Cat tunnels for naturally inquisitive felines

Slinky playthings for cats who love to explore.

Cat tunnels for naturally inquisitive felines

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

Satisfy your pussycat's natural instincts with a cat tunnel. The best cat toys provide essential mental stimulation and physical exercise for your little crouching tiger. Indoor cats, in particular, will benefit from a cat tunnel as it fulfils their curiosity to explore as well as hide in their very own den.

Providing a safe space for play, a cat tunnel also offers an alternative hideout to a cat tree; where your pet can feel cosy in a confined space. Cats are drawn to tunnels instinctively as they replicate secure hiding spots in the wild. As James Herriot famously said, “Cats are connoisseurs of comfort” and are bound to delight in their own secure retreat.

Best cat tunnels at a glance

Best overall cat tunnel: OHANA S Form Collapsible Cat Tunnel – View on Amazon UK
Best cardboard cat tunnel: Willow's Scratch and Hide Cat Tunnel Toy – View on Pets At Home
Best large three-way cat tunnel: Ownpets Cat Tunnel – View on Amazon UK

Cat tunnels come in various types, including collapsible, crinkly and tubes with peepholes. Some have built-in toys and connectable designs, which can be a lot of fun for multiple cat households. In addition to giving a sense of security, cat tunnels are interactive toys that provide opportunities for stalking and pouncing. Delight as your kitty plays The Great Escape and peek-a-boo with their furry friends.

Play is so important for satisfying both cats' predatory instincts and need for stimulation. It also enhances your cat's wellbeing and happiness. And for a pet parent, there's nothing more adorable than a kitten ambush. So, make sure your household has a cat tunnel or two in your toy arsenal. Along with a scratching post these multifunctional playthings are a must-have for curious cats and creature comfort.

Best cat tunnels

Best overall cat tunnel

Add excitement to an indoor environment with a OHANA S Form Collapsible Cat Tunnel. Enigmatic felines will love to relax in the comfy faux fur-trimmed interior and peak out of the two peep holes. For cats who love to bat and swat, there's a cute hanging ball integrated into the tunnel. The S-shaped design encourages stealthy cats to slink through the tunnel at speed, developing or maintaining their agility.

Customer review: "Our cats really took to this tunnel as a toy. It keeps them amused for hours – they are Rag Dolls and are really lively when the mood takes them. They use it as a den (they even use it for naps) but usually it serves as a base for hide and seek games, with one charging out at her sister when she comes along to look for her – then running in and out after one an other (no-one gets hurt) and plainly having great fun and very importantly exercising both physically and mentally – they are indoors only cats."

Pros

  • Multifunctional
  • Quality materials
  • Easy to store

Cons

  • Note the dimensions as some customers thought it was smaller than expected

Best cardboard cat tunnel

What cat doesn't love popping out of a cardboard box? Go one better and promote mental and physical wellbeing with Willow's Scratch and Hide Cat Tunnel Toy. Combining the most important feline natural instincts: the need to scratch, perch and hide, this cat tunnel does it all. Uniquely, it's made from cardboard, with a textured surface that cats will love to dig their claws in to. It's a great choice for cats that need to work off excess energy; however, bear in mind that it is a destructible toy – the upshot is that it can be recycled.

Customer review: "Our kitten absolutely loves her scratch and hide cat tunnel. Not only is it much better for the environment when it comes to throwing it in the bin. Simply because it's made of cardboard, which means it can be recycled."

Pros

  • Multifunctional
  • Natural material
  • Channels cats' instincts

Cons

  • Not built to last

Best large three-way cat tunnel

Engage your feline friends in interactive fun with the Ownpets Cat Tunnel. Made of tear-resistant Oxford cloth, this cleverly-designed cat tunnel is expandable so you can create your very own cat maze. It had hanging balls, peep holes and a spacious diameter. The good news with a fabric tunnel is that playtime is quiet-time, unlike similar products that are made from paper or plastic.

