Key Points
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Cats prefer playing with toys that mimic live prey, moving and darting around as your cat chases.
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Toy wands create a lot of movement with their length and string that whips around quickly.
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Any toy containing catnip provokes an extra bit of excitement as the scent stimulates arousal.
Is your cat bored? If they get tired of their old toys, try these entertaining wands and toys for cats. They're all simple in design but quite effective at stimulating movement and play.
I tried out all six of these toys with my two cats, Zoe and Zak. Their reactions vary, as with every cat, but after you watch the video plus read the descriptions, benefits, and my reviews, you have all the information you need to choose the toy that fits your feline's personality.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
To aid in your decision, check out this YouTube playlist created on July 31, 2023, of my cats and me demonstrating these six toys.
by CAT DANCER
Cat Dancer Jungle Cat Wand
The Cat Dancer Jungle Cat Wand is a simple yet effective toy that consists of a plastic wand with a soft leopard-printed cloth attached to the end. The cloth is flexible and durable, allowing for enticing movements that captivate cats. The wand is a non-toxic polycarbonate material that withstands a cat's nails and claws.
Benefits
The Cat Dancer Jungle Cat Wand offers several benefits for your cat's physical and mental well-being. It provides an excellent source of exercise to keep your cat active and fit. The flexible movement of the ribbon prevents boredom and encourages playfulness.
This toy is suitable for cats of all ages and breeds. It entertains active and less active cats, as they stay in one place to bat at it or follow it as you lead them around the room. Use it for a senior cat that has limited movement.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
My Review
As you see in the video, my cat Zoe isn't very impressed with the Jungle Cat Wand. She's six years old and doesn't play much with toys. Every cat has their preferences, and a kitten or younger cat does better with this toy. The fast movements of the cloth ribbon still attract any cat, but they may not go after it with great gusto.
Zoe likes to bite and chew on the wand and it holds up well. The material is tough and hasn't torn apart after many play sessions.
If you want a simple toy for interaction with your cat, this is what you need.
by HEXBUG
HEXBUG Nano Robotic Cat Toy
The HEXBUG Nano Robotic Cat Toy is an innovative toy designed to simulate the movement and behavior of small prey. The toy features a robotic bug pulling a fuzzy lure behind that scurries and vibrates, enticing and captivating cats.
It's a simple but effective design. When it vibrates, the angle of the legs causes it to move forward. There's a small switch on the underside to turn it on and off.
Benefits
The HEXBUG Nano Robotic Cat Toy offers a variety of benefits for your cat. It stimulates their natural hunting instincts, providing mental and some physical exercise. Through chasing and pouncing on the robotic bug, cats release pent-up energy and enjoy interactive play.
This toy is especially beneficial for indoor cats that may not have many opportunities to engage in hunting behaviors. It alleviates boredom and promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
My Review
The HEXBUG piques my cats' interest as they sit and watch it move. If it comes close, they swat at it or grab the furry piece of material trailing behind. Because of how slowly it moves, it doesn't stimulate much physical exercise with my cats. It's more of an entertaining and mentally distracting toy. Also, as soon as the cats swat it and knock it over, it still vibrates but it's no longer able to crawl.
Because of its small size, I don't recommend leaving your cat alone with it. The toy is about the size of a large grasshopper. Unfortunately, my cats catch and eat large grasshoppers.
If your cat displays some unwanted or destructive behavior, this is a good distraction.
by Our Pets
Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Fly-Over Wand
The Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Fly-Over Wand is a versatile toy designed to encourage interactive play. It consists of a durable plastic wand with feathers at the end. Attached to that is a long stretchy cord wrapped in soft material. At the end of the cord is a bird that squeaks and has eyes that light up.
The bird is motion-activated, so when you move the wand around, the bird chirps and lights up, enticing your cat to play. The bird contains North America-grown catnip, further enticing play.
Benefits
The Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Fly-Over Wand offers numerous benefits for cats. It gives them physical exercise as they run, chase, and jump at the bird. They love to grab, chew, and kick at their "prey" when they catch it.
This toy provides mental stimulation and alleviates boredom when they hear the chirps of the bird. The bungee cord prevents you from pulling too hard and hurting the cat's claws when they catch the bird.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
My Review
The Our Pets Play-N-Squeak Fly-Over Wand is one of Zak's favorite toys. Whenever he hears the bird chirping, he immediately perks up and runs toward it. He loves to jump and catch the bird as I bounce it around in the air. Once he grabs hold, he bites and kicks at it — due in part, to the catnip, I'm sure.
I highly recommend this toy, but beware that the chirping becomes annoying after a bit. I have to hide the toy away, especially at night.
The feather got ripped off very quickly, as they always do on any toy. Feathers don't last long in this house. The rest of the toy is very durable, but I limit their play so they don't get bored with it.
by Petmate
Petmate Jackson Galaxy Motor Mouse
The Petmate Jackson Galaxy Motor Mouse is a wind-up toy designed to keep your cat entertained and mentally stimulated. This toy is a plush, fuzzy mouse with a felt tail and ears.
Within the tail is a string attached to a vibrating mechanism inside the body of the mouse. You pull the tail to wind up the mechanism and it vibrates, pulling the tail back toward the mouse's body.
