We often think of dogs as needing a lot of exercise, but it is also true that cats need a workout just as much. Keeping your feline energized, stimulated, and at a healthy weight is important for their overall well-being.

Now, most cats are not going to run with you on a leash, play fetch outside, or go for a swim…at least none in our feline circles. Instead, the best way to keep your pet moving is by providing toys they want to play with.

If you find the right toy, getting your pet to play with it will be easy. It’s finding the right toy that is difficult. Even if you narrow it down to a specific type of toy, there will most likely be hundreds of options to choose from.

To help keep your tabby moving, we have found ten of the best toys for exercising your cat. We will review each and share details like its use, durability, material make-up, and much more. We will also share tips on keeping your furball interested in their preferred sport.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2026

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set	Two sizes for variety and engagement Infused with catnip Multi-textured hessian fabric for realistic play	CHECK PRICE
		Hepper Furball Toy Set	Great for self-play Multisensory Set of 2	CHECK PRICE
		Catit Design Senses Circuit Super Roller	Customizable and expandable Easy to set-up Durable and safe	CHECK PRICE
		SmartyKat Electronic Concealed Motion	Quiet Single or multi-cat Two-tail options	CHECK PRICE
		Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy	Non-skid pads Durable and safe Encourages longer play	CHECK PRICE

The 9 Best Cat Toys for Exercising Your Cat

1. Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set – Hessian – Best Overall

The Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is our pick for the best cat toy for exercising your cat. It’s perfect for cats that love to kick, toss, and chase, and is great for interactive or individual play. This set includes two mouse toys, one small and one larger size, offering variety for cats of all ages and sizes. The textured hessian fabric from the mouse toy activates your cat’s natural hunting instincts.

Additionally, these mice come with premium catnip inside, stimulating your cat’s play through their senses. The only downside is that the catnip cannot be refilled, but they are affordable and built to last with durable stitching, so your cat will get endless hours of play with this pack.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

2. Hepper Furball Toy Set

Keeping your cat fit should not break the bank. If you are looking for something affordable, the Hepper Furball Toy Set is another great pick. Your feline will go wild batting these furry spheres around since they offer visuals that lend well to their natural prey drives.

This is a safe toy that can help reduce feline inactivity. You can even teach your cat to fetch with this set since they are extremely lightweight and easy for your feline to pick up with their mouth and return to you. On the other hand, this is also a great option for entertaining your kitty when you are not at home since the internal bell keeps them locked in. What’s more, it can be played with by more than one cat at a time. Think cat soccer!

This toy is fun and will keep your cat’s attention since it caters to multiple senses. The only downside is that they do not come catnip-infused but can be easily topped with your favorite catnip product if that’s what your cat enjoys.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

3. Catit Design Senses Circuit Cat Toy

If your cat enjoys the hunt, and you have a little extra coin to spend, the Catit Design Senses Circuit Cat Toy is a good option to check out. This is a set of “circuits” where a ball rolls around keeping your pet’s attention keen on the hunt. It comes in either the small play size, medium speed option, or the large super roller. The bigger the unit, the more circuits it comes with.

Not only will the Catit Design Senses stimulate your pet’s instincts to hunt, but it also engages their hearing and touch. There are “peek-a-boo” holes throughout the circuits where your feline can bat the ball. You can also set-up the track in different designs to keep them interested.

This cat exercise toy is safe, easy to set up, and easy to clean. It is also durable and will take a lot of rough tumbling from one or more cats. There are no batteries or outlets needed, either. The ball initially moves by a slight decline and then is pushed along by your cat’s paws. As mentioned, the only drawback to this toy is it’s more costly than our top two picks.

4. SmartyKat Electronic Concealed Motion Cat Toy

The SmartyKat Electronic Concealed Motion Cat Toy is an option that will drive your feline wild with delight. This is a spinning arm with a tail that your pet can chase, hunt, and pounce. It comes with two different tails, and you can customize the motion. There are two speeds and it moves in a varied and unpredictable way.

The SmartyKat can be used by one or two felines at a time. Even better, you can set it up to engage your pet while you are not at home. One of the downsides, however, is the two AA batteries only give you about an hour of playtime. Typically, it is recommended that your cat gets about 15 to 20 minutes of play per day with a toy, so you would get three to four uses before you have to change the batteries.

Something else to note about this toy is the overall construction. Although it is durable, the tails will only take so much abuse before they unravel. Unfortunately, you cannot buy replacement wands. That being said, many pet-parents have found that attaching their own toys or even feathers works just as well once the originals have perished. Just make sure that you attach them securely with nothing that could harm your tabby.

Besides those few drawbacks, your cat will enjoy this toy. It is quiet, easy to keep clean, plus safe for your feline. It has been tested for child safety standards, so you will also not have to worry about little ones getting a hold of it.

5. Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy is a top-like toy that has three levels of tunnels where a golf ball spins and rolls around. The colored balls will catch your puss’s attention and allow them to bat the ball around inside. In fact, one of the great features of this toy is they won’t lose the balls under the couch or anywhere else.

