Best Cat Toys For Indoor Cats (An Actually Helpful Video)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 29 тра 2024
- This is not the typical best cat product recommendation video. I will go into detail about each category of product and how effective it will be for your cats. This is to help you pinpoint the product that you might need the most for your cats.
I will also be ranking them on how effective they are at providing our cats with an engaging and stimulating experience.
There are too many cat toys and products that are very lacking and not enough focus is on our cat's natural instincts. Luckily there are some exceptions and jewels within the cat toy market and I will talk about some of them here.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
2:05 Cat Toy Categories and Ranking Effectiveness
2:47 Category 1: Stationary Toys
4:43 Stationary Toys Best For?
5:26 Stationary Toys Recommendations
6:04 How Many Stationary Toys to Have?
6:34 Space Saving Stationary Toys
7:33 Category 2: Cat Play Environment + Recommendations
9:19 Cat Play Environment Best For?
10:06 How Many Play Environment Products To Have?
10:38 Category 3: Cat Interactive Toys
11:18 Interactive Toys Best For?
12:47 Which Interactive Toy To Get?
13:40 Interactive Toys Important Notes
14:56 Conclusion
-----
Some product links are affiliate links which means that I receive a small commission whenever you purchase the item. This goes towards supporting my website and channel. Thanks so much!
----
For the full in-depth article with links to purchase the items that I recommend here in this video: monsieurtn.com/best-toys-for-...
For more information about where to buy the cat products that I use and recommend in my small apartment visit my website: monsieurtn.com/product-review...
-----Cameras and Gear Used To Shoot This Video ------
Gear Checklist: kit.co/monsieurtn/cat-video-kit - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Putting my own findings here for anyone else in search of kitty entertainment!
We have two indoor adult kitties who live in a one bedroom apartment with balcony area.
We have a suet bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder on the balcony to draw a variety of birds to our apartment for the cats to watch. We can even trust the cats with the screen door open, they only watch the birds and do not attack. I would not advise this if your cats will attack the birds, let them watch from the screen window.
I have a number of "Cat videos" bookmarked for them to watch on my computer or I use Chromecast and put it on the TV. So they can watch fish, squirrels, birds, digital games, etc. These only work if your cat is naturally curious and watches your TV/device screen already. Added animal sounds vs musical score are bonus.
One of our cats loves water, so we got her a water fountain to drink from, but we also got the birds outside a bird bath to splash in and excite our kitty. She likes to drink from the bathroom sink, too, so sometimes we fill the sink up and put these little electric swimming fish toys in there for her.
Our other cat is all about places to sharpen his claws (both are, but one more than the other), so we have a slew of different places for him to do this rather than on the furniture. He especially loves the Fukumaru cardboard boxes with inserts, and they use these boxes to sleep in, play in, hide in, scratch in, and play tag around. We have like 4 of these floating around our house in various spots. Also, cardboard houses with scratch pads in them are a big hit with our cats (You can get holiday themed ones and the likes).
We make sure they have many places to lounge/sleep with soft bed or blanket textures for their paws (they can tell the difference).
Cat trees are essential. They need the opportunity to go upwards vertically and claim territory to look down upon their domain. We have one in each room. If you go for suction cup spots for the cats, make sure your cats are not so heavy as to cause said perch to fall while in/on it or that it might break what it is attached to. When our kitty became adult, he is huge now and the window used to protest so much when he laid in his window hammock, we were sure it would break so we had to get rid of it. There's no way our other cat could have used it, either.
Treat puzzle balls works well with one of our cats.
Electric "bugs" which skitter on the floor works well with our other cat.
Last year we made a little cricket house and bought 6 crickets for it. The cats LOVED the heck out of this thing like nothing else. They loved listening to the crickets chirp and move around (the bug bin was put out of their reach for the most part, but taken down for them to sit and watch with constant supervision from myself or my partner in case it got knocked around too much). Crickets only live up to four months, but they are super easy to maintain. Great "cat TV" stuff right there, and cheap.
