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Kicking, grabbing, and biting are some of cats’ favorite ways to play. They’re rooted in natural hunting instincts, and letting loose with them helps a cat burn excess energy, get mental stimulation, and, well, be a cat. But if don’t want your cat honing their skills on just anything—like your pillows, sweaters, or arms—try a cat kicker toy.
A good cat kicker toy is big, soft, plush, and perfect for gripping with all four paws. Some have bonus features like a refillable catnip pocket or electronic elements to add sound or movement. But their most important quality is length: they should be narrow enough for your cat to wrap their front paws around, but long enough for your kitty to kick or rake with their back feet.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect cat toy to entertain an active cat or something to distract them from bunny-kicking your arm, we’ve got you covered with our favorite cat kicker toys on the market.
- Best Overall: Petstages Magic Dynamite Cat Toy with Catnip
- Best for Small Cats: Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Toy
- Best for Large Cats: Petlinks HappyNip Fun Fins Kicker Toy
- Budget Pick: Our Pets Cosmic Catnip Chili Cat Toy
- Novelty Pick: TwinCritters KittiLush 2-Pack Organic Silvervine Catnip Plush Toys
- Best with Refillable Catnip: Petlinks Jeepers Creepers Refillable Kicker Toy
- Best for Chewers: Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Dental Catnip Toy
- Most Durable: West Coast Pet Products 15” Catnip Kicker
- Best Electronic: Potaroma Flopping Fish Moving Cat Kicker
- Best for Kittens: Petlinks HappyNip Kicker Meercat Plush Toy
Best Overall: Petstages Magic Dynamite Cat Toy with Catnip
It doesn’t get simpler—or more effective—than this dynamite-inspired cat kicker toy. It’s filled with premium dried catnip to get your cat’s attention. When the catnip starts to fade, just roll or squish the toy to crush the dried leaves and reactivate the smell.
This toy has a classic tube-like shape, which makes it easy to grab and kick. It’s narrow enough that your cat can get their legs all the way around it, while its 9-inch length makes it perfect for bunny-kicking. We like that the material is durable polyester that won’t snag on your cat’s claws as easily as some fabrics.
Key Takeaways:
- Well-sized for average cats
- Filled with premium dried catnip
- Made from durable polyester materials
- Roll or squish to reactivate the catnip smell
Best for Small Cats: Yeowww! Catnip Yellow Banana Toy
With its classic banana shape, this plush toy is ideal for kicking. It’s made from durable cotton twill and dyed yellow using natural plant-based color. Each toy is individually sewn and stuffed in the United States and filled with 100% organic catnip.
This catnip toy is incredibly popular, boasting over 24,000 Amazon ratings. Its 7-inch length makes it appropriate for small cats, and reviewers agree it’s more durable than the average cotton cat toy. The only downside? It’s not refillable.
Key Takeaways:
- Measures about 7 inches long
- Filled with 100% organic catnip (not refillable)
- Made from durable cotton twill
- Hand sewn and stuffed in the USA
Best for Large Cats: Petlinks HappyNip Fun Fins Kicker Toy
Measuring over 16 inches long, this kicker is big enough for large cats. It features the classic elongated shape of a kicker toy, but it tapers at one end. Your cat can hug the wider end tightly and still have plenty of room to kick the bottom.
A combination of burlap and plush materials makes this toy durable but soft. It’s generously stuffed and covered with multiple textures to entice your cat’s senses. It’s also filled with a catnip and silvervine blend, so it may appeal even to cats that don’t react to catnip.
Key Takeaways:
- Measures over 16 inches long
- Durable burlap fabric
- Multiple textures to entice the senses
- Filled with a catnip and silvervine blend
Budget Pick: Our Pets Cosmic Catnip Chili Cat Toy
It’s easy to find inexpensive cat toys, but they’re often made with cheap materials that won’t last. This cat toy is constructed from fairly thick material and stuffed generously with catnip for added value. Choose from six different shapes, from chili peppers to cacti, for just over $5 each.
Key Takeaways:
- Affordably priced around $5
- Thick material helps improve durability
- Choose from six different shapes
- Generously stuffed with catnip
Novelty Pick: TwinCritters KittiLush Organic Silvervine Catnip Plush Toys
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale than the typical tube-shaped kicker, TwinCritters is a brand to consider. Choose from eight different shapes including wine bottles, coffee cups, sardines, and even unicorns. You’ll receive two refillable plush toys in each set.
