The Best Enrichment Toys for Cats: Keep Them Active, Happy and Mentally Stimulated
Cats may sleep up to 16 hours a day, but when they’re awake, they need stimulation, play and mental challenges to stay healthy. Enrichment toys are an essential part of preventing boredom, reducing destructive behaviours and giving your cat an outlet for their natural instincts.
If you want a happier, calmer and more confident cat, adding enrichment toys to their daily routine is one of the easiest ways to make a difference.
Here are the best enrichment toys for cats and how to choose the right options for your home.
Why Enrichment Matters for Cats
Cats are natural hunters. In the wild, they’d chase, stalk and capture prey multiple times a day. Indoor life is safe and comfortable, but it removes many of these natural opportunities to explore and problem-solve.
- Enrichment toys help fill that gap by supporting:
- Mental stimulation
- Physical exercise
- Stress relief
- Reduced boredom-related behaviour (like scratching furniture, vocalising or night zoomies)
- Confidence-building in shy or anxious cats
- Healthy weight management
The right toy can completely transform your cat’s mood and behaviour.
The Best Enrichment Toys for Cats
Puzzle Feeders & Food-Dispensing Toys: Puzzle feeders encourage your cat to work for their food — just like they would in the wild.
Benefits:
- Slows down fast eaters
- Encourages problem-solving
- Keeps meals interesting
- Reduces boredom between naps
Great options include treat balls, rolling kibble toys and maze-style feeders.
Interactive Wand Toys: These allow you to mimic prey movement, triggering your cat’s chase instinct.
Why they’re great:
- Offers bonding time
- Provides vigorous exercise
- Perfect for high-energy cats
- Helps burn off the evening zoomies
Feathers, ribbons and bug-like movements keep things exciting.
Cat Tunnels: A tunnel taps into a cat’s love of hiding, stalking and safe enclosed spaces.
Benefits:
- Encourages play and exploration
- Great for multi-cat homes
- Adds vertical and horizontal interest
Look for tunnels with crinkle sounds, peepholes or multiple entry points.
Motion-Activated Toys: These toys move, flutter or bounce when your cat approaches.
Why cats love them:
- Mimic real prey
- Keep cats engaged without constant human interaction
- Fantastic for solo play
From flopping fish to bouncing teasers, these are ideal for busy households.
Scratching Posts with Attached Toys: A scratching post with a dangling toy or spring teaser adds extra stimulation.
Benefits:
- Satisfies scratching instincts
- Encourages active play
- Helps protect your furniture
- Combines two enrichment needs in one
Sisal-wrapped posts are generally the most durable and cat-approved.
Catnip & Silvervine Toys: Many cats love the stimulating effect of catnip — and silvervine works well for those who don’t respond to catnip.
Why these toys work:
- Encourage play
- Help release pent-up energy
- Offer sensory enrichment
- Great reward after training sessions
Catnip bananas and silvervine sticks are classic favourites.
Foraging Mats: These fabric mats allow you to hide dry food or treats for your cat to "hunt" out.
Benefits:
- Supports natural foraging behaviour
- Perfect for food-motivated cats
- Good low-impact mental stimulation
A great choice for senior cats or cats with limited mobility.
How to Choose the Right Enrichment Toys for Your Cat
Every cat has a unique personality. When choosing toys, consider:
- Age – Kittens love high-energy toys, while seniors may prefer gentle puzzles.
- Confidence level – Shy cats often enjoy tunnels and slow-moving toys.
- Energy level – High-energy cats need interactive toys and chase play.
- Preferences – Some cats prefer feathers; others love balls or crinkle sounds.
Rotate toys every week to keep things fresh and exciting.
How Often Should You Play With Your Cat?
Daily play sessions help your cat stay balanced and happy.
- Kittens: 3–4 short sessions a day
- Adult cats: 1–2 sessions of 10–15 minutes
- Seniors: Gentle, shorter sessions based on their mobility
Remember: a stimulated cat is a content cat.
