The seven best eco-friendly cat toys for owners who hate to waste | Cats

Every cat needs a scratching post to keep their claws healthy and your furniture safe. My favorite has been this sturdy, attractive scratching post from Frisco. I have two of them, and they both survived four years of use from both my elderly prior cat and current my scratch-loving youngster with no meaningful signs of wear.

At nearly three feet tall, even large cat breeds will find plenty of height for stretching out and doing some nail maintenance on this sisal-covered scratching post. A wide double-layer baseboard ensures that it’s virtually impossible to tip over.

I’ve never met a cat who doesn’t love small spaces, crinkly sounds, and cardboard. Dezi and Roo’s Hide and Sneak Tunnel combines all three into the perfect tunnel for any cat to explore, while also collapsing for easy storage.

Made entirely from paper and cardboard, the Hide and Sneak Tunnel is an eco-friendly choice that can go in the recycling rather than the trash when it reaches the end of its life. And that takes longer than you’d expect: the paper sides of mine have maintained shape very well despite Juno’s aggressive romps in and out of it. But given its low price, keeping a few of these around at a time isn’t a bad idea, especially if your kitties like to chew paper.

While it can be fun to watch cats blasting around the house, an exercise wheel can offer them a more contained spot to work out their zoomies. This premium model from One Fast Cat is a splurge, but its sturdy construction means it’s the last one you’ll ever buy, and you can even replace the traction pads if your cat manages to wear them out.

I appreciate its stability and ease of assembly, along with the wealth of customization options. Considering the wheel is 4ft in diameter, you’ll want to pick a color scheme that works well with your home decor to keep it from sticking out as much. Or you could just go with the bright blue koi pond theme because it’s so cute. Despite missing her front leg, Juno has enjoyed hours of marathons on this circle of joy – sometimes even opting for a run over our typical daily play sessions.

Most cats are eager to chase anything that moves – even if it disappears when you swipe at it, like a soap bubble. Kitty Love Bubbles give them a reward for the hunt: Since the liquid is infused with catnip oil, cats will go wild for the residue left behind where the bubbles pop. Juno was initially a bit overwhelmed by how many bubbles there were to chase, but once she realized she could pop them, she went to town. She’s so enamored that she comes running at the simple sound of me unscrewing the bottle cap.

Kitty Love Bubbles are non-toxic and allergen-free, alleviating any concerns that your kitties will have adverse reactions. You receive two 4oz bottles a purchase, and mine have already provided plenty of hours of playtime without worrying that I’d need to replace the bottles anytime soon.

This common style of toy lets cats swipe at balls that shoot around an enclosed track, so they don’t end up lost under the fridge. I’ve owned multiple plastic versions over the years, but they’re so loud they can be maddening to human ears. That’s why I’m smitten with the wooden cat ball track from DoogCat, which is considerably quieter, made of renewable materials, and built to last.

The track comes pre-assembled and the pleasant knock of wooden balls clacking together makes enough noise to keep kitties interested without driving you nuts. And if they need a little more stimulation, an optional bell can be placed in the track for louder play. Juno enjoys multiple sessions per day, sometimes lying on her side and swatting them in circles – and my wife and I enjoy how little noise it makes. The track comes in medium and large sizes, but I’d go for the big one every time, which is the perfect size for cats of all ages.

Cats instinctively perform “bunny kicks” on toys to simulate attacking their prey, so kicker toys are a fantastic way to give them an outlet for this behavior. Juno’s favorite kicker toy has been this felt fish from Nooee Pet, which is large enough for plenty of kicking fun while being lightweight enough for cats to carry around.

Since cats love to chase birds, the Nooee Pet Felt Fish also sports two brightly-colored feathers to add further excitement, and a side fin offers a spot to bike it so they can trot around with it in their mouth like prey.

Taking a visual cue from a certain popular powdery candy, Silly Stix are colorful paper straws containing silvervine, a safe and natural stimulant that is known for being even more effective than the better-known catnip. Your cat will eagerly rip them apart and end up acting like a goof. If they’re anything like Juno, who can’t get enough of gnawing through the paper and making a little mess, your cat will eagerly rip them apart and end up acting like a goof.

Indeed, Silly Stix are meant to be destroyed. This is why each pack comes with four sticks, making it a great way to reward your best pal for not knocking over your most expensive possessions or waking you up in the middle of the night. Oh, who are we kidding? They’re going to do that anyway. They still deserve some Silly Stix!