While playing with your cat is a great way to bond, cat toys can be an ideal substitute while you’re at work or busy with household chores or other responsibilities. Motorized cat toys are exceptionally good at keeping your cat occupied and physically and mentally stimulated.
Motorized cat toys work well for cats because they stimulate the natural desire to hunt and chase prey. Whether kitten, adult, or geriatric cat, these top eight motorized cat toys will be loads of fun for your feline companion.
Wands with feathers, mouse, tape, and bell accessories
The k-berho Interactive Cat Toy is the best overall motorized cat toy because of its variety of enrichment features. The ball has several wand attachments with a mouse, bell, ribbons, and feathers, LED color-changing lights, and irregular movements to engage your cat’s hunting and stalking instincts. Like a motorized vacuum, the toy has sensors that alert it to obstacles and it automatically shuts off to preserve battery life. The toy activates for 10-minute intervals, perfect for a burst of energy and exercise for your cat.
Fully charged, the USB-rechargeable battery runs the toy for 8 hours. This is one of the best features of the toy if you’re getting it for your cat while you’re at work. Your cat will have short intervals of play and rest for your whole workday.
Pros
Long-lasting battery
Plenty of play options
Short bursts of play
Cons
Wands may be fragile
2. Potaroma Electric Flopping Fish Cat Kicker Toy – Best Value
We think the Potaroma Electric Flipping Fish Cat Kicker Toy is the best motorized cat toy for the money. The dancing fish acts as a prey item, flopping and wriggling around, enticing cats to swat and catch it. The toy is also infused with catnip to attract the attention of even the laziest and uninterested of cats.
One of the best features of the flopping fish, besides being inexpensive, is that it’s perfect for small spaces like apartments or cat rooms. Unlike larger motorized toys that move all over, the fish stays in the general area where you put it. The toy is also made of plush cotton and can be hand washed and air dried for better sanitation – all you have to do is remove the motor.
Pros
Inexpensive
Good for small spaces
Easy to clean
Cons
Simple design
No added enrichment features
3. Electronic Interactive Feather Wand Teaser Toy – Premium Choice
The Electronic Interactive Feather Wand Teaser Toy is like two toys in one. The base has a motorized track with a ball that they can chase and bat. The ball is securely fitted into the track, so it can’t come loose and cause your cat to lose interest. On top of the ball track, the toy also has a tower with hanging feather toys that rotate.
Best of all, you can play with the wand on your own to engage in some bonding with your cat. When you get tired, just turn on the rotator to let your cat play on its own. The only drawback to this toy is that it may not hold up to rough play from energetic cats.
Pros
Two modes of play
Replaceable feathers
Good way to bond with cat
Cons
Not suitable for rigorous play
4. Felix & Fido Playdot! Interactive Cat Toy – Best for Kittens
If your kitty likes to play with lasers, Felix & Fido Playdot! Interactive Cat Toy is the best choice. It’s also a good choice for older cats since they don’t have to run or jump to play with it.
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy is a good option for multiple-cat households. You can start it before going to work to give your cats hours of play. The toy has a non-skid base to keep it secure while playing, even if multiple cats are going after it. The only drawback is that this toy doesn’t have a lot of play variety for inquisitive cats.
The Hexbug Nano Robotic Cat Toy features lifelike bug movements and actions designed to encourage your cat to hunt and chase. The bug can navigate around obstacles, flip over, and round corners, ensuring your cat won’t have an easy time catching this “prey.” The toy also moves with vibrations to scurry and jump, all while dragging a furry tail that will get your cat’s attention.
Batteries are included for this toy, so it’s ready for play right out of the box. You can also choose your toy’s colors. Though this toy is designed to occupy your cat for hours, it may not be the best choice for unsupervised play while you’re at work. The toy navigates around the house, so your cat can knock things over in an attempt to catch it. If you have a dedicated cat room, this toy is perfect.