Customer review: "So exciting for four cats. The toy that comes with it has been the most popular wavy toy that I’ve ever bought. The tunnel itself has a curve in which allows a cat to reverse and be able to see which cat is approaching. They love it. Hours of fun."

Pros

  • Durable material
  • Expandable design
  • Not noisy fabric when playing

Cons

  • Needs a large clear floor space

Best value for money cat tunnel

Keep your kitty entertained for hours with a Crinkle Play Tunnel Cat Toy. For just £5 this crinkly tunnel will engage playful cats for hours. This is not one for aloof felines, as you're bound to hear them. Interestingly, cats love the sound of crinkly things, such as paper, because it replicates the feeling of leaves under paws.

Customer review: "My kittens love chasing toys through the tunnel as well as jumping on top of it, the crinkle noise really appears to stimulate them and it is good value for the price. Worth the buy."

Pros

  • Value for money
  • Keeps cats engaged
  • Takes up little space

Cons

  • Click and collect only

Best S-shape cat tunnel

Andiker Cat Tunnel, S-Shape Cat Tunnel
Price: $12.99

Stimulate curiosity and play with the Andiker Cat Tunnel. Like a chute in design, this crinkly S-shape cat tunnel has peep holes, a ball toy and an expandable design where you can connect tunnels for hours of kitty fun. We like how this tunnel is made from a semi-opaque material, so you can run toys along the outside of the tunnel for your cat to follow.

Customer review: "We have tied the two tunnels together for added entertainment and the girls love it. Luckily, it's very robust. Great value for money and we’re about to buy another one for even more entertainment… for the girls and us."

Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Connectable design
  • Semi-opaque

Cons

  • Can be noisy

Best cat tunnel for kittens

Encourage exercise and agility with the Aokuy Cat Toys Cat Tunnel. This oh-so cute chute for little fur balls is rainbow bright with a strong steel frame that's wrapped in tear-resistant polyester – so it won't harm kitty… and kitty won't destroy it. Inquisitive cats will enjoy the two peep holes and hanging ball for batting. Because it has a small diameter, this cat tunnel is perfect for kittens and helps to develop their play behaviours.

Customer review: "I bought this product because I noticed that my kitten likes to go through small spaces or enclosures to come out the other side and also loves a dangling toy. This seemed to combine the two and definitely did not disappoint. This along with the (annoying) squeaky mouse are his favourite toys and can provide hours of entertainment both for him and for us watching him."

Pros

  • Fun colour
  • Water-resistant
  • Easy to clean
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Note the diameter may be too small for large breed cats

Best multipurpose cat tunnel

Provide cosy hiding spots for rest and relaxation with the PAWZ Road Cat Tunnel Bed. This multipurpose cat tunnel doubles up as a donut-shaped cat bed, so after a busy day of hide and seek, puss can relax on the soft mat in the centre. The crinkle tube has a delightful outer space design. It can be unfastened so that the cat bed is more accessible and the tunnel forms a gentle arc around it. In addition, your clever cat will love to play with the hanging ball and peep out of the holes when they're feeling stealthy.

Customer review: "I’ve never seen two cats go so crazy over a product in my life. They absolutely love it. And it’s certainly been put through the endurance test and survived. Jumping all over it, biting it, chewing it, clawing it and not a single mark. The metal spring support keeps the tunnels shape so if they jump or sit on top it will spring back."

Pros

  • Bed and toy combined
  • Popular
  • Quality materials
  • Attractive design

Cons

  • Cushion is not thick

Best large cat tunnel

Bemodst S-Type Cat Tunnel

Rrp: $29.99

Price: $22.99

Create an entertaining maze for exploration with a Bemodst S-Type Cat Tunnel. Camouflaged kitties will love to lurk undercover and this expandable maze can have up to five tunnels fitted to a central point. Encourage healthy cat behaviours, such as pouncing, chasing and crawling. You'll find this play centre will keep cats amused for hours without the need for your attention.

