Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
If you are concerned about the environment, as is completely understandable, you might want to change your lifestyle and find little ways to make everything more eco-friendly. You might not think much about cat toys, but let’s break it down. These toys are something that your cat puts directly on their skin and inside of their mouth.
Eco-friendly cat toys are not only great for the environment but also natural for your cat. So, if the toys are made of unsuitable materials, they may be adding to landfill or microplastic waste. We’ve rounded up eco-friendly cat toy options for you. Here are our reviews of the best eco-friendly cat toys around!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hepper Catnip Stick Toy
Contains no fillers
Double bagged
Comes in a variety of pastel colors
Check Price
Best Value
Catit Cornhusk Raffia Mice Cat Toy
Affordable
Crunchy texture
2-pack
Check Price
Premium Choice
Jumpaws Assortment Pack
Terrific variety with natural materials
Adorable and well-made
Self or interactive play
Check Price
Best for Kittens
BAWAN Catnip Toys
Excellent for aggressive kittens and cats
Soothes a cat’s mood
100% money back guarantee
Check Price
NVTED Cat Feather Toy Set
Feathers stay intact
Interactive or solo play
Multiple options
Check Price
The 8 Best Eco-Friendly Cat Toys
Everyone knows that most felines love catnip. However, like most of us, you don’t want it scattered throughout your home. That’s how the Hepper Catnip Stick Toy ended up at number one on our list as the best overall eco-friendly cat toy. Not only does this catnip contain no fillers, but it’s also double-bagged so that your cat can’t scratch or bite through and scatter the contents around your home.
Materials: Linen, catnip
Number of Pieces: One
It comes in various pastel colors, so it’ll match whatever your home décor might be, and it’s easy to clean because you only have to wipe it off when it gets dirty. Hepper’s Catnip Stix are made in the USA by hand, so you know they are safe and effective for your feline pal to play with. Also, the Stix are eco-friendly if you’re trying to reduce your environmental impact.
The only drawback we found with the Hepper Catnip Stick Toy is that some pet owners said their cats wouldn’t play with them. This disinterest could be related to how the cats respond to the herb since some felines are unaffected by catnip.
At PetKeen.com 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!
Pros
Contains no fillers
Double bagged
Made in the USA by hand
Comes in a variety of pastel colors
Easy to clean
Cons
May not work for all cats
Some cats refused to play with catnip
If you are looking for a super affordable, fast toy option for your kitties, we think Catit Cornhusk Raffia Mice Cat Toys might interest you. This duo of mouse-shaped cat toys is made from environmentally friendly materials, including linen, raffia, and dried corn husk.
Contains no fillers
Double bagged
Made in the USA by hand
Comes in a variety of pastel colors
Easy to clean
- Contains no fillers
- Double bagged
- Made in the USA by hand
- Comes in a variety of pastel colors
- Easy to clean
May not work for all cats
Some cats refused to play with catnip
- May not work for all cats
- Some cats refused to play with catnip
Materials: Linen, raffia, dried corn husk
Number of Pieces: Two
We think the textures here are perfect for your cat to sink their claws and teeth into. Each one is well made, though they might be a little more fragile than some store-bought toys. If you have a vivacious group of house cats, they might not have such a long life.
The corn husk on the outside can quickly unravel, shortening its lifespan. But we think for the price, this is to be expected. Each toy measures 12.6 by 12.4 inches. So they are quite sizable, even though most of the length comes from the frilly tails.
We think this is a super adorable option that’s light on the wallet. It’s the best eco-friendly cat toy for the money. So what will it hurt to try out?
Pros
Affordable
Crunchy texture
2-pack
Cons
May come apart easily
If you’re looking for a bundle of cat toys that will stretch your dollar, we recommend the Jumpaws Assortment Pack. This adorable assortment it’s filled with different textures and materials to make playtime so much fun.
Affordable
Crunchy texture
2-pack
- Affordable
- Crunchy texture
- 2-pack
May come apart easily
- May come apart easily
Materials: Silvervine, Catnip, rattan
Number of Pieces: 7
This particular option is a little more expensive than some on our list, but we think you’ll understand why once you see the contents. This box includes seven pieces that can be used as a standalone set of items or put on the wand to promote human/feline play.
All toys are stuffed with premium, organic catnip to really capture their attention. Each design has an adorable Bohemian feel with lots of different sounds, textures, and materials. You can attach the piece that your cat loves most and watch them go completely ham.
There are two jingle balls, one crinkle ball, one rattan ball with a tail, one fish, and one crocheted feather. The last three pieces are attached directly to the wand that is included. You can even buy a replacement wand if anything happens to the one that comes with your purchase.
We think these items are good quality and would make a fantastic gift for a friend or the kitties in your home.
