Keep your curious kitty entertained with the best automated cat toys. These high-tech gadgets are the perfect playthings for your feline friend, offering a stimulating and rewarding playtime even when you’re not able to lavish them with attention.
We all love playing with our feline friends, but we can’t keep them entertained all the time. As Dr Lily Richards explains, “Cats are natural hunters, active, and playful animals but can get bored easily.” Bored cats are more prone to undesirable behaviors, such as furniture scratching, so keeping their minds and bodies active is a necessity and automated cat toys are perfect for this. They’re also a great way to keep your kitty fit and active, contributing towards healthy weight loss for cats, which can be a struggle for house cats especially.
The best automated cat toys come in all shapes, sizes, and styles so we’ve made sure to include a wide selection here. There are pop-up toys for them to bat at, floppy fish for them to catch and lasers for them to chase around the room.
If you’re looking for a specific type of cat toy, we’ve also got guides to the best automatic laser toys for cats and best interactive cat toys too. Otherwise, let's dive into our selection of the best automated cat toys.
Best automated cat toys 2024
Best overall automated cat toy
An engaging toy that spins around in circles and drops treats as a tasty reward. It features an enticing feather that they'll love chasing after, and a light for night time play. It also has a fabric cover that's designed for getting their claws into.
Best runner-up automated cat toy
This exciting teaser toy is motion-activated and pokes a feather out of the holes at random times. You can choose from a slow and fast mode to suit your cat's ability, and you can even attach it onto other CatStages toys.
Best budget automated cat toy
Your cat will have hours of fun with this budget-friendly cat toy. It's motion-activated and when it's touched, it wriggles around in random motions. With three different movements, your cat's not going to get bored of this one.
Best robot automated cat toy
This robot cat toy is one of a kind, with so many unique features. You can drive it around your home using the remote control app and dispense treats at the click of a button. You can also watch your cat on the camera and talk to them on a microphone.
Best automated cat toy for chasing
Just like a mouse, this toy moves unpredictably and is complete with a feather tail. This realistic toy will capture and maintain your cat’s attention and will provide hours of fun.
Best automated cat toy for when you’re out
Mimicking the hide-and-seek movement that taps into your cat's natural instinct to pounce and play, simply turn on this toy and watch as they try to catch the unpredictable and cunning mouse.
Best automated cat toy for all ages
This cheese toy has a simple concept – a couple of mice pop out of two sides at random intervals, sometimes coming all the way out and sometimes just poking their nose through to keep our cat fully engaged.
Best rolling automated cat toy
Give a cat a ball and your pet can be entertained for hours as it taps into their instinct to hunt prey. With this interactive ball toy, you can take playtime to another level.
The best automated cat toys we recommend in 2024
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Best overall automated cat toy
If your cat is food-motivated, then they're going to love Catit's PIXI Spinner. This treat-dispensing toy spins in a circle and drops the snack on the floor as a tasty reward.
It also features a feather attachment which makes it even more enticing for them to chase after. The fabric cover is perfect for gripping their claws into (just like they would with real prey), and these can be replaced if you buy the 'refresh kit'. This also includes a replacement for the feather, which means you don't need to completely buy a whole new toy.
Our tester Megan said: "At first, Chilli and Nala were a little unsure of this toy, but now they absolutely love it. When they press their paw into the side, the feather spins around in circles making it irresistible to swipe. It comes with a spare attachment too which is always handy."
Best runner-up automated cat toy
Catstages Dart N' Dash is the ultimate teaser toy. It's motion-activated and a feather pokes out of the holes randomly, which is perfect for your cat to pounce after.
You can choose from slow and fast modes, and the random movements will keep your cat hooked. This toy is great for mental stimulation and will keep them busy for hours.
It's powered by AA batteries which means you can get straight to playtime, without waiting around for it to charge. The base is removable, so you can mix and match it with other CatStages toys.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best budget automated cat toy
Catit Groovy Fish is a motion-activated toy that is sure to keep your cat engaged. When they touch the fish, it springs into action and wriggles about just like the real thing. There are three different movement modes, meaning your cat won't get bored of it.
The padded cover is soft to touch and features a special pocket where you can insert catnip, which will make it even more irresistible for your kitty to play with. You'll receive two bags of catnip with the toy too.
You won't need to worry about buying batteries, simply recharge it using the USB cable that comes with it. It has a pretty good battery life, with 250 movement cycles before it runs out of charge. We can't believe this toy is only $10, making it a super affordable option.
Our tester Megan said: "This toy is a huge hit with my cats Chilli and Nala. They love swiping at the wriggling movements and nuzzling their face against the cat nip inside. It was super simple to set up; just click the on switch and you're good to go!"
