Treat toys and treat-dispensing toys for cats
Treat toys for cats fall into two rough groups: ones that dispense actual food or treats as a cat plays with them, and catnip-filled toys that use scent rather than food as the reward. Both slow down how quickly a cat gets what it wants, which is the whole point — a cat that has to work a little for a treat is a more mentally engaged cat than one with a bowl left permanently out.
Two different kinds of reward
A treat-dispensing toy releases small amounts of dry food or treats as your cat bats, rolls or paws at it, turning a normal treat into a short bout of problem-solving rather than something handed over instantly. It suits cats who eat quickly or who need more to occupy them during the day, particularly indoor-only cats.
A catnip toy such as a teaser or a stuffed toy works on scent and instinct instead, triggering play behaviour in most cats without any food involved at all. It is a good option for a cat that is already a good weight, or where you would rather not add extra treats to their day.
Getting a fussy cat to actually use one
Not every cat understands a dispensing toy immediately, so start with something that releases food easily — even shaking a little out by hand at first — rather than a toy so difficult it gives up before it works out the game. Once they associate the toy with a reward, you can move to something that takes more effort.
Catnip toys are more hit-or-miss: not all cats respond strongly to catnip, and kittens under around three months often show little interest at all. If one toy gets ignored, try a different catnip strength or a silvervine-based alternative before assuming your cat simply is not interested in toys.
In this section
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Paw-Shaped Flying Disc Launcher Cat Toy
A fun paw-shaped launcher that fires soft flying discs across the room for cats and kittens to chase. Rechargeable and easy to load, it turns hunting instincts into active indoor play.
£10.99
Giant Catnip Cotton Swab Cat Kicker Toys
A set of oversized cotton-swab cat toys with catnip-infused, teething-friendly handles. Cats love to bite, kick and wrestle them, giving great exercise and boredom relief while the soft tips help soothe gums.
£9.99
Electric Scurrying Mouse Cat Toy
A motorised plush mouse that scurries around on unpredictable routes, triggering your cat's chase and hunt instincts for hours of active, independent play.
From£7.99
Fuzzy Worm Cat Toy Wand Refills with Bells (10 Pack)
Ten fuzzy worm refills with jingle bells that clip onto a cat teaser wand.
£11.99
Wiggling Caterpillar Interactive Cat Toy
A battery-powered wiggling caterpillar that gets your cat pouncing and playing solo.
£39.99
Crinkle Mylar Ball Cat Toy
Lightweight crinkle balls that shimmer and rustle as they roll, setting off your cat's chase instinct.
£7.99
Hemm & Boo Sardine & Tin Cat Toy
Catnip-infused plush sardine and tin cat toy, gentle on paws and teeth
£3.49
Hemm & Boo Mouse & Ball Cat Toy
A catnip mouse and ball toy with a tail, feathers and a built-in rattle, mixed colours
£3.49
Hemm & Boo Elastic Mouse Pounce Cat Toy
A catnip-infused mouse on an elastic cord, 17cm long, for unpredictable pounce play
£3.49
Wind-Up Hamster Rolling Ball Cat Toy
A wind-up plush animal in a clear rolling ball that skitters across the floor.
£9.99
Wobbling Tumbler Cat Toy with Feather Wand
A self-righting duck tumbler toy with a clip-on feather wand that wobbles and bobs as your cat bats it, encouraging independent pouncing and play. Keeps kittens entertained and busts boredom.
From£9.99
Catnip Plush Toy with Feather Tail
A small plush mouse toy with a fluttering feather tail and catnip filling, made for self-play. Bite-resistant and light enough to bat, chase and pounce on, keeping cats entertained and active on their own.
£7.99
Common questions
- Are treat-dispensing toys good for overweight cats?
- Yes, they are one of the better tools for an overweight cat because they turn eating into activity rather than something that happens instantly at a bowl, which both slows intake and adds a bit of exercise. Check with your vet about your cat's overall diet as well, since the toy helps but does not replace portion control.
- Is catnip safe for cats to play with regularly?
- Yes, catnip is non-toxic and safe for regular play, and most cats simply lose interest for a while after a session rather than reacting badly to it. A small minority of cats show no response to catnip at all, which is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Why has my cat stopped playing with its treat toy?
- Cats often lose interest in a toy that has become too easy or too familiar, so rotating a couple of toys in and out of use, or making a dispensing toy slightly harder once your cat has mastered it, usually brings the interest back. A toy that is genuinely too difficult can have the opposite effect and get abandoned altogether.
- Can kittens use treat-dispensing toys?
- Yes, though it helps to start with an easy version so a kitten quickly learns the toy leads to a reward, rather than a design difficult enough to frustrate them early on. Catnip response is usually weak or absent in very young kittens, so do not expect much reaction there until they are a bit older.
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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.