Cats of all ages and sizes love to play and need a wide variety of toys to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Not all cat toys are created equally. Some will not work for larger pets. Large kitty toys can be hard to come by, and smaller ones often get destroyed easily.
Finding suitable toys for your big furry baby does not have to be a challenge. Fortunately, many options on the market can offer a ton of entertainment for bigger kitties. Of course, owners always want to pick toys that are made for feline use and use safe, non-toxic materials.
All felines play. It is part of their nature and necessary for them to stay physically and mentally healthy. They are not just for fun. They fill a deep need. Felines should have a variety of play options, and owners should always ensure they are safe. A bored kitty can be a destructive one. Jump in and read about some of our top picks for big cat toys.
At A Glance: Our Favorite Big Cat Toys
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Buyers Guide
When looking for cat toys, owners always want to keep safety as the top priority. This is especially true for larger-sized breeds. Owners must be diligent when picking out playthings, as only some things marketed for pets are safe. Aim for high-quality products that are safe and use pet-safe materials. Steer clear of plush items that use foam balls, nut shells, polystyrene beads, beans, or similar materials.
When selecting toys for felines, it is recommended to opt for those made from materials such as fur, cotton, felt, fabric, wool, and natural hemp, which are generally considered safe for felines. We must note that no toy is completely risk-free, so pet owners should supervise their pets when playing with both new and old items. New playthings should be closely monitored to ensure pets do not harm themselves or that the toys do not break down.
Inspecting all feline products for potential choking hazards, detachable parts, and other safety concerns is crucial. Some products may have decorative features such as bells, feathers, eyes, glitter, or other ornaments that can be removed if they pose a risk to pets. Pet owners should be mindful of such hazards and take appropriate action to ensure their pets’ safety.
Things To Consider
Consider the following when picking items for your purr baby. Safety, materials, size, and durability are all concerns.
Type Of Play
Cats engage in several forms of play. A majority of feline’s play is mock aggression, where they pantomime stalking, hunting, pouncing, biting, and sneaking. They can get rough and sometimes even appear as though they are truly aggressive. Mock aggression is a typical way to play for felines and is simply part of their nature. When kitties are genuinely aggressive, they lean back and flatten their ears. Those at play lean forward.
Durability
Owners want to purchase durable items that can stand up to heavy play. Less durable materials break faster, leaving pets and owners disappointed. No one wants to waste money, so durability is essential. Bigger kitties tend to cause wear and tear to things more quickly, something to keep in mind.
Materials
When selecting pet products, it is crucial to carefully examine the labels to ensure the safety of your feline. It is important to be aware of any chemicals or dyes used in the product’s construction, as they may not always be safe for cats. Stick to trusted brands and research their production methods before making a purchase.
Additionally, when purchasing products such as tunnels, trees, and towers, ensure that the openings are large enough for your pet to fit through, especially if you have a large breed. It is vital to keep in mind that no toy is completely free from risks, and therefore, it is crucial to supervise your pets while they play with a toy, whether new or old. Pay special attention to new playthings to ensure that they do not cause harm to the cats or damage easily.
Before purchasing any feline product, checking for potential hazards such as detachable parts and choking risks is essential. Some may have decorative elements like bells, feathers, eyes, glitter, or other embellishments, which you should remove if they pose a threat to your pet’s safety. Pet owners should be vigilant and watch out for such hazards.
Safety
Safety is always a top consideration when it comes to pet toys. Pets will play with whatever owners offer them. It is up to pet parents to pick safe, reliable products. Avoid household items like batteries, rubber bands, and plastic. This includes small items and those with tiny, removable parts.
Avoid purchasing any products with sharp edges or corners for your cat, as they can cause harm and injury. Edges and corners can puncture the skin and cause other types of injuries, so it is best to steer clear of them. Pet owners must also remember that toys should be used carefully and cautiously. Review product labels and instructions carefully to ensure you use them correctly. Some playthings can be used independently, while others require supervised playtimes and should be included for free access. Keeping kitties safe and interested in their toys is important, and rotating a variety of new things frequently can help maintain their interest and extend the lifespan of a toy.
Safety Hazards
- Squeakers: Although squeaky toys may seem entertaining for pet owners, they pose a significant danger to felines. Despite being in many products, the small size of squeakers makes them a potential choking or swallowing hazard. This could cause an obstruction or internal blockage, a severe issue.
- Decorative elements: Pay attention to additional decorations such as long strings, feathers, ribbons, eyes, bells, and balls. These items may be amusing to look at but might be harmful to pets if they intentionally try to eat them or accidentally ingest them, leading to severe digestive problems.