The movement of the tail, the feel of the vibration, and the sound it makes all work together to entice your cat's senses. There's also a catnip pod in the middle of the body to engage their sense of smell.
Benefits
The Petmate Jackson Galaxy Motor Mouse offers several benefits for your cat's physical and mental well-being. It provides an outlet for play and exercise, keeping your cat active and promoting healthy weight management.
Pull the tail and toss the mouse across the room as your cat runs after the moving prey.
This toy is suitable for all cats, from kittens to seniors. It's a source of interactive play so you engage with your cat and foster a bond. They may play with it independently, though without movement or sound.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
My Review
Both of my cats enjoyed this little mouse at first and enjoyed going after it when I pulled the string.
Zoe is a little rougher in her play and ripped open the back, pulling out the mechanism attached to the tail. I reinserted it and sewed it up and it still works fine.
Zak plays with it occasionally, especially if I pull the tail and hide it under the Ripple Rug.
The unfortunate part is that the vibration doesn't last long. As you see in the video, I have to repeatedly pull the string to wind it up again. Other than ripping it open, the rest of the mouse has remained in good shape.
Vibrant Life Worm Teaser Wand
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
The Vibrant Life Worm Teaser Wand is an interactive toy that consists of a retractable wand with a thin bungee cord and lure. The plush, worm-like lure on the end also has a bell and streamers for additional enticement. The toy captivates and engages cats in dynamic play sessions.
Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist LeeAnna Buis writes at PreventiveVet about different types of cat toys and how to use them. Buis says cats want to play the way they hunt, and a wand toy is a perfect way to mimic that.
Buis recommends looking "for an option that has a long, thin string so you can get a lot of movement from it. It’s also helpful to have a clasp on the end. This lets you try different lures to see what your cat likes and you can keep things fresh by switching lures in and out every few days."
The Vibrant Life Worm Teaser fits this description perfectly. The package includes extra worms, as they become worn with repeated play, but other toys easily attach to the clasp.
Benefits
The Vibrant Life Worm Teaser Wand provides numerous benefits for your cat's physical and mental well-being. The wiggling movements of the worm, and the ability to quickly move the lure around cause your cat to jump and chase their prey.
This is a great toy for interactive play between owner and cat. It requires very little movement from the owner thanks to the extension of the wand and long bungee cord. This feature makes it perfect for owners with limited mobility, as they sit in a chair and still lead their cat on a fun chase.
My Review
Zak loves this toy! It's so easy to make very quick, eye-catching movements by whipping the wand around. He loves chasing after the worm. It's also a good thing it comes with extra worms, because he has torn up a few.
Regarding that, watch out for loose pieces. There is a set of googly eyes that easily come off the worm. Little pieces of the worm's material come loose as well.
Zoe doesn't care for this toy. She avoids it, for some reason. This goes to show the unique preferences of each cat. She typically likes moving objects, but the worm isn't for her.
by Yeowww!
Yeowww! Catnip Rainbow Toy
The Yeowww! Catnip Rainbow Toy is a whimsical and enticing toy for cats. Shaped like a rainbow and filled with premium organic catnip, this toy attracts and engages cats in playtime.
The toy, made from 100 percent natural cotton twill fabric, assures longevity and resistance to scratching and biting. The bright colors and playful design make it visually appealing to both cats and their owners.
Benefits
The Yeowww! Catnip Rainbow Toy offers several benefits for your cat's entertainment and health. The inclusion of organic catnip makes it incredibly attractive to cats that exhibit an intense and joyful response to this natural herb. They grab it and use it like a kicker toy, releasing some energy.
The toy stimulates play and exercise, providing an outlet for your cat's energy. It also offers comfort and stress relief, especially for cats prone to anxiety or those in need of distraction from other behaviors.
Brandon Ellrich for Cattitude Daily
My Review
Both of my cats loved this one initially. Zoe decided to allow this one to be Zak's toy. Zak bites and claws it, and as I point out in the video, it has puncture holes. Despite the holes, the material doesn't rip or tear. Other customers also remark on the toy's durability.
Zak doesn't "play" with it unless I move it around and prompt him. He still goes to it every once in a while to lick it. On that note, I notice the colors bleeding together where he licks it. Other than that, it holds up well.
If your cat responds positively to catnip, this is a nice size and shape for play.
These Toys and Wands Perform Magic
If you want to turn your lazy cat into an active one, get a toy wand (or cat ball toy). It works magic on your sedentary cat.
If your cat is like Zoe and doesn't react much to the wands, try a toy that moves on its own, like the HEXABUG or Motor Mouse. She's smart enough to realize that I'm the wand's controller. A moving toy is more like live prey.
All of these toys present opportunities for you to interact with your cats. Whether it's wielding a wand or pulling a mouse's tail, play with your cat and give them some exercise.
Whether you choose a toy that mimics prey movements, encourages interactive play, stimulates hunting instincts, or provides mental challenges, these toys offer a range of benefits for your cat's physical and mental well-being.
For more product reviews, health and care tips, and general information on cats, subscribe to Cattitude Daily!
