Are you looking for ways to keep your feline friend entertained and mentally stimulated? Interactive cat toys are the purr-fect solution! Not only do they provide hours of entertainment, but they also help satisfy your cat's natural instincts and promote physical activity. Interactive cat toys are also great for indoor cats who need extra attention and mental stimulation.

In this guide, we'll explore seven of the best interactive cat toy types to engage your curious kitty.

Interactive Cat Toys Your Cat Will Love 

1. Catnip Toys: Strong catnip toys are great for keeping our cats entertained and exercised, especially when their humans are away. Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone, which produces a euphoric response in cats when they smell it through stuffed toys or ingest it, through catnip sticks, for example. The strong aroma will encourage your cat to seek out the catnip toy - even when you are not at home.
   
   However, not all catnip toys are created equal. Often high street shops sell catnip ‘infused’ toys which don’t have much of an effect on our cats. This leads cat owners to assume their cat isn’t interested in catnip. However, good quality catnip toys from brands such as Yeow or King Catnip, or handmade Catnip Toys from marketplaces such as ETSY, will have most cats zooming around and playing in no time.
   
   Here at Gus & Bella Box, we love to include handmade, good quality catnip toys in our monthly boxes, often sourced from independent small businesses. From quirky stuffed toys to Catnip Bubbles, we’ll deliver good quality catnip toys to delight your cat every month.
   
   
2. Self Play Feather Wands: Feather wands are classic interactive toys that appeal to cats' instinctual desire to hunt and pounce. These toys typically consist of a long wand with feathers or other enticing attachments at the end. If you’re looking for a great way to keep your kitty entertained when you’re not there, you could purchase one with a suction cup (to fix to the wand), and then affix it to a solid floor or glass window.  Then your cat can pounce and bat the wand even when you’re not home - the perfect interactive cat toy for when you are away.
   
   
   
   
   *Feather wand with suction cup featured in a past Gus & Bella Box. This wand toy is available on request in our Mystery Boxes. 
   
   
3. Interactive Puzzle Feeders or Treat Balls: Puzzle feeders are not only a source of entertainment but also a way to make mealtime more engaging for your cat. These toys require your cat to work for their food by solving puzzles or manipulating obstacles to access the treats or kibble inside. By stimulating your cat's problem-solving skills and encouraging them to "hunt" for their food, puzzle feeders can help prevent boredom and reduce overeating. Here at Gus & Bella, we love to include some of the best interactive cat toys in our cat & human subscription boxes. 
   
   
4. Ball Tracks and Towers: Ball tracks and towers are excellent toys for cats who love to chase and bat at moving objects. These toys typically feature a track with a ball that your cat can swat and watch as it rolls around the track. Some models even come with multiple levels and additional balls, providing endless entertainment for your cat. Ball tracks and towers are great for solo play and can keep your cat entertained for hours on end.
   
   
5. Interactive Laser Pointers Toys: Laser pointers are a classic interactive toy that appeals to cats' natural prey drive. Simply point the laser beam around the room, and watch as your cat chases and pounces on the elusive dot. Laser pointers are a great way to provide exercise and mental stimulation for your cat, but always avoid shining the laser directly into your cat's eyes.
   
   
6. Cat Play Tunnels: Cat play tunnels are another fantastic toy to keep your cat busy when you’re not at home. They appeal to cats' natural instincts to hide, pounce and prey and can be easily collapsed and put away when not in use.  Try leaving a catnip toy inside and your cat will love pouncing on the tunnel and charging through it. You can also try running a feather wand toy along the top; the crinkle noise will send your cat into a playful frenzy.
   
   Gus & Bella Box currently have an offer where you’ll receive a FREE Cat Play Tunnel when you sign up to a monthly cat box. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Interactive Electronic Toys: Electronic toys are a modern twist on traditional interactive cat toys and can provide endless entertainment for your feline friend. These toys often feature moving parts, lights, and sound effects that mimic the movements of prey animals, keeping your cat engaged and entertained. Some electronic toys, such as a Smart Cat Ball Toy, even have built-in sensors that respond to your cat's movements, making the play experience more interactive and dynamic.
   
   
   

In conclusion, interactive cat toys are essential for keeping your feline friend happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated. Whether your cat loves to hunt, chase, or solve puzzles, there's a wide variety of interactive toys available to suit their preferences. By incorporating these toys into your cat's playtime routine, you can provide them with the enrichment and stimulation they need to thrive.

Gus & Bella can deliver interactive cat toys to your door