The Petstages encourages extended play, plus it’s durable and safe. It has non-skid pads on the bottom as well, so the toy will not slide all over the place. This feline fun toy can be used by a single cat or with multiple pets. Not only that, but it’s easy to clean, and your cat can play independently with it when you are not available for entertainment.

6. Outward Hound Tail Teaser Pet Toy

The Outward Hound Tail Teaser Pet Toy is a standard tail on a stick that has been a favorite feline past time for decades. This type of toy allows your pet to jump, race, pounce, tug, and hunt. It will keep their attention for longer periods, as well.

This cat exercise toy option can be used indoors or outdoors. It comes with two different faux fur tails that squeak and rattle to cause extra excitement. Unfortunately, the tails do not last long and overly aggressive cats will go through them quickly. We also wanted to point out that this is a game better suited for a single tabby if you have two cats where one is more aggressive than the other.

Besides that, this is a safe toy for your furballs, and there is no snapback. The durable nylon string won’t break, yet it provides a flexible pull and bounce. The only other consideration is this toy will need your hand, so independent play is not possible. Although you can cleverly attach it to a table or other surface, cats tend to get bored quickly when playing this way.

7. KONG Laser Teaser Cat Toy

The KONG Laser Teaser Cat Toy is a similar tail on a stick as our option above, however, this one has a laser attached to the bottom. There is a small character toy that your cat will love to chase, pounce, and tug, plus there are multiple characters to choose from (sold separately). It is durable and comes with the necessary batteries included.

Something to consider with this cat exercise toy option is though felines love to chase the laser pointer, it’s hard to control on the end of the stick. Not only that but because the light mechanism is heavier, it can snap back and cause injury. On the other hand, this is a great toy for multiple cats, although they cannot play independently with it.

The KONG will keep your tabby running, and it can be used inside or outside. Just make sure you are giving your furball some praise as laser lights do not provide a reward after the chase. Other than that, the stick portion and nylon rope are strong, plus the laser will not hurt your feline’s eyes. It’s simple, and earns its spot as one of the best toys for cats that need exercise.

8. Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy

Another tunnel option is the Frisco Peek-a-Boo Cat Chute Cat Toy. This is a three-ended tube with a top hole that your feline can pop in and out of, or even jump right through. They can use this option to play hide and seek, chase, or use it as a place for them to relax away from noise and other stimulation.

As mentioned with the toy above, however, your pets can become bored with this option quickly. In fact, if they get used to using it as a hiding spot or sleeping space, they may not use it as a toy at all. The overall construction is also not durable. The nylon is thin and will catch on their nails.

The Frisco tunnel is not recommended for multiple cat use if you have a timid animal as they get cornered in the multiple tubes. You should also note there are small pieces that can cause a choking hazard. Beyond that, it is hard to fold down.

9. Cat Amazing Best Cat Toy

Our number nine pick is the Cat Amazing Best Cat Toy. This is a treat maze and puzzle where you can hide snacks in the different holes so your pet can find and fish them out. There are three different levels easy, medium, and hard. Unfortunately, it seems that most cats either find it too easy or too hard to use.

This toy is made of 30% recycled cardboard, and it has metal-free graphics. That being said, as it is essentially a cardboard box, it is difficult to clean. It is also not durable and will be destroyed with one wrong step. The Cat Amazing toy is designed for single-cat use, but they often become bored with the toy. What’s more, the treats often fall out, and it does not provide a challenge.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Toys for Exercise

Keeping Your Cat Fit

It is not uncommon for cats to become overweight and obese, especially among indoor felines. When they are left to laze about all day in a warm spot, they can quickly pack on the pounds. It is even more likely if they are being fed rich diets with plenty of treats in between.

To keep your furball healthy with the best life expectancy, it’s important to exercise your pet as best you can. Though most felines are not going to walk on a leash, there are ways to get them up and moving. One of the best ways is with an interesting toy. Take a look at these features that will help:

How We Selected Our List of Cat Toys for Exercising Your Cat

Catster has an experienced, expert team of writers, editors, and veterinarians who carefully consider a wide range of parameters when choosing the cat toys. This includes but is not limited to customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, hands-on testing, and of course, our cats have a say in the process too! We aim to select and review only the best products available, to help you make the best possible choice and most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.

Why Trust Catster?

A trusted online brand since 2001, Catster has a lot of experience with cat toys. Our team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians is dedicated to helping you make the best decision for your precious cats. Our aim is to provide the best information available for cat owners to help cats live their best life possible. To do this, we scour reviews from the most trusted sources available and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options available to readers. Our team is deeply invested in the health and welfare of cats the world over, and believes that expert knowledge and veterinary guidance will help you make the right choices—for you and your cats!

Conclusion

Keeping your tabby on their toys is important for their health and well-being. Providing them with some fun toys will keep them moving and entertained. That being said, picking out the best option can be difficult. In our opinion, the Hepper Catnip Mice Toy Set is the best toy available. It will keep them on their feet and engage their senses.

Another great option is the Catit Design Senses Circuit toy. Your cat will have endless fun batting this ball around the circuit. If neither is right for your feline, we hope the above reviews have helped you find the best cat exercise toys for your cat’s needs.

See also: 

• Can Cats Eat Dog Treats? 
• Best Cat Enrichment Toys