Our cats have loads of toys in all shapes, textures, colors, tastes.. Robot toys, drones, crinkle toys, mice, etc. You name it, they've got it. But the toys they love best are the interactive stick ones which requires their humans to be involved. Lately we've been making custom stick toys for them catered to their preferences.. We just buy long wooden dowels from the hardware store and cut them into cat toy wands, drill holes in one end and use some elastic beading string from the craft store. Here, we suspend all sorts of toys and feathers and bells -different stuff to tempt them. And we put all interactive toys away when play time is done, it makes them all the more in demand when kitty gets playful. (Plus, no worries of kitty choking on string while unattended).
I hope that gives people some ideas!
I love this comment! Thanks for putting the time to write it up. Actually wanted to try to put a bird feeder on the balcony as well. Is there a process to do that? Or a type of seed because I've tried putting some seeds outside in a container but no birds would come. Maybe getting a bird feeder would help!
sooo helpful thank you
I'm back! ♥ Ok, so last year we acquired a bit of leftover sod from the landscapers installing a new lawn at our apartments. We put this in a large, shallow semi-transparent storage bin (23"x17"x6") and treated it like a lawn: watered and misted it regularly, kept it in good sun on the balcony. It actually lived well in the box all through spring, summer and fall until December snow.
This was a huge game changer for our cats who never stood in grass before. Every single day, multiple times a day, they would demand to go outside just to nibble on the grass. Initially they were too uncertain to get in the box, but eventually they came to appreciate the long, lush lawn under them as they enjoyed a snoozy in there. It does require some refluffing by us in maintenance after the cat has laid there a spell, but the lawn held up real well!
We just seeded a new box to grow another lawn from scratch so that they can have their grass back this year. I highly recommend this for any cat owner who lives in an apartment or condo and only has a balcony to offer their cats. It was low maintenance, and I tell you, "mowing the lawn" was super easy.
We're also growing some cat friendly plants this year to put out there for the cat's to enjoy nibbling.
I've begun handcrafting "fishing lures" which are working really well on one of the cats. If you make some, too, just make sure they are not so tiny that kitty can swallow when licking their captive 'prey.'
The only other new development is (slightly controversial) that I ordered some animal pelt parts from a Native American Indian run trading post where they ethically make use of the entire animal they have caught/hunted. The cats have been going nuts with these tails (1 ermine, 1 racoon), we have them on sticks/string and make them move like prey for the cats. It is as close to real prey as we can offer them in good conscience.
Anyway, happy cat parenting to everyone. I hope I helped with some more ideas for you to enhance your furbaby's life.
i would try the fish toys in the sink one, but she might try it on MY fish 😅
Great ideas thank you !!
Honestly the best feeling for a pet owner is seeing your beloved pets playing with the expensive thing you bought for them as intended
You’re right! Their reaction is the first thing you look forward to when you get something for the little buggers!
My cat ignores any toy I ever spent money on. But has a blast with a wad of paper.
Sometimes the best toys are the simplest ahhaha! Thanks for your comment!
Have you tried putting crinkled up brown wrapping paper (or the brown packing paper) in a big box? I keep the packing paper, layer it in the box, fluff it up every couple of days, sometimes throw toys or treats, or dangle a wand toy in there. My cat’s even conked out after playing in there for ten minutes.
„A bored cat is usually a destructive one.“ - It’s supposed to be the same with teenagers. 😜
Lol
I get groceries in paper bags. Just leave a few open on the floor and you have cat fun galore.
Thanks for your comment! Paper bags are indeed the Item that keeps on giving!
And, of course, cardboard boxes, after pulling off all tape and getting rid of plastic/styrofoam. Leave the crinkly paper layers in, though. Lots of noisy fun for them.
I had a kitten once his name was Loki. He use to play 🏈 football with me. I would throw a small little cat ball in the shape of a football and I say: Hut Hut, throw it and he would run after it roll off the wall and catch it and bring it back to me. It was the funniest thing because most people don't teach their kittens to play fetch.
Your videos are awesome, they fit my niche perfectly. I'm currently living with two kittens in a one bedroom apartment and your advice has been SO helpful with these vids. Seriously, thank you!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate it!
In all sincerity, I appreciate that fact that you took time to utilize proper grammar whilst leaving a comment.