- String: Yarn, ribbon, string, and thread are particularly dangerous to cats, despite the familiar image of a cat playing with a ball of yarn. They can cause severe medical issues, including internal blockages or twisted organs, if ingested.
- Wood: If possible, avoiding small wood items for felines is better because they may cause splinters and other injuries. Some thick and rigid plastic items pose a similar injury risk. They can get stuck in a cat’s teeth, throat, or mouth, leading to internal blockages. However, towers and climbing structures with wooden bases safely covered with carpeting or cat-safe materials like sisal should be okay. Pet owners should inspect these products for potential hazards before allowing their pets to play with them.
- Rawhide: Although rawhide treats are popular among dogs, feline owners should always keep their feline pets away from them because cats cannot digest rawhide. Eating it can cause them great distress and discomfort.
Carefully examine the labels of pet products in order to determine what materials and chemicals they use in their construction, including those used for coloring. Some of these substances may not be safe for cats, so it is crucial to read the labels of all pet products before purchasing them. Opting for well-known brands and investigating their production methods and practices in advance is advisable.
Cats are famous for their ability to fit into small spaces, which is why they enjoy things like cat tunnels, trees, and towers. Before purchasing pet trinkets, owners must ensure that the openings are large enough for their pet to fit through, particularly if you have a giant breed, such as the Maine Coon, which can weigh up to 25 pounds.
If your kitty is choking, has swallowed a foreign object, or is injured by a toy, always seek assistance from a veterinarian.
Best Big Cat Toys
We have looked at the top options around to find our favorite big cat toys. Let’s jump in and look at some of these fun and safe choices.
Large Cat Toys
Sometimes the right toy for a big kitty is one that is physically large in size. These all make our cut.
Petique Feline Chateau Cat Scratcher
- Muti-level.
- Corrugated, recycled cardboard.
- Lightweight, easy to move.
- It holds up to 30 pounds.
- Perches, and multiple scratchers.
- Best for indoor use.
This large-sized scratcher toy is perfect for a bigger-bodied kitty. It supports up to 30 pounds and uses eco-friendly recycled cardboard. This one is no average cat tower. It has multiple scratching surfaces and room to climb.
The cat chateau is made from robust, compressed cardboard and is completely non-toxic. Everything is lightweight, and it can easily move around the house. However, there are better picks for outdoor use than this, and it will not withstand wet weather. It can be used with more than one cat, depending on size. As a large cat owner, I know how important scratching surfaces are. Mine will even scratch the stairs and walls if they do not have something of their own to destroy. Something like this is a great pick to keep furniture scratch-free.
We love that this has multiple levels and uses eco-friendly materials. A simple concept but very useful for kitties. This is more than a simple scratching post. It offers places to climb and perch. Owners can hide treats and surprises in the nooks and crannies to add that extra appeal. Because this is made of cardboard, it will not last forever, but it stands up well to use and is easy to replace.
SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat
- Interactive play mat.
- Encourages natural feline play.
- Doubles as a bed.
- Can be used with multiple cats.
- Durable fibers.
- Stands up to scratching, clawing, and digging.
This interactive play mat is simple purr-fect for keeping large cats entertained. Rather than letting them snag and tear up your carpet, get your kitty one of her own. This mat encourages natural feline behavior like scratching, stalking, pouncing, hiding, and nesting. Material is extra-durable to stand up to bites, digging, scratching, and more.
The play mat has a thermal base for snuggling and can double as a bed. This is a play mat, scratching spot, bed, and social activity all in one. It works for a solo cat or more than one. It also works to trap fur and dander on the mat.
We love that this is simple and interactive. It’s easy to move and set up in multiple places and even small spaces. Proudly made in the USA.
BobbyPet Cat Scratcher Lounge Bed
- Extra-large design.
- Snug bowl-shape.
- Made of 100% high-density honeycomb paper.
- Contours to your cat’s shape.
- Supports up to 25 pounds.
- Breathable and easy to clean.
This is made just for large-sized kitties. Made of 100% high-density honeycomb paper. A unique bowl shape allows kitties to snuggle in and will contour to their shape. This one holds up to 25 pounds, which is great for larger breeds like the Maine Coon, Bengal, or Ragdoll.
This uniquely designed scratcher helps satisfy a feline’s natural scratching instincts but keeps your furniture safe. Easy to clean and breathable.
We love that this uses recycled materials. We also appreciate the design for larger felines. Simple and effective. Felines love to scratch and nap, so this one is great for both.
TTcat Catnip Matatabi Pillow
- Extra-large size.
- Includes matatabi.
- Cats can tackle, pounce, and cuddle.
