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10 Best Toys for Smart Cats — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

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By Misty Layne

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Lorna Whittemore

MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Cute crossbreed Persian cat playing with a ball Our feline friends love to play and need to play to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. But sometimes our kitties are too smart for their own good, so they become bored with regular everyday toys much too quickly. And that boredom can lead to our pets making their own fun (often in the form of leaping onto high places they shouldn’t be and knocking things over). What’s a cat owner to do to keep their genius cat entertained?

The key to entertaining our intelligent felines is engaging them with puzzles and interactive toys while offering plenty of variety when it comes to playing (so some regular toys should be included, too). After all, you wouldn’t want to do the same thing repeatedly, would you? If you’re ready to get your cat the best toys to keep it from getting bored, keep reading for reviews of the top ten toys for smart cats!

 

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher Hepper Hi-Lo Scratcher
  • Three levels
  • Dedicated playspace
  • Provides tactile exploration
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Hepper Furball Set Hepper Furball Set
  • Multisensory
  • Set of two
  • Great for independent or interactive play
  • Third place
    SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Mat SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Mat
  • Doubles as a cat bed
  • Traps fur
  • Encourages several natural instincts
  • Best for Kittens
    Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Toy Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Toy
  • Lets your kitten hide and explore
  • Hidden ball toys inside
  • Big hit with super active kitties
  • Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer
  • Engages several kitty instincts
  • Rechargeable
  • Doubles as a LED flashlight
  • The 10 Best Cat Toys for Smart Cats 

    1. Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher – Best Overall

    Tony and Cheetah playing on Hepper Hi Lo Cat Scratcher

    Material:  Plywood, cardboard
    Type:  Scratcher

    When it comes to the best cat toys for smart cats, our Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher is an intriguing yet essential option. Although it may not be a traditional cat toy, it does offer an excellent play place for your cat to challenge themselves mentally and physically. The Hi-Lo encourages your cat to test out new ways to climb, balance, and engage their muscles in a way a toy simply cannot. Built with precision and designed to foster the needs of cats of all sizes – big and small. Combining this scratcher with any toy will take their stimulation to the next level.

    What makes this scratcher different is its ability to change levels – high, low, and lower, an ideal design to keep your cat on their toes. While not a typical toy, the dense B-flute cardboard offers a secondary perk for cat owners, a safe, cat-friendly place for felines to claw and scratch.

    All in all, we think this is the best toy for smart cats this year!

    Pros
    • Dedicated playspace
    • Provides tactile exploration
    • 3-position set up to keep cats engaged
    • Built with non-toxic, durable materials
    • Modern and stylish design suits any home
    Cons
    • Only comes in one color

    2. Hepper Furball Set Toys – Budget Buy

    Hepper_Furballs

    Dimensions: 6”L x 0.5”W x 0.5”H
    Lifestage: All
    Toy feature: Multisensory
    Material: Faux fur, premium cotton

    Our Hepper Furball Set is our favorite budget toy for smart cats for a few reasons. The first is that cats who enjoy creating their own play environment will thrive with this toy. Whether they like to hunt, pounce, carry their toys into a cat tree, hide toys, and find them later – this set allows them to expand their minds while optimizing physical activity. It features a faux fur exterior, mimicking that of natural prey, and a bell hidden inside teasingly dings with every bat.

    If you are someone who likes independent and interactive toys – this is the best of both worlds. Many cats can be taught to fetch, this is an ideal toy for that. Or perhaps your cat likes to play soccer, or catch things from mid-air. Heppers Furball Set provides many play opportunities for both you and your cat.

    It currently only comes in one color option but is meant to resemble the natural coloring of mice. We also love how affordable this set is! The combination quality and a a great price are hard to compete with.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Multisensory
    • Set of two
    • Great for independent or interactive play
    Cons
    • Only comes in one color

    3. SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat

    SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat

    Dimensions: 47”L x 35”W x 2”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: Exercise
    Material: Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric

    When you want a toy that’s a bit more premium and will keep your smart kitty having fun while getting the exercise it needs, you’ll want to look at the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug. This play mat is designed to encourage several of your cat’s natural instincts, such as hiding, scratching, stalking, and pouncing—all of which means your pet gets the daily activity they need while having a blast. And because this play mat has a thermal base, it also makes an excellent cat bed for when the cat is tired out. Plus, this toy is made to trap loose fur, so you don’t need to worry about fur flying while your feline is engaged.

    A few people stated, though, that they had trouble with the mat not keeping its shape after set-up; it simply went flat, so the hidey holes and such couldn’t be used. And a couple of cats weren’t fans of the material used in this toy.

