Best Cat Toys for Kittens 2024

Written by Adam Lee-Smith

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 08/29/2024, edited: 08/29/2024

Best Cat Toys for Kittens 2024 image

The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.


So, you've just brought home the latest furry addition to your family, and you've jumped online to order tons of treats and toys — but where do you start?

Picking out cat toys for a kitten is exciting, but it can be tough to choose wisely when there are so many playthings on the market.

If you're looking for a helping hand — you're in luck. We've rounded up a selection of the best cat toys for kittens, from puzzle games to kickers to wands. Keep scrolling for some of the best and top-rated kitten toys you simply can't miss!



Overview

Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy

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Best cat wand for kittens

Take it from personal experience — cats love ribbons. My 9-year-old calico, Boo, still plays with the same ribbon from a fabric wand we bought her when she was a kitten.

The Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy is a superb starter wand. It's inexpensive and made from lightweight fabric, so it won't injure your kitten during play. Available in two funky designs, this wand will have your kitten leaping around your living room as soon as you take it out of the box.

  • Available colors: neon blue, retro circles
Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy

Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand Cat Toy

Why Wag! loves the Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand

  • A great starter wand for kittens
  • Inexpensive
  • Durable
  • Two funky designs available

Considerations & concerns 

  • Pretty basic — some kittens may get bored quickly
  • Wand might be too short for playing with a fully-grown cat

What pet parents say about the Frisco Fabric Teaser Wand 

"This is the most basic of wand toys and a household favorite. It can be used for cats who like to leap and cats who prefer something slow and low to the ground. I consider it an essential wand for your collection."

"This is great for playing with kittens, the ribbon is light enough it doesn't scare them or hurt them. Even older cats like this toy as a change from feather teasers."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Chewy, Inc.




KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy

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Best kicker for kittens

Few things are cuter than watching your kitten grab their kicker and kick with all their might. The KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy is just 8.5 inches long, the ideal size for your pint-sized panther.

KONG is famous for producing durable cat toys, so you can expect this kicker to stick around and be a firm favorite of your feline well into adulthood. 

Made with super-soft fabric, you'll no doubt catch your kitten cuddling up to this toy when they're not in a furry kicking frenzy.

KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy

KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy

Why Wag! loves the KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy

  • Made specifically for kittens
  • Crinkles to add excitement to play
  • Fluffy tail encourages your kitten to kick
  • Made by KONG - famous for its long-lasting toys
  • Affordable

Considerations & concerns 

  • Might be too small for your cat as they grow
  • Kickers aren't universally loved by cats

What pet parents say about the KONG Kickeroo Kitten Toy

"This toy is a big hit with our new kitten. He knew just what to do with it and started kicking his back feet on it. Great toy at a decent price."

"As soon as my cat heard me take this crinkly toy out of the Chewy box, he was right there! He snagged it with his claws and started rolling around with it."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright KONG Company.




TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

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Best puzzle toy for kittens

Another favorite kitten toy of my cat is the TRIXIE Activity Fun Board. To me it's the ultimate puzzle toy — it encourages your kitty to use their brain when getting treats and slows down eating. So, if your kitten regularly devours their dinner too fast, this is a great way to slow them down.

The TRIXIE Activity Fun Board features five puzzles, so it'll take your cat a while to master the entire board. One of the best reasons to buy this is it's great for all ages and will keep your cat's brain engaged at every stage of their life.

TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

Why Wag! loves the TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

  • 5-in-1 puzzle board
  • Helps slow down fast eaters
  • Durable with no moving parts
  • Suitable for all ages

Considerations & concerns

  • Pegs and grooves can be difficult to clean
  • Kittens that aren't food-motivated may get bored

What pet parents say about the TRIXIE Activity Fun Board

"I have quite a few cats. And I pulled this puzzle board out for them. And what a BLAST they had trying to get the snacks! But only one of my cats had the tenacity to keep at it and figure out how to get the snacks out of the cups. This is great for keeping bored cats busy and keeping their minds occupied. I can't recommend this enough."

"Both my grand kitties needed more stimulation. But also needed a slow feeder. This does both. They are having fun figuring it out. I highly recommend it. Worth every penny!"

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright TRIXIE Pet Products, Inc.




Catstages Mice Cat Chew Toy with Catnip

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Best chew toy for kittens

While cats don't necessarily need teething toys, dental toys can help remove tartar and prepare your kitten for their adult chompers. The Catstages Mice Cat Chew Toy with Catnip is lightweight, durable, and the ideal size for a kitten.

These adorable mouse-shaped chew toys help keep your kitten's teeth clean thanks to their mesh surface, which flosses your feline's fangs. Plus, each toy is filled with dried catnip to encourage your kitten to play.

