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10 Best Treat Dispenser Toys for Cats — 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Kerry-Ann Kerr Profile Picture

By Kerry-Ann Kerr

cat playing with a treat dispensing toy

Cats are playful and curious, and sometimes we just want to reward them. And what better way to do that than a treat dispenser toy, where they can have fun and get rewards for their cleverness? Dispenser toys are great for keeping your cat’s mind and body active, so not only will these toys fight boredom, but they’ll also give your cat a workout.

There are various brands to examine, and navigating your way through all the choices can be tricky. To help you, we’ve selected 10 treat dispenser toys. Hopefully, these reviews will narrow down your search, and your cat will be having fun in no time!hepper-cat-paw-divider

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Catit Treat Ball Cat Toy Catit Treat Ball Cat Toy
  • See-through design tempts cats to engage
  • Designed to fight boredom and obesity
  • Versatile as it can become a regular ball
  • Best Value
    Second place
    KONG Active Treat Ball Cat Toy KONG Active Treat Ball Cat Toy
  • Affordable
  • Great for solo play
  • Hardwearing
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    OurPets Sushi Treat Puzzle Toy OurPets Sushi Treat Puzzle Toy
  • Requires some skill to get treats out
  • Made of sturdy material
  • Best for Kittens
    PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Toy PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Toy
  • Adjustable openings
  • Allows for portion control 
  • Cat Amazing Sliders Cat Toy Cat Amazing Sliders Cat Toy
  • Good for hunting and foraging skills
  • Double-layered cardboard used
  • Can replace treats with toys as a reward
  • The 10 Best Treat Dispenser Toys for Cats 

    1. Catit Treat Ball Cat Toy – Best Overall

    Catit Treat Ball Cat Toy

    Check Price on Chewy
    Dimensions: 0.1” H x 3” W x 17” L
    Material: Polyester, synthetic fiber

    The Catit Treat Ball is our choice for the best overall treat dispenser toy for cats. Unlike some other balls, where the cat can’t see the treat, this ball will tease your cat by making the treat visible to them. The spiral creates an added layer of difficulty for your cat, too. Working for a reward not only helps fight boredom but also tackles obesity.

    And once they’ve had enough treats for the day, you could close the lid entirely, and it becomes a regular ball they can bat about. However, your cat might not like this if they’re used to getting treats. Some owners said that because the size is bigger than a regular cat ball, some cats were disinterested in it, so it might not tempt a fussier cat.

    Pros
    • See-through design tempts cats to engage
    • Designed to fight boredom and obesity
    • Versatile as it can become a regular ball
    Cons
    • Bigger than a regular cat ball 

    2. KONG Active Treat Ball Cat Toy – Best Value

    KONG Active Treat Ball Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 6.8” L x 3.8” W x 3” H
    Material: Polyester, synthetic fiber

    The KONG Active Treat Ball is our pick for the best treat dispenser toy for the money because it’s affordable and durable. This ball provides endless fun with its unpredictable movements, creating a new, fun experience each time the cat interacts with it. This also means your cat can play with this ball by itself, so it’s perfect for some much-needed solo play.

    Some pet parents said smaller treats tended to fall right out of the hole, which was larger than they expected.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Great for solo play
    • Hardwearing
    Cons
    • Smaller treats won’t stay in the ball

    3. OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Toy – Premium Choice

    OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Dog & Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 10.83” L x 9.25” W x 1.81” H
    Material: Polypropylene, thermoplastic rubber, plastic, rubber

    OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Toy is a pricier option with a slightly different concept than some of the other brands. Treats fit behind the sushi flippers, and your cat has to work out how to get them out. Not only will this strengthen your cat’s cognitive abilities, but it also will dispense treats slower than other products because it’s one of the more challenging toys. It’s made of sturdy materials and will survive rough play.

    Some pet parents mentioned their cats getting to the treats very quickly, while others said it was a struggle. The manufacturer states that you should supervise your pet while they play with this toy, so you can always join in with the game to either slow them down or help them if needed.

