If you have a cat that seems to be almost bursting with pure energy and is always either running around, exploring something new, jumping on top of places, or constantly wanting to play with you, then the right cat toys are a must.
Some cat breeds and young kittens in particular tend to be full of energy and very playful, and they need a lot of fun toys to keep them busy.
This is especially true for indoor cats since they will have a greater need for exercise and mental stimulation since they can not go outside to explore the world like outdoor cats can.
All cats, whether outdoor or indoor ones should have a good collection of engaging toys to play with as it keeps them fit and active, and also prevents them from getting lazy while you are away.
You do not want to leave your cat all by itself just for it to have nothing to do and get bored out of it’s mind.
Also, when cats get really bored and have nothing to do they may take it out on your furniture and claw at it, which you definitely don’t want to happen.
So, just what are the best cat toys for active cats? Lets find out…
Table of Contents
1. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Cat Toy
This fun cat toy has a lot going for it, literally as there are many features to play with on the toy.
It is like an all-in-one cat toy that has an adorable blue hanging butterfly at the top for your cat to paw at and play with. It is a very engaging toy that brings out a cat’s natural hunting instinct and will make it want to chase the butterfly and catch it.
Cats do love to chase bright colorful things around and if you have ever witnessed a cat jumping around in summer trying to catch one of these colorful insects then you will know exactly what I am talking about.
There are fun balls to spin around and chase in circles that have an engaging twinkling rolling sound and the butterfly will move around when the toy gets moved or jabbed at.
There are a few levels, three in fact that each have it’s own rolling ball which means that it is a great toy for many cats to play with at once or together.
There are non-slide pads which have been placed under the toy which means it will not slide around uncontrollably or too much when your cat/cats get excited during playtime.
Instead it will stay in just the right place and where it is supposed to be when cats are pawing at the butterfly or chasing the spinning balls around.
It is one of the best cat toys for active cats since it encourages active play and is incredibly engaging for the kitty and there is so much going on at once.
There are rolling and spinning actions in the balls, and the bouncy blue butterfly will give the cat a nice exercise and an intense workout as it jumps around to play with it.
It will still not slip all over the place thanks to the nonskid pads under it, which I like in particular. It gives good mental stimulation as well, but most of all is meant for very active cats who want a fun intense toy to play with.
Main Pros:
- Nonskid pads to keep it from sliding and slipping too much.
- Gives a good exercise for cats and a mental workout.
- Is good for both one or many cats as it has many balls and activities to do.
- The toy includes a 3 level ball track, 3 colorful balls, and 2 pieces of butterflies to attach.
- Is very engaging as the cat can paw at it or try to catch the moving butterfly.
- Gorgeous light green design and color.
You can check out the price here.
2. The Trixie Brain Mover Activity Strategy Game Cat Toy
This pink and white colored cat toy has a strategic design and is especially meant to engage a cat mentally, giving it a challenge and a workout.
It was designed by a cat expert and can hold various treats or catnip in it. You can place the treat of choice (or catnip) inside the toy and then your little kitty will get a chance to figure out how to get at it.
It is like a puzzle for cats with a reward if they complete and finish it.
This is a great incentive for the cat to play, and it therefore perfect for those “lazy” cats who need to be encouraged to play more or be more active.
They will then feel a sense of accomplishment and pride once they manage to figure out the puzzle and open it to get to the hidden treat inside.
Do you want to feel like you have a little kitty detective?
The toy has four different modules which include pushing and pawing at the colorful balls, sliding the sliders around, and drawer knobs and various loops as well are in place to play with.
Each one of these fun engaging puzzles for your cat leads to the delicious treat or reward you have hidden away inside, waiting for the puzzle to be solved.
It is a fun game that needs attention and patience from your cat, which makes it a highly engaging toy and a fantastic positive outlet for energy.
Since it is so engaging and attention grabbing, it really is among the best cat toys for active cats that you can find.
Main Pros:
- It has four different games designed to evoke curiosity and intelligence.
- It crafted from dishwasher safe materials which means it is easy to clean.
- The size is: 6.5″ long, 7.75″ in diameter, and 3.5″ in height.
- Is very interactive, fun and engaging for all cats.
- You can hide treats and catnip inside it to make it more fun for the cat to solve the unique games and puzzles.
You can check out the price here.
3. Ambush Interactive Electronic Cat Toy, By Petfusion
For an interactive toy, this one takes the cake.
It will turn even the laziest cats into a wild hunter right in the living room as it runs around trying to sharply claw at the “prey”.
In this case the pray your cat will be trying to catch is this colorful feather toy that shoots randomly out of one of the six random holes that the electric toy has on it’s sides.
It is fully automated and gives your cat a moving target to chase around and capture.
The feathers are colorful and enticing to begin with, but that is not all but there are Led color lights and motion to further peak the cat’s interest and attention. We all know these animals can have short attention spans, but this cat toy is designed with just that in mind.
It is a perfect toy for those very active cats because of how quick and engaging this toy can be, but it also works well for cats that don’t want to work out or move around much.
This is because it is so good at drawing them in and grabbing their attention sharply, luring them in with the bright sounds and colors.
When cat’s see a target moving around in quick sharp motions they will not be able to help themselves and simply need to try to catch it, right “meow”.
If your cat tends to get himself into trouble with the wildlife and has a strong desire to catch bird after bird, bringing them all home to the house, it may just be that it needs some positive outlet for it’s hunting instincts.