Laser toys are a great way to get your cats active, and YVE LIFE Automatic Cat Laser Toy is one of the best on the market. The automatic laser toy runs on either a USB-rechargeable battery or AA batteries, so you’ll always have a full charge. You can set the laser to slow or fast mode to adjust to your cat’s fitness and activity level.
To stave off boredom, the laser can be set to multiple adjustable circle patterns or random patterns that keep your cat guessing. The toy has an automatic on/off feature that cycles through play and rest periods, so you can set it up when you leave for work and give your cat entertainment in your absence. You can set the laser to point toward the floor to keep your cats from jumping on furniture or tables to chase it.
The All for Paws Interactive Cat Butterfly Toy is ideal for little hunters and chasers. Once activated, the toy constantly spins in one spot, leaving your cat to chase the butterfly in one area of your house. Your cat will get plenty of exercise while you get household chores done.
The realistic butterfly attachment can wear out with play, but two butterfly wand refills are included. Once the butterfly gets a little worse for wear, just swap it out with one of the refills to give your cat more playtime. The toy runs on AA batteries, so you can set it up before you go to work and give your cat entertainment during the day.
Cats can enjoy playing with balls just as much as dogs and the ELEBOOT Interactive Cat Toy Ball is sure to entice your cat’s stalking and pouncing instincts. The rechargeable ball toy has an LED light to catch your cat’s attention as it rolls around the floor, changing direction.
The long-lasting lithium-polymer batteries are included, and the toy turns off after 40 minutes to conserve battery life. The ball is one of the best options for automatic toys you can give your cat while you’re at work since it navigates around the house on its own and turns on and off. The ball is available in white, pink, or green.
Pros
Automatic on/off feature
Built-in LED light
Trio of colors to choose from
Cons
Limited features
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Motorized Cat Toy
Image Credit: Marie Charouzova, Shutterstock
The motorized cat toys on this list offer a lot of play and enrichment to keep your cats occupied while you’re at work. If you want to weigh your options and find the best toy for your individual cat’s personality, here’s what to look for:
Power Source
Motorized cat toys may be powered by a USB cord or different types of batteries. Before you buy a toy, pay attention to its power source. USB-rechargeable batteries keep you from having to buy batteries again and again, but having to plug the toy in limits playtime. Conversely, choosing a toy with internal batteries ensures you’ll always have a charge or spare batteries, but you could spend more keeping your backup batteries stocked.
Toy Movement and Features
Motorized toys are designed to encourage your cat’s natural hunting, chasing, stalking, and pouncing instincts. Some toys do this better than others, whether it’s with unpredictable movements that mimic prey or added features like feathers, lasers, and dangling pieces. You know your cat best, so consider the movement and features of the toy and choose the one you think will be the most fun for your cat. Keep in mind that toys with repetitive patterns may bore a cat with sharp hunting instincts.
Automatic On/Off Feature
If you’re looking for a motorized cat toy to give your cat while you’re at work or doing household chores, an automatic on/off feature is an absolute must. Toys with built-in play and rest cycles are perfect for long periods away from the house, since they give your cat time for activity and periods of much-needed rest to avoid boredom or exhaustion. Different toys offer different play periods, so be sure to check the cycles to see what’s appropriate for your cat’s fitness and activity levels.
Materials
Motorized cat toys are generally durable, but if you have a large cat breed or a particularly rough cat, a solidly built toy is a must. Toys that have flimsy wands or delicate toys, such as cloth or plastic “bugs” may not hold up to rigorous play from a boisterous cat. Keep in mind that tall, tower toys may be easy to knock over, which could be hazardous while you’re not home.
Our Best Motorized Cat Toys Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best Motorized Toys for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about Motorized Cat Toys. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Motorized cat toys are a great option for keeping active and curious cats occupied while you’re away. You can find plenty of options on the market, but we’ve chosen the k-berho Interactive Cat Toy as the best overall pick for its interactive features, long play intervals, and long-lasting battery life. If you’re looking for value, the Potaroma Electric Flipping Fish Cat Kicker Toy gives your cat realistic fish prey to hunt and “kill” without spending a ton of money.
Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
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