We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A self-grooming toy if your babies need 24/7 scritches and scratches and they just don't get the fact that you can't do that while you sleep/eat/use the bathroom or that you only have two hands, ya know?
Promising review: "Now I bought this out of the fact that my cat likes to rub her face on EVERYTHING, so I thought she would like this and she absolutely LOVES THIS. Usually, you think cheap cat things like this wouldn't work, and I thought the same, then my cat rubbed her face on it, and it was like holy cow, this actually works, like my cat actually likes this. A whole new experience tbh." —Raychelle Schar
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
2. A cat dancing toy that literally costs less than $4 (it's just a steel wire with some rolled cardboard on the end) but proves IRRESISTIBLE to kitty babies the world over.
Promising review: "This is the best $ I've ever spent on a cat toy. She goes WILD! Even GLADLY flew into a TV once cause she was flying after it. No harm. She just grabbed it in her mouth, trotted to the kitchen, and continued to chase! I don't know if it looks like a bug to them or what, but I'm getting one for every cat owner I know. It's such a surprisingly great buy. I think even Big Cats would like this. Buy it now! It's only a few bucks :)" —ShawnaO Reviews
Get it from Amazon for $3.99.
3. A "ripple rug" your kitty can burrow into, scratch as much as they like, and generally just roll around on. The mat's nonslip rubber bottom keeps it in place and also allows you to prop it up in various configurations if your babies are a fan of tunneling.
Promising review: "My cat started playing with the mat before I even got it entirely unboxed! She loves tunneling over and under the top mat and hiding her favorite toys. I readjust the top rug every couple of days so it is like a brand new adventure. Easy to clean and move out of the way if needed. Total hit in our household." —Connie
Get it from Chewy for $46.
4. A "jingle and roll" cat kicker toy laced with organic catnip, silvervine, and valerian root so intoxicating, they might just get their fill of scratching and biting it instead of their siblings or your arm.
HoffnPaw Pet Toys is a small, Chicago-based biz that creates handmade, eco-friendly pet toys. Owner David says his cats Sweetp and Simba serve as his inspiration.
Promising review: "She's obsessed! My cat has not let go of her new favorite toy since I took it out of the package. In fact, she's currently napping atop it. Excellent construction, fast shipping, and very communicative seller." —Sarah Mersch
Get it from HoffnPaw Pet Toys on Etsy for $11.96+ (originally $15.95+; available in sizes S–L and four colors).
5. An organic cat grass growing kit that will add some additional greenery to your house and keep your kitties from eating your actual houseplants.
The Cat Ladies is a family-owned, Southern California-based small business founded in 2015 by a mother-daughter duo who wanted to create unique, organic, nontoxic products for other passionate cat owners.
Promising review: "I have been a customer for about a year now, and ever since the first time when we gave her gentle pets while she ate the grass, she’s now developed a whole daily routine! She meows at us every morning, demanding that we come and sit with her and pet her while she munches happily on the grass. It’s become such an important part of her daily routine that we bought two of the planters so that she can always have fresh grass." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $28.90 (available in four colors).
6. A hanging multilevel cat condo you can mount on the back of a door if you don't have enough floor space for a freestanding option. It's *way* less bulky than a normal ol' cat tree and you can easily move it from room to room if your cat has to be wherever you are.
Promising reviews: "Love this door-mounted kitty condo!!! It is mounted on a closet door in the foster kitten play room. I am always looking for enrichment items for the fosters. It only took about three minutes for the fosters to claim it. Beyond easy to install and quite sturdy. It easily holds the weight of my resident 20-pound cat along with the fosters. The cats and kittens have given it two paws up. I am in total agreement. I will give it two thumbs up." —Vicki
Get it from Amazon for $65.65.
7. A laptop-shaped scratcher if the last few years of WFH life have led your cats to believe that they *too* have a 9 to 5. It's this or have them all piled on top of you and that makes it quite hard to type...
