Your carnivorous little fluff-bundle will get a kick out of playing with a mouse cat toy. After all, it's the best cat toy for channelling their inner Tom & Jerry and playing cat and mouse. Stealthy stalks and playful pounces with a range of playthings enable cats to simulate natural behaviours. It's so important to facilitate this for your pet, especially if they are an indoor cat.
Mice evading cats is an idiom to describe an endless game of cunning, strategy and evasion. Sylvester is out-witted by a small adversary in slapstick cartoons. It all relates back to predatory instincts, whereby through play (and a glorious assortment of cute toys) cats can practice their hunting skills.
Paw-tners in crime, cats and mice become best friends through a range of fun playthings. From cat chew toys to interactive cat toys, there's a Mighty Mouse to suit all budgets and all feline dispositions. Some toys can mimic prey habits and save your fingers from being the mouse. Watch them stalk and ambush – developing problem-solving skills – and hone agility by pouncing on their catch. Please do take note that if your cat's tail twitches from nerves, rather than excitement, a cat laser toy isn't going to be suitable for them. Electronic cat toys can provide lots of feline frolics, just be sure to give your pet a physical reward at the end of play so that they feel like they've caught something.
Cats are scent-driven animals, with a much more heightened sense of smell than humans. Therefore, a catnip toy is the ideal plaything to stimulate their interest. Mouse toys can be less than £5 and filled with the herbal scent that sends cats wild. Enjoy the bonding power of toys with a remote-controlled mouse that your cat will love to chase and swat. It's super cute when they proudly bring their conquest to you in their mouth.
Best mouse cat toys at a glance
• Best natural cat mouse toy: Rosewood Jolly Moggy Wild Catnip Toy – View on Amazon UK
• Best remote-controlled cat mouse toy: HEXBUG Remote Control Mouse Cat Toy – View on Amazon UK
• Best interactive electronic cat mouse toy: PETGEEK Interactive Hide Mouse Cat Toy – View on Amazon UK
All good pet parents provide a playtime that gives a cat exercise, stimulation and a chance to practice hunting, exploring and social skills.
Best mouse cat toys
Best natural cat mouse toy
Cats may enjoy exploring the texture of these mouse toys with their teeth as the natural material is more appealing for them to chew and bite. With the excitement of catnip and feathers, the Rosewood Jolly Moggy Wild Catnip Toy
may not last long, but it's a popular pick and pet parents make these a repeat purchase.
Customer review: "The cat loves these mice. In fact, she loves them more than she loves us. With sustained, enthusiastic playing they don’t last all that long (the outer rope unravels, the feathers get bitten off) but they are a brilliant solo toy and very inexpensive. We’ve just bought some more."
Pros
- Natural materials
- Premium catnip
- Value for money
- Amazon's Choice
Cons
- Will get destroyed
Dimensions: | 2.49 x 11 x 2.49cm |
Material: | Natural materials |
Best remote-controlled cat mouse toy
Paws and play with the HEXBUG Remote Control Mouse Cat Toy. Use the remote control to make the mini mouse move and start/stop on command. Its soft rubber tail wiggles as it scurries along the floor, making it a realistic challenge for your cat. Nobody wants a danger mouse so remember to always supervise play. A self-propelled robotic mouse toy is also available.
Customer review: "Took a little while for him to get used to it as it is a little jumpy and is very fast on hard surfaces. Works well on my short pile carpets but you do have to watch for fluff and pick it out every now and again, bit of care and maintenance. You will notice it will start to drag in a bit of a circle while going straight. I put down some paper (we all have enough of that these days) and drive it around underneath. He goes nuts."
Pros
- Fun interactive play
- Amusing novelty toy
- Gives your cat a workout
Cons
- Short-range remote control
Dimensions: | 14 x 3.8 x 21.5cm |
Material: | Not specified |
Best interactive electronic cat mouse toy
Ideal for overactive cats who need to work off some energy, the PETGEEK Interactive Hide Mouse Cat Toy combines playfulness with hunting instincts. This automatic cat toy plays with your cat. The toy is filled with catnip and simulates a mouse sound. There's an intriguing hide-and-seek tail to bat. To prevent overstimulation, the toy turns off after 10 minutes, also preserving battery life.
