5 Feather Cat Toys Every Cat Owner Needs in Their Collection

Key Points

• Play with your kitten at least two to three times a day using interactive toys.

• Feather toys are representations of the live prey cats hunt in the wild.

• Keep an eye on your cat when they play with feather toys so they don't swallow and choke on pieces that come loose.

Feather toys are favorites among many cats. They flutter and move like a live bird. An indoor cat doesn't have the opportunity to hunt live animals, so a feather cat toy is the next best thing.

This article features five feather cat toys every cat owner needs in their collection. Most come with wands that you hold to wave the feathers in enticing movements, but they all have unique features. Read on to find out their characteristics and the benefits you and your cat get from them.

Interactive Play

All cats and kittens need exercise and mental stimulation. Feathered toys stimulate both. They also give you and your cat a chance to bond through interactive play sessions. Kittens especially have a lot of energy to burn, so playing with them is crucial.

Cat behaviorist Matt Wildman recommends how to play with your kitten: "Play with your kitten at least two to three times a day (ideally for 15 minutes at a time) using interactive toys. These are toys that you move and they chase. The most common interactive toys are fishing pole-type toys with feathers attached to a long piece of string, wand toys with a long, narrow piece of cloth attached to a pole and cat laser lights."

Giving a cat food or a treat after playing reinforces their hunting instinct. With live prey, they enjoy a meal after their kill. If they don't receive this reward, they may become bored with the toy.

It's also important to let your cat catch the toy on occasion. If they never get hold of the toy, then what's the point? They may not bother trying in the future. However, keep in mind that feathers may easily rip off of the lure, so keep a close watch so they don't swallow or choke on any pieces.

For this reason, don't leave the toy alone with your cat. Putting it away after a play session gives them a chance to rest as well. Remember to switch out toys to prevent boredom and replace any broken or loose parts of the toy.

With all this in mind, take a look at these five feather toys every cat owner needs in their cat toy arsenal.

Da Bird Pull 2 Piece Pull Apart Rod & Bird

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by GoCat 

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08/18/2024 08:11 am GMT

GoCat Da Bird Feather Toy

GoCat Da Bird Feather Toy is a popular product that mimics the flight of a bird, captivating cats with its realistic movement and feathers, providing endless entertainment.

The design is simplistic, but it works effectively. The 36" pole is longer than many others, enabling you to move the feather toy across a wider distance. This gives your cat a chance to chase and jump at the feathers.

Customers report that this toy immediately draws their cat's attention. In a TikTok video posted on July 2, 2023, two Bengal kittens love going after the feathers of their Da Bird toy and don't want to give it up!

GoCat Da Purr-Peller

GoCat Da Purr-Peller is a high-quality feather toy with a spinning propeller that imitates the flutter of a bird in flight, stimulating cats' hunting instincts. Cats jump in the air to try to catch their prey, making this a physically engaging toy.

This is a slight variation on the feather toy. As you swing the toy through the air, the air moving across the feather propellers causes them to rotate. This creates an additional movement to attract your cat. The wand is only 33 centimeters long, so it doesn't allow for as much movement as Da Bird or other longer wands.

Customers say this toy entertains their cats for long periods at a time. The wire could be dangerous if your cat gets tangled up with it, so it's not one to leave alone with them. The feathers become damaged easily, but if you keep buying replacements, your cat remains happy.

Pet Fit for Life Cat Wand

The Pet Fit for Life Cat Wand offers an interactive and engaging playtime experience. It features colorful feathers attached to a wand for play between cats and their owners. It has a comfortable foam handle and a clasp that doesn't have prongs or a hook jutting out, which is safer for your cat.

This wand comes in two pieces that reach up to 33 inches when assembled. The separate pieces make this toy easier to put away when playtime is over. The wand comes with two feather lures, but you can buy additional attachments or affix your own toy to the clasp.

Multiple customers say this is the best teaser wand they've tried. The wand is durable but the string becomes tangled easily. Since the wand comes in two pieces, you can easily play with it using the short end or make it longer.

SmartyKat Feather Whirl

SmartyKat Feather Whirl is an interactive toy that combines feathers and motion, prompting cats to chase and pounce, providing mental and physical stimulation. The short wand has a feather lure attached that spins and flops around as the ball wobbles in different directions. The wand is removable, so you can use the ball by itself too.

The SmartyKat Feather Whirl runs on two AA batteries and has a button to turn it on and off, so you don't have to constantly wave it around like other feather toys. The weighted bottom causes the ball to move erratically, which entices and teases your cat.

Customers say their cats love this toy. Toss it into a tunnel or under a blanket for your cat to hunt and chase. The motor and movement get your cat's attention. The only downside is that you must continually replace the batteries.

KONG Active Feather Teaser

KONG Active Feather Teaser is a natural and eco-friendly toy that features a pink flamingo with a cluster of feathers attached to a wand, encouraging cats to chase and engage in active play. It has a thick rope as opposed to the thin bungee cords on other fishing wands. KONG has other versions that include a fish, jellyfish, and non-feathered options with ribbons and lasers.

If your cat isn't enthralled by the feathers, the catnip inside the flamingo may change their mind. The flamingo is made of cotton canvas, which stands up well to cats' chewing and clawing.

Customers report that their cats go crazy for this one. They must hide it until playtime, or the cats constantly go after it. Like all KONG products, its durability makes it worth the price.

Feathered Fun for Felines

If your cat gets bored with their play mice or ball toys, bring them out of their funk with a feather. Though every cat is different, most felines have a natural attraction to feathers.

Playing with your cat is not only important, but it's fun and easy too. Grab the wand, flick your wrist, and watch the feathered lure fly through the air, followed by your cat. If you have limited mobility in your hand or wrist, push the button on the SmartyKat Feather Whirl and let it do the work for you.

No matter which toy you choose, there's a feather cat toy that works for your feline and your lifestyle. Explore the options above and add one to your cart. Your cat would do it themselves if they could!

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