Promising review: "I saw this when browsing Uncommon Goods and purchased it as what I thought would be a gag gift for my sister. The funny thing is...it actually works! Comments from my sister: 'My cat made my laptop keyboard unusable by treating it as a scratching post and popping the keys out. I finally gave up and purchased a cheap wireless keyboard to use with it. My sister gave me this cardboard laptop as a gift, which my cat now loves! I wish I had known about this earlier as my laptop would still be intact.'" —RedBirdWoman
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $35.
8. A sofa-shaped cat scratcher your kitty baby can lounge on like they're Rose (aka Kate Winslet) inTitanic.
Promising review: "I’m not joking. As soon as I opened the box and put the cat scratcher couch out, my cat ran to it and hasn’t left it, and it's been a week! Lol, he absolutely LOVES it! He lounges, plays, and scratches all day! I love how cute the couch is and how aesthetically pleasing it is compared to other cat scratchers out there, too!" —Rachel Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $39.60.
9. Some mouse-shaped feeders that will keep your cats on their toe beans by encouraging their natural hunting instincts. Fill them up with food, hide them somewhere in the house, and then let 'em loose.
Promising review: "YOU MUST BUY THIS RIGHT NOW. I heard about this product on a cat podcast (yes, I’m that type of cat mom) and this has helped my girl in so many ways. She’s a Siamese so she gets pretty chunky, and I work long days so I’m not there to supervise or give her regular meals. On the very first night I filled the mice she started to understand that food came out when she picked them up by the tail. This has helped me and her so much; she isn’t bored at home, she isn’t overeating (and pooping), and she isn’t driving me crazy in the middle of the night for more food." —Emi Kusak
And here's more from BuzzFeed Shopping writer Mallory Mower!:
"I started a hunting system for my cats when I felt like they were getting lethargic. One of our cats was overweight because he would sit and eat the dry food left out when he was bored. With these he'll 'hunt,' eat one, and not eat again until he's ready to go hunting. I've written a full review on this clever feeding system before because I refuse to stop recommending it!"
Get it from Amazon for $16.10.
10. A self-rocking teaser toy sure to tempt feisty bebes with its unpredictable movements, fluffy feathers, and colorful ribbons.
Promising review: "This is small but mighty. My cat loves to tap this and watch it bounce. Sometimes I pick it up and he likes to chase the feathers and ribbons. Love how small it is; it's easy to put away when we are cleaning or take it with us on the go." —Amanda Smith
Get it from Amazon for $3.92+ (available in various styles).
11. A cactus scratching post for all the indoor kitties who miss the great outdoors, but not having to catch their own food, find their own shelter, or go without 24/7 snuggles.
Promising review: "My cat LOVES this thing. She is constantly running up and down it and standing on top of it. Excellent quality and the rope is holding up well after a few months of heavy scratching. My cat would previously scratch on my couch, so I knew I had to get her another scratcher to put closer to it. But none I could find were more appealing than our couch until I bought this cactus. Haven't seen her scratch on the couch in months." —Tatiana
Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in two sizes).
12. A floppy robotic fish that only moves when your cat interacts with it. Once they get the hang of it, I guarantee they'll be karate chopping and bunny kicking the ish out of it.
The fish comes with a small bag of catnip as well as USB charger so you can juice it up whenever your cat kills the battery.
Promising review: "I'm never sure if a new cat toy will be received as well as I hope, but this one sure delivered! My three cats have been playing with it almost non-stop, except for when I have to take it away to charge it. One of them pretty much hogs it and the other two can't get near it, though they try. It took them a few minutes to realize that they had to touch it to get it to move when it stopped flopping, but once they understood it, they were off to the races. I can't speak to the durability of it, but since the cover can be removed for cleaning, I'm thinking it should last a long time — fingers crossed." —Amazon Gal
Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in seven styles).
13. A pom-pom launcher with 20 colorful balls if your kitty loves to play fetch but doesn't quite understand the whole, bring it back part of the game. This will buy you a whole lot more time so you can shoot off several before you have to get off the couch and venture into the kitchen or bedroom in order to retrieve the balls.
