Ball toys for cats
Ball toys work on a cat's chase-and-pounce instinct, whether it is a simple ball batted across the floor or a multi-level track tower like the kind that keeps a ball moving inside a fixed course. They are one of the cheapest, most reliably popular toy types for exactly that reason — most cats respond to something rolling or darting away from them.
Simple balls versus track towers
A plain ball, batted by hand or chased solo, is the most basic version of this toy and works well for a cat that enjoys short bursts of solo play, especially on hard flooring where it rolls freely. It costs little and needs no setup, which makes it an easy toy to have a few of scattered around.
A multi-level track ball tower fixes the ball inside a raised course so a cat can bat and chase it around without it disappearing under furniture, which suits cats that lose interest once a toy rolls out of reach, or households that want to contain the mess of a toy skittering across the room.
Getting the most play out of a ball toy
Cats often lose interest in a static toy faster than one that moves unpredictably, so rolling a ball rather than leaving it still, or choosing a track design that varies direction, tends to hold attention longer. Short, frequent play sessions generally work better than one long session, matching how cats naturally hunt in short bursts.
A ball with a bell or rattle inside adds an extra sensory element for cats that respond more to sound than movement alone, and can help draw interest from a cat playing in another room.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Sensor Cat Water Fountain 2.5L
A 2.5L cat fountain that flows when your cat approaches, keeping water fresh and tempting. A clear level window shows when to refill, and the generous tank meets one cat's needs for several days.
From£43.99
Scratch-Resistant Stretch Sofa Cushion Cover
A stretchy jacquard-knit cover that hugs individual sofa cushions to protect them from cat claws and fur. The non-slip, all-season fabric fits most seats and is machine washable for easy care. Sold per cushion size.
From£12.99
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
Multi-Layered Felt Cat Cave Bed for All Seasons, Coffee or Beige
A cave bed built up in layers of dense felt, which insulates through winter and breathes rather than trapping heat in summer, offered in coffee brown or beige.
£27.99
Scratch-Resistant Jacquard Sofa Throw
A woven bohemian-pattern sofa throw that drapes over your settee to shield it from cat claws, fur and everyday wear. Tasselled edges and a tightly knit jacquard weave add a decorative, cosy finish. Machine washable.
From£23.99
Window-Mounted Sisal Cat Scratching Post
A suction-mounted pair of sisal columns that gives a cat a proper vertical scratch and stretch on a window or smooth wall, with no drilling and no floor space used.
From£52.99
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
Smart App-Controlled Automatic Pet Feeder
A smart automatic feeder with a clear food hopper, removable stainless steel bowl and app control. Schedule timed portions, record feeding plans and check in remotely, keeping mealtimes steady while you are away.
From£56.99
Palm Tree Cat Tree With Sisal Post And Bowl Bed
A playful palm-tree cat tree with a sisal scratching trunk, dangling teaser pompoms and a clear space-capsule bowl bed below. Compact at around 44cm wide, it gives cats a spot to scratch, perch and snooze.
From£7.99
Iron-Framed Radiator Hammock Cat Bed with Washable Faux Fur Cover
A metal-framed hammock that hooks over a radiator, lined with a removable machine-washable faux fur sleeve, for cats and small pets up to 5kg, in four plain colours.
£21.99
Automatic Cat Water Fountain
A clear automatic pet water fountain with a tap-style spout that circulates fresh, filtered water to encourage your cat to drink. The near-silent pump and large transparent tank let you check water levels at a glance.
£44.99
Common questions
- Why does my cat ignore ball toys after the first day?
- Cats commonly lose interest in a toy that stops offering anything new, so rotating a few different balls in and out of use, rather than leaving the same one out permanently, usually keeps interest higher over time. A toy that moves unpredictably also holds attention longer than one that behaves the same way every time.
- Are track ball towers better than loose balls for cats?
- Neither is universally better — a track tower keeps the ball contained and accessible for solo play, while a loose ball allows more natural, varied chasing but can end up lost under furniture. Many owners find having both gives a cat more variety than either alone.
- Can kittens play with ball toys safely?
- Yes, ball toys are generally safe for kittens, though it is worth choosing a size too large to be swallowed and checking for any small parts like bells that could come loose. Supervise a new toy the first few times until you are confident it holds up to enthusiastic kitten play.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.