Customer review: "This is the best moving cat toy I have ever bought. The Boys love it and its intermittent movement, plus the squeak, makes it super exciting for them. It's durable and great value for money. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Simulates mouse movement and sound
- Automatic
- Low noise
- Shuts off after 10 minutes to preserve battery
Cons
- Some customers report faults with their product
Dimensions: | 14.4 x 14.4 x 13.97cm |
Material: | Upgraded TPU plastic |
Best catnip-filled mouse
www.etsy.com
This high-quality kicker toy is available in an array of bright fabrics, including seasonal designs. Also, it can be personalised with your cat's name. We've all seen cats ferociously bunny-kicking, indeed arms and feet may have been on the receiving end of this aggressive play. This eight-inch mouse toy is the perfect size for a cat to wrap its body around it and work off all its pent-up energy. Alternatively, you may find a tired kitty cuddling up with their cute Personalised Catnip Mouse Cat Toy in their basket.
Customer review: "I have no idea what catnip is inside these but my cats just can't get enough. So happy with this purchase and really surprised at how big they actually are. The fabric is so pretty too and so nice to have their names' on them. Excellent value for money and will purchase more toys from here in future."
Pros
- Personalised
- Large for cuddles or kicking
- High quality
- Etsy Star Seller
Cons
- Delivery charge
Dimensions: | 8-inches |
Material: | Catnip, polyester stuffing |
Best feathered cat mouse toy
www.zooplus.co.uk
Watch your kitty launch a surprise attack on the KONG Feather Mouse with Catnip as it detects the irresistible herbal scent. This durable feathered mouse toy is refillable and comes with a tin of premium catnip that will stay fresh as long as it's sealed. Yes, this toy may lose a few feathers over time but the durable plush is scratch-resistant. Just the right size for your cat to carry around its mouth, it's also lightweight so it can be playfully tossed in the air with wild abandon. Just be sure to remove stray feathers in case your cat eats them.
Customer review: "My cats love this one. However the feathers do not last more than a couple of hours. The cats still love it though, so are buying another one."
Pros
- Quality
- Premium catnip
- Cats love it
Cons
- Feathers can get torn out
Dimensions: | 2.54 x 16.51 x 5.08cm |
Material: | Not specified |
Best fabric cat mouse toy
www.etsy.com
Mice to meet you! Available in a range of enticing colours, such as Desert Rose Pink, Sage Green and Light Turquoise, these delightful Croquet Cat Toys are handmade and can be personalised with your pet's name. The mouse-shaped toys contain premium catnip and a recycled fibre filling.
Customer review: "Another repeat purchase. These toys are wonderful – clearly crafted with love, they are just beautiful and such a welcome change to the generic offerings online or in shops. My cats go mad for them and I cannot recommend them highly enough 5⭐️Another repeat purchase."
Pros
- Handmade
- Premium materials
- Personalisation and range of colours
Cons
- Too cute to get destroyed by Mr Whiskerface!
Dimensions: | Not specified |
Material: | 100% cotton yarn, recycled fibre filling, premium catnip |
Best furry cat mouse toy
Even if your Mortimer is being a sour and destructive puss, with 36 mouse toys it's bound to keep a stimulating game of cat and mouse going for a while. These colourful synthetic fur mice have an enticing rattle sound. With 7,000 positive reviews, rating CHIWAVA 36PCS Furry Mice Cat Toy 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon, these value-for-money toys are a must-have.
Customer review: "They’re decent quality; super soft and seem durable enough for cats to play with. They’re great value. My cat likes to hide his toys and we can never find them. So having a box-full is helpful, would certainly buy these again. Also great for making little gifts up for cat owners. The colour variety is nice and the packaging is very good quality. Would definitely recommend."
Pros
- Value for money
- Highly praised
- Cats love them
Cons
- Supervise play and remove damaged toys due to small parts
Dimensions: | 5 x 2.5 x 2.5cm |
Material: | Synthetic fur |
Best treat dispenser mouse
www.petsathome.com
Cats of all ages will be intrigued by the Catit PIXI Mouse Treat Dispenser for Cats. The cute mouse-shaped toy randomly drops treats to reward your cat's playful behaviour. It has a self-righting mechanism and slider to adjust difficulty. But this treat dispenser won't outfox clever kitties for long, as they bat and swat the toy to get the goodies. The Catit PIXI Mouse Treat Dispenser is compatible with dry food up to 9mm in diameter.