This electronic cat toy is built with the idea to be a positive outlet for a cat’s hunting instinct and the cat will be able to let out some of that extra energy without actually preying on real birds or killing small animals.
It prevents cat boredom and gets them to be more active and exercising, which all cats need but especially indoor cats.
Under the device there are anti-slide pads so the toy will stay still while the cat is playing with it and trying to catch the feather wand/toy.
The feather itself is easy to remove and re-attach but it comes with more replacements to try out and as extra.
Main Pros:
- Can stop cats from killing small animals or hunting birds since it gives the animal a positive outlet for the hunting instinct and energy.
- The feather wand is automatic and will shoot out randomly from one of the six holes, looking a lot like moving prey or a mouse even.
- Very interactive and highly engaging play that will improve a felines health and mental alertness.
- Will shut off automatically in 8 minutes if nobody is using it, which helps to extend the battery life and saves energy in case you forget to turn it off. This is one of the best features in my opinion.
- Has anti-slip pads which prevent too much movement and accidents.
- Includes a replacement feather.
You can check out the price here.
4. The Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy
If you have had a cat for some time you may occasionally have seen them run around to catch a bug or two.
It is a good thing, if you are afraid of bugs because it is not fun having to deal with them on your kitchen floor, but cats can take care of them easy peasy.
This toy is designed with the same philosophy in mind that makes cats go wild with excitement when they spot a bug on the floor.
It has realistic and lifelike movements, just like a real bug would have and it will trick the cat into believing it is a bug trying to make it’s way through it’s territory.
The cat will try to jump at it and run after it to catch it, just like a real hunter would do in the wild.
It is a tiny robot that is almost eerily realistic and bug-like but it can sense objects on the floor and move around them without hitting them or becoming stuck.
The robot bug can swiftly avoid any chairs or table legs and if it happens to fall onto it’s back…it can flip itself over again by itself!
The robot toy will try to escape the pursuing cat and hunter, and will scamper around in a hurry which makes the cat want to catch it even more.
There is a bright colored tail at the back of the robot which gets dragged around when it moves and it wriggles around playfully.
Most cats will become captivated by this fun robot cat toy and I swear that this is one of the best cat toys for active cats ever.
It is just like a real bug which cats love to chase.
It can avoid objects and even flip itself back onto it’s back if it gets turned over during playtime, which is very impressive.
But, the main flaws are that it does not work on carpets, but only smooth floors instead. And you should try to avoid it going under any furniture such as the fridge if that is possible.
Main Pros:
- Looks and acts just like a real bug would, it is a highly lifelike robot.
- Moves around table legs and furniture to avoid hitting it and becoming stuck.
- Can flip back onto it’s back when it gets turned over.
- Has a bright colored tail getting dragged after it to catch a cat’s attention immediately.
- Comes with batteries in the package.
- Many colors to choose from, or get randomly.
- Is incredibly engaging and will give the cat an intense workout and exercise.
- It is motivating for cats to see a bug, and it motivates them to get up and moving.
You can check out the price here.
5. Automatic Laser Cat Toy, By Serenelife
Most of us know that cats love lasers but what about an automatic one?
This is a rotating laser bean that works automatically and you can place it on any smooth surface that is steady.
You can place it in a high place to have it point down at the floor, or place it instead on the floor so it will point at the wall where your cat can see it.
You need to push the button to turn it on, but then the laser will keep any cat occupied for hours with no need for a human to manually hold it up or point it.
It is a good choice for a cat toy when you can’t be bothered to play with your cat after an especially rough day at work, or when they are being especially demanding or active.
It is a good workout for cats as it will have to run around to chase the laser point all over the wall or floor, wherever you have placed it.
It is really adorable and amusing to watch a kitten or a cat chase a laser pointer as they can get so involved and ensnared by it.
It has many settings to choose from and unpredictable laser patterns that will keep a cat guessing where it will land next, so they won’t get bored of it.
It is completely wireless so it can be placed anywhere in the house and you won’t be tripping over any connected wires any time soon.
It works on any surface, where you point the laser at which is nice and convenient.
Main Pros:
- Wireless design that uses 3 AA batteries.
- Good exercise and workout for the cat.
- Different settings to choose from and laser patterns.
- Works on any surface.
- Automatic and highly engaging, but needs not human to work it while it is running.
- Looks cool and futuristic.
You can check out the price here.
6. Ethical Pet Laser Exerciser, The Original
The good old plain laser is always going to remain one of the best cat toys for active cats for a good reason…
It is just so much fun!
It is incredibly small and simple, and cheap too. Almost all of us have tried or had one of these at some point in our lives and cats love to chase these.
Automatic lasers may be fun and look cool, but this is the simpler option for a laser where you are going to be more involved with the playtime and your cat.
You will have to point it manually but that is half the fun and you can point it anywhere you like such as the wall or just the floor where your cat is.
It has LED lights which are completely safe and ethical for both humans and cats. All animals, actually.
It is strong enough to be used both inside and outside in nature or on pavement which is also fun, as long as you don’t use it in dangerous places such as a busy street. Be careful with that.
The cat gets a nice fun workout while trying to catch this mysterious red dot prey that sometimes seems to appear out of nowhere like a phantom.
Batteries are included. (sweet)
Main Pros:
- Batteries are included.
- Led safe lights that won’t harm anyone.
- Can be used both outside and inside.
- Will give cats exercise and prevent them or you from getting bored.
- Is simple and a classic toy that brings back good memories for most of us.
You can check out the price here.
Which one do you like the most? Tell me all about it in the comments below.