My cat’s favorite toy is the tri-tunnel (PetSmart Whisker City is what I get; I have two now). He loves hiding in it, ready to pounce on whoever moves by. I love dangling a wand toy over the center hole, dropping it in, then watching him dive bomb into the hole, often tipping at least one arm over himself, sometimes flipping the entire unit completely over. It’s like a giant kicker toy!
The cat dancer is by far the favorite toy in our house. Cheap and durable as well. Recommend to everyone
One of the best videos out there on this subject. Please keep coming out with these videos. Incredibly informative and insightful.
Subscribed!
Wow thanks for your supportive comment! It means a lot to me!
You werent aware before watching the video exactly what a stationary toy was? What new info did you learn from watching this?
Fem Fic Oh you poor thing. You must be suffering from a short attention span that prevented you from getting past 2:09... You know, after the "stationary toy" part, where he then proceeds to clearly outline the second and third category of cat toys (that are NON-stationary) and then proceeds to give examples and pros and cons.
Either that or you are afflicted with poor auditory and visual processing and information comprehension.
That would explain the condescending, snarky comment.
Nevermind... We all have our own burdens in life. No judgement or anything.
Have a good day!
That was clear and very well made, thanks for putting out this video. It really helped me understand what my cat needs for play. All the best!
Hey it’s Juan Carlos Barquet!
Good and helpful video! :D
Never seen that rug thing before, and it looks like something my kitten will love! Thank you!
Very well made video. Thanks for sharing!
Very helpful video, thank you!
What a great video. Well constructed.
very helpful video ! thanks !
I respect your video. Thank you for making it. 😊😊😊
After losing my Millie this July I vowed I would never let another cat outside ever again (unless I take them for a walk) fast forward to now and I’m adopting a kitten soon and have been trying to do as much research on indoor cats as I can. The fact that you have videos AND an article link is soo helpful. Merci beaucoup, your channel is a life saver ❤
Did you get a cat yet? How are they?❤
The is exactly what I needed.. thank you
Nicely done. Very helpful.
One of my cats just loved watching your cats play. Mx
loved this video, very well done!! i liked your new approach with switching between your face and the cats and i learned that i'm missing a nice burrowing toy like that mat which i will change soon then. :) picking up my two cats in less than a week and i'm so excited!! i'm curious about your opinion, do you think what people recommend about hiding parts of the cats food (like bits of dry food or snacks) around the house keeps them more stimulated as well or does that not really make sense in a small space where there wont be a lot of searching anyway?
On regular days, I don't think its necessary but it might be a good idea when you go outside the house for more than a day it could help for some distractions. However, I'm of the camp where if I have time to hide treats - then I probably have time to give them a good play session instead!
Soo happy I found your channel!
Great video! You really know cats 😂
Great video definitely am subscribed
Thanks for your kind comment!
Thanks Tn. Sensible, practical advice
Yes do more of these reviews please 💕💕💕
Great video! Thank you. I would also recommend a cat condo. I got one with 3 platforms and 5 levels for my three cats. Even though only 2 of them use the platforms all three use the upright scratching poles. My cats are big so I do have a weight, a heavy rock, on the base to be absolutely sure it doesn’t tip.
Thanks! I love the door cat condos actually, that’s the one thing I was forgetting in this video! It’s really great for Catification as well! Thanks for sharing!
Good information.
Such beautiful cats
I recommend the Cat Dancer, totally my cat's favorite
Thank you thank you so much I was afraid I was going to have to get rid of my aggressive male cat until you said a board cat swipes and bites at everything you helped me out I've got loads of stuff comeing and I will pay close attention thanks again
My cat hates to play by herself, I haven't found a single toy that she'll play with for more than a few hours at first, before abandoning it forever. She loves chasing strings and stuff and can do so for hours on end if I'm actively playing with her, but if it's a robot that moves something then she just isn't interested, and absolutely not if she has to move the thing herself. She doesn't react to catnip either, isn't food motivated, doesn't enjoy jumping or climbing (prefers the floor or a chair over high perches, only uses her cat tree to sleep in), and isn't interested in looking out the windows. She likes chasing bugs and gets the occasional zoomies, that's about it, otherwise she does nothing but sleep all day and wait for the next play session with me. Doesn't sound overly strange for an older cat, but she's not even 6 months old and have been like that since she was 12 weeks.
