Cat Toys You Didn’t Know You Needed

Choosing Toys for Your Cat’s Play Style

Cats Need to Play® to live happy, healthy lives. Beyond just a fun activity, play provides mental and physical enrichment that’s essential for their overall wellbeing. Incorporating toys into play helps deliver more joyful moments, while also stimulating cats’ senses and satisfying their natural instincts—like stalking, pouncing, batting, and capturing. In this blog, we’ll explore different kitty play styles and how to choose toys that match their personality.

For the cat who enjoys hiding 

Just like their wild relatives, domestic cats often seek small, cozy spaces for security and comfort. Hiding is a completely natural behavior and means of protection, which is why many cats can be found curled up in tight spaces around your home. 

Providing hiding places can help your cat feel safe during both play and relaxation, especially for cats who are still adjusting to new environments. Play spaces like the KONG Play Spaces Camper and KONG Play Spaces Rave Cave offer cats a snug getaway where they can feel comfortable, while also engaging multiple senses and inviting other instinctual behaviors, such as batting, stalking, pouncing, and partying. 

For the people-oriented cat  

Because cats have earned a reputation as “low maintenance,” some people assume they do not need as much care and attention as other pets. However, cats greatly benefit from engaging in play with humans and other cats. 

Playing with your cat provides them with stress relief, mental and physical enrichment, and helps cure boredom. It also strengthens your bond by creating shared, positive experiences that build trust and companionship. Interactive toys such as wands and teasers like the KONG Teaser UFO (Unidentified Feline Object), are great for encouraging active play between you and your cat. They also mimic prey-like movements, which entertains their urge to pounce and bat. By making interactive play a regular part of your routine, you may start to notice a significant difference in your relationship and their overall wellbeing.  

For the energetic cat

Non-domestic cats spend their days wrestling, running, and hunting, which naturally provides them both physical and mental stimulation. Even though domestic cats may not have the same opportunities, they still need to engage in full-body play and other similar activities. 

To meet these needs, you can give your cat toys that encourage active engagement like chasing and pouncing. Cats who love to cuddle and wrestle may enjoy oversized plush toys, like the KONG Cat Luvs Mouse, that are large enough to simulate the experience of capturing prey. Hind paw kicking is another behavior that mimics hunting in the wild and can be satisfied by playing with toys like Kickeroos, which are specially designed for full-body play. 

For the independent cat  

Hunting is ingrained in cats’ DNA! In the wild, cats must stalk and hunt to survive and eat. While domestic cats may not need to hunt for their food, they still have the primal urge to engage in these behaviors. Offer your cat toys that mimic the appearance, movement, and sound of prey animals to entice batting, pouncing, stalking, and hunting.  KONG Active Wild Tails features a round shape, long feathery tail, and an exciting rattle that skitters across the floor like a mouse or downed bird.  

Independent play can also be encouraged even when you’re not home. Cats love watching birds through a window or spending time on a safe and enclosed “catio.” Toys that connect to windows and walls, like KONG Connects Window Teaser, create an active challenge while providing solo entertainment.   

For the catnip lover 

Most cats love catnip. They are drawn to its irresistible aroma and the sense of pleasure it creates when they sniff, lick, or rub it. Catnip is a natural, non-addictive herb that stimulates play in adult cats and fuels fun. Incorporating catnip into play sessions can be an exciting way to boost activity, especially for overweight or less active cats. Try adding a spritz of KONG Naturals Catnip Spray to any of your cats’ toys or accessories or try toys that have fresh catnip flower inside them—we have a lot. 

KONG Refillables toys each have a reclosable pouch to hold fresh catnip securely in place. These toys include a generous amount of KONG’s premium North American catnip in a reclosable vial. When the catnip scent starts to fade, simply add more fresh catnip for another round of fun!   

For the food-motivated cat  

Is the way to your cat’s heart through their stomach? Let them play with their food! The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery released a study in 2016 that shared the benefits of offering cats food dispensers and puzzle toys that exercise their inclination to hunt and increase their general activity and mental health. Easy to implement to their daily routine, dispensing toys can provide foraging opportunities, improve body condition, and increase exploratory behavior. Dispensers and puzzles are also a great way to reward your cat for positive behavior. 

Every cat is unique, which means they all have different preferences for types of puzzles and how they interact with them. A few things to consider are:  

• What kind of food does your cat eat? Wet or dry?

• Are you or your cat concerned with the toy making noise?  

• Does your car prefer to play with toys using their paws or their nose?

The Kitty KONG is both a toy and treat dispenser that captivates cats’ curiosity with its erratic movement, rolling, and bouncing. This type of toy is a great option for most cats, as it can be stuffed with wet or dry food and taps into their natural curiosity. For an even more engaging experience, try adding catnip to your kitty’s puzzles and dispensers.

Infused Cat Gyro rolls and spins when nudged by your cat’s paw or nose, dispensing tasty rewards as it flips. The unpredictable movement stimulates natural instincts, keeping even the most seasoned users challenged. Infused with potent catnip, the Gyro extends play.

We want to know what your cat’s favorite “must-have” KONG toy is! Share a photo of your divine feline and their favorite toy using #KONGcat, #CatsNeedtoPlay, and #KONG.