While many refillable catnip toys have Velcro pockets, this kicker has a built-in zipper. It makes it super easy to empty and refill the pouch, ensuring that your cat retains interest over time. What really makes the difference, however, is that the toy comes with a packet of KittiKrack organic silvervine powder.
Key Takeaways:
- Set includes two refillable toys
- Comes with organic silvervine powder
- Choose from eight different shapes
- Catnip pocket features a zipper closure
Best with Refillable Catnip: Petlinks Jeepers Creepers Refillable Kicker Toy
Made from thick burlap material, this cat kicker toy is designed to stand up against rough play. The mouse-like shape activates a cat’s hunting instincts, while multiple fabric textures entice the senses. This toy is smaller than some, measuring about four inches long, but it’s generously stuffed and great for batting as well as kicking.
On the underside of the toy is a Velcro pouch, you can fill and refill with catnip. While some reviewers found the Velcro hard to open, others say it helps prevent the pocket from opening during play.
Key Takeaways:
- Made from durable burlap materials
- Refillable Velcro pouch for catnip
- Mouse-like shape with multiple textures
- Good for batting as well as kicking
Best for Chewers: Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Dental Catnip Toy
Whether you have a teething kitten on your hands or simply a cat that likes to chew, the Crunchy Pickle Kicker from Petstages is an option to consider. The elongated shape is perfect for grabbing and kicking. Because it’s only about 6 ½ inches long, it works well for kittens and smaller cats.
This toy features multiple textures—plushy soft fabric on one side and mesh on the other. As your cat chews, the mesh helps gently scrape plaque and tartar from their teeth. Inside the toy is a hefty dose of dried catnip and a crinkly material that makes noise as your cat kicks.
Key Takeaways:
- Appropriately sized for kittens and small cats
- Mesh material helps remove plaque and tartar
- Crinkle material inside makes noise as your cat kicks
- Filled with premium dried catnip
Most Durable: West Coast Pet Products 15” Catnip Kicker
Though simple in design, this cat kicker toy is very well-made. It’s constructed from cotton duck, which is a heavy woven canvas-like fabric often used to make workwear. The toy measures a generous 15 inches in length, making it an appropriate choice for even large cats.
This kicker toy features a refillable catnip pocket about halfway along its length. It’s not a Velcro pocket—you just tuck the catnip inside. This design may allow some of the catnip to fall out during play, but reviewers report that the pocket is very tight.
Key Takeaways:
- Made from heavy canvas-like fabric
- Measures 15 inches in length
- Refillable catnip pocket
- Simple but effective tube-like shape
Best Electronic: Potaroma Flopping Fish Moving Cat Kicker (Verified Review)
Kittens and active young cats tend to enjoy cat kicker toys more than older cats, but even geriatric cats find it hard to resist electronic cat toys that mimic the movement of live prey. The Potaroma Flopping Fish is one of the most popular options on the market, with over 44,300 Amazon reviews. Our own test cat was a fan, as was his pup sibling.
This rechargeable kicker toy features a realistic fish-like shape and printed fabric design. It comes with a packet of dried silvervine you can use to refill the Velcro pouch and a USB cable for charging. Choose from four designs: carp, clownfish, rainbow trout, or red carp.
Key Takeaways:
- Motion-activated flopping movement
- Realistic fish shape and pattern
- Rechargeable by USB cable
- Refillable, includes dried silvervine
Best for Kittens: Petlinks HappyNip Kicker Meercat Plush Toy
Length is an important factor to consider in a kicker toy for cats, and smaller bodies require smaller toys. The best kitten toys are appropriately sized for juvenile cats, and they’re extra durable to survive enthusiastic bouts of biting, batting, and—of course—kicking.
This Petlinks toy features a cute Meerkat design with multiple textures to keep your kitten’s interest. It’s made from a durable canvas-like material and stuffed with eco-friendly recycled fiberfill. The stuffing also contains a crinkle material that makes noise during play.
Though the product description says it measures 11.5 inches long, that length includes a three-inch tail; all in all, the body of the toy is only about eight inches long, which is just right for a kitten.
Key Takeaways:
- Multiple textures, including prey-like fur
- Crinkle material makes noise during play
- Durable canvas-like material for the body
- Filled with a catnip and silvervine blend
How We Chose
The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. When making our selections, we prioritized cat kicker toys designed for durability, design, and safety, as well as the degree to which the toys simulate natural prey. 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.