Pros
- Durable
- Develops problem-solving skills
- Cats get a reward
Cons
- No reviews
Dimensions: | Approximately 8 x 8 x 8cm |
Material: | Plastic |
Best laser pointer mouse cat toy
www.viovet.co.uk
Not to be confused with the type you use with your computer, the Trixie Cat Toy Laser Pointer Catch the Light is a mini mouse that can provide hours of interactive play for you and your cat. It's a plastic 7cm mouse on a key chain.
Press the button on the top of the mouse and it shines a laser beam for your cat to chase along the floor. Play with your pet anywhere, as this little mouse fits in a pocket, bag or on your belt.
As with all types of laser play, be sure to provide a tangible reward so your cat feels like they've gained a trophy for their efforts. As they are fundamentally practising their natural hunting instincts, chasing a dot of light can be very frustrating if there's nothing to be gained at the end.
Pros
- Interactive play with your pet
- Portable
- No mess and destruction
Cons
- No reviews
Dimensions: | 7cm |
Material: | Plastic |
FAQs: Mouse cat toy
What types of mouse cat toys are available?
It's great to give your cat a range of toys to stimulate and entertain them (and you). The good news about mouse toys is that they are inexpensive and varied. When selecting a mouse cat toy, consider your cat's personality and play style. Supervise playtime to ensure kitty's safety and that they don't destroy the toy. Also, rotate toys regularly to keep your cat engaged and prevent boredom.
Popular types of mouse cat toys to engage your feline friend:
Plush or fabric mice are soft – often furry – and come in various sizes. Cats enjoy batting them around, carrying them in their mouths and cuddling them.
Stimulate your cat's natural hunting instincts with remote-controlled mice. These battery-operated toys move around unpredictably. Also, you control the direction of movement and have hours of interactive play with your pet.
Feathered mice combine the appeal of feathers with the shape of a mouse. Attached to a small plush mouse body, the movement of feathers is attention-grabbing. Read about feather toys and cat safety below.
Interactive electronic mice mimic the movement and/or sound of a mouse scurrying and squeaking. These toys are activated when your cat engages with them.
Catnip-filled mice contain the herb catnip that can induce a temporary sense of euphoria in some cats.
Teaser wand mice consist of a mouse attached to the end of a wand by a string. Dangle the mouse in front of your cat, encouraging them to pounce and play.
Treat dispenser mice dispense treats as your cat plays with them. This adds an extra layer of excitement and reward to playtime.
Sisal or rattan mice are natural materials that provide a different texture for your cat to explore. Additionally, these materials are satisfying for cats to scratch.
Laser pointer mice can be used to simulate the movement of a mouse. Cats chase the laser dot, providing mental and physical stimulation. Just be sure to provide a physical reward as it can be distressing when a cat doesn't tangibly catch anything with laser play.
You can get mouse cat toys made from real rabbit fur, but since we're animal lovers at Take A Break Pets, we'd prefer to recommend alternatives, especially since sisal, fabric and knitted options are a lot more popular.
What cat toys are unsafe?
There are a lot of cat toys to love and in general, if you supervise play, stuffed toys, cat trees, cat tunnels, wand toys and more are great fun and keep your cat feline fulfilled.
However, the RSPCA advises there are some things that you shouldn't let your cat play with.
These include:
• String, elastic yarn, ribbon and dental floss
• Paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Feather toys
• Plastic bags
• Toys with small parts
• Toys that are small enough for your cat to swallow
Whilst cats are attracted to feathers on toys, as it's a connection to their prey in the wild, it's important to remove loose feathers if they detach from the toy. As cats experience the world through their mouths, they will naturally bite, chew and swallow. When it comes to non-food items this can result in choking, abdominal pain, vomiting and blockages. Real feathers are a no-no as they have brittle stems that can completely break off and get stuck in a cat's throat – just like a chicken bone.
Most cats are indeed happy with a cardboard box, but they derive enrichment from a range of toys. If you're feeling a bit creative you can make homemade cat toys – including a DIY wand toy, cat house hideaway and knitted mouse cat toy – with a guide from Battersea.
Are crochet cat toys safe?
Crocheted cat toys can be safe as long as they're made from non-toxic, pet-friendly yarn and free from small parts that could be swallowed. Additionally, loose threads are a potential choking hazard.
Always supervise your cat during play, and check the toy regularly for any signs of wear and tear.
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.