Customer review: "Our cat absolutely loves this. It's a good size, came with a bag that you can easily fold it up into and store away, it just pops open when you take it out the bag so it's ready to go. It's good quality as it's standing up to our nutter bursting through it. Worth every penny."

Pros

  • Spacious connected tunnels
  • Crinkle-crackle sound
  • Several designs available

Cons

  • Large

Best outdoor cat tunnel

6-in-1 Cat Tent with Cat Tunnel
Price: $108.67

Indoor cats can play safely outdoors in the Outdoor Cat Enclosures 6-in-1 Cat Tent with Cat Tunnel. This could well be a game-changer for your indoor cat, as you securely zip them into the enclosure so they can't escape. Spacious enough for a cat to feel like its roaming in the wild, this innovative series of cat tunnels can be easily set up in a garden or on a balcony. Watch the video to see how the cat enclosure zips together and also how simple it is to collapse and fold into its storage bag.

Customer review: "Perfect for indoor cats to play in the yard. We put ours on the balcony and he enjoys his outdoor time safely now."

Pros

  • Indoor cats can play securely outdoors
  • Large enclosure
  • Adaptable design

Cons

  • Difficult to refold

Best luxury cat tunnel

Who doesn't love a warm and secluded spot? Enhance your cat's overall happiness and contentment with the Rosewood Luxury Quality Cat Tunnel And Bed. This plush radiator bed has a luxurious faux fur cover that's so cosy to snuggle up on. Best suited to smaller cats and kittens, this tunnel of love is acts as a comforter on cold days.

Customer review: "This has certainly earnt its money. Kitty loves it, it's going to fit her when she's fully grown up. It's a perfect fit for the radiator, securely anchored. It gets snuggly and warm when the heating is on. She adores it making it her first to go place after breakfast lunch and dinner."

Pros

  • Soft faux fur cover
  • Strong metal frame
  • Purr-fect for cats who love being warm

Cons

  • Does not fit deeper radiators

FAQs: Cat tunnels

What are important toys that every indoor cat should have?

A cat tunnel helps to promote exploration and satisfies hiding instincts. But cats have other innate needs that a range of toys can help nurture. So, if your kitty is looking a bit bored or you have a troublemaker Tom on your hands, trying a range of the following toys can help turn a sour puss into a purring queen.

Feather wand toy encourages active play and hunting instincts.

Catnip toys provide sensory stimulation and excitement.

Treat dispensers and puzzle feeders test a cat's noggin and give them a workout with a reward at the end.

Scratching posts channel natural scratching behaviour; essential for keeping your furniture intact!

Soft plush toys provide comfort and are a kicker toy for when cats fight against 'their prey' with rabbit-style kicking.

Cat trees encourage climbing and jumping and act as a place to perch.

Sisal mouse or fish toy channels batting and chewing behaviours.

How much do cat tunnels cost?

The cost of a cat tunnel varies widely, the cheapest one in our guide is just £5. A good quality S-shape tube can be as little as £20. Durable Oxford cloth cat tunnels start at around £30+ and the strong material means it will withstand rough play. Bespoke cat tunnels that are handmade by sellers on Etsy vary widely in price, between £10-£100+. The advantage is you have some choice over fabrics and patterns. Expect a large-scale cat enclosure to be around £100.

Are there any drawbacks to cat tunnels?

While cat tunnels offer lots of benefits, some drawbacks include potential difficulty in cleaning, especially for tunnels with complex designs. Being independent-minded creatures, cats may also lose interest over time. It's also worth keeping in mind that tunnels with crinkly material may be noisy, which could be a concern for noise-sensitive individuals. Finally, as with every toy, there is a danger of choking and strangulation on loose parts. Therefore, it is important to supervise your pet when they are playing with toys, be it the smallest catnip toy to a large-scale cat tower.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things cats and dogs. In her other life, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.

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