The hardest part of living with an indoor cat is the hours you are not there. Hunting behaviour does not switch itself off because the flat is empty, and a cat with nothing to chase between nine and six finds their own targets, which is usually your ankles at half past six. A toy that moves under its own steam covers some of that gap without asking anything of you.

This one is laid out as a small football pitch with balls that respond to movement. A nudge from a paw sets them rolling, and the movement pulls the cat straight back in for another go. That feedback loop is what separates a self-play toy from a ball left on a carpet, because what holds a cat's attention is unpredictable movement rather than movement in itself. The stadium shape keeps the balls on the pitch instead of under the sofa within the first minute.

• Motion-activated balls that move on their own
• Football-pitch playset with raised sides
• Encourages chasing, swatting and pouncing
• Self-play design for solo entertainment
• Keeps the balls contained rather than lost under furniture

Two things worth knowing. And no self-play toy replaces ten minutes with a wand: cats habituate fast to anything that always behaves the same way, so put it away for a few days when interest dips and it will work again.

Who it's for: Indoor cats left alone during the working day, particularly young ones who take their boredom out on the furniture.