Promising review: "My cats love to carry things like this around the house. When these came, I opened the package and threw them all out simultaneously. I thought my kitties' eyes were going to pop out of their heads when they saw the cloud of pom-poms falling on them. Super fun." —Kindle Customer
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (you can also buy extra pom-pom balls separately).
14. An interactive treat maze for high-energy cats who could use a lil' mental stimulation. It even has three levels of difficulty — beginner, intermediate and top-cat — so you can switch things up as their hunting skills improve.
Just hide some treats or food in the various compartments and let your kitty get to work!
Promising review: "I'm going out of town for the first time since the pandemic. I wanted my girls to have enough stimulation during my absence. I bought this with my younger more active/energetic cat in mind. She's not very food motivated but my oldest is. While the cat I intended to gravitate towards it isn't, I'm pleased my older and chubbier cat will be more active. She's been trying to figure this puzzle out for the last 20 minutes, moving all over the living room. I love it! Would totally recommend to other cat lovers!" —CreatorCourt
Get it from Chewy for $15.94.
15. A 12-piece set of spiral springs if your cats are ~basic~ and will play with just about anything. (PS: That isn't a dig — I'm simply jealous because my picky cats would never.)
Promising review: "I do cat foster care and have 18 cats in my house right now (I KNOW!). They all love these ridiculous little springs. I don't get it. Because they roll and bounce, they have just enough movement for everyone to be running after them. BE PREPARED. They will be found under every appliance, door, and piece of furniture you own. Do yourself a favor. They are cheap — order two packs right away." —Mixed Blessings
Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $5.03.
16. A transparent bird feeder that'll bring birds right to your window so your babies can get a good look. Chances are they'll make those chirping and chattering noises you loves so much, too, so it's just as entertaining for you.
The feed tray slides out, making it easy to refill and clean, and there's a divider so you can use two different types of feed at once to attract different varieties of birds! Some reviewers even decorated their birdhouses with little frills like moss, flowers, and twine, so you can give it as much flair as you like!
Note: If you find that your pets are scaring the birds away, one reviewer recommends applying reflective adhesive so the birds can't see in but your fur babes can see the full show.
Promising review: "This feeder sticks really well on the window. It even holds the plump squirrels who sneak into it. 😅 It was super easy to apply and adjust. Our cats absolutely love the close up action they get since we purchased reflective adhesive and put it on the inside of our window. Now the birds have no idea they’re even there and the cats are in disbelief they get to sit that close to the birds. Overall a great purchase, my family loves it!" —SRowe
Get it from Amazon for $21.90.
17. An outdoor play tent so your babies can get some fresh air instead of just staring longingly out the window. Not only is it the safest way to let them investigate their surroundings, but it's pretty damn cute, too.
You can also fill it with their blankets, beds, and toys to really make it fun and cozy while they take in the fresh air. It comes with an attachable tunnel, as pictured on the right above.
Get a closer look at it on TikTok!
Promising review: "For you urbanites, this cat tent will bring years of great mirth and joy to your beloved feline friend! This cat tent allows me to safely stimulate the psyche and spirit of my little family member. Birds have even landed on the tent and rabbits have grazed around it, and they are safe from her as well. A vet even walked past and commented, 'I wish everyone did this for their cat!'" —Yvonne DeMarino
Get it from Amazon for $84.75 (also available in a "tower" style, and the tent and tunnel are available individually).
18. A refillable catnip mat for lazy lil' kitties who rather roll around on the floor than get in some cardio chasing after a robotic toy.
The 9 x 9-inch mats come from 3 Kitties and 2 Humans, Willowick, Ohio-based shop with all sorts of cat goodies.
Promising review: "My cat LOVESSS this genius product (: She’s an odd one and doesn’t play much, catnip or not, but she does snooze around pretty much all the time so this is perfect! She won’t give it up! Shipped super fast, super soft fabric, great quality! I definitely recommend! (:" —BreAhnna Stephens
Get it from 3 Kitties and 2 Humans on Etsy for $8 (available in 15 colors/prints).
