The holiday season is in full swing, and if you are like most folks, you’ve likely been spending lots of time making your list and checking it twice. If you haven’t crossed your feline family member off your gift list yet, we’re here to help you find a fantastic feline-friendly present. As veterinarians, we want you and your cat to have a fun and festive holiday season free from unexpected mishaps. That’s why we decided to share a few of our top picks for fun and safe toys for cats. Let’s jump right in!

1. BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy

The BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy is an excellent option if you’re looking for something that will keep your feline friend entertained while you’re at work. Inspired by a remote-controlled car, this robotic toy features a giant wheel, a seven-color LED light, and an integrated G-sensor. It comes with a detachable feather wand attachment, but you can swap it out with catnip or other toys to keep your cat’s interest.

This automatic cat toy runs for 10 minutes, turns off for 90 minutes, then comes back on for another 10 minutes when in automatic mode. The cycle continues for eight hours to keep your cat occupied all day long. And thanks to the device’s rechargeable battery, you won’t have to worry about stocking up on disposables. While an interactive toy is no substitute for spending time playing with your furry friend, it’s a great way to help them stay active while you’re away.

Find the BENTOPAL Automatic Cat Toy on Amazon.

2. Cat Amazing Sliders

Keep your cat entertained for hours with a Cat Amazing Sliders interactive treat puzzle toy. It looks like a simple cube with cutouts, but it’s so much more. With moveable compartments that your cat can slide into endless combinations, it’s an ever-changing treat puzzle that engages felines’ instincts to sniff, scratch, and search for hidden rewards. The sliding inner boxes keep the game fresh and challenging whether you have multiple cats or a single feline.

Cat Amazing Sliders provides both physical exercise and mental stimulation. This toy is significantly more engaging and rewarding than a regular treat ball or food dispenser. Plus, it holds more than just food and treats. You can also place crinkle balls, mice toys, catnip, and other fun surprises inside the toy. And if you have a chubby kitty, this toy can slow down their eating and help them lose weight. It’s made from plant-based inks and materials, too, so it’s 100% safe for your feline friend and the planet.

Find Cat Amazing Sliders on Amazon.

3. FurryFido Fun Laser Cat Toy

Even the laziest of cats have a hard time resisting the temptation of a laser pointer! With the press of a button, you can engage your cat’s prey drive and enjoy an action-packed play session. Your cat will love chasing the elusive red dot, and you’ll have a blast watching them jump, run, and pounce.

You can pick up a laser pointer just about anywhere, but the FurryFido Fun Laser Cat Toy has a few features that make it better than the competitors. First, it’s rechargeable. Just plug the included USB cord into a computer or outlet when playtime is over. Second, it has a built-in flashlight and UV detector to make it more than just a toy. Use the flashlight to search for toys that have found their way under the couch, or use the UV detector to figure out where that unpleasant pet urine odor is coming from.

Just a quick note that there can be some potential downsides to using laser pointers with cats, as your veterinarian would likely tell you. As this article by Hill’s Pet Nutrition points out, laser pointers can be dangerous if you're not aware of some of the potential negatives.

Three things to watch out for when using laser pointers with cats are:

  1. Never point them directly into your cat’s eyes, as they can cause permanent damage.
  2. Be careful where you use them, as cats can get so into the game that they can lose sight of their surroundings and injure themselves.
  3. Some also say that there is a negative psychological effect to laser pointers for cats, as it channels their hunting/prey instincts. While this is a wonderful thing, especially for indoor cats who don’t usually get this opportunity, it can be frustrating because cats never actually “catch” their prey when playing with laser pointers. Those whose cats love laser pointers will tell you that there’s an easy fix to that, however, as long as you give them something to make them feel like they won the game when it concludes!

Find the Fun Laser Cat Toy on the FurryFido website.

4. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

With the Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy, you’ll never have to worry about your cat losing another ball under the sofa. With three levels and colorful balls that spin around and around, this interactive toy is a favorite among kittens and senior cats alike. It’s great for both independent play and multi-cat households, too.

This toy encourages physical exercise and gives your feline friend a mental workout as they try to figure out how to dislodge the balls from the track. There are similar products on the market from other brands, but the Petstages Tower of Tracks toy is durable and designed with cats’ safety in mind.

Find the Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy at Chewy.

5. Empty Box

The perfect gift for your cat doesn’t need to be anything expensive. Like kids, cats often have a better time playing with the box a toy came in than the toy itself. And for curious cats who love to chew or eat things they shouldn’t, a regular old cardboard box or paper bag is an ideal alternative to an actual cat toy. If you are doing a lot of your holiday shopping online, save some of the boxes your orders come in for your feline friend. You can wrap them up and place them under the tree for Christmas morning, or you can just let your cat enjoy them as-is. If you’ve done a lot of shopping, you can even save those boxes to make a DIY cardboard cat castle. Sometimes, the best gifts don’t have to cost a penny!

The Cat Gift Conclusion!

Don’t let the stress of finding the perfect gift for your feline family member get you down this holiday season. Whether you shop for one of the fun and safe toys mentioned above or you make your cat’s day by giving them their very own cardboard box, the holiday season is all about sharing love and making memories with your loved ones — both human and feline!

Remember, if your cat needs some extra care this holiday season, we’re here to help. Whether they’re feeling under the weather or you’d like to give them the gift of good health by bringing them in for wellness care, give us a call to schedule an appointment.