Finding toys for a blind cat involves a little more creativity than it does for a sighted cat. Blind cats need products that enable them to use their hearing and sense of smell. Cats rely particularly heavily on their sense of smell to get around and interact with the world. A blind cat is still capable of playing, having fun, and enjoying life — they just do it a bit differently. Since there are a few things to remember when it comes to keeping your blind cat safe and happy, here are reviews of the best toys for blind cats in 2023. These capitalize on the senses that your cat has and take into account what they need to maintain their well-being.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Bergan Catnip Hurricane Toy
Engages sense of smell and hearing
Balls are contained within tracks
Rubber feet prevent sliding
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Best Value
SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls
Inexpensive
Available in multi-packs
Crinkly noise enables blind cats to chase them
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Premium Choice
Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy
Easy to turn on and off
Enables cats to track the noise of prey
Withstands scratching
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Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Balls contained within tracks
Non-skid bottom
Easily moved around the house
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Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker
Crinkles when handled
Smells like catnip
Soft and comforting
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The 10 Best Toys for Blind Cats
We chose the Bergan Catnip Hurricane Cat Toy as the best overall toy for blind cats in 2002 because it engages multiple senses to keep your kitty mentally stimulated. The toy is infused with catnip to stimulate your cat’s sense of smell, and the balls make noise as they move around the tracks of the toy. You’ll be amazed at how easily your cat “catches” the balls.
Toy Feature: Catnip, exercise
Material: Plastic, cardboard, paper
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Since the Hurricane Cat Toy has tracks that contain the two balls, you won’t have to worry about your cat losing the balls as they play. Also, the rubber feet on the bottom prevent the toy from sliding across the floor. One downside is that the aroma of the catnip wears off over time, and the centerpiece isn’t removable to add more.
Pros
Engages sense of smell and hearing
Balls are contained within tracks
Rubber feet prevent sliding
Cons
Catnip smell wears off over time
No ability to replace catnip
Noisy toys are among the simplest and easiest options for blind cats, and the SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls are inexpensive options. They come in multi-packs and are the best toys for blind cats for the money. The concept is simple, as most cats love to chase balls. Since these ones are covered in crinkly foil, they enable blind animals to follow the noise to chase them.
Engages sense of smell and hearing
Balls are contained within tracks
Rubber feet prevent sliding
- Engages sense of smell and hearing
- Balls are contained within tracks
- Rubber feet prevent sliding
Catnip smell wears off over time
No ability to replace catnip
- Catnip smell wears off over time
- No ability to replace catnip
Toy Feature: Crinkle, exercise
Material: N/A
These balls are fairly small, so don’t be surprised if you find them all over the house. You may have to fish them out from under furniture on a regular basis. If your cat is particularly rough with them, they will fall apart at some point. But they’re inexpensive and easy to replace when that happens.
Pros
Inexpensive
Available in multi-packs
Crinkly noise enables blind cats to chase them
Cons
Will require regular replacement
Easy to lose under furniture
3. Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy– Premium Choice
Inexpensive
Available in multi-packs
Crinkly noise enables blind cats to chase them
- Inexpensive
- Available in multi-packs
- Crinkly noise enables blind cats to chase them
Will require regular replacement
Easy to lose under furniture
- Will require regular replacement
- Easy to lose under furniture
Our premium choice toy for blind cats is the Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy. This toy is electronic and interactive. It appeals to a cat’s natural predator instincts because they can stalk the “prey” that’s hiding underneath a mat. You can operate it on any floor surface, and it makes a sound as it moves, enabling your cat to track the motion. Since it’s attached (don’t tell your cat), it never goes missing. When you want playtime to be over, you can simply turn off the motion. The toy is designed to withstand scratching too, so it offers your cat an outlet for excess energy.
Toy Feature: Squeaky, electronic exercise
Material: Plastic, polyester, synthetic fabric
The downsides of the Cat’s Meow Chaser Toy are its price and electronic operation. It requires three C batteries to operate, which are not included with the toy. These batteries don’t last long either, unfortunately, you’ll have to buy quite a few batteries to keep it operational.
