one you prefer. Again, all cats aren’t the same and you know better than anyone else what your cat or kitten would enjoy.

Affordability

None of the toys listed in this review are extremely overpriced. This is great for owners of cats with anxiety who are also on a budget. You can add one or several toys from this list to your cat’s toy box and feel like you’ve made a wise investment. Yes, there are toys out there that are more expensive, but that doesn’t mean they are always the best choice.

Conclusion

This review of the 7 best toys for cats with anxiety can help you choose the best items to allow your kitty a chance to play while helping keep them calm. Our best overall choice, the Petstages Purr Pillow allows your kitty the chance to cuddle when they need it. The purring sounds give them the feeling of being with other cats which can be quite comforting if they suffer from separation anxiety. Our best value choice, the Petstages Cuddle Pal Unicorn is not only affordable but ideal for anxious cats who prefer things a bit quieter. Instead of purring sounds, this toy uses soft materials and a warming insert to calm your kitty.

If you need to calm your cat’s anxiety, either of these options would help the situation. If neither of those toys is ideal for you and your kitty, try another off this list and you’ll soon find the perfect way to let your cat play while keeping them calm at the same time.

Featured Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock