Short answer: the right toy depends on how your cat likes to play. Hunters want toys that move like prey, such as a wand. Kickers want something long to grab and bunny-kick. Herb lovers go for catnip, matatabi or valerian. Kittens need light, herb-free toys. Watch your cat for a few days, then match the toy to the style.
Every cat owner knows the feeling: you buy a lovely new toy, and your cat plays with the box instead. The trick is to match the toy to the way your cat likes to play. Most cats have a favourite style, and once you know it, choosing toys gets a lot easier (and a lot less box-based).
Here's how to spot your cat's play style, and which toys suit each one. Pancake and Marmalade, our two quality control testers, are very different players, so we've had plenty of practice.
Key takeaways
- Most cats have a favourite play style: hunter, kicker, herb lover, watcher or kitten.
- Hunters need toys that move like prey, which usually means a wand toy moved by you.
- Kickers love long, sturdy toys to grab and bunny-kick, like a corduroy or refillable kicker.
- About one in three cats ignores catnip, but many of them react to matatabi or valerian.
- Five or six toys is plenty. Rotating them matters more than having lots.
The hunter: stalks, chases and pounces
Signs: wiggles their bottom before pouncing, chases anything that moves, ambushes your feet from under the bed.
Hunters want to act out the whole hunt: stalk, chase, catch. The best toys for them move like prey, which usually means you doing the moving. A few minutes of play with a wand toy, once or twice a day, makes a real difference for indoor cats.
How to play: drag the toy slowly along the floor and away from your cat, let it disappear behind furniture, then let it twitch. Always let your cat catch it at the end, so the hunt feels finished.
Good picks:
- Wool ball teaser wand (40 cm): our classic, with felted balls on an elastic cord
- Mini wool ball wand (20 cm): for small spaces and gentle play
- Mix & match teaser wand: swap the attachments to keep things interesting
- Small wool felt balls: for batting and solo chasing
The kicker: grabs, wrestles and bunny-kicks
Signs: grabs your arm and kicks with their back legs, carries toys around, rolls over to wrestle.
Kicking is part of how cats practise holding on to prey. A kicker toy gives that energy somewhere to go that isn't your hand. Look for something long enough to hug, soft enough to bite and sturdy enough to survive the back legs.
Good picks:
- Corduroy kicker: filled with natural wool, with catnip, valerian or no herbs
- Refillable kicker: swap in a fresh herb pouch whenever the scent fades
- Wool felt fish: a smaller kicker that's easy to carry around
- Catnip crinkle cushion: crinkly, soft and great for cuddling
The herb lover: rolls, rubs and drools
Signs: goes wild for catnip, rubs their face on herb toys, rolls around and then has a very long nap.
Catnip, valerian and matatabi (silver vine) all contain natural compounds that many cats find irresistible. The reaction usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, followed by a calm spell. Around one in three cats doesn't react to catnip at all, but many of those love valerian or matatabi instead, so it's worth trying more than one.
- Catnip: the classic. Expect rolling and zero dignity.
- Valerian: smells like old socks to us, but often wins over cats who ignore catnip.
- Matatabi: natural chew sticks, great for cats who like to gnaw.
Good picks:
- Felted catnip sardines: a customer favourite
- Matatabi jute sticks: one of our best sellers
- Matatabi sticks 6-pack: with a storage tube
- Dried catnip: to refresh any wool toy
Want to know more? Read our guide: What does catnip do to cats? Catnip vs matatabi vs valerian.
Shop all catnip, valerian and matatabi toys
The watcher: observes, thinks and plays in short bursts
Signs: sits and watches other cats play, follows a toy with their eyes but rarely chases it, loves treats and bird-watching at the window.
Watchers are often mistaken for cats who "don't like toys". Our Marmalade is one. She rarely plays on her own, but she'll happily work at a treat puzzle, chew a matatabi stick or wrestle a catnip kicker. Watchers like play that involves thinking, scent or a reward, and they often prefer quieter, slower games.
How to play: keep sessions short and low-pressure. Move a wand slowly at a distance rather than right in front of their nose, hide treats around a room, and let them win early so they stay interested.
Good picks:
- Matatabi chew sticks: something to focus on and chew
- Refillable kicker: try catnip or valerian to see which wakes them up
- Catnip raffia fringe toy: rustles when touched, good for curious paws
- Mini wool ball wand: for slow, gentle play
More on cats who don't seem to play: is my cat bored? Signs and how to keep an indoor cat busy.
The kitten: curious, tiny and into everything
Signs: under six months old, attacks shadows, falls asleep mid-play.
Kittens play in short, intense bursts and chew on everything. Most kittens don't react to catnip, valerian or matatabi until they're around 3 to 6 months old, so herb toys don't do much yet. For little ones, we keep it simple: soft, lightweight wool and cotton toys, sized for small paws, with no herbs.
Kitten play tips:
- Play little and often: a few minutes, several times a day.
- Use wand toys so your kitten learns to pounce on toys, not hands.
- Always put wand toys and anything with string away after playtime.
- Check toys regularly and remove any that are worn or damaged.
Good picks:
- Small wool felt balls: light, quiet and easy to bat around
- Gingham cotton mice: herb-free and just the right size
- Pastel wool caterpillar: soft and wiggly
- Mini wool ball wand: for supervised play
Shop all herb-free kitten toys
Bringing a kitten home soon? Our new kitten checklist covers everything you need before day one.
How many toys does a cat need?
Fewer than you might think. A good starting kit is one wand toy for playing together, one kicker for wrestling, a few small balls or mice for solo play, and one scented toy. That's around five or six toys.
More important than the number is rotation. Keep two or three toys out and put the rest away, then swap them every few days. Toys that have been out of sight feel new again, and scented toys keep their smell for longer when they're stored in a sealed jar. (How to refresh catnip toys.)
What to avoid when choosing a cat toy
- Small parts that come off easily, like glued-on eyes, beads or loose bells
- Long strings or elastic left out for unsupervised play
- Toys small enough to swallow, especially for determined chewers
- Laser pointers on their own. They never let your cat catch anything, which can be frustrating. If you use one, finish on a toy they can grab.
For the full checklist, read are wool toys safe for cats?
Still not sure?
Many cats are a mix of styles, and their favourites can change with age and mood. A small variety, like a wand, a kicker and a few felt balls, covers most cats. Our gift sets are a good place to start, or get in touch and tell us about your cat. We're always happy to help you choose.
Can't decide?
Our gift sets mix wands, kickers, felt balls and scents, so your cat can choose.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know what kind of toy my cat likes?
Watch how your cat plays for a few days. Chasing and pouncing means a hunter, grabbing and kicking means a kicker, rolling and rubbing on herbs means a herb lover. Many cats are a mix.
Why does my cat ignore new toys?
The toy may not match their play style, or it isn't moving. Most cats need you to bring a toy to life. Try a wand, move it like prey, and rotate toys so they feel new.
What is the best toy for an indoor cat?
A wand toy for daily play together, plus a kicker or felt balls for solo play. Indoor cats rely on play for exercise and mental stimulation.
How many toys should a cat have?
Around five or six is plenty: a wand, a kicker, a few small balls or mice and a scented toy. Keep a few out and rotate the rest.
What toys are best for kittens?
Light, soft, herb-free toys sized for small paws, like small felt balls, cotton mice and a mini wand for supervised play.
Are laser pointers good for cats?
They can be fun, but your cat can never catch the dot, which can be frustrating. Finish each session on a real toy they can grab.
Happy playing from Amy, Pancake and Marmalade. Shop our handmade cat toys.