Pros
Easy to turn on and off
Enables cats to track the noise of prey
Withstands scratching
Operates on any surface
Cons
Expensive
Requires batteries
The Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy has three stacked tiers of rolling balls. Like many other toys on this list, it’s an all-in-one toy that keeps the balls contained. It has a non-skid bottom to keep it from sliding around, and cats can paw and bat at the balls while they spin and rotate. Cats that are blind sometimes struggle with prey toys because they chase their prey but then lose it because there’s no smell or sound. This toy stays in one spot and makes a noise that can be easily followed.
Easy to turn on and off
Enables cats to track the noise of prey
Withstands scratching
Operates on any surface
- Easy to turn on and off
- Enables cats to track the noise of prey
- Withstands scratching
- Operates on any surface
Expensive
Requires batteries
- Expensive
- Requires batteries
Toy Feature: Exercise
Material: Polypropylene, plastic
This toy doesn’t require batteries and relies on your cat to spin the balls. If your kitty has trouble getting started, it’s a great opportunity to play with them by moving the balls to get their attention. The toy is lightweight, portable, and easy to move to any room in the house.
If you have a cat that likes to lie on top of their “prey,” they may break this toy. It’s made from plastic and not designed to withstand much weight, so it has been known to break when used by large cats.
Pros
Balls contained within tracks
Non-skid bottom
Easily moved around the house
Cons
May require human help to get the balls moving
Can’t withstand much weight
Catnip toys are a good choice if you’re looking for a simple toy option for your blind cat. Cats have an incredible sense of smell, so they won’t lose these toys. The Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Plush also capitalizes on their fantastic hearing, as it crinkles when handled. For cats that like comfort objects, the soft material makes this toy a great plush to snuggle with, so don’t be surprised if it gets stashed in your cat’s bed and never leaves.
Balls contained within tracks
Non-skid bottom
Easily moved around the house
- Balls contained within tracks
- Non-skid bottom
- Easily moved around the house
May require human help to get the balls moving
Can’t withstand much weight
- May require human help to get the balls moving
- Can’t withstand much weight
Toy Feature: Catnip
Material: Polyester, synthetic fabric
As with any plush toy, there is the potential for stuffing to wind up all over your house if your cat gets too rough with it. This one is designed to withstand a bit of scratching, but it will get torn up over time.
Pros
Crinkles when handled
Smells like catnip
Soft and comforting
Cons
Will tear with excessive scratching
6. Planet Pleasures Spiral Ball with Catnip and Bell
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Toy Feature: Catnip, bell
Material: Rope
The Planet Pleasure Spiral Ball is infused with catnip and equipped with a ball in the center to keep your cat moving and engaged. This ball is larger than traditional cat bell balls, so it doesn’t get lost as easily under furniture. However, if your cat likes to carry their toys around in their mouth, this one is a bit too large for most cats to pick up. The ball’s construction also allows for stretching the outside, which sometimes means the bell falls out of the center.
Crinkles when handled
Smells like catnip
Soft and comforting
- Crinkles when handled
- Smells like catnip
- Soft and comforting
Will tear with excessive scratching
- Will tear with excessive scratching
Pros
Infused with catnip
Bell in the center
Large size makes it less likely to get lost
Cons
Too big for cats to carry in their mouth
Bell sometimes falls out of the ball
SmartyKat’s Electronic Concealed Motion Toy enables you to choose two different speed settings and change the wand so your cat gets different prey sounds. The constant change of direction keeps cats engaged for hours, and they get plenty of exercise. This toy also glows and lights up for tracking. While that won’t improve its attractiveness to blind cats, it makes it appealing for homes with multiple cats, as you can use it for different purposes. The automatic shut-off feature means you can walk away from the toy without worrying about wasting batteries if your cat stops playing with it.
Infused with catnip
Bell in the center
Large size makes it less likely to get lost
- Infused with catnip
- Bell in the center
- Large size makes it less likely to get lost
Too big for cats to carry in their mouth
Bell sometimes falls out of the ball
- Too big for cats to carry in their mouth
- Bell sometimes falls out of the ball
Toy Feature: Electronic, exercise, noise
Material: Plastic
The cover on this toy is fairly thin, so it won’t stand up to much wear and tear. Customers also report that it sometimes makes a sound when the toy isn’t moving. Whether this is a plus or minus depends on your cat.