Best robot automated cat toy
Enabot ROLA PetPal is a robot companion that does it all. Whether you want to use it as a cat toy, a treat dispenser, or a pet cam, it has the ability to do all three.
To get started, you'll need to download a free app. Once you're connected to the robot, you'll be able to control where it moves and what it does through your phone. Our tester Megan says this was easier than she expected to set up and didn't take too long.
There are lots of fun features to play around with, like the laser that your cat can chase after, the treat dispenser, and the camera where you can watch your kitty play. If they enjoy teaser toys, you can clip on the playful stick that dangles irresistibly in the air.
When you and your pet are in separate rooms, you can talk to them using the two-way communication feature. You can even play pre-recorded messages and other noises, like duck squeaks and meowing.
No batteries are required, you just need to charge it up on the docking station. However, if you forget, it automatically recharges itself if it's near to to the charging point.
Megan says: "While this toy is a little expensive compared to others, it's so much fun to play with. I love watching my cats play on the camera and the remote control feature is really cool. You can save videos and pictures of them, too."
Best automated cat toy for chasing
Featuring erratic movements to keep your feline entertained, the mouse can move forwards and backwards as well as turning around when it encounters an obstacle, so there's plenty of uncertainty to keep your kitty on their toes.
Requiring no batteries and rechargeable via a USB cable, the mouse toy offers around two hours of play for every 90 minutes of charge and comes with a sleep mode that enables it to automatically shut itself off if your cat doesn't play with it for five minutes.
Keeping cats amused for hours, reviewers note that this toy works beautifully on wooden floors, makes cute noises and has a decent battery life but it does tend to get stuck when it runs into a wall, which is why it's only been awarded four stars on Amazon.
My cat Nala was really intrigued by this toy and enjoyed following it around the house. The mouse is soft to the touch and features a realistic-looking tail with feathers on the end. It was very easy to set up; all I had to do was flick on a switch!
Best automated cat toy for when you are out
This exciting toy is bound to be a huge hit with your fur baby regardless of whether they're big or small.
We love that this toy features two settings, so you can set the mode to fast or slow depending on your feline furkids age and stage. The top of the toy is covered with a soft micro-fibre layer that means your kitty also has a comfortable place to rest in between play sessions.
The only drawback to this toy is that it can be quite noisy, but that small issue aside, this is a really fun and interactive peekaboo plaything that will keep your kitty amused for hours.
A hit with younger cats, people praise how engaging this toy is and that it has two speeds, allowing them to select the one that best suits their kitty. However, there's no automatic shut off and reviewers cite this as the main drawback as the batteries drain quickly.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best automated cat toy for all ages
From the moment we got this toy out of the box, we were very impressed by its build. Although it uses an abundance of plastic, it's sturdy, well-created and has no sharp edges which makes it a toy that is sure to last while also proving to be very safe.
Our admiration for the Cheese Teaser extended to its use. Although the batteries are not included (which seems par for the course with many cat toys), once we located a trio of AAs and inserted them, it was clear our cats were in for a good time.
To save battery power and, more importantly, to prevent your kitty from becoming overstimulated and over-familiar with the toy to the point of boredom, each session lasts for between just 10 and 15 minutes. If you decide to program the device, then you can have it set off every couple of hours for that length of time, and we would have no problems leaving a cat unsupervised with this one.
Indeed, it would appear PetSafe has really thought this toy through. The rubber feet on the bottom of the toy means it's not likely to slide around when a cat is attempting to claw at the mice. And, since the button needs to be firmly held down to turn on and off, your cat is going to struggle to accidentally activate and deactivate the device, putting you in control of when it gets used.
What's more, none of this comes at a particularly high price, certainly not when you consider how well it's made. As a bonus, you get a two-year manufacturer's warranty and only if we were being particularly picky would we express a need for a plug option and some sort of smartphone integration – options that would, granted, push the price up considerably.
Praising the design, quality and pleasing aesthetics, many pet parents report that this is hands down their favorite cat toy - and their feline friends agree! As with many automated options though, people note that it can be noisy and it does have a tendency to drain the batteries quickly.
This product is currently with our tester, we'll be adding testing notes soon.
Best rolling automated cat toy
This toy is super convenient – simply charge for one hour using a USB cable and it will provide up to four hours of play.
The ball – given its natural shape – can roll 360-degrees but it does so erratically to keep your cat alert. It has three interaction modes (normal, passive and gentle) and upon being turned on, it will automatically move, shake or bounce depending on the mode it's been set to.
The surface of the Cheerbe cat ball is made of synthetic fiber that's furry to the touch, making it comfortable to play with. There are three modes to choose from and we love that one of them offers 10 minutes of active play and then goes in to rest mode for 30 minutes to ensure your cat has a good play-rest balance and doesn't become overstimulated.