    Pros
    • Encourages several natural instincts
    • Allows your pet to get daily exercise
    • Doubles as a cat bed
    • Traps fur
    Cons
    • Some pet parents had trouble getting the mat to keep shape
    • A few felines disliked the material used

    4. Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy – Best for Kittens

    Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 18”L x 9.5”W
    Lifestage: Kitten, adult
    Toy feature: Exercise
    Material: Polyester, synthetic fabric

    While the best overall cat toy on this list would also be suitable for kittens, the Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy is even better because there are no feathers for your kitty to accidentally eat, making these fun tunnels a safer option. There are a couple of ball toys strung up on the inside, though, so you’ll want to keep an eye on your pet to ensure it doesn’t manage to rip them off or chew on them. Since felines love to hide and explore, your tiny feline friend will love these pop-up tunnels as they provide tons of opportunities to do both (and the hidden toys are just bonuses). According to cat parents, kittens that were overly active were in love with this easy to set-up and store toy!

    One complaint, though, is that the tunnels come with some velcro on the ends that were easily chewed up by cats. You may want to remove those before letting your pet play with this one!

    Pros
    • Lets your kitten hide and explore
    • Hidden ball toys inside
    • Big hit with super active kitties
    Cons
    • Ball toys are on string which could be dangerous
    • Contains velcro on ends that were easily chewed

    5. Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer

    Litterbox.com Rechargeable Laser Pointer

    Dimensions: 4”L x 0.5”W x 0.5”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: Exercise
    Material: Metal

    Laser pointers are a classic cat toy, and for a good reason—felines go absolutely wild over the things! Whether your kitty is young or old or a tiny genius, it doesn’t matter because it will adore the laser pointer. And it plays so well with cats because it ignites those instincts to hunt, chase, stalk and pounce. So, not only is it mentally engaging and fun, but it also allows your pet the opportunity to get in a good amount of exercise! This particular laser pointer is excellent because you can recharge it on a USB (no tiny batteries to buy!). It also has multi-functions, such as an LED flashlight, meaning you can use it yourself.

    There were several complaints from people about how the laser pointers they received wouldn’t hold a charge, though, so being rechargeable isn’t necessarily always a bonus.

    Ensure to never point the laser in your or your cat’s eyes.

    Pros
    • Engages several kitty instincts
    • Rechargeable
    • Doubles as a LED flashlight and other things
    Cons
    • Some pointers wouldn’t hold a charge

    6. TRIXIE Activity Fun Board 5-in-1 Activity Strategy Game Cat Toy

    Trixie Activity Fun Board 5-in-1 Game for Cats

    Dimensions: 11.75”L x 15.5”W x 3”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: Training
    Material: Plastic

    Felines enjoy a good challenge every now and then, and our furry friends are quite food-motivated. So, why not pair those two aspects up and engage your pet with a 5-in-1 Activity Strategy Game? This board contains five different challenges for kitty—from tiny fish bowls to a tunnel—that will keep it curious and engaged for quite a while. And all you need to do is place some treats among these challenges (vary by location each time you use this), then let your cat sniff them out and figure out how to retrieve them. Owners of smart cats said their pets found this board difficult but a lot of fun.

    A few pet parents mentioned that their cats with larger paws had issues getting treats out of some areas (such as the tiny fish bowls), though, so be aware of that. And this might not be the best toy for felines watching their waistlines since it involves treats.

    Pros
    • Incredibly engaging
    • Great for food-motivated felines
    • Smart cats were big fans
    Cons
    • Some parts are too small for larger paws
    • Might not be the best for kitties on diets

    7. Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Cat Toy

    Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 14”L x 9”W x 3.5”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: N/A
    Material: Cardboard/paper

    If you want a challenging treat puzzle for your cat, but don’t like the idea of it being plastic, take a look at the Cat Amazing Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Cat Toy. This treat puzzle is made from partially recycled cardboard (and this toy is 100% recyclable). It features several different size holes and shapes for your cat to stick its paws (and possibly head) in to sniff out and retrieve snacks. And because it has three levels of difficulty, it allows your pet to level up on those hunting skills the more it practices! So, you can start out relatively easy, then challenge your cat more and more so it never gets bored.

    A handful of people had trouble assembling the box (there are dividers inside to make things more challenging), and a couple of felines seemed to find it too difficult. But many cats enjoyed it immensely.

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Can make more challenging as your cat learns
    Cons
    • May be difficult to assemble
    • A few cats found it too hard

    8. Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree Cat Feeder

    Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree Cat Feeder

    Dimensions: 12”L x 12”W x 13.8”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: N/A
    Material: Plastic

    Are you sensing a theme in these toys yet? Yep, it’s another food puzzle, but this time it’s a puzzle feeder from Catit. Giving your smart kitty a way to work towards its meal will go a long way in keeping it occupied, and this feeder does just that by allowing your pet to “hunt” its food and get it from the top of the feeder to the bottom. Not only does this one encourage the hunting instinct, but if your cat is the type to gobble its food down in one go, this will have your furry friend eating slower.

    One reported problem with this feeder was that the tray at the bottom to catch the food didn’t work that well, so food pieces went everywhere and had to be cleaned up. This puzzle also didn’t go over well with lazy cats, as they became bored easily and moved on.