Pros
Allows for sound changes
Great option for multi-cat homes
Automatic shut-off
Cons
Thin cover
Makes noise without motion
8. Petstages Easy Life Scratch Snuggle & Rest Cat Scratcher
Allows for sound changes
Great option for multi-cat homes
Automatic shut-off
- Allows for sound changes
- Great option for multi-cat homes
- Automatic shut-off
Thin cover
Makes noise without motion
- Thin cover
- Makes noise without motion
The Petstages Easy Life Scratch, Snuggle, & Rest Cat Scratcher is like a corrugated cardboard bowl that offers a multi-sensory station for your blind kitty. The textured surface is comforting for cats that can’t rely on their vision. Since it’s bowl shaped, it offers a cozy place to snuggle up that’s also safe for your cat to scratch to their heart’s content. Scratching can be calming for cats, and keeping their claws in good health is also necessary. As a bonus, the scratcher is infused with catnip, so your cat will have no trouble finding their special spot.
Toy Feature: Catnip
Material: Cardboard, paper
Unfortunately, this scratcher doesn’t offer the option of replacing the center cardboard and can only be purchased as a one-piece unit. Since cardboard naturally disintegrates over time and shows wear and tear, you can expect to have to replace this unit on a semi-regular basis.
Pros
Doubles as a scratcher and a resting space
Infused with catnip
Gives your cat a calming space to call their own
Cons
Needs replacement at regular intervals
A Ripple Rug is the perfect all-in-one toy for blind cats. This playmat offers a play station, scratching spot, and cozy bed all in one. It has folded fabric and holes for your cat to crawl through and even collects loose fur to prevent it from tracking around the house. The mat can be vacuumed off for easy cleaning, and it’s large enough to accommodate multiple cats at once.
Doubles as a scratcher and a resting space
Infused with catnip
Gives your cat a calming space to call their own
- Doubles as a scratcher and a resting space
- Infused with catnip
- Gives your cat a calming space to call their own
Needs replacement at regular intervals
- Needs replacement at regular intervals
Toy Feature: Exercise
Material: Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric
While blind cats thoroughly enjoy playing with Ripple Rugs, they don’t make noise or have smells infused in them, so you’ll need to help your cat discover the mat. Once they find it, however, they’re sure to play in it for hours. The mat also isn’t particularly aesthetically appealing, but it keeps your cat busy, so it may be a trade-off worth making.
Pros
All-in-one play center and bed
Large enough for multiple cats
Easy to clean
Collects loose fur
Cons
Not aesthetically pleasing
Will need to help blind cats find it
- Catry Felt Cat Tree & Tunnel
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Toy Feature: Exercise, relaxation
Material: Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric
Blind cats like to climb and perch just like every other cat, but there are a few things to keep in mind regarding safety. Cats that can’t see need smaller towers and condos, as it can be risky for them to jump or climb too high without visual cues. This cat tree from Catry is close to the ground and has a mid-level perch between the ground and the top. This gives your cat multiple spots that they can easily move between. For those less inclined to climb, the tunnel is at ground level to give them a cozy hiding spot.
All-in-one play center and bed
Large enough for multiple cats
Easy to clean
Collects loose fur
- All-in-one play center and bed
- Large enough for multiple cats
- Easy to clean
- Collects loose fur
Not aesthetically pleasing
Will need to help blind cats find it
- Not aesthetically pleasing
- Will need to help blind cats find it
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Toy Feature: Exercise, relaxation
Material: Rubber, polyester, synthetic fabric
We recommend stabilizing this cat tree by anchoring it to the wall. Cats don’t like the fact that it wobbles with their weight on it, and blind cats in particular will feel the unsteadiness.
Pros
Multiple perches
Tunnel at ground level
Shorter than most other cat trees
Cons
Unstable and requires anchoring
Multiple perches
Tunnel at ground level
Shorter than most other cat trees
- Multiple perches
- Tunnel at ground level
- Shorter than most other cat trees
Unstable and requires anchoring
- Unstable and requires anchoring
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for When Choosing Toys for Your Blind Cat
Blind cats are affectionate felines that can live happy, fulfilling lives, even without vision, as they rely heavily on scents, sounds, and routines to navigate the world. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for a blind cat.
