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Cat preferences vary—some kitties love a catnip mouse, while others would rather chase a ball nine times out of ten. But there’s one toy we’ve found is just about universal, and that’s a cat wand.
According to Dr. Danielle Bernal, DVM, of Wellness Pet Company, cat teaser wands activate your cat’s natural instincts, stimulate their senses, and help keep their brains sharp. Your cat is a natural-born hunter, and nothing gets them going like a good old-fashioned game of chase. A toy on a string has the unpredictable movement of live prey and, Dr. Bernal notes, “capturing their prey often—but not every time—keeps cats engaged and more interested in the game.”
We’ve compiled a list of our nine favorite cat wand toys and teasers to capture your cat’s attention and encourage active play.
- Best for Kittens: Pet Fit for Life 5-Piece Squiggly Worm Wand Toy
- Best for Senior Cats: Cat Dancer Rainbow Cat Charmer Cat Toy Ribbon Wand
- Best Bird Teaser Toy: Frisco Bird Wand Toy with Feathers
- Best Feather Wand: Hartz Just for Cats Feather Wand
- Best Budget-Friendly: Frisco Wire Teaser Cat Toy
- Best Mouse Wand: OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mouse Cat Wand Toy
- Best Bug Teaser Toy: Petstages Butterfly Cat Toy Wand
- Best with Sound: Outward Hound Tail Teaser Toy
- Best Ball Teaser: SmartyKat Electronic Feather Wand
Best for Kittens: Pet Fit for Life 5-Piece Squiggly Worm Toy
You’ve got to move quickly to keep up with an energetic kitten, and you need a toy that can move with you. This squiggly worm cat wand toy is perfect for active play sessions. To ensure long-lasting durability, it’s strung on a heavy-duty wand made from carbon fiber and break-resistant fiberglass.
This wand toy set comes with five squiggly “worms” in different colors. Because they’re made from nylon, they’re less likely to stretch or fray than other wand toys. To get your kitten really excited, set the worm on the floor and slowly drag the wand, shaking it as you go to make the worm wiggle.
Key Features
- Includes five worm toys
- Heavy-duty wand
- Encourages interactive play
Best for Senior Cats: Cat Dancer Rainbow Cat Charmer Cat Toy Ribbon Wand
Though many older cats still love to play, they tend to be a little more reserved than kittens. Once chewing is no longer a concern, ribbon wands become an option. The ever-popular Cat Dancer rainbow cat charmer is a great choice for senior cats who need an especially worthy incentive.
This Cat Dancer wand toy consists of a polycarbonate wand and a length of rainbow fleece. At 48 inches long, it’s the perfect toy for cats who love to chase string. The fleece is non-toxic and pet-safe, though it’s important to remember that it can still snag on claws and shred under sharp teeth—so maybe tuck it away once playtime is over.
Key Features
- Sturdy 16-inch polycarbonate wand
- 48-inch rainbow fleece
- Made from non-toxic materials
Best Bird Teaser Toy: Frisco Cat Toy Bird Wand with Feathers
For the hunter in your household, this bird teaser toy is a must-have. Available in blue or purple, it’s affordably priced around $5.
With the flick of your wrist, you can make this toy flutter and fly just like a real bird. The bird toy features colorful feathers and string, plus it’s filled with crinkle material and catnip to really get your cat going.
Key Features
- Available in two colors
- Filled with crinkle material and catnip
- Moves erratically like a real bird
Best Feather Wand: Hartz Just for Cats Cat Toy Feather Wand
Cat wand toys don’t have to involve string, and for especially chew-happy cats, it can be a good idea to avoid it altogether. (Dr. Bernal cautions against offering cats loose string and other small objects that could be swallowed.) This feather wand from Hartz offers an alternative to the typical wand toy, consisting of a bunch of bright pink feathers affixed directly to the end of the wand.
This feather wand is ideal for interactive play sessions with an active cat. Without string, the wand gives you more control over the toy’s movements, so you can tailor each play session to your cat’s unique style. Raise the wand off the ground to encourage batting and see how high your cat can jump!
Key Features
- Doesn’t incorporate string
- Bright bird-like feathers
- Durable 24-inch wand
Best Budget-Friendly: Frisco Wire Teaser Cat Toy (Verified Review)
Many wand toys rely on fabric or string, which can easily snag on your cat’s claws. This teaser toy is incredibly simple, consisting of nothing more than a flexible wire and crumpled cardboard.
Lest you think this toy is overly basic, notice that the wire has a curve to it. This makes the cardboard pieces bounce erratically when you wiggle the wire, stimulating your cat’s instincts for play. Our test kitties were huge fans of the way the cardboard shook and flitted like a bug. Best of all, it costs less than $2.50.
Key Features
- Wire won’t snag like string
- Simple but functional design
- Affordably priced under $2.50
Best Mouse Wand: OurPets Play-N-Squeak Mouse Cat Wand Toy
If your cat needs a little extra incentive to get up and play, the combination of catnip and electronic bird sounds might do the trick. This wand toy features a catnip-stuffed mouse that plays bird chirping sounds when batted to stimulate your cat’s senses and encourage activity.
The Play-N-Squeak cat wand is ideal for interactive play sessions. The toy is attached to a braided nylon rope for increased durability, and the wand is long enough that you can dangle the toy easily or drag it along the ground.
Key Features
- Durable braided nylon cord
- Mouse filled with catnip
- Electronic bird chirping sound
Best Bug Teaser Toy: Petstages Butterfly Cat Toy Wand
Some cats simply aren’t interested in feathers or mice but will go wild chasing a bug around the house. This wand toy features a lifelike butterfly perfect for batting. The wand itself features a large handle that’s easy to grip, and it’s made from thick plastic to help prevent breakage.
Rather than string, this toy utilizes a flexible wire to keep the butterfly aloft and bouncing erratically during play. Just keep in mind that the butterfly is delicate and not designed to withstand chewing or clawing. This toy might be best for cats who play gently.
Key Features
- Lifelike butterfly toy
- Flexible wire encourages erratic motion
- Thick handle for comfort
Best with Sound: Outward Hound Tail Teaser Toy
Does your cat go wild for squeaky toys? This cat teaser combines the irresistible erratic motion of a wand toy with squeaks and rattles to keep your cat intrigued.
This teaser toy from Outward Hound features an extra-long nylon cord that is durable enough to withstand rough play. The wand handle is rubberized for comfort, and the set comes with a second teaser toy, just in case.
Key Features
- Comes with two teaser toys
- Toys squeak and rattle
- Durable nylon cord
Best Ball Teaser: SmartyKat Electronic Feather Wand Cat Toy
What’s better than a wand toy? A cat toy wand with a ball. This SmartyKat teaser toy combines the erratic movement of a feather wand with the hands-free convenience of an electronic ball toy.
At the touch of a button, you can get your cat going on an active adventure chasing this ball teaser toy around the house. The weighted ball wobbles across the floor, spinning from time to time to capture your cat’s attention with the attached feather wand.
While this toy is great for hands-free play, it’s still wise to supervise your cat during use because this toy includes feathers.
Key Features
- Hands-free electronic toy
- Encourages interactive play
- Moves erratically
How We Chose
The cat wand 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. We prioritized wand toys in a variety of styles with cat-safe materials, durability, and strong cat-appeal. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated kitties, who are never stingy with their feedback.
Further Reading
- Do Cats Need Puzzle Toys? What Science Says About Interactive Cat Toys and Feeders
- The 19 Best Cat Toys in Every Style, for Every Kind of Cat
- The 15 Best Kitten Toys To Occupy Your New Little Beastie