Thanks to the built-in intelligent motion sensor, the Cheerble light up ball is able to reverse itself and move away when hitting an obstacle or tight spots, so you don't need to worry about it becoming stuck, and while we don't recommend it for use on carpets, it works beautifully on wooden flooring.
Our tester Georgia says: "It’s been great for Annie because it keeps her busy while I’m working and serves as a great distraction. She’s been running around all over the place, so I’d recommend this Cheerble for kittens and playful cats.
"It’s loud on hard flooring, but if you’re leaving it out while you’re out of the house then that’s not an issue. It's easy to charge – I love that it’s not battery – with a micro USB as everyone has one of those chargers hanging around."
How to choose the best automated cat toys
When choosing your automated cat toy there are some important things that you need to consider:
Personal preferences
First, it is important to remember that different cats like different things. While some might go crazy for toys that make erratic movements other cats will prefer the mental stimulation of a hide-and-seek toy. Try and identify what games your cat likes to play with you and see if you can find something similar in an automated form.
Toys that stimulate natural behaviors
The best automated cat toys tend to be the ones that stimulate natural behaviors, which for cats means hunting! Cats enjoy toys that act like prey – this means sudden or unpredictable movements or toys that have a hide-and-seek feature. The reward in these games is the ability to be able to catch the prey. Toys that feature lasers can lead to frustration as there is nothing for your pet to physically get hold of at the end.
Physical ability
Factor your cat’s age and fitness levels into your decision-making process. An elderly, arthritic, or overweight cat may not be able to get much enjoyment out of a very fast-paced toy, leading to frustration and disinterest.
Safety
The other thing you need to consider when selecting your automated toy is safety. Choose a toy that comes from a reputable retailer, is robustly made, and features a secure battery compartment. This should have screws to ensure the compartment never comes open by itself, which is vital when this toy is being used by unsupervised cats.
Cost and ease of use
Automated cat toys will have different price points depending on their design and complexity. Equally, some will require batteries or charging, which can run out at inopportune moments. These are all things to think about when making your purchase decision.
Will an automated cat toy keep my cat entertained while I’m out?
An automated cat toy can be a useful tool for cats that are home alone. It can provide mental stimulation as well as encourage physical activity, which is important to keep your cat happy.
Cats may not play with their toy endlessly (many cats sleep 15 hours or more a day!), but it does allow them to express natural behaviors should they choose to use it. Remember that nothing can replace the social aspect of playing with you, so make sure you give your cat lots of attention when you are home again.
Are automated cat toys good for cats?
It is generally agreed that yes, reputable automatic cat toys are. Whilst they do not replace you and your interaction with your cat, usually their favorite form of play and connection, they provide a myriad of mental stimulation, playful fun and opportunities to keep cats satisfied.
Both physical and mental activity are required daily to consistently maintain a happy, stress free and healthy cat. As well as that, automatic toys help to maintain movement, healthy joints, ideal weight and, if they are on a weight reduction diet, support weight loss. They also prevent you from stressing and worrying about them being alone as you work, run errands, and generally live life.
You should tailor the type of toy to your cat's personality too. “It is also important to consider which natural behavior it is encouraging and what your cat prefers." explains Dr Lily Richards. So, if you cat likes stalking and playing with prey then they may prefer a teaser toy, while cats who like to pounce might enjoy a pop-up toy more.
Dr Richards recommends keeping a variety of toys on hand too, as "offering a range of toys that encourage different play types, stimulating both body and mind, is a good idea.”
Do cats get bored of automatic cat toys?
Cats can quickly get bored of doing the same thing over and over, just like us, and this includes playing with the same toys. Automated toys can be more stimulating than regular cat toys, but that won’t stop your furry friend from tiring of their high-tech toys after a while.
Overexposure is the main reason that cats get bored of toys, and while an automated toy might keep them engaged for longer, they aren’t immune to this issue. Dr Ricahrds notes that an “abundance of prey can lead to a lazy cat”, noting that an automatic toy that’s always available, or too many choices of toys can lead to them feeling overwhelmed or even apathetic.
There are some tricks you can use to keep your kitty entertained though. “Toy rotation is a useful tool to ensure that buying new toys to entertain our feline friends doesn’t get out of hand”, explains our expert vet Dr Lily Richards. “Simply put away some of their toys and bring them back out a couple of months later, it will be like they are brand new all over again.”
Dr. Lily Richards is a vet with 11 years of experience in farm, equine, small animal and exotic patient care. After running a busy clinic she took a step into client education focusing on getting the right information to those that need it and are searching for help and advice from professionals online.