    Pros
    • Requires some skill to get treats out
    • Made of sturdy material
    Cons
    • Requires supervision when in use

    4. PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Treat Dispenser – Best for Kittens

    PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Treat Dispenser Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 3” L x 3” W x 3.8” H
    Material: Plastic

    The PetSafe Funkitty Egg-Cersizer Toy promises to keep cats of any age engaged. The design allows for the random allocation of treats from different angles slowly, so your kitten won’t be gobbling down too many treats. Thanks to the adjustable opening, you are in control of how difficult this dispenser is to use. You can have all three holes open or close one or two to make it more challenging.

    Some owners have noted that because the shape is an egg, treats can fall out, and their cats lost interest in it.

    Pros
    • Adjustable openings
    • Allows for portion control 
    Cons
    • Toy falls over, and treats can come out

    5. Cat Amazing Sliders Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Toy

    Cat Amazing Sliders Interactive Treat Maze & Puzzle Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 11” L x 11” W x 9” H
    Material: Cardboard/paper

    The Cat Amazing Sliders Interactive Treat Maze brings a different concept to our list. The toy is stationary and has three inner sections that slide. This means your cat can practice its hunting and foraging. It might not seem sturdy because it’s made of cardboard, but it’s double-layered with a plant-based gloss coating, so it’s also safe. Because of the shape, you don’t always need to use treats in this puzzle. Instead, you can add toys for your cat to reach.

    This is one of the more complex and costly options. Some owners mentioned their cats found it too difficult or were too lazy to engage with it long enough to work it out. So, if your cat is a couch potato, this may not be the toy for them.

    Pros
    • Good for hunting and foraging skills
    • Double-layered cardboard used
    • Can replace treats with toys as a reward
    Cons
    • Costly
    • Difficult

    6. Doc & Phoebe’s Cat Co. The Hunting Snacker Interactive Toy

    Doc & Phoebe's Cat Co. The Hunting Snacker Interactive Cat Treat Toy

    Dimensions: 8.7” L x 4.8” W x 1.85” H
    Material: Plastic

    The Doc & Phoebe’s Cat Treat Toy stimulates your cat’s catch-and-play instincts. It has an adjustable slide, so you’re in control of how difficult it is to get to the treat, which is perfect if your cat has a short attention span. The idea is to fill the toy with treats, hide it, and then watch your cat hunt it down.

    Some owners mentioned that due to the size, smaller treats work best with it. Some cats also showed little interest because the toy didn’t move. So, if your cat prefers something responsive to its batting, this probably wouldn’t be suitable.

    Pros
    • Stimulates catch-and-play instincts
    • Provides mental stimulation and physical activity
    Cons
    • Works best with smaller treats
    • Some cats found it boring

    7. KONG Cat Wobbler Treat Dispenser

    KONG Cat Wobbler Treat Dispenser

    Dimensions: 9.5” L x 6.5” W x 4” H
    Material: Polyester, synthetic fabric

    The KONG Cat Wobbler Treat Dispenser offers your cat mental stimulation with an entertaining and unpredictable wobbly toy. The tail will encourage play and keep your cat having fun each time it engages with this toy. Kong mentions in the description that you can swap the treats out for food if you need to use the toy for slower eating habits.

    KONG toys are sturdy and tough, so it might be no surprise that this toy requires some force to move it. Your cat will need to work for this treat, which is perfect for a rough-and-tumble personality, but might be too much for a lazier soul.

    Pros
    • Promotes mental stimulation
    • Sturdy and hard-wearing
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Requires some force to use

    8. Petstages Mousin’ Around Hide ‘N Treat Dispenser Cat Toy

    Petstages Mousin' Around Hide 'N Treat Dispenser Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 8.5” L x 3.5” W x 2” H
    Material: Polyester, plastic, synthetic fabric

    The Petstages Mousin’ Around Toy is similar to The Doc & Phoebe’s Cat Treat Toy in that it requires you to fill the toys with treats and hide them. In the same way, this encourages your cat to hide and seek their treat, but with this toy, they’re getting three times the fun. This means less time filling up a toy with treats because your cat has more than one to play with. The soft feathers also encourage your cat’s natural hunting instincts.