I'm still looking for some toy that can keep her a little more active and stimulated when I'm away, which there will be more of when I'm no longer working from home. Might have to get a cat playmate even though I wasn't planning on it.
Hi! Thanks for your comment! That tends to be the case for female cats I think. They rarely ever play by themselves hahaha they prefer interactive activities with their owners (which is nice but sometimes we get busy, which I'm sure you have the same feeling!).
If you do get a cat playmate - get another female cat/kitten! I explain why in this article: monsieurtn.com/male-or-female-cat/
my cat is the same way! if you figure out what toys work best for her please tell me 😭
Sounds like she’s a bush dweller (hiding, waiting to pounce) or beach dweller (walk around me, human); check out Jackson Galaxy. Mine’s definitely a tree dweller (anyplace high up is his “confident where”).
Same here I just saw this little device with the timer and one of those infrared light that goes on and off all day!
great video!
thank you so much for this video!
I'm happy it was useful for you!
@@monsieurtn ty!
My kitten never really cared about stationary toys. He’d play it 1-3days max per month usually when his hype. I bought him so many little toys he’d chase for a bit when his in his zoomie mode but he rarely play on his own. But he loves wand and mostly, just a piece of string lol
These r absolute staples for me . For any cat owner, germ guardian gg1000 (or gg1100 if u want a USB charging port too) is great for reducing litter odors (even if u r great about scooping). U can go a yr b4 changing bulb if u use branded replacement bulb. Very affordable.
Highly recommend Catit flower fountain. No open bowl to get dirty, just fresh flowing water up top. Been using for 6+ yrs & u can buy the older model circle filters (white top/blk bottom) in bulk & boil to sanitize them making them last much longer than type it comes with. Easy to clean with inexpensive bottle brush 2pk from Walmart (couple bucks).
Chewy's Frisco brand tree/perch with hut (1 or 2) & bed topper 1 level above it (grey fleece) is excellent for large cats or any other size. My previous cat & current cat absolutely live on it. CK for sales. Can b a steal. Great quality.
If your cat likes balls, Jackson Galaxy dice r dimpled & roll in an entertaining fashion.
For ground or air prey loving cats J. Galaxy retractable wand with 2 satin looking rope wrapped tube/worm shaped danglers off a thin wire is a killer choice. Super fun for cats. Cats really love chasing that.
Cat school training 2 PC clicker training set ($24.99 on Amazon) is a great tool. Comes with a booklet of how to teach many things, curb behavior etc & there r vids online to help too. Great system.
Well done for cat owners!
Very nice video!
oOoOO I think my cat and my bunnies will enjoy the play ripple mat!
My cat is truly in love with his tunnel but gets bored with most of his toys so I am looking for new ideas...thanks so much for your video.
You have pretty cats.I have 5 indoor cats.
The best cat toys are the ones that your cat likes to play with the most :) If you have the money and love to spoil your cat(s), I recommend getting all sorts of different cat toys (except the expensive automated ones) and then letting your cat(s) decide which one(s) they like best. I know for my cats, I've gottem probably around 50 different types of cat toys, and out of those 50, each of my three cats has ~1 or 2 toys that they like more than any of the others.
My little boy Bucky for example for whatever reason has decided that he is absolutely obsessed with puff balls made by Hartz and the only reason I was able to find this out is because of how I gave my kitties so many different toys to choose from.
I am smitten. Wow you are a cutie. With cute cats. Thanks so much, I'm cat sitting and now I'm excited about what I can do to make this shy kitty feel more at home.
He’s got a great voice, too.
my cat is an only cat so if i don't play with her at least twice a day for minimum 30 minutes she will go insane at night. i kinda laughed when you said "at least every 2 days" haha but I guess since you have multiple kitties they can entertain each other in between
insightful
Great Video! What is the name of these balls at the end of your Video? These blue pink soft type balls
14:30 did that cat really just play fetch!?! lmao, I have 2 tabby cats (adopted) and they REALLY love their mouse on a string. its the same color pattern as they are not sure why they like that one so much but they do. tied it to a 8foot piece of string kind of treat it like fly fishing and god they go crazy over it never saw a cat do so many backflips in a row lol.