  • Available colors: blue, green, purple, red, orange
Catstages Mice Cat Toy

Catstages Mice Cat Toy

Why Wag! loves the Catstages Mice Cat Toy 

  • Mesh construction flosses your cat's teeth, removing plaque
  • Lightweight, durable, and the ideal size for kittens
  • Contains catnip to encourage play
  • Suitable for multiple types of play — kicking, stalking, tossing, etc.

Considerations & concerns 

  • Some pet parent commented their adult cats weren't interested in these toys
  • Kittens don’t usually like catnip until around three months old

What pet parents say about the Catstages Mice Cat Chew Toy

"these are perfect for a teething kitten and/or a cat who likes to bite and kick. they are super durable and a good size for your cat to carry around. my 3mo kitten absolutely adores these, they are by far her favorite toy. she even plays fetch using these. highly highly recommend, especially for the price!"

"My 3-month old kitten goes nuts for this because the mesh sticks to his claws and teeth. Keeps him occupied the longest vs his other toys. Def his favorite!"

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Outward Hound.




SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls

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Best pom poms for kittens

Crinkle balls were a personal favorite of my cat when she was a kitten. She'd sit atop her cat tree, wait for me to throw up one of these pom poms, and bat it back down over and over again.

The SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls are inexpensive and come in a twelve-pack — perfect for when your kitten inevitably bats one under your sofa and it's seemingly lost forever. Your kitten will have a "ball" tossing, batting, and chasing these pom poms around your home. And their bright colors and texture make them great for cats with visual impairments.

SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls

SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls

Why Wag! loves SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls 

  • Lightweight and crinkly with no sharp edges
  • Ideal for cats of all ages and sizes
  • Reasonably priced and available in a 12-pack

Considerations & concerns

  • Some pet parents said these toys were easily damaged
  • These toys could be a choking hazard for large cats

What pet parents say about SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls

"My cats love them!! I have 2 kittens and 2 older cats, they chase after the crinkle balls, carry them around in their mouths and lose them under the furniture!! Large package was ideal so I could throw out new ones!! Crinkle one and they come running!"

"My 2 kitties love their crinkles and carry them around the house like prizes. If they bat them under a piece of furniture, they will stalk them for hours until someone retrieves it!"

Read more on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Sungrow Gardens.




Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter

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Best squeaky toy for kittens

Is your kitten obsessed with anything that squeaks? If so, the Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter is everything your feline friend desires, with realistic mouse sounds to stimulate their hunting instinct.

This toy is also filled with catnip to keep your cat in a playful mood. With its fluffy exterior and true-to-life design, the Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter is one of the best mouse toys for kittens on the market.

Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter

Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter

Why Wag! loves the Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter

  • Realistic mouse sounds to stimulate your cat's hunting instinct
  • Looks and feels like a real mouse
  • Contains catnip to keep kitten feeling playful
  • Inexpensive and long-lasting

Considerations & concerns

  • Some pet parents said the squeaker broke easily
  • Contains irreplaceable batteries
  • Made from polyester

What pet parents say about the Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak MouseHunter

"Fostering a mama cat and her feral kittens. They love these mice. Even my 9 year old loves it. Meant to buy more with my last order. The squeaking is very real sounding."

"All of our cats enjoy playing with this toy. They love the smell and noise. It is a lot of fun for us to watch them jump, play, and be silly."

Read more on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Pet Zone.




Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent

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Best play tent for kittens

Play tents are the best multi-purpose toys for kittens, and the Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent is the perfect choice for your new fur baby.

It features a scratch mat to keep claws in check, two hanging toys for swatting, and peek-a-boo holes for kittens that love the element of surprise. And when your kitten is tuckered out, this play tent is the perfect spot for a quick snooze.

One of the best features of the Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent for kittens is its scratch mat is removable and it's made from a wipe-clean material — ideal if your kitten is still getting to grips with their litter tray.

Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent

Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent

Why Wag! loves Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent

  • Multi-purpose play tent with removable crinkle mat
  • Includes peek-a-boo holes and two hanging toys
  • Made from an easy to clean material in case your kitten has an accident
  • Affordably priced

Considerations & concerns

  • Can be easily flattened by adult cats
  • Sharp claws can rip lightweight synthetic material

What pet parents say about Hartz Peek & Play Pop-Up Tent

"We have purchased this item multiple times for various litter of foster kittens, and they love it every time! It's easy to clean when they inevitably have little accidents. The only reason we've had to replace it is because our goofy adult cats try to sit on top of it!"

"Our cats love these tents! We only had one for a while and they would all want to use it. It has been heavily used for over 5 years and still in decent shape. We bought several more because the price was great."

Read more reviews on Chewy.

Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright The Hartz Mountain Corporation.

FAQ

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