Lazy Cat Toys Cats Actually Play With

The best lazy cat toys are made with natural materials. Natural materials are safer and attract cats immediately.

Indoor cats are often lazy because they don’t hunt. The indoor version of hunting is playing.

Toys should mimic prey in appearance and sound.

This will bring out your cat’s wild side and get your cat interested in toys.

These are the best lazy cat toys:

• Wool rat toy
• Kitty Whip
• Ripple Rug
• Cotton chase toys
• Rabbit fur toys
• Organic catnip
• Silvervine chew stick
• Catnip toys
• Sound toys
• Toilet paper roll toys
• Healthy treats

Note: Always supervise playtime. Wash and replace toys regularly to stay sanitary and safe.

Multiple toy options are best because cats are finicky.

Check out this guide today or pin the image below to your Cat Toys board on Pinterest.

Disclaimer: I earn a commission if you purchase through affiliate links below. No additional cost to you.

1. Wool rat toy

LeSharma makes an abundance of natural cat toys and beds.

Why you’ll love it:

• Made from 100% felted wool
• Washable
• Eco-friendly and fun

Cats love wool and other natural materials. They are free from synthetics and chemical dyes.

This is the most natural wand toy you’ll find. The large size is perfect for bunny kicking too.

The wool rat toy is perfect for lazy cats because it represents the cat’s natural prey.

Buy the wool rat toy on Etsy.

2. Kitty Whip

Kitty Whip Cat Toys makes upcycled wands with cotton, sisal, and leather.

Why you’ll love it:

• Made from recycled reclaimed materials
• Natural materials that cats love
• Cats go crazy for it

Cats love to chase string because it looks like a mouse tail.

The Kitty Whip comes in natural materials that cats are attracted to. This will get your lazy cat active in no time.

Buy Kitty Whip toys on Etsy.

3. Ripple Rug

SnugglyCat created the most versatile activity center for cats, the Ripple Rug.

Why you’ll love it:

• Made from recycled plastic bottles
• Cats can scratch, hunt, rest, and play
• Spot clean or machine wash cold on delicate cycle

These fun rugs make cats play by themselves because they satisfy many enrichment needs.

Hide treats, toys, and catnip inside the ripples and holes.

Cats love to paw at things. They are natural hunters.

You can create many different forms of ripples. This comes in handy when your lazy cat gets bored.

The Ripple Rug is a fun option for lazy cats because it’s versatile and satisfies multiple enrichment needs.

Buy the Ripple Rug on Amazon and Chewy. Or buy directly from Ripple Rug to choose different colors and for international shipping.

Tip: Check out other cat activity play rugs.

4. Cotton chase toys

Purrfect Play crafts pet toys and accessories from natural materials like hemp, wool, and cotton.

Why you’ll love it:

• Made with natural materials that attract cats
• Large size won’t get lost under the couch
• 3% of proceeds are donated to animal charities

These chase toys are fun for lazy cats. The natural material attracts them immediately.

They are the perfect size for chewing, batting, and bunny kicking.

Hide these toys in the Ripple Rug, inside beds, on condos, and inside tunnels to get your cat to hunt.

Cotton chase toys are excellent for lazy cats because the natural material attracts them immediately.

Buy Cotton chase balls on Etsy.

5. Rabbit fur toys

Whiskers n’ Paws makes pet toys with the cat’s natural instinct in mind.

Why you’ll love it:

• Made with rabbit fur, a natural prey of cats
• Comes in sets of 5 because cats always need more than 1
• Non-toxic materials and safe for chewing

Rabbit fur toys will get any cat active.

Your cats are natural hunters. Even if they have never been outside.

These are great toys to hide inside the Ripple Rug and beds.

I highly recommend supervision with this toy because cats may nibble on the tail. Cats swallow things very easily and quickly.

Rabbit fur toys are a fun choice for lazy cats because it gets them hunting straight away.

Buy rabbit fur toys on Etsy.

6. Organic catnip

Purrfect Play also sells organic catnip.

Why you’ll love it:

• 68% of cats respond to catnip
• Produces a happy, playful mood
• Great way to introduce new toys and furniture

The natural chemical compound nepetalactone found in catnip affects cats in joyous ways.

Cats exhibit natural behaviors like playing, biting, chewing, and head-shaking.

Use certified organic catnip to get your cat familiar and happy with a new toy.

This is a sure way to get him to play.

Organic catnip adds natural fun to playtime and can help your cat adjust to new things positively.

Buy organic catnip on Etsy. Or check out Silvervine and Valerian if your cat doesn’t fancy catnip.

7. Silvervine chew stick

Silvervine is a catnip alternative, and its root is safe for chewing.