My cat plays fetch with a heavy plastic ring (from a McDonald’s Happy Meal purchased five years ago), and heavy spiral hair ties for humans (Goody and Scunci are two brands), also very tightly scrunched balls of aluminum foil (1.5” diameter).
Could you tell me or send a link to the cat perch on the window to the left? The one that’s domed and has a hole? I think my cats would enjoy it so much, but I can’t find anything like it online!
Love your videos!! Literally my reference library for what to buy when my little buddy needs something new in his life. We have the ripple rug but it doesn't have the border like yours. Our cat LOVES the edge of rugs wondering if you know how I can find one with the border (Google has failed me.) ?
Thanks for your comment! That's interesting! Actually, my cat ripple mat is sort of a knock off of the ripple rug made in Korea because I couldn't get the American version here! Hahahaha it's interesting that your cat likes those borders!!
Unfortunately, though I couldn't find anything like it anywhere else :(. Sorry!
@@monsieurtn on no, bummer for both of us!! In the back of my mind I'm currently trying to figure out if I can somehow fit a wheel in my studio, your setup is life goals.
ty
Hello, could you please tell me what kind of bouncy ball your Bengal is playing with towards the end of this video? It was pink & blue, looked easy to be picked up by mouth, and bounced well. My cat loves bouncy balls, so I am very interested in this one. Thank you!
Man I really love the ripple rug. My cats love it and will play like crazy when it's out. My problem is my sometimes-lazy tripod boy will just flip over on it and despite our progress he still has enough chonk that it has completely flattened our ideal configuration 🤷
I'm looking after a neighbors cat for a month and since she's skittish around me, allowing her leave the house isn't possible since she won't return to the house. So this is really useful for me
Thanks for your comment! I hope you find something that the cat enjoys!
great video! what's the awesome back ground music?
Hi! It's just what I found on my royalty-free music provider ahhahaha. I'm glad you liked my music tastes though!
Your a good pet owner
Spiral hair ties (check out Walmart) and wads of aluminum foil scrunched up into really really tight balls about 1.5” in diameter (small enough to carry in their mouth but big enough where they can’t swallow and choke on it), are inexpensive, durable, fun interactive toys. A 2” heavy plastic ring also works. When I hear the ring hit the floor, or my bed, I know my cat wants to play fetch.
I can't seem to find a nice ripple mat like that one. Where did you find yours? Thanks!
I found a similar ripple rug on chewy a couple years ago, which my cat always enjoys playing and lounging on.
Where can I get the ripple mat shown in video? The link has one that is less sturdy
where is the Cat Wheel in the background from, I just some a different video and someone had that too
Thank you - I was looking for a gift for my doctor who has (and serves) two cats in his condominium.
Do you have a link or product name for that tunnel with the cats on it? Looked around on your website but I don’t think I saw it
Unfortunately I couldn't find it! That specific tunnel I bought here in Korea!
Where did you get the wheel?
my bengal cat recently died, so i'm getting 2 more bengal kittens in about 3 weeks. however, i didn't know that i actually had the most relaxed bengal cat in the world, and now i'm scared about having two because i thought they were going to be like my old cat but apparently not..i must tire them out with toys
RIP your original Bengal. How are the two little ones doing?
@@HeronCoyote1234 thank you, they’re doing so well!! i love them so much. they’re so playful and it takes so much energy up to play with them but they entertain each other so it’s okay haha they’re sleeping right now :)
I bought stationary hoping to keep my cat entertained while we are out. The reality is when we out the cat just go to sleep
Well, they do sleep about 16-18 hrs/day…
Forget the toys, what is that smooth heavenly-like music coming from?
I have collapsible laundry baskets that my cats love to hop into and hide, one of my cat's favorite toy is a broken wand toy that I attached a piece of lanyard on and she only wants to play now with that. With destruction problems it's basically one of my cats has this problem. Destructo
The other problem I’ve read about with the round tracker stationary toys is cats who get their heads stuck in the hole on top.
Totally buying a tunnel for my baby and i must say you're very handsome lets be friends
what’s your job? great video!
Thanks! I’m a teacher over here in South Korea!
We just got our second cat so this will be really helpful!
That's great to hear! I hope things are going well with the introductions!
