9 Best Cat Toys for Older Cats in 2022 – Top Picks & Buyers Guide

Older cats don’t move and jump like they did when they were young. As your pets begin to age, you have to adapt to their new bodies and provide them with toys that work better for their age. Switching out inappropriate toys for new ones ensures that your cat stays in the best health without the risk of hurting themselves. It’s not always simple to know exactly which toys to select, especially if this is your first time dealing with older pets. With so many products, you soon create a list that becomes too large to choose from. With feline health as our top priority, our reviews of cat products for older cats are created to help you make a smart and beneficial choice that makes you and your cat happy.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

The 9 Best Cat Toys for Older Cats – Reviews & Top Picks 2022

1. Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy – Best Overall

The Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy is one of the best cat toys for older cats. It has a fun pyramid design that your cat can roll and kick around. It’s also light and soft and has a rope tail, so even older cats with weaker teeth can still bite and get a good grip on it.

The toy is handmade with intent, so you’re guaranteed to have a well-made, durable toy that can withstand many hours of play. It’s made with birch, wool, cotton, and polyester and comes in two different natural colors.

Cats that enjoy the benefits of catnip will also appreciate that each toy is infused with high-quality catnip for even more fun playtime. Even though cats that don’t particularly feel the effects of catnips won’t experience the full potential of this toy, they can still have fun swatting it around. You can also play with your cat by holding on to the rope and swinging the toy around to entice your cat to pounce.

You might have guessed, this is our own product – but we love it so much we just have to share it, and hope you get to own one too!

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2. PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy – Best Value

One of the best cat toys for older cats for the money is the PetSafe interactive laser toy. This is a battery-operated toy that is affordable and keeps your cats busy for 15 minutes at a time. You can change the motion range on the moving laser to keep your older cats from running too much, making it an easy way to entertained bored cats.

You don’t have to be supervising while this cat toy works its magic. However, you can use it manually if you prefer. It encourages mental stimulation and exercise, but some cats are known to be bothered by laser toys in general.

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3. SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Concealed Motion Cat Toy – Premium Choice

This electronic toy has different speed settings that allow you to control how active your cat should be. A wand moves below a plastic tarp to get your cats intrigued and hone their hunting skills. With different wand attachments to choose from, you can even customize it to make your cat more interested.

This toy is most suitable for individual play, but it small enough that a senior cat will enjoy not having to run much. It is very affordable, but the tarp does tend to rip easily if your feline has some sharp claws that they’re using.

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4. Frisco Cat Tracks Butterfly Toy

This stationary offers a few different ways for your older cat to play. With a butterfly floating on a wire from the top and three levels of movable balls, your senior kitty can lay and paw at this toy for as long as they want. This toy is cheap enough for nearly all price ranges and sturdy enough where it won’t tip over.

The one thing you have to keep an eye on with this toy is the wire that attaches to the butterfly. If play gets too rough, it could come off and pose a choking hazard for cats with chewing problems.

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5. Catit Design Senses Circuit Toy

Aside from the affordable price, this toy keeps your older cat’s hunting skills in shape without requiring them to jump and run as if they were still young. They can lay and bat at the swirl-patterned ball or be a bit more active if they’re feeling up for it.

This toy features a motion-activated ball that catches the eye of almost all cats. The pieces snap together easily, and the top sections are removable to make it easier for you catch to catch the ball. Unfortunately, the battery from the ball isn’t replaceable, but you can buy additional ones separately.

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6. SmartyKat Feather Whirl Motion Cat Toy

Dimensions:	2.75 x 2.75 x 10.62 inches
Weight:	4.48 ounces
Material:	Plastic

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Cats with exceptional hunting skills might get a kick out of this unique toy. The battery-operated base rolls in erratic motions that make the attached feather dart back and forth as if it were imitating a real bird. It keeps your older cat stalking appropriate items instead of your legs and turns one with one push of a button. The motor is fairly quiet but could bother some people.

Because it isn’t overly powerful, this toy doesn’t roll too far or fast that it tires your cat out. If they get a hold of the feathers a few too many times, you might have to buy a replacement.

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7. PetFusion Ambush Interactive Cat Toy

This interactive toy has a LED lights and a colorful attachment that immediately intrigues your cats to play. It is able to be used at night or during the day and comes with a replacement feather in case the first gets ruined. It is best to use on smooth surfaces like hardwood floors instead of carpet.

Your cats get 8 minutes of playtime before it automatically shuts off to extend the battery life, which is included when you first buy it. It is a little pricier than some of the other listed cat toys. However, it doesn’t require your senior cats to move too far to get some entertainment.

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8. Frisco Sushi Plush Catnip Cat Toy

Cats can’t get enough of toys filled with catnip. These cute toys come in a four-pack that looks like different sushi rolls and a wasabi packet. These toys are all different sizes and allow your cat to claw, bite, and relax while they play. The soft material is gentle on their teeth and paws as well.

Although affordable and full of catnip, you can not add more to the inside. With most plush toys, it’s possible that the seems could rip after lots of play. You should not use these toys more than a few times a week or they could become immune to the catnip effects.

 

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9. Smart Cat Peek and Play Toy

Have you noticed that your cats of all ages love to hide their toys in small crevices? This instinct doesn’t go away as your cat ages. This puzzle toy comes with two foam balls that allow your kitty to drop them, hide them, and paw at them all day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with replacement balls and isn’t a toy that is going to fit in everyone’s budget. However, we enjoy that our cats can still act like young kittens without having to move like them.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Cat Toys for Older Cats

If you own a cat, whether a kitten or senior, you likely have a large selection of toys for your fur kids to choose from. From electronic toys to simple balls, bonding with our cats during playtime is a great way to establish a connection and keep them healthy both mentally and physically. This isn’t as easy as our cat’s age. Their preference for toys could change based on how their bodies feel and how easy they are to use.

Is Your Cat a Senior?

Older cats are only considered seniors when they are 10 years old. Some older cats still love running, jumping, and playing like they did when they were kittens, but it is still a nice idea to start adapting their toys to fit their bodies.

Cats start to sleep more as they age and don’t play as often as they used to. This means that they also don’t get enough exercise and might lead them to be obese. When you pick out toys for older cats, you want something that encourages them to move their bodies without spending so much energy that it hurts them or disinterests them. Finding age-appropriate toys isn’t always easy, but it is possible.

Age-Appropriate Cat Toy Characteristics

Many of us have our cats for years and already know what kinds of toys they are interested in. Do your best to base your new choice on what they already play with. If you don’t know, ask yourself a few different questions. Do they enjoy catnip? Are they more likely to play with noisy toys or silent ones? Do they hunt, stalk, or chase more often? Do laser toys bother or excite them? Once you understand their preferences, it is a lot easier to make a decision when it comes time to buy.

Conclusion: Best Cat Toy for Older Cats

Age-appropriate cat toys are crucial as your pets make the transition from a young buck to an old feline. Our reviews have found that the best overall cat toy for older cats is the Hepper Cuppa Tea Catnip Toy, while the best for your money is the PetSafe Bolt Interactive Laser Cat Toy. Even if you don’t go with either of these, there are plenty of options on this list that encourage your senior cat to take fewer naps and get the exercise necessary to keep them living a healthy life.

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Featured Image Credit: Chewy