Why you’ll love it:

• 79% of cats respond to Silvervine
• Safe chewing and fun to chase
• Natural, positive jaw exercise

Matatabi (Silvervine) affects cats the same way that catnip does. But, more cats actually respond to Silvervine.

These chew sticks give proper jaw exercise, something that indoor cats lack.

This safe chewing provides mental stimulation.

Slide these across the floor and your cat will definitely chase them.

Silvervine sticks give lazy cats proper mental stimulation and jaw exercise.

Buy Silvervine chew sticks on Etsy.

8. Catnip toys

Chester and Pearl make cute pouncer and crinkle catnip toys.

Why you’ll love it:

• Most cats love catnip
• If your cat doesn’t like catnip, choose other stimulating herbs
• Perfect size for bunny kicking

As we know, most cats love catnip.

Catnip toys make a great addition to your collection because they get cats in a playful mood.

Hide these around your apartment to get your cat to hunt.

Cats will sniff out the catnip and find a nice surprise to bunny kick.

Catnip toys make lazy cats happy and playful.

Buy catnip toys on Etsy.

Tip: Check my simple tutorial for catnip toys with felt if you prefer DIY.

9. Sound toys

Kicker Kingdom makes kicker toys and sound toys to benefit Almost Home Kitty Rescue.

Why you’ll love it:

• Hand crocheted with catnip or a jingle bell
• Large size won’t get lost under the couch
• All proceeds help cats in need

Sound toys are great for playtime. The jingle will keep your cat playing.

These sound toys are shaped like cute mice, another natural prey for cats.

The curly tails add a realistic touch. They’re perfect for biting, carrying around, and bunny kicking.

Sound toys keep lazy cats playing longer because they are attracted to the sounds.

Buy sound toys on Etsy.

10. Toilet paper roll toys

Toilet paper roll toys are easy and fun to make.

Why you’ll love it:

• Simple
• You already have the supplies
• Cats love cardboard.

Cats love cardboard because trees are mother nature’s scratching post.

You can make so many different DIY toys and food puzzles with toilet paper rolls.

These DIY toilet paper roll toys are simple and fun. Toilet paper roll toys are a hit with cats because they love cardboard.

Tip: Check out my tutorial for toilet paper roll toys.

11. Healthy treats

A Better Treat makes healthy cat food and cat treats that are biologically appropriate for cats. 

Why you’ll love it:

• Sustainably sourced ingredients
• The only ingredient is meat
• Much healthier than crunchy treats

Cats are obligate carnivores. Meaning, they are restricted to a meat-only diet and cannot utilize carbs.

Most cat “dental” treats contain the same garbage ingredients as kibble.

Instead, buy treats made with one ingredient: meat.

Meat is cat food cats love.

Use treats as rewards for playtime. This will teach your cat to love playing.

These freeze-dried treats are a much better choice for your cat because there’s only one ingredient: meat.

Buy A Better Treat on their website and Amazon.

Or check out my guide healthy cat treats brands for more options.

Or shop below for best cat toys on Amazon:

FAQ

Why isn’t my cat playful?

Your cat may not be playful due to health issues. First, clear up any potential issues with your vet. If your cat is healthy and still isn’t playful, get better toys and include yourself in playtime. Get creative and have fun. Some cats aren’t playful if they are overweight. Evaluate your cat’s food and see if a proper weight loss plan would be helpful.

How do you get a lazy cat to play?

The best way to get a lazy cat to play is with toys that mimic prey appearance and movement. Move the toy around the same way prey would move around. This will help your cat get into hunting mode. Use healthy treats or organic catnip as a reward. Now your cat will associate playtime with a positive experience.

What are the best interactive cat toys?

The best interactive cat toys are wand toys. But any toy can be interactive if you include yourself. Cats love to play with their humans. Grab some toys and interact with your cat. Slide a ball toy across the floor or toss it in the air. Pay attention to what your cat likes and doesn’t like. Get creative and stay persistent.

What are the best cat toys for bored cats?

The best cat toys for bored cats are interactive toys that require you to play. Cats prefer human interaction to other stimuli. It’s important to include yourself in playtime to keep your cat from being bored. Start with wand toys, ball toys, and toys that look like prey. Once your bored cat puts his hunting eyes on he will start playing by himself.

Final thoughts on lazy cat toys

The best toys for lazy cats mimic prey in appearance and texture.

Buy toys made with natural materials because that will attract your cat straight away.

Stay away from toxic materials because your cat will have toys in his mouth.

Always supervise playtime.

Cats swallow things easily and very quickly.

Offer organic catnip and healthy treats as a reward for playtime.

This routine will get your cat in the habit of expecting playtime.

Be patient, persistent, and get creative.

All cats love to play. We just need the right tools.

Need a centralized place to keep track of everything related to your cat? Grab my Cat Care Binder Bundle!