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This bouncing door frame cat toy taps into your cat’s hunting instincts and provides cardio exercise through jumping. It’s a self-play toy with no battery, so it won’t get tired or run out of charge during play. This pack includes two toys, so you can save one for a backup or use them on separate doors. 

A furry, rattling, baseball-sized mouse lure is attached to a long elastic cord and dangles from the doorway. The 118-inch cord can be adjusted to make catching the mouse harder or easier, keeping the challenge fresh and approachable for most cats. The elastic cord ensures that even when your cat catches the prey, it can’t get too far before the mouse is pulled back toward the door, causing the cat to run back to recover their win. We like that the suction cup stayed attached against strong kitty pulls. This toy also fits in any doorway with the door open or closed, and can also be attached to a ceiling or wall. 

However, due to the high jumps, we don’t recommend this toy for senior cats, or those with hind leg weakness or mobility issues. You’ll also want to monitor your cat’s play if they are prone to chewing cords.

_{Size: 118-inch main cord | Power Source: Self-play}

The MayMaw Kitifish Automatic Cat Toy is a rechargeable toy that can keep your cat (and you!) entertained for hours. This small wheeled device has feathers and bells attached for added interest and seven different fast-moving modes, including rolls, spins, and flips, so it’s extremely engaging for cats and kittens. It also automatically changes direction when it encounters an obstacle.

It was simple to set up: Our tester just had to charge the USB device for about 20 minutes and press the button to turn it on. After five minutes of inactivity, the device shuts off to preserve the charge.

After a brief inspection, our tester’s cat was intrigued and began following the toy around the house, chasing and batting it about. Our tester enjoyed watching their cat play and appreciated that the toy kept their cat entertained without human intervention. One drawback our tester noted is that since this toy moves around independently, it is easy to lose under furniture or behind something, so you’ll want to keep an eye on it.

_{Size: 2.2 x 0.71 x 1.57 inches (body), 2.36 x 1.18 inches (feather) | Power Source: USB rechargeable}

Think of One Fast Cat’s Cat Exercise Wheel (Gen 6) as a hamster wheel or treadmill for cats. We especially like this pick for our indoor cats and cats living in small spaces because it provides a full-speed exercise option that they can use to run off excess energy and anxiety.

The slim footprint makes it ideal for smaller spaces—like studio apartments or city-sized condos—and takes up relatively little room. It’s also got an aesthetic design with color options for several components that allow you to customize the look to better fit in your space. This is a contained space for cats weighing up to 22 pounds to get the zoomies out. That said, not all cats take to the wheel—or some use it and then get bored, as cats often do—making its hefty price a risky investment. 

_{Size: 12 x 50 x 48 inches | Power Source: Self-powered}

The SmartyKat Loco Laser Toy is a handheld toy that comes in a cute mouse shape. The mouse shape is a little more comfortable to hold for extended periods since it requires less gripping than a laser pen. It’s no secret that cats go wild for laser pointer toys, and even the laziest of cats don’t seem to be able to ignore the small red dot.

We like that releasing the button turns off the laser because it allows for more control over the predictability of the action by turning the light on and off to keep the cat’s interest. Shining the laser on the floor, walls, and furniture will keep your cat moving and jumping for a cardio workout.

That being said, this toy requires you to be present in order to work. It includes three LR44 disc batteries (a bit more of a hassle to locate than AA or AAA), which will last for about two hours of continuous play. Keep in mind that laser toys often leave cats unsatisfied since they can’t physically ever actually “catch” the red dot, so it’s worth keeping a kicker toy or other physical toy nearby to cap off the play session. 

_{Size: 3.2 x 1.38 x 0.94 inches | Power Source: Three LR44 batteries (included)} 

Using a toy filled with strong catnip, like this Yeowww My Cat Balls trio, is an easy hands-off way to entice your cat to get a little exercise in. Each ball comes pre-stuffed with Yeowww’s own organic catnip blend that most cats find hard to resist. These balls contain no motorized element and encourage old-school analog play.

The lumpy hacky sack shape doesn’t roll as seamlessly as the plastic sphere toys your cat may be used to, but we like this because it means your cat will have to put in a little more effort to get the ball rolling. When cats are playing with this toy, they’ll be batting, chasing, attacking, and bunny-kicking, which allows them to release energy through hunting behaviors. These balls are made of thick, canvas-like material that can hold up to multiple bites and kicks, and while there are no zippers or Velcro pockets to snag claws or teeth on, this also means the balls are not refillable. 

_{Size: 2 x 2 x 2 inches (per ball) | Power Source: Human, cat}

This touch-activated interactive toy is designed to stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts and works by running itself across the floor. The built-in obstacle avoidance means it won’t get stuck up against furniture, and its unpredictable movements and path mimic the unpredictable movements of a live prey object trying to evade getting caught.

To start, power on and choose the fast or gentle speed mode based on your cat’s energy level and ability, and it will cycle through a 40-minute rest-play schedule (10 minutes of play, then 30 minutes of rest). We like that cats can interrupt the rest period with an easy paw bop, making sure they get the exercise time they need.

This is a rechargeable toy, and you can either actively turn it off once your cat is done playing or leave it on to continue cycling until the battery dies. While it does a decent job of clearing flooring changes, like from hardwood to a short-knit rug, it’s not powerful enough to trudge through higher-pile rugs or carpeting. 

_{Size: 2.6 x 2 x 2.3 inches | Power Source: USB rechargeable}