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Puzzle toys can keep your cat active, happy, and out of trouble. Plus, they’re great for providing clever kitties mental stimulation and helping speed eaters slow down. But finding the best puzzle toy for your cat really depends on, well…your cat. A lot of factors can come into play, considering ability, age, and preference.
Fortunately, there are tons of options on the market—from beginner to advanced and in all shapes and sizes—to fit your particular cat’s play style and needs. We’ve rounded up the best for all kinds of kitties.
- How To Pick a Puzzle Toy for a Cat
- Best for Beginners: KONG Puzzlements Pockets Cat Toy
- Best Intermediate Puzzle: Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Tree
- Best for Advanced Cats: Petstages Rainy Day Interactive Cat Treat Puzzle
- Best Feeder-Style Puzzle: TRIXIE 5-in-1 Activity Fun Board
- Best Catnip Puzzle Toy: Petstages Catnip Chase Track Interactive Cat Toy
- Best for Exercise: PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Cat Ball
- Best Multipurpose Puzzle Toy: Petstages Grass Patch Hunting Box Cat Scratcher Toy
- Best for Wet Food: Lickimat Casper, Fish-Shaped Cat Lick Mat
Best for Beginners: KONG Puzzlements Pockets Cat Toy
Sometimes the best toys are also the simplest. This quilted mat has nine different play pockets to hide toys, treats, or your cat’s favorite household items—activating their hunting and foraging instincts. Adding sensory stimulation, the attached ball of yarn rattles when batted and the material crinkles when touched. There’s even a catnip mouse for extra fun.
Things to know:
- Measures 2.75 x 15.75 inches
- Easy to fold for travel
- Includes an extra supply of catnip
- Only comes in one design
Best Intermediate Puzzle: Catit Senses 2.0 Cat Tree
Another puzzle that uses your kitty’s batting and swatting skills, this indoor feeder transforms meals or snack time into an intriguing hunt. Place kibble or treats at the top of the three-tiered maze and let your cat paw them down the bowl beneath to catch the food. Use this food tree alone or attach it to other puzzle toys in the Catit line to create an entire activity center.
Things to know:
- Rotates to three different sizes
- Base doubles as a no-spill dish
- Made of BPA-free materials
- Can be messy and loud
Best for Advanced Cats: Petstages Rainy Day Interactive Cat Treat Puzzle
Once your cat has built their confidence and mastered previous puzzle toys, it’s time to level up. A great boredom buster, this cat puzzle treat toy relies on dexterous paws to bat at the pegs and swivel the raindrops. With 14 treat compartments, three different levels, and a tips and tricks sheet, this advanced puzzle provides plenty of ways to keep your kitty’s brain busy.
Things to know:
- Holds up to 1/4 cup of food
- Made with food-safe materials
- No removable parts for safe play
- Can be adjusted to three different levels
Best Feeder-Style Puzzle: TRIXIE 5-in-1 Activity Fun Board
Challenge your cat in five different ways with this multi-textured activity board. From licking to digging, this interactive feeder encourages your cat to use all of her senses in a variety of ways. Non-slip rubber feet keep the board in place while your cat climbs, scoops, and hunts out food.
Things to know:
- Dishwasher safe
- Challenges include globes, pegs, alleys, tongues, and tunnels
- Some reviewers have noted this toy is better for cats with smaller paws
Best Catnip Puzzle Toy: Petstages Catnip Chase Track Interactive Cat Toy
For kitties less interested in food, catnip puzzles provide a fantastic alternative. Relying on your cat’s sense of smell and movement, this catnip chase track toy features peek-a-boo openings for your kitty to pounce, stalk, and paw at the balls.
Things to know:
- Adjustable catnip compartment for varying scent strength
- Comes in two colors (green and red and blue)
- Hand washable with warm water and mild soap
Best for Exercise: PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Cat Ball
Need to get your cat moving? This puzzle ball is a smart way to add exercise to mealtime or provide an added outlet for cats who love to chase. Adjustable openings allow for a slower or faster feed, depending on your cat’s ability and energy levels.
Things to know:
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Fits 85 grams of dry cat food
- Distributes meals in smaller portions
- Comes in four colors
Best Multipurpose Puzzle Toy: Petstages Grass Patch Hunting Box Cat Scratcher Toy
A touch of nature meets hunting fun with this multipurpose puzzle toy. The faux grass on top is perfect for scratching, lounging, or napping after your kitty has chased and batted the jingling balls inside. Sprinkle in treats, toys, or kibble for added food enrichment.
Things to know:
- Multiple paw-sized openings
- Sturdy cardboard structure, easy to tuck away
- Includes three jingle balls
Best for Wet Food: Lickimat Casper, Fish-Shaped Cat Lick Mat
If your cat prefers wet or raw food to kibble, a lick mat is a great interactive feeder to stimulate their mind. Designed with low-profile ribs and ridges, this adorable fish-shaped lick mat encourages your kitty to slow down and crouch—mimicking feeding styles in the wild. For even slower feeding, freeze food on top for an added challenge.
Things to know:
- Freezer and microwave safe
- Made from non-toxic, recyclable material
- Not suitable for kitties who love to chew
New to Cat Puzzle Toys? Here’s Where To Start
Paying close attention to your cat’s likes, dislikes, and overall behavior is a good place to start when choosing a cat puzzle toy. Do they like to chase, swat, scratch, scavenge—or all of the above? Selecting a puzzle that matches your cat’s preferences is a surefire way to keep them happy and entertained.
You’ll also want to pick an interactive cat toy that suits your kitty’s skills and abilities. For beginners, go with a simple but interactive stationary design like a lick mat, slow feeder cat bowl, or catnip toy. Starting with easier cat puzzles can help prevent frustration and build positive associations while you introduce them to the world of enrichment toys.
As your cat levels up to the intermediate stage, give them a wide variety of cat puzzle toys that work their brain in various ways to keep them engaged—think treat-dispensing balls, feeder boards, and box puzzles. Opt for toys with multiple difficulty settings so you can increase the challenge without moving too quickly.
Once your cat reaches a more advanced level (you’ll know when the treats start disappearing quickly), choose more complex puzzle toys and mazes that work multiple skills like sliding, spinning, and digging. (Then sit back, satisfied that your kitty has achieved Einstein status in the cat world.)
Every cat is different, so it may take a few tries to find the perfect interactive cat toy for them—but we’ve found it worthwhile so far, and the science agrees.
How We Chose Our Interactive Cat Toys
The cat puzzle toys featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary and behavioral experts. We prioritized durability, versatility, and popularity. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.