Toys and Products for Blind Cats
Any interactive toy that involves you playing with your cat is ideal for cats that can’t see. Not only does it help you bond with them, but it also enriches their playtime experience because you can add sounds and smells to the game that otherwise wouldn’t be there. Banging toys on the floor, clicking your tongue, swishing or rubbing toys against different materials, or simply talking to your cat and letting them track your voice are all things that a toy can’t do.
Catnip toys are ideal because your blind cat can find them easily. Cats have an incredible sense of smell, so they can seek these items out no matter where you hide them. In fact, hiding them can give your kitty a fun hunting experience.
Activity centers, play mats, and towers are great options for keeping your cat busy while you’re away from home. Blind cats love these toys as much as any other cat, but they may need help finding their locations. Hiding catnip toys, leaves, or treats inside tunnels, on perches, or under mats works well. Once your cat has found their activity center, leaving it in the same location is best. When you move things around the house, blind cats can get easily confused.
Balls and tracks make great blind cat toys, as the balls make noise when they move around the tracks. Scratchers are essential, but keep them in one place once your cat learns where they are. You can scratch on a post yourself to attract them, hide healthy treats nearby, or sprinkle catnip on it.
Catnip can really enrich your cat’s life, especially if you choose a fun, well-built catnip toy. Our favorite option is Hepper’s Catnip Stick Toy, which offers sturdy construction, 100% organic catnip fill, and a great range of colors. These toys are handmade in the USA and feature bite-proof double bagging.
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!
Care Tips for Blind Cats
The following tips can be useful for all cats but especially for blind cats. Extra attention to detail can make all the difference in keeping your cat healthy and happy.
Keep the layout of your home consistent: All cats thrive on routine and consistency, but blind cats particularly rely on it to know where things are. Don’t move furniture and objects around if you don’t have to, especially items that belong to your cats, like beds, toys, and scratching posts.
Encourage exercise and mental stimulation: Blind cats have the same instincts as any other cat; they just only use sound and smell to track down their prey.
Have multiple litter boxes: While the general rule is one litter box per cat plus one, it’s best to have multiple litter boxes for blind cats, even if they are the only cat in the house. Since blind cats can only locate the litter box by smell, it makes their bathroom trips much easier if they have multiple options in multiple locations.
Get cat furniture: Cat furniture is essential for all cats. However, if your cat is blind, make sure the furniture is easy to climb and low to the ground. Since they don’t have the benefit of visual cues, they need furniture that’s easy to navigate.
Caring for a Blind Cat
Special needs cats, especially ones that are blind, are often euthanized by shelters because many people don’t adopt them. Blind cats aren’t blind by choice, and they can live happy, enriched lives if they are given the patience and understanding that they deserve. The best way to help a blind cat adapt to your home is to keep your routine consistent, avoid moving things around and be patient. Cats can memorize their environment and navigate accordingly.
- Keep the layout of your home consistent: All cats thrive on routine and consistency, but blind cats particularly rely on it to know where things are. Don’t move furniture and objects around if you don’t have to, especially items that belong to your cats, like beds, toys, and scratching posts.
- Encourage exercise and mental stimulation: Blind cats have the same instincts as any other cat; they just only use sound and smell to track down their prey.
- Have multiple litter boxes: While the general rule is one litter box per cat plus one, it’s best to have multiple litter boxes for blind cats, even if they are the only cat in the house. Since blind cats can only locate the litter box by smell, it makes their bathroom trips much easier if they have multiple options in multiple locations.
- Get cat furniture: Cat furniture is essential for all cats. However, if your cat is blind, make sure the furniture is easy to climb and low to the ground. Since they don’t have the benefit of visual cues, they need furniture that’s easy to navigate.
Conclusion
Hopefully, these reviews have helped you find the best toys for blind cats. To recap, the best overall toy for blind cats is the Bergan Catnip Hurricane Cat Toy. It stimulates your cat’s sense of hearing and smell to keep them playing for hours, and the balls are fixed to the toy to avoid losing them around the house. The best toys for blind cats for the money are SunGrow Kitty Crinkle Balls. These balls crinkle as they move, so cats without vision can chase them easily. Our premium recommendation is the Cat’s Meow Motorized Chaser Cat Toy. This electronic chaser enables you to get in on the playtime action by controlling the toy and gives you extra bonding time with your feline companion.
Featured Image Credit: Jana Shnipelson, Unsplash