    Some pet parents mentioned that the hole for the treat is too small, and others said their cats become bored trying to get the goodies.

    Pros
    • Three toys in one
    • Encourages hide-and-seek game
    Cons
    • Hole for treats is too small

    9. 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
    Material: Cardboard/paper

    This Cat Amazing Treat Maze is perfect for keeping your cat alert and stimulated. The puzzle design encourages their instinct to explore and retrieve. It will satisfy their curiosity and increase their hunting skills. Not only is it made from 30% recycled cardboard, but it is also 100% recyclable, so when your cat is finished with it, it’s easy to dispose of and won’t just add clutter to your home.

    Some owners noted that because of the cardboard design, it wasn’t heavy enough to stay in one place. The toy tended to move around when their cats were playing, which was frustrating for the cats.

    Pros
    • Encourages your cat to explore and retrieve
    • 100% recyclable
    Cons
    • Moves around when cat is playing

    10. OurPets Play-N-Treat Cat Toy

    OurPets Play-N-Treat Cat Toy

    Dimensions: 6” L x 5” W x 3” H
    Material: Polyester, synthetic fabric

    OurPets Play-N-Treat Cat Toy provides your cat with endless fun. The balls open, and treats or kibble can be placed inside. Your cat is then encouraged to roll the ball, so the treats come out. This toy is perfect for indoor cats that need some motivation to exercise. It gives them the chance to leap, hunt, and pounce. You get two balls in one pack, so you’re getting twice the fun!

    Some owners mentioned that the balls are pretty tricky to open. The holes are also small, so the treats had to be broken in half.

    Pros
    • Encourages running, leaping, hunting, and pouncing
    • Get two balls in one pack
    Cons
    • Difficult to open
    • Holes are small
    hepper-single-cat-paw-divider-e1614923017121

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Treat Dispenser Toy for Cats

    Treat dispenser toys can stimulate your cat both mentally and physically. But you also might be wondering how treats fit in with your cat’s daily nutritional needs.

    How Many Treats Should Your Cat Have a Day?

    There isn’t really a rule about how many treats your cat should have; however, a good one to follow is that their treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily calories. If treats make up a large bulk of your pet’s diet, they aren’t healthy because treats aren’t made up with the balanced nutrition you’ll find in pet food.

    If you’re unsure about calories and how many your cat should be having a day, your vet can help. This will be useful when working out how many treats to give your cat each day.

    What Do You Do If Your Cat Is Overweight?

    If you’re concerned about your cat’s weight, your first stop should always be your vet, who will advise you on how to approach your cat’s health. Of course, we all want to spoil our cats, and giving them a toy to dispense treats that encourages exercise is a great first step. An overweight cat is much less likely to want to exercise, so anything encouraging your cat to get up and move is a good thing.

    If you’re wary about adding treats to your cat’s diet but still want them to enjoy one of these toys, you can use their food. Set aside a small amount of your cat’s food to ensure you aren’t adding extra calories. The best thing about toy dispensers is that they will work with dry kibble. This way, your cat doesn’t have to miss out on a reward for all its hard work.hepper-single-cat-paw-divider-e1614923017121

    Conclusion

    The Catit Treat Ball is versatile and engaging, and it’s our choice for the best overall treat dispenser. The KONG Active Treat Ball is affordable and hardwearing, making it the best option for the money. And lastly, we have our premium option, the OurPets Sushi Treat Dispensing Puzzle Toy, which provides the opportunity to problem solve to get to the treat. We hope these reviews have given you an idea of which toy your cat will love. Treat dispensers come in all shapes and sizes; no matter your cat’s skill level, you’ll find something to entertain it!


    Featured Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock

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