I have a four month old thinking about getting a second kitten as I work 10 hours a day away how did the introductions go?
@@monsieurtn love your video so admire you having so many cats in a smaller place. Do you have a video of their introductions
Mine is four month what age do you think will it be more difficult to introduce a new cat
Do you think another male or female same age or younger? Thanks so much 🐱💙
@@california3716 I do have a video but it's not an instruction video! I have a article that goes super in-depth on how to do it without separation: monsieurtn.com/illustrated-guide-new-cat-introduction-no-isolation-separation/
I think it would be okay. Just be careful in washing with clothes because some cat toys have dyes that might discolor the clothes. Additionally, for more fragile cat toys like feathers, it's best to hand wash those! Thanks for your comment!
I wish my cat would get allong with other cats so she could have a friend to play with, but she truly hate others cats, she gets really jealous and sad. Do u have any tips on it? plus this was a helpfull video indeed, thanks
Hi! Thanks for your comment - one of the best tips I would say to get cats to get along would be to use my snacks/food strategy. You can learn more about it in this article I wrote: monsieurtn.com/illustrated-guide-new-cat-introduction-no-isolation-separation/#Step_5_Snacktime_and_Mealtime_Strategy
@@monsieurtn just read the step by step, plus the video you have on it. its super complete! thanks again
Where is your cat tower from?
There are so many cat toys that are made incredibly poorly and are 100% choking hazards. It's a little crazy how we have so many dog toys that are made to be safe for actual play, and when it comes to cats, it's hard to find actual quality.
My cat loves tissue ball I made it for him 😂😂
your cats are so cute!
Can someone please help me and make a list of toys great for 3+ year old cats? (Mostly 3 years old) please I need it badly-
What was the color of the one rug with holes that u got
It's a greyish knock off of the cat Ripple Rug! I got here in Korea, but I couldn't find it anywhere else, the original can be found here: monsieurtn.com/product-review/recommended-apartment-cat-products/#Cat_Play_Environment_Toys
I got my cat a normal scratch post but now I realised she’s a horizontal cat scratcher 😭😭
Easy head 22
Pure dolphin 48
Sadly not all cats are the same. What wrks for some usually does not apply to my cat. Sigh 😔
Thanks for your comment! You're absolutely correct, cats are individuals at the end of the day and it's up the owners to figure out which type of items or play styles that our cats will enjoy!
And they’re fickle and get bored easily. Switching out toys helps. Also, if you’re dragging a toy and find your cat just staring at it, keep it up for a minute or two. Often, they may just be preparing to pounce (hunting their prey).
What is a good toy for a Senior Cat. He's my Only Cat.
7:34
Strong teacher 30
I have a 3 years old cat that is really depressed cant go outside and doesn’t want to play. He’s really fat because of that. I wish i would find something to make his life more exciting im thinking more and more about giving him out to someone with a garden so he can play with threes..etc im really sad for him.
I understand. I just moved into an apartment with my cat (four months ago). Even though I play with him, and this a stimulant-rich environment (lots of windows with wide sills, in a park-like setting), he’s depressed and anxious. He’s currently on Gabapentin and Prozac. Because he was (unprovoked) attacking me (not love bites, but drawing blood), I brought him back to our old house (his other human family members still live there). He’s more relaxed there. Temporary may become permanent if that’s better for him.
We’ve recently adopted our 9 year old neighborhood cat. We had already been feeding her and allowing her in the house but now that she’s in the house permanently she gets very upset that she can’t go outside anymore (we brought her in for her own protection because she’s been injured a few times). She wants to play almost constantly and has a tendency to bite, hiss, and draw blood (very painful 😓) if she doesn’t get her own way. We love her but she is a real challenge.
I really like this compilation but it is missing ( Interactive Cat Toys for Kitten Self) in my compilation the number is included. Nr1 Note that these products were ranked “best seller” at the time this article was written. Amazon’s Best Seller list is updated hourly, so for the most current list.
Is this good for 1 cat? WHATS A GOOD TOY FOR 1 CAT ?
This video has way too much talking and pointless stuff. I couldn't watch it
I know a great toy for your indoor cat, the outdoors. Don't buy a cat if you can't give them access to a garden. It's cruel.
Excellent video. Thank you for sharing!