9 best cat toys to keep your feline friend happy

Score: 86/100

Stop them from ruining your furniture and freshen their breath in the process with this compact, mint-flavoured soft chew toy. Mint is almost as appealing as catnip, so far from feeling like a trip to the dentist, they should be in cat nirvana.

This toy was effective at freshening breath and our test cats adored sinking their claws into the soft netting. Our testers did note that the smell started to wear off after a while — although at this price, that’s probably to be expected.

Score: 83/100

Simple yet effective, children loved using this pocket-sized laser pointer to play with their cats and the cats were very happy chasing the changing shapes. In fact, we’re not sure who loved it more!

One tester did note that it became a little uncomfortable to keep their finger pressed on the button after a while though. And if you also have a dog at home, then lasers are best avoided.

Score: 82/100

These brightly coloured mice are packed full of catnip, which our feline panellists loved. They were the perfect size for our cats who enjoyed hunting them down during playtime.

We also thought they were great value, with two mice in each pack. Bear in mind though that while the main body is durable, the feathers were easily ripped out of the tail.

Score: 81/100

Make dinner time extra fun for curious cats with this exciting board, complete with hidden food compartments for your pet to discover.

It has multiple difficulty levels to keep them on their paws, and most of our test cats loved attempting to solve the puzzle. Others needed a little training before they understood what was going on! Our testers also found it easy to store but a little tricky to clean.

Score: 80/100

Compared to most cat toys, this wand has a stylish, muted grey design that is much better suited to a modern home. Of course, even more importantly, our cats loved it, especially as it vibrates when dragged across the floor. It is made of hessian, however, so watch your cats’ claws don’t get caught in the material.

Score: 76/100

A toy that incorporates play and treats is always a good pick for keeping your pet entertained. This one was easy to set up and use and the varying difficulty levels meant that our cats were all occupied working out each section for a while.

We loved the range of activities on offer, but it was quite bulky, so it may be one to avoid if space at home is limited.

With multiple levels, dangling toys, and plenty of spaces to hide, sleep, or silently judge from, this cat tower is sure to become a firm favourite in your home.

Its square base means it can be tucked nicely into a corner of a room and it can withstand lots of jumping, playing and leaping, thanks to the sturdy design. There’s even three separate sisal rope scratching posts for cats to sharpen their claws (and discourage them from scratching the furniture).

Although not specifically designed for cats, these robotic fish are a hit with kittens and owners alike over on TikTok. With one video garnering over 780,000 views, the plastic fish have been praised for keeping cats entertained for hours.

Simply pop the battery-powered toy in a bath, sink or bowl of water and watch the fish swim in different directions and dive under the water. There’s surely no better gift for your cat than their own personal pond life?

Combining playtime with a space to sleep, this tunnel toy creates a lovely safe haven for your cat to enjoy by themselves. It’s made of a luxurious, soft, plush material that’s designed to enhance comfort and warmth, while the donut shape offers plenty of opportunities to run, hide and explore.

The tunnel can be taken apart and reformed into two half-rings or an s-shaped tunnel, too. Then, when all of playtime is over, the centre cushion provides the perfect place for a cat nap.