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Automatic cat toys

Pounce, chase, play.

66 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.

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A cat playing with a toyA little fun goes a long way.
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All automatic cat toys

Little essentials. Lots of love.

66 products

This page picks out the moving toys from our cat toys range: rechargeable self-rolling balls with feather tails and ropes, LED rolling balls, electric wriggling bugs and flopping fish, smart mice, an electric soccer arena, a door-mounted automatic teaser wand and rechargeable disc launchers for cats that fetch. It is for indoor cats who need more play than their owners can always give, and busy homes.

Why moving toys work

Cats are hunters, and what triggers the hunt is movement: something small that darts, stops, changes direction and hides. A ball that sits still is ignored; one that rolls away on its own is prey. Automatic toys give a cat that trigger even when no one is free to wave a wand.

They are especially useful for young, energetic indoor cats, single cats with no playmate, and cats who get restless in the evening and wake the household. Short daily bursts of play help keep indoor cats active and less bored.

Types in this range

Self-rolling balls move on their own, bumping off furniture and changing direction, and many trail feathers or a rope tail for a cat to pounce on. Electric bugs and fish wriggle and flop when touched, which suits cats who like to grab and bunny-kick. Smart mice scurry across the floor.

The door-mounted teaser wand waves a lure automatically. Disc launchers throw a small disc for cats who chase and bring things back. The soccer arena keeps a ball moving inside a frame so it cannot roll under the sofa.

Choosing the right toy

Match the toy to how your cat hunts. Chasers do well with rolling balls and mice; grabbers and kickers prefer fish and bugs; jumpers like a waving wand. Older or less active cats may prefer slower, gentler toys rather than fast, erratic ones that can startle them.

Check whether the toy is rechargeable by USB or uses batteries, how long a charge lasts, and whether it has an auto-off timer so it does not run until the battery is flat.

Use them with you, not instead of you

Automatic toys are good, but cats still benefit most from play with their people. Use a moving toy to get your cat going, then finish with a wand toy and let your cat catch the prey, followed by a treat or a meal. That completes the hunt-catch-eat cycle cats are built for.

Rotate toys every few days so each one stays exciting. A toy left running all day loses its appeal quickly, and some cats find constant motion stressful.

Safety

Supervise play at first, and put electronic toys away when you are out unless they are designed to run unattended. Check feather tails, ropes and attachments for loose pieces a cat could swallow, and replace worn parts.

Charge toys out of reach, and stop using any toy with a damaged battery or case. If your cat swallows a piece of string, ribbon or feather and then vomits or stops eating, call your vet straight away. Laser toys should never be shone into a cat's eyes.

Automatic toy movement locations

FormatWhere motion happensInspect before use
Self-rolling ballA moving body across the floorFloor compatibility and attached parts
Wriggling bodyMovement within a shaped toySeams and moving parts
Moving mouseA body travels across the floorControls and permitted surfaces
Mounted teaserA lure moves from a fixed anchorMount and accessible cord
Disc launcherA mechanism releases a discIncluded projectiles and operating instructions
Ball arenaA ball moves inside a frameOpenings and ball retention
Are automatic cat toys good for cats?

Yes, they encourage indoor cats to chase and pounce when you are busy. They work best alongside regular play with you and rotated often.

Can I leave an automatic cat toy on when I am out?

Only if it is designed for unattended use, with a timer and no loose parts. Most toys are best used while you are home.

What automatic toy is best for a lazy cat?

Slower moving toys, like a gently rolling ball or a waving wand, often tempt less active cats more than fast, erratic toys.

Are robotic cat toys rechargeable?

Many here charge by USB. Check each listing for battery type, run time and whether there is an auto-off timer.

Do cats get bored of automatic toys?

Yes, if they are always out. Put toys away and rotate them every few days so they feel new.