Pros
Terrific variety with natural materials
Adorable and well-made
Self or interactive play
Cons
Expensive
- BAWAN Catnip Toys – Best for Kittens
Check Latest Price
Materials: Silvervine fruit, silvervine sticks, hemp rope, and Lafite grass
Number of Pieces: Three
If you have an aggressive chewer on your hands, we have a solution—BAWAN Catnip Toys. These toys are designed explicitly to keep your little terror busy longer. Where most cats would take their time with certain toys, that’s just not your little one. They are ready to rip the heads off of mice and do a whirlwind of other damage.
Terrific variety with natural materials
Adorable and well-made
Self or interactive play
- Terrific variety with natural materials
- Adorable and well-made
- Self or interactive play
Expensive
- Expensive
Check Latest Price
Materials: Silvervine fruit, silvervine sticks, hemp rope, and Lafite grass
Number of Pieces: Three
But these toys just might give them a run for their money. They are extremely well made, and able to withstand severe chewing–but that’s not all. These dental sticks are designed to freshen your cat’s breath, calm their mood, and occupy its time.
These sticks are made from silvervine fruit, silvervine sticks, hemp rope, and left fight grass. Each stick is 7.5 inches, making it suitable for kittens and adults alike. You can play with your cat with these toys, as they provide just enough distance between the toy and your fingers that you probably won’t be in danger.
These sticks are rich in actinidin and B-phenyl ethanol to soothe your cat’s stress. We really couldn’t pick a better item for extremely high-energy or rambunctious cats. But it might not be enough stimulation or the right fit for some.
What we really love about this product is that it has a 100% risk free satisfaction guarantee. So, you know that your purchase is protected.
Pros
Excellent for aggressive kittens and cats
Soothes a cat’s mood
100% money back guarantee
Cons
May unravel easily
- NVTED Cat Feather Toy Set
Check Latest Price
Materials: Sisal rope, feathers, wood
Number of Pieces: Eight
If you’re looking for variety at a top-notch price, consider the NVTED Cat Feather Toy Set. We looked over the materials list on this toy, and we have to say we are thoroughly impressed with the materials used.
Excellent for aggressive kittens and cats
Soothes a cat’s mood
100% money back guarantee
- Excellent for aggressive kittens and cats
- Soothes a cat’s mood
- 100% money back guarantee
May unravel easily
- May unravel easily
Materials: Sisal rope, feathers, wood
Number of Pieces: Eight
The toys are made from sisal rope, chicken feathers, and high-quality wood. Rather than using potentially harmful materials, each one is completely non-toxic and perfectly healthy for your cat. However, we wouldn’t recommend this one for aggressive cats—they won’t last long!
We really love the idea that they use chicken feathers for the setup because chicken feathers do not lose their fibers. There’s not a single material that we would be concerned with for felines, so we are so excited to say that this little pack will work so well with multi-cat households.
We really think it has something for everyone. If you want to join the party, it’s terrific for humans and cats alike. You can use the wand to have your cat chase it around the house for great exercise and entertainment.
Pros
Feathers stay intact
Interactive or solo play
Multiple options
Cons
Unravels with rough play
MODERN WAVE Handmade Kitten Toys are another great eco-friendly cat toy option. When play is so essential, these toys will safely have your kitten playing for hours.
Feathers stay intact
Interactive or solo play
Multiple options
- Feathers stay intact
- Interactive or solo play
- Multiple options
Unravels with rough play
- Unravels with rough play
Materials: Felt, cotton, wood, bells
Number of Pieces: Four
This set comes with four well-made pieces that vary in color and design. Each one is made of ultra-durable felt and knit that is completely natural and safe for your felines to enjoy. You have a wand, fish, llama, and mouse to choose from—and a nice little reusable storage box to put them in.
We think each cute little animal is beautifully crafted, and we loved watching our kitten bat these stuffies around. In addition to felt, cotton, wood, and bells, it also contains excellent quality catnip to attract your little pals.
We think it would essentially work for cats of any age, but the bright colors, exciting sounds, and durable structure work particularly well for young cats.
Pros
Superior craftsmanship
Self or interactive play
Catnip included
Cons
Contains dye
We think the Ethical Pet Wool Willie Cat Toy is the best overall option—do you agree? We must stress that even though the photo shows three mice, it is one decent-sized mouse you get, hence the low price! Even though the marketing is slightly misleading, the mouse is of great quality.
Superior craftsmanship
Self or interactive play
Catnip included
- Superior craftsmanship
- Self or interactive play
- Catnip included
Contains dye
- Contains dye
Materials: Wooly polyester
Number of Pieces: One
Each mouse is 3.5 inches, so it might be a little larger than you first expect. It comes in three random colors: charcoal, brown, or tan. So, you don’t know which color you’re going to get when you order. But each one of them is completely adorable with such a realistic look.
