Cats
Cat kicker toys
Pounce, chase, play.
14 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
A little fun goes a long way.All cats toys & play →Cat scratchers →Interactive cat toys →Cat tunnels →Cat scratching posts →Cat puzzle feeders →Cat exercise wheels →Cat scratch deterrents →Catnip & silvervine toys →
↗Tracked US shippingEstimates on every item↶Returns & refundsHow it works♡Here to helpTalk to Giddy Pets
Find their favorites
Shop cat toys by type
Choose a section to narrow the range.
All cat kicker toys
Little essentials. Lots of love.
Interactive cat toys
USB Rechargeable Jumping Lobster Plush Cat Toy
- Options
- 3 to choose from
From $16.99
Cat toys
Electric Jumping Fish Cat Toy, USB Rechargeable, No Catnip
- Options
- 26 to choose from
From $15.99
Cat toys
Electric Wiggling Fish Cat Toy with Catnip and Three Swing Modes
- Options
- 13 to choose from
From $10.99
A little guidance
Help choosing cat kicker toys
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
- Best Cat Kicker Toys: What Actually Matters →
- Best Cat Toys: How to Choose Toys Cats Actually Use →
- DIY Cat Toys: Easy Homemade Toys Cats Love →
- Best Catnip Toys: How to Choose Ones Your Cat Will Love →
- Best Automatic Cat Toys: What Actually Matters →
- Best Kitten Toys: What to Look For and What to Avoid →
These are kicker toys from our Cat Toys range: long catnip kickers, a giant catnip cotton swab kicker, saury fish and jute fish catnip toys, plush vegetable catnip sets, and electric flopping fish with and without catnip. They are for cats that love to grab a toy with their front paws and rabbit-kick it with their back legs, and for owners who would rather that was not their arm.
Why cats kick
Grabbing and bunny-kicking is part of how cats play-hunt and play-fight. A kicker toy is long enough for a cat to hug with its front legs while kicking with its back legs, which gives that behavior an outlet. Cats that wrestle with hands and feet often do so because nothing else in the house fits the job.
VCA Animal Hospitals advises keeping hands away from play, because pouncing on hands and feet can lead to injuries as a kitten grows. Offering a kicker every time your cat starts to wrestle your arm redirects the habit.
Catnip and catnip-free kickers
Many kickers are filled or scented with catnip, which sends many cats into a burst of rolling, rubbing and kicking. VCA notes that the response is genetic and that about half of cats do not react to catnip, and that effects are short-lived. If your cat ignores catnip, try a catnip-free toy or a different texture.
VCA also suggests avoiding catnip if it makes your cat agitated. Keep catnip toys in a sealed bag between sessions to keep them fresh, and bring them out a few times a week so they stay exciting.
Electric flopping fish
Electric fish wriggle and flop when your cat touches them, which mimics struggling prey and can tempt even uninterested cats. Most are rechargeable by USB, and some have a removable cover you can wash.
Supervise play with electronic toys, since a determined cat can chew through fabric to the motor. Charge the toy out of reach, remove it when play ends, and check the seams before each session. Rotate an electric fish with plain kickers so your cat does not tire of it.
Safety and care
Choose kickers longer than your cat's body so it can hug and kick properly. VCA advises supervising play so cats do not swallow non-food toy parts. Throw away a kicker once stuffing, catnip or threads come out, or once the fabric is torn.
Rotate toys so your cat has a few at a time, and wash fabric kickers that allow it on a gentle cycle. Cats are most active at dawn and dusk, so that is a good time to bring a kicker out for a play session.
What is a cat kicker toy?
A long, soft toy a cat can hug with its front paws while kicking with its back legs. It gives an outlet for play-fighting and hunting behavior so hands and feet are spared.
Do all cats like catnip kickers?
No. VCA Animal Hospitals notes the catnip response is genetic and about half of cats do not react. Those cats may still enjoy a kicker for its shape or crinkle.
Are electric fish toys safe for cats?
They are safe with supervision. Check the seams before play, charge them out of reach and put them away afterward, since a cat could chew through to the motor.
How do I stop my cat attacking my arm?
Never use hands as toys. When your cat starts to grab and kick your arm, offer a kicker toy instead, and play with wand or kicker toys every day.
How do I clean a cat kicker toy?
Check the label first. Many fabric kickers can be hand washed or put through a gentle cycle in a laundry bag. Electric fish usually have a removable cover; wipe the motor unit with a damp cloth.