The 5 Best Interactive Cat Toys By Nina Ottosson

Nina Ottosson is a titan of the interactive-toy industry and considered one of the best at developing and designing educational activity puzzle games for animals by pet psychologists and trainers. Ottosson pioneered the concept that pets require mental, as well as physical, enrichment, and she develops innovative products that make a difference in the lives of pets and their parents.

“Since 1990, I have worked with development and design of dog and cat activity toys and games that stimulate our pets mentally,” Ottosson tells Kinship. “The games are fun and educational, easy to play with indoors or outdoors, and are developed with the dog’s and cat’s natural movements and instincts in mind.” All of Ottosson’s toys are tested by pets, which is likely why they’ve been so universally well received. Her other priority is to use materials that are safe for pets and the environment. She shares why she has made it her life’s work to keep cats bodies and minds busy.

Why is it particularly important for cats to have mental stimulation as well as physical exercise?

Cats are natural-born hunters, and puzzles stimulate cats’ natural foraging instincts. Cats “hunt” for their reward by working to reveal hidden treats and food. Indoor cats especially become easily bored and under-stimulated, and puzzles are great enrichment for them. To encourage your cat’s natural hunting instincts, you can place treat-puzzles in different places each day. 

How do cats respond to puzzles differently than dogs?

Cats usually play and eat when they want, not when you want. You may have to fill up the puzzle and wait for the cat to get hungry or interested enough. Try hiding treat-puzzles in different rooms, behind the sofa, or behind a door. Then the cat can play and hunt whenever they want. 

Why is it important for cats to test their problem-solving skills?

Same as for dogs: Puzzle games are not a test for problem-solving skills; it is more like a “tool” for the cat to use their natural instincts. Just as we give our children toys to play with, like Legos. It’s not the finalized result we strive for. It is the time they try and play their way to a result that is important, not to evaluate their abilities. 

Cats love and need to play and explore in their own way, and treat-puzzle games are a fun and easy way to stimulate the cats’ senses — mind and nose — by using their natural instincts. A cat needs an outlet for their energy daily; some require more than others, but all cats need it in different ways.

The way I see it, the journey is more important than the destination. It’s about the experience itself for the cat and enjoying the activity as well as the reward, not just to reach the goal of solving the puzzle. You have to keep trying; like when you are hunting in nature, you don’t always catch something. 

How do you test puzzle toys for cats?

I have always been interested in enrichment, which was also the reason why I started developing puzzle games. I have always liked to explore and test different problem-solving skills with dogs and cats, and then study how they do, what they can do and what they like to do, which I then apply to the puzzle games. This is something that I have been passionate about when I started developing puzzle games for dogs and cats. [I] worked on [this] for over 30 years. I test all of my prototypes with different dogs and cats and observe how they play with them and what can be changed and improved.

What kind of treats do you recommend adding to interactive puzzle toys for cats?

Cats can be finicky eaters, so it usually has to be something really tasty worth working for. For example, shrimp or tuna. If you have a food-motivated cat, they will probably work for their food.

How do you suggest cat parents get started introducing puzzle toys to their cat?

Plan playtime around mealtime, when the cat is hungry. Put very tasty treats in all the compartments, with some of them visible. Cats usually want to investigate when they get something new. Leave the puzzle game on the floor and let the cat decide when they want to try and play. Show the cat how it works and help them get started.

Best Interactive Toys for Cats by Level

It can be hard to know what level to start your cat on with interactive toys. Maybe you have a Bengal who’s bouncing off the walls 24/7 who you think could master an advanced toy in no time. While it’s tempting to throw a challenge their way — especially if they’ve been pestering you day in and day out — it’s important to know your cat’s limits and start them slow. Learning something new takes time, so being a patient teacher is key.

Btw, our editors (and their pets) picked out these products. They’re always in stock at the time we publish, but there’s a chance they’ll sell out. If you do buy through our links, we may earn a commission. (We’ve got a lot of toys to buy over here, you know?)

Level One

Outward Hound Hunt ‘N Swat Treat Tumbler Toy

$8

Everyone who lives with a cat knows that they’re on their own schedules — when it comes to playtime, mealtime, and just about any other time you spend together. That’s why it’s important to allow them the opportunity to entertain themselves, especially when we are otherwise indisposed.

That’s where the tumbler toy comes in. It can be used as a slow feeder or just a midday break in their regularly scheduled nap time so they don’t get the zoomies and skid into your favorite potted plant at 1 a.m. Ottosson offers a pro tip: “To adjust the level of difficulty, twist the base to adjust the size of the treat dispensing hole to make play easier or more challenging.”

$8 at Outward Hound

Level Two

Outward Hound Buggin’ Out Puzzle & Play Game

$19

Cats will be tempted to bat at the 16 hidden treat compartments in the Buggin’ Out toy. It stimulates your cat’s evolutionary hunting and foraging instincts. The puzzle toy can hold up to a fourth cup of food, so you can use it as a slow feeder or as a way to make your cat work for their high-value treats. 

For an easier game, place treats in the base compartments only and cover with cups or flaps, or to make it more difficult, also place treats inside the sliding cups through the top holes. That way, your cat can maneuver the cups with their nose or paws until the treats fall out in a base compartment.

$19 at Outward Hound

Outward Hound Melon Madness Puzzle & Play Game

$16

While still a level-two toy, the Melon Madness puzzle allows your cat to level up their puzzle game by swiveling the seeds of the “watermelon” to uncover treats from the toy’s 12 hidden compartments. It’ll keep your cat busy without frustrating them as they learn how the interactive toy works. Plus, it has no removable parts, so you won’t have to worry about the toy being a safety liability.

$16 at Outward Hound

Level Three

Outward Hound Rainy Day Puzzle & Play Game

$24

The Rainy Day puzzle is ideal for cats ready to take on the more advanced interactive games. To ease them in while they’re getting the hang of the game, place treats in all base compartments and under the spinning wheel, and cover with the cups or flaps. If you want to make things a bit trickier for your cat, also place treats or kibble inside the sliding cups, so they have to work that much harder to earn their reward.

$24 at Outward Hound

Outward Hound Tower of Tracks Toy

$11

While not explicitly a Nina Ottosson toy, any cat parent will tell you that this is an essential home staple. The Tower of Tracks will have your cat running laps like they’re a track star. It has a non-slip base and sturdy construction that allows cats to bat at the balls rolling around the three tiers without knocking it over. It’s an ideal toy for a multi-cat household; the bright balls encourage cats to pounce at their perceived prey and knock the balls back and forth.

$11 at Outward Hound