FAQ: Toys for cats

Choose sturdy toys sized for your cat, without small or glued-on parts she could bite off and swallow. Put strings and wands away after play, and throw out worn toys in good time.

Cat toys are sold by the piece, so a price per kilogram would say nothing here. When comparing, look at the size and material of the toy and whether the pack holds one toy or several.

Kittens do well with light, soft toys that are not too small: balls, toy mice, wands with feathers or fabric strips. They are still learning to hunt, so playing together with their owner is the most valuable.

Kittens start taking an interest in moving objects within their first weeks, so toys can be given from the day they arrive home. For very young kittens choose soft, light toys and play under supervision.

Older cats suit slower games on the floor: a wand moved low, kicker toys, scent or catnip toys and food puzzles. Sessions should be shorter, without high jumps or sharp turns.

Start with a few different types: a feather wand, a ball, a toy mouse and a catnip toy. Watch whether your cat prefers catching prey in the air, on the floor or small fast objects, and buy similar ones later.

There is no exact number, but a few toys of different types are more useful than many similar ones. A common tip is to leave 3–5 toys out and hide the rest, swapping them every few days.

Yes, rotating toys helps keep a cat interested: every few days or weeks put some toys away and bring others out. A toy the cat has not seen for a while feels new again.

Cats are drawn to moving prey, and a toy lying still soon becomes boring. Move it yourself, hide it for a few days or add some catnip scent, and the interest often comes back.

Yes, toys matter especially for indoor cats because they replace hunting outdoors. Daily play helps keep a healthy weight and reduces boredom and unwanted behaviour such as scratching furniture or noise at night.

The usual advice is to play several times a day for 10–15 minutes. Kittens and active breeds may need more, while older cats are fine with shorter, calmer sessions.

Cats are naturally most active in the morning and evening, so that is when they are keenest to play. Playing in the evening before bedtime and before a meal helps a cat tire out and stay calmer at night.

A cat's natural cycle is hunt, catch, eat and sleep. Playing before a meal recreates this sequence: afterwards the cat eats, grooms and rests calmly.

Towards the end slow the toy down, let the cat catch it a few times and finish with a treat or a meal. A game that stops abruptly without a catch can leave a cat restless.

Regular active play helps a cat burn more energy, but weight only comes down together with the right diet. If your cat is overweight, it is worth discussing a diet and exercise plan with a vet.

These cats usually love feather wands moved through the air so they can leap and catch. Fluttering toys that mimic wings work well too.

Mouse hunters enjoy toys on the floor: toy mice, furry toys and a wand that can be dragged along the floor and hidden behind furniture. The key is that the toy moves away from the cat and hides.

Insect hunters are often drawn to small toys that move quickly and unpredictably: tiny wand attachments, bouncing balls, moving spots. The toy must not be so small that the cat could swallow it.

Cats are instinctively active at dusk and dawn, and indoor cats often sleep through the day. More play during the day and a more intense session in the evening usually shifts the activity to a better time.

Before bed, play actively with a wand for 10–15 minutes until the cat is tired, then feed her. Leave only quiet toys without bells out overnight so play does not wake the household.