While that’s still the case with some domestic cats today, too many indoor cats don’t get the opportunity to satisfy their natural instincts and utilize the senses they were born with.
It would be the equivalent of Superman not being able to use his superpowers — or giving Iron Man an armored suit that never worked. Let’s dive in to 6 cat toys that stimulate real life hunting.
Save the Day with Hunting Toys for Cats
If you want to give your indoor cat a more natural experience, I can see two practical solutions.
The first, which is the one most owners try to avoid, is letting small rodents (birds, mice, chipmunks, snakes and lizards) run rampant inside your home for your cat to capture.
The second, which is a little more owner-friendly, is stocking up on interactive cat toys and other cat toys that simulate real-life hunting scenarios to keep your cat busy — especially when you’re not around.
These types of toys not only keep them active, but they also test your cat’s senses and give them something to work towards — a challenge.
If that’s the type of lifestyle your cat yearns for, then here are some of the best cat toys that’ll have them hunting like their ancestors!
1. Cat Feather Wands
Cat feather wands are a must-have in any cat-friendly home.
There are plenty of options to choose from, but Da Bird by Go Cat Feather Toys is the gold standard. It comes in various different sizes and attachments to ensure your cat never gets bored.
The Cat Dancer, which is the original version of the feather wand, is another popular choice for cats.
If you’re looking for a feather-type toy that doesn’t require the owner to be present, look no further than Instincts by SmartyKat® Hidden Hijinks™ and Instincts by SmartyKat® Wild Wand™.
Both toys are automatic and mimic the unpredictable motions of prey, with the Hidden Hijinks guiding a feather toy under a mat and the Wild Wand swinging a feather wand toy in the air.
For an added bonus, the Moody Fling-Ama-String hangs on a doorknob and will help keep your cat entertained when you’re not home.
2. Hexbug Mouse
Most cat owners have a dozen plush toy mice laying around the home, but it’s time for an upgrade. It’s not that they aren’t worth it — because they are — but they don’t do much for your cat when you’re not around to throw it and play with them. And if they do end up playing with it when you’re not home, it won’t hold their attention long.
That’s why I recommend adding an electronic toy mouse, such as the HEXBUG Mouse Robotic Cat Toy, to your cat’s collection.
These mouse toys often come with various speeds and modes to keep the cat guessing. The HEXBUG mouse even has a tail that wags to grab your cat’s attention as it scurries along.
Adding to the fun, HEXBUG has a remote-control version that allows owners to control where the mouse goes!
3. Cat Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are designed to test your cat’s problem-solving skills and patience, while also providing mental and physical stimulation.
Most of these toys involve hidden treats, moving parts or obstacles that require the cat to paw, nudge or manipulate objects to get a reward — after all, nothing is guaranteed or given in the wild.
Of course, not all puzzle toys need to be centered around food.
For example, the SmartCat Peek-a-Prize Toy Box consists of a sturdy wooden box with multiple holes on the top and sides — sort of like Whac-A-Mole. Your cat can use its paws to dig out a treat or plush toys.
Ball track cat toys are also popular. They consist of one or more balls trapped inside of a track, allowing your cat to bat the ball around in circles. Some versions are a single level, while others are multiple levels.
4. Cat Treat Balls
Cat treat balls are a unique type of puzzle toy that gives your cat the best of both worlds. Like any other ball, cat treat balls can be thrown, batted, rolled and bounced around to help encourage physical activity and satisfy your cat’s desire to hunt.
But unlike a normal ball, this type of ball slowly dispenses treats and/or pieces of kibble as the cat plays with it. The more cats play, the more they’ll get to snack.
Some cat treat balls are even electronic, which can add to the unpredictability cats often face in their natural habitat.
They’re also the perfect solution to cats who eat too much or too quickly. Since cats have to work for the food, they won’t be able to chow it down in one gulp — plus, you can better control their portion size.
5. Automatic Laser Toy
We all have a laser pointer (or several) located somewhere in the home.
It’s the perfect toy for cats that love to chase bugs and small insects — though they’ll never truly get the sensation of catching it.
While lasers are one of the most popular cat toys of all time, cats have to do without them often — especially if their owner isn’t home a lot or works long hours. The good news is we have technology now — and cat lasers are evolving!
Automatic cat lasers, like the TESLA Smart Laser Dot, don’t need a human to control it and come with a variety of settings to ensure the laser keeps your cat on its toes.
Plus, the TESLA Smart Laser comes with a mobile app that allows the owner to control the laser from a remote location — meaning you can play with your cat from anywhere!
6. Cat Trees & Cat Shelves
When cats are outdoors or in the wild, they have trees and other structures to climb and explore.
While furniture certainly gives cats something to climb when indoors, it often leads to rips and tears in some of your most expensive or valuable pieces.
That’s where cat trees come into play. Not only are they designed to be scratched and climbed, but many of them come with attached toys and various hiding spots for them to nap in once tired out.
Cat wall shelves add another dimension to your cat’s indoor experience — allowing them to explore areas they’ve never been before and see the house from angles they’ve never seen before.
Just make sure your cat stays safe while climbing!
When you combine a cat tree and some shelves with the toys mentioned above, your cat will never get bored indoors and will have everything they need to satisfy their hunting instincts.