- Stands up to teeth and claws.
- Safe materials.
- 16.4-inch cat-shaped pillow.
This 16.4-inch, cat-shaped pillow is perfect for larger kitties. Kitties can grab on, pounce, and tackle. Kick, cuddle, and wrestle. Includes matatabi, which has catnip-like calming effects.
This one stands up to big cats. Very cute, as well as cozy. Felines enjoy cuddling and aggressive types of play with this, as it is very versatile. Safe materials that will not harm teeth or claws.
We love that this is large and can help calm pets down. A simple yet effective design that cats of all sizes love. It is for both adults and kittens.
Cat Toys For Large Cats
Mewoofun 2-Layer Turntable
- Unique design.
- 2 levels of tracks.
- 8 moving balls.
- Sisal-covered scratching tower.
- Interactive feather toy.
- Non-slip pad on the bottom.
This is a very uniquely designed toy that offers plenty of entertainment. This is a scratcher and toy combination. Has two levels of tracks and eight moving balls. Two sisal balls on top to stimulate natural chasing and hunting instincts. It is topped with a cat scratcher pole.
Comes with an interactive feather toy. The entire toy has a non-slip pad on the bottom. It keeps everything in place and prevents scratching on your floor. Natural sisal scratching surfaces throughout.
We love the interactive design and that this toy has both scratching and interactive play. The added feather toy is a nice touch. Safe, wooden, and sisal materials keep felines safe while playing. Easy five-minute assembly.
Hrokz Large Cat Exercise Wheel
- Silent operation.
- Wood and non-slip materials.
- Scratching pad included.
- Easy to clean.
- Supports large-sized cats over 17 pounds.
- Storage area at the top.
Large-size pet treadmill made from wood and non-slip materials. Edges are smooth to ensure pets are safe. The treadmill has an added kitty scratcher on the side. It also has room for storage at the top. It can be a climbing structure and a nice place to curl up and nap. This one keeps cats entertained for hours.
The treadmill uses eight silent pulleys to keep the operation as quiet as possible. Very easy to clean. Just wipe it down with a wet rag. Carpets can be vacuumed. Supports felines running and spinning. Promotes physical exercise and play.
We love the safety and quiet design of this one. An excellent option for offering vigorous physical play indoors. Perfect for larger-sized kitties. Supports pets over 17 pounds. Eco-friendly materials and waterproof.
Kalimdor Interactive Cat Feather Toys
- Hanging, interactive, retractable feather toy.
- 100% non-toxic materials.
- Rustling noise.
- Plush mouse on a bouncy string.
- 30-day return policy.
- Abrasion-resistant material.
This is a hanging, interactive, retractable feather toy. Designed to hang in the door frame as it wiggles about. The product uses 100% non-toxic materials. Built-in stones keep cats interested with an intriguing rustling noise. Uses abrasion-resistant material.
The product comes with a 30-day return policy. A highly interactive toy will keep purr babies entertained for hours. They can pounce, chase, and stalk this, letting that pent-up energy out. The plush mouse hangs on a bouncy string and keeps wiggling and moving as long as pets want to play.
We love that this hangs in the doorway. It is suitable for adults or kittens. Always supervise your kitty with this one with a string and small parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toys do big cats play with?
Big cats will play with any toy they can. Balls, climbing towers. Things to chase. They are just like smaller felines with hunting instincts and the energy to burn. They need playthings that engage them mentally, like puzzle feeders, and physically like towers, wall steps, and things to chase. My cats are large, between 18 and 25 pounds, and will steal the dog’s toys if they do not like their own. So offer a wide variety to keep them interested.
Do big cats play with string?
Yes, larger cats like string, but this is not a safe plaything. If you pick a toy with string, always supervise your pet. My cats love string but also will try to chew up cords, so we avoid playing with anything that is string-like. They are very attracted to these items, and I must keep things clean and hidden away, or they will get at them. I provide them with plenty of other toys so they will not seek out strings or other similar things to mess with.
Do cats like big or small toys?
Cats like both large and small playthings. They do like to hunt things and pick them up. Some cats like to hide them. Kitties also love to climb, so you need to offer a variety of options, both small and large, to any size feline.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to picking out big cat toys, there are a lot to choose from. Larger cats need larger playthings that can support their size and weight. While we cannot review every toy appropriate for a larger-bodied cat on the market, we have discussed some of the top sellers and our favorites. Toys promoting physical activity, exercise, and mental stimulation are always a safe bet. Make sure to look for those made with feline-safe materials and that do not have choking hazards. We hope you enjoyed learning about our favorite big cat toys. Please share yours in the comments.