    Pros
    • Encourages hunting
    • Slows down kitty’s eating
    Cons
    • Can be messy
    • Lazy cats didn’t engage

    9. Nina Ottosson Petstages Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Cat Toy

    Nina Ottosson Petstages Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 13.8”L x 14.02”W x 1.6”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: Training
    Material: Wood

    This Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Cat Toy encourages your kitty’s instinct to forage by letting them swat and bat at pegs and “raindrops” to get their treats or food. And with a total of 14 hidden areas for treats, this toy will keep your pet engaged for quite a while! You can start out easy by putting food or treats into the cups, then when your smart cat has mastered that, you can add more challenge by putting them in the hidey holes. Plus, every part of this is food safe and free of chemicals like BPA, so it’s non-toxic for your pet.

    Just be aware that if you’re using particularly small treats or food pieces, they may get stuck in the hidden areas making them difficult to retrieve. Some felines also had difficulty moving parts around to get to the treats. Overall, though, this seems to be a toy that gets played with quite frequently!

    Pros
    • Encourages your cat to forage
    • Popular with felines
    • Can raise difficulty level
    Cons
    • Smaller treats or food pieces can get stuck
    • Some cats had trouble moving puzzle parts

    10. PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy

    PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 3”L x 3”W x 9”H
    Lifestage: Adult
    Toy feature: Exercise
    Material: Plastic

    As we said, the laser pointer is a classic kitty toy because felines adore it! But what if you’re unable to use the laser point with your pet because you’re busy or away from home? That’s when you need the PetSafe interactive laser pointer. It’s hands-free; you just set it up on a surface and turn it on. It works by using a mirror that turns in random patterns, so you don’t need to worry about your cat becoming bored with the same pattern within minutes. And the laser turns off after 15 minutes, so the battery won’t wear down. It was a big hit with plenty of cats (some got so excited they ended up knocking the laser over, though, so watch for that).

    However, a few people said their cats could predict the laser’s movement after a few weeks, and a couple of people thought the laser was too dim for their pets to see well.

    Pros
    • Operates on its own for when you’re busy
    • Easy set-up
    Cons
    • Cats can and will knock laser over
    • Super smart kitties can still end up predicting movement
    • Laser might be too dim for some cats to see

    Buyer’s Guide: Buying the Best Toys for Smart Cats

    Buying toys for your smart cat isn’t all that different from purchasing cat toys in general. Still, there are a few specifics you should look at to encourage more mental and physical stimulation so your pet will stay entertained and have fun.

    What Your Cat Likes

    While some of the toys on this list are regular, everyday toys, most are a variety of puzzle toys or toys that encourage natural instincts. Whichever type you go with, to get the best toy for your pet, you’ll want to look at the types of natural instincts your cat enjoys indulging in most. Does your kitty love to hunt items on the floor or things in the air? Or does your pet prefer something like foraging or hiding more than hunting? The best toys will be the ones that play into your cat’s strongest natural instincts!

    Skill Level

    If you go with a toy, such as a puzzle for treats, you need to ensure you’re getting one that matches your pet’s skill level. If you get an advanced puzzle hunt for kitty and it’s never done a puzzle before, you’ll likely have a very frustrated cat on your hands before long! It’s wise to look for toys that have different difficulty levels, too, so you can make the same toy harder as your feline learns rather than needing to buy more toys at a more challenging level.

    Girl playing with her cat
    Image Credit: Dora Zett, Shutterstock

    Variety Is the Spice of Life

    Your kitty needs variety in its toys; animals don’t enjoy doing the same thing over and over again any more than we do! So, get the sort of toys your cat will enjoy most based on their favorite instincts, but mix them up, too. Get different types of puzzles or various toys that can be chased. This variety will enable your pet to continue being mentally engaged and help it stay active.

    Reviews

    Just checking out a toy’s web page will tell you what it is and does, sure, but it won’t give you the full lowdown on how well it works. For that, you’ll need to look at reviews from other cat parents. Luckily, these are incredibly simple to find (Amazon, in particular, is an excellent place to check reviews!). Be sure you look at not only how well felines enjoyed the toy but if the toy fell apart within weeks or if people reported issues with it.

     

    Final Thoughts

    There are plenty of cat toys for smart cats available, but if you want the best overall, we recommend going with the Hepper Hi-Lo Cat Scratcher, as it offers different textures and levels to play with, promotes physical activity, and allows your cat to find new exciting ways to stretch, claw and climb in a safe environment. If you’re seeking the best budget cat toy for smart cats, you’ll want to look at the Hepper Furball Set since it’s very affordable and it offers endless ways to play.

    Finally, if you’re looking for a toy that’s a bit more premium for your favorite cat, check out the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat that encourages a host of natural instincts and helps your pet get plenty of exercise daily!


    Featured Image Credit: Boyloso, Shutterstock

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