19. Or a zebra-print activity mat that looks exactly like a baby play mat and that just tickles me pink. If your kitties could use some tummy time, the attached hanging toys will keep them entertained.
Promising review: "My cat simply loves this! He dives right into it, sometimes even doing somersaults into it, and it has really held up nicely! He's 15 pounds, so he's not small, and it bounces right back into place after he pounces on it. It moves with him and has provided hours of entertainment for him and for me! Highly recommend for active cats." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $21.27+ (available in two styles).
20. A banana toy sure to please as it's filled with nothing but 100 percent catnip! One reviewer said the faux fruit is so potent, their fur baby is still attacking it a full year later!
Promising review: "I've spent a crap ton on toys for my picky cat only for him to ignore them. My co-worker gave me one of these unassuming bananas and it's like crack for cats! He cant get enough! I got three for backup. They are super durable (I don't clip his claws) and the right size to hold and kick. Smoosh and twist to activate the catnip and he's ready to play. This is a staple in his toy box now." —Lan
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $19.23.
21. A three-tier cat toy with polka-dot balls they can bat at. One of my cats puts her arms on both sides and essentially plays a modified version of tetherball just with herself.
Both of my cats love this but one, in particular, just can't get enough of this thing — especially in the middle of the night. More than once, I've woken up to her *punching* it and sliding it across the living room floor. She also loves to flip it over so it stands on the smallest tier and idk why but sure??
Promising review: "Wow, my cats have been playing with this since I took it out of the box. Over an hour now! My husband was even able to cook breakfast without having to yell at cats to get off of the counter. I'm so thrilled. I was looking for something to keep my cats occupied on their own. I hope they continue to like this beyond today. My fearless guy took to it right away. My shy girl was a little slower but once she started, she hasn't stopped. At one point, they were both batting the balls like a ping pong match! Very happy with my purchase!" —Travel Girl
Get it from Amazon for $8.79.
22. A piece of string on a stick that will make your cat happier than any expensive electronic toy or even the box said toy comes in!
This is inexplicably my cat Clementine's favorite thing in the whole wide world. Whenever I think of Linus from the Peanuts, I think of his blanket, and whenever I think of Clemmy, I think of her string on a stick.
Promising review: "My husband says, 'It’s just a strip of cloth on a stick!' Yet our two boys know the cloth has just the right pattern, strength, and floatiness to make it fascinating to cat brains! When the strip is shaken rapidly in midair over their heads, the pattern appears to strobe and they go wacky! Good jumping exercise!" —dc99
Get it from Chewy for $4.64+ (available in two colors).
23. A wall-mounted cat playground if your speed demons could use a new frontier to explore. Plus, the shelves save you some serious floor space, so it's a win-win.
Moho Wood is a Ukrainian small biz — from Roman Babych — that sells over 100+ different types of wall-mounted cat furniture so take a look at others if this isn't the perfect set for you.
Promising review: "Our cat loves his new jungle gym! Especially his new hammock. It was easy to assemble and install, and we love the quality. Customer service/shipping was great. Highly recommend purchasing from this shop!" —Morgan Mills
Get it from Moho Wood on Etsy for $198 (originally $375; available in four wood finishes and two fabric colors).
24. A macramé cat hammock so visually arresting, it may just convince your fur baby to give up the Amazon box they've been calling home for the last month. Since it's made out of a bunch of strings, I don't see how they wouldn't at least be intrigued.
Macrame Beautiful is a small business based in Beijing that sells stunning macramé pieces like planters, wall decor, and baskets.
Promising review: "This is my second purchase and I will continue to buy!! The craftsmanship is so beautiful. It is evident she enjoys what she does. Every item is packed with care and in adorable resealable pouches. Sweet stickers with handwritten notes and beautifully printed 'how to care for and clean the items.' My kittens love their hammock!" —Annie Zummo
Get it from Macrame Beautiful on Etsy for $55.19+ (originally $68.19+; available in two styles and with one, two, or no cushions).
