Playing with your cat is more than just fun—it’s an important way to build trust, bond, and provide healthy social enrichment. Whether it’s chasing a feather toy or batting at a ball, play sessions can reduce stress, provide mental stimulation, and offer your cat healthy exercise.
Here are our top meowbox picks that encourage interactive play:
Wands and teasers
S'mores wand, $7 USD, the meowbox shop
Wand toys with handles are the purrfect way to play with your cat, without getting your hands clawed! With mesmerizing feathers and catnip-stuffed plushies, this s’mores wand will have your cat leaping and slobbering in no time.
How to play:
Holding the wand by the handle, swing and bounce the string and watch your cat swat, gnaw and pounce at the attached catnip plushies.
Silvervine toys
Silvervine paintbrush toy, $7 USD, the meowbox shop
Silvervine is a natural alternative to catnip that trigger a similar euphoric reaction in cats. This stick-like toy has a crunchy texture that satisfy your cat’s natural urge to gnaw as they would on prey.
How to play:
Simply hold the silvervine stick for your cat to chew, slobber on and rub against.
Ball toys
Beachball catnip toy 2-pack, $7 USD, the meowbox shop
These plush catnip-filled ball toys are ideal for batting and chasing. Light and easy to toss around, your cat will love chasing them as they roll across the floor.
How to play:
Toss the ball toys or roll them across the floor for your cat to catch and chase.
Treats!
Kettle Craft Salmon and Sardine treats, $7 USD, the meowbox shop
Think of food as your cat’s love language! Treats promote bonding because they create positive associations in your cat’s mind with you as the treat giver. They can also help build communication between you and kitty as a training tool.
How to play:
You can offer kitty treats as a reward for good behaviour, to comfort them after a stressful experience, or just because! You can even incorporate treats into playtime by hiding them underneath or inside toys for a tasty, rewarding surprise.
Make playtime a daily habit
Playing with your cat even for just a few minutes a day will not only give them the physical and mental stimulation they need, but it also allows you to share special moments that strengthens your bond. Subscribe to meowbox for fresh cat toys and treats you and your cat can unbox together every month, or bi-monthly.