CATS ARE BEAUTIFUL, interesting, weird creatures. They're also very picky. Finding cat toys that they'll actually play with is tough, especially with the sheer oversaturation of the pet market today. Cats require a specific environment to play, scratch, and relax. Based on years of testing with our cats, these are our favorite WIRED-approved, tech-y cat toys (and furniture). Even if our cats rejected a particular product, we still examined overall construction, design, and value to determine whether it may be useful for other kitties.
We love interactive cat toys—everything on this list we've tested over the years and our cats actually play with. All of these toys also have an element to help engage their natural instincts, like an interactive mat that mimics prey's movements, or a puzzle toy so your cat has to use their pecan-sized brain to get rewarded with delicious treats.
I'm a helicopter cat mom specializing in pet tech, and all of these cat toys are approved by both my and other staffers' (very spoiled) WIRED cats. Check out our related guides like The Best Automatic Cat Litter Boxes, The Best Automatic Cat Feeders, The Best Cat Water Fountains, and Our Favorite Fancy Cat Furniture. More of a dog person? We've got you covered! See our Best Accessories and Tech Essentials for Your Dog guide.