25. A pair of play-'n'-squeak mice if your formerly feral babies still love to hunt and you'd prefer they stalk these instead of your toes.
Promising review: "My cat is flipping OUT. The instant I pulled the tab and tossed it to him, he flailed and slapped it across the floor. He's been playing for 20 minutes straight, and talking about it the whole time. Kitty's rough on his toys, so I anticipate having to perform emergency mouse surgery sooner than later — but for now? This toy's worth every penny." —Emily S.
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.28.
26. Some catnip-infused felt balls that are the *perfect* size for cats who fancy themselves footballers. They also come with a "charging tin," so when the catnip starts to wear off, you can pop them back in to absorb some more.
Simply B Vermont is a small business located in, you guessed it, Vermont. They make all kinds of adorable pet accessories and toys for cats AND dogs.
Promising review: "These are easily my cat's favorite toys, and I couldn't even tell you why. Maybe it's the perfect size, maybe he loves the felt, or maybe the homemade herb/catnip mix is just purrrrrrfect for him. But he will chase these everywhere." —Becca
Get a set of four from Simply B Vermont on Etsy for $9.25+ (available in three color combos; refills for the balls and catnip are also available).
27. A tunnel bed your bbs' can run circles in until they get so tired, they just fall asleep on the spot like a toddler.
Promising review: "Just got this today and my cat LOVES it! I couldn’t even get it put together before she was running inside of it. I really love the fact that this tunnel isn’t noisy. It's so quiet! It’s made out of fabric and not the loud crinkly plastic stuff most tunnels seem to be made out of. I will never buy another cat tunnel that isn’t covered with fabric. The only downside for me was putting it together. It was hard to get the zippers connected properly with a cat paw swatting me lol. I would recommend putting this together before your cat sees it." —MikaraB
Get it from Amazon for $39.50+ (available in four colors/patterns).
28. A fuzzy, purring cat toy that helps calm kitties with anxiety. If your pandemic babe simply can't be separated from you or their siblings for any period of time, this is certainly worth a shot.
The toy purrs for a solid two minutes when squeezed or cuddled so your cat can activate it on their own.
Promising review: "I LOVE THIS PURPLE CAT SO MUCH!!! I bought one for my kittens when I first got them and they still have it two years later! It is still their favorite snuggle buddy. I have since bought two more of them and I got more kittens recently for my grandma and I got one for her kittens and they love it too! I would strongly recommend this product to any cat owner!!!!" —KateLee Roberts
Get it from Amazon for $10.99.
29. A multilevel tower you'll all enjoy as there's plenty of room to play, but it could also easily pass an industrial bookshelf instead of a cat condo.
I bought this to replace an old cat condo that had made one too many moves and was all wobbly. I was worried my cats wouldn't be into it at first since it was SO different from their old one, but after a few days they warmed up to it! TBH, I selfishly got it because it's so much more aesthetically pleasing than your typical cat furniture and it takes up wayyyyy less space in my living room but luckily they love it — especially the little box which gives them a secure place to nap. Assembly was pretty easy, too! Just know that it isn't free standing — it screws into your wall with (included) anchors so that's something to keep in mind if you're worried about putting holes in your wall.
Promising review: "My cats really love this! It fits snuggly in the hallway with ample room to walk by and gives them the view they want — right down every hallway! My cats are smaller — about 9 to 10 pounds. They have been using it since... well since I was in the middle of building it! Highly recommend!!!" —Christine
Get it from Wayfair for $84.99.
30. And an exercise wheel your kitty can turn to whenever they get the zoomies (aka every night at 3 a.m.).
One Fast Cat is a small business based in central California. Founder Sean Farley launched a Kickstarter campaign to get their product to market and it was funded fully within seven hours!
Promising review: "My 2-year-old sphynx is very energetic and the wheel lets her burn some of that off. Worth every penny to see my baby happy!" —Meaghan M.
Get it from One Fast Cat for $189+ (originally $219+; available in various base, traction pad, and inline wheel color combinations).
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.