It is made with a fuzzy wool like material that provides a life-like quality. There is a crinkle sound inside of the mouse that encourages your cat to play. Plus, if your cat is a catnip-fanatic, they will have even more of a heyday batting this toy around.
We think that this option is affordable, adorable, and eco-friendly. However, even though it’s good quality, very rough cats might be able to rip the fluff right out of them. So we don’t recommend this particular toy for super prey-driven aggressive cats.
Pros
Random color surprise
Large size
Catnip & crinkle for enhanced play
Cons
Not for super aggressive play
If you have a little kitty at home, you might want to try out Petlinks Play Pack! It has many toy options with 12 different fun and diverse options. Whether your cat loves balls, crinkles, or feathers—there’s something for every kitty.
Random color surprise
Large size
Catnip & crinkle for enhanced play
- Random color surprise
- Large size
- Catnip & crinkle for enhanced play
Not for super aggressive play
- Not for super aggressive play
Materials: Mesh, feather, Catnip
Number of Pieces: Twelve
Let’s go through the list. This pack offers seven balls, three mesh tubes, and two feather toys. It also comes with pesticide-free, chemical-free catnip that is completely organic. All materials are 100% safe, meeting the standards for child safety.
We also love that there’s a little color to these, which captivates the attention of kitties. It’s an excellent way to test out your little one’s interests, so you know what to buy them in the future.
Not only is this a great option for kittens, but it is also terrific for multi-cat households. It has something to keep everyone busy, and you won’t have to buy multiple toys. You can just get them all in one bundle and call it a day.
Pros
Great for kittens and adults
Many pieces to test out
Lots of textures and sounds
Cons
Cat might not like all toys
Great for kittens and adults
Many pieces to test out
Lots of textures and sounds
- Great for kittens and adults
- Many pieces to test out
- Lots of textures and sounds
Cat might not like all toys
- Cat might not like all toys
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Eco-Friendly Cat Toys
It seems everything is getting more eco-friendly these days as more light is shed on just how harmful certain products in our lives really are. If you’re looking for safer alternatives, even in pet products, there are definitely a few choices on the market.
Of course, as demands grow, so will product options. Right now, it might not seem like there are a ton to choose from, but we expect these numbers to go upward with demand. So what exactly are you looking for when you’re thinking eco-friendly? We’re glad you asked.
Here are some things to look for but note that a product doesn’t necessarily have to check all of these boxes in order to be eco-friendly. Checking off one or two of these things is better than none.
Natural Toys Have No Artificial Dyes
No artificial dyes. Sure, you love all the pretty colors. But as you now know, dyes are sometimes horribly detrimental to our pets. When your cat plays with toys, one of the first things they do is put it in their mouth.
Suppose there are dyes on the toy that bleed when wet. Your cat could be ingesting all of these chemical compounds.
These Toys Are Made of Safe Materials
Rather than using a bunch of synthetic materials, eco-friendly toys generally use cat-safe options instead.
Sisal rope
Sisal fabric
Silvervine
Feather
Wood
Rattan
Knit
All materials used in eco-friendly toys should be biodegradable or recyclable.
- Sisal rope
- Sisal fabric
- Silvervine
- Feather
- Wood
- Rattan
- Knit
Catnip Matters, Too!
Some catnip is grown with the help of pesticides and other chemical compounds that can be very dangerous for our feline friends. All-natural toys should contain only organic, naturally grown catnip free from any potential toxins.
Future Availability Predictions
As the light continues to be shed on the products we use in our daily lives, eco-friendly options will only grow in every category–including for pets. Many want to go a more natural route. There should definitely be an influx of environmentally friendly cat-safe toys available on the market, along with a series of other products that fall in line.
So, there might not be a ton of suitable options at the moment, but the list will only grow with demand.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our list of options and reviews gives you some really great natural, eco-friendly options to choose from, and you will find one that works best for your situation. We still stand by our number one pick—Hepper Catnip Stick Toy—because they are simple, self-playing, ideal for a single pet household, and are very affordable.
If you are looking for the most affordable option, check out our number two selection– think Catit Cornhusk Raffia Mice Cat Toys. It gives you a double whammy. You get two toys and one that promotes healthy play at an excellent price.
The Jumpaws Assortment Pack has six toys you can give your cat to promote healthy play. If you’re looking for a medley of cat toys in one, this might be a little more expensive than others, but consider how long it will last. We think it’s well worth every dollar.
No matter which one of these eco-friendly cat toys you choose, we hope that it enhances your cat’s daily life. Plus, it can give you peace of mind knowing you are buying a product that benefits the environment and is safe for your feline friend.
Featured Image Credit: cottonbro, Pexels
