| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | SlowTon Remote Cat Feather Toy |
| Best for Stimulation | SlowTon Remote Cat Toy With Flashing Wheels |
| Most Affordable | Patgoal Remote Control Toy for Cats |
| Best for Small Spaces | HEXBUG Remote Control Mouse Cat Toy |
Cats are naturally playful animals. They use their playtime as an outlet for their hunting instincts and to avoid boredom. Your cat’s playtime also provides aerobic exercise to help them stay healthy. Playing with your cat can also strengthen the bond between pet and owner.
Many cats are satisfied with simple toys, like a feather on the end of a string, or even a shoelace. However, some cats get easily bored by playing the same games over and over again. Others need more stimulation in general. Bored cats may release their energy through behaviors that some owners might find problematic, like tearing noisily through the house in the middle of the night.
To give your cat a satisfying playtime experience, try a remote control cat toy. These toys allow you to offer a variety of challenges and unpredictable movements that meet your cat’s needs. Remote control toys allow you to play with your cat over longer distances than a string allows. They also let you provide more lifelike movements with the toy to satisfy your cat’s hunting needs. Plus, they are fun for both cats and their human companions!
Keep reading for a guide to some of the best and most highly-reviewed remote control cat toys on the market. We have considered important factors like price, special features, and safety in our choices.
Check Amazon- One of the most popular on Amazon
- Wheel design makes movement unpredictable
- Simple to operate
- Features large rubber wheels
Check Amazon- The wheels have bright flashing lights
- Has a unique movement pattern
- No assembly required
- Very easy to use
Check Chewy Check Amazon- The movement of the toy is almost like a real mouse
- Suitable for small apartments
- Will flip over if turned upside down
- Features a soft rubber tail
A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Remote Control Cat Toys
#1 Best Overall: SlowTon Remote Cat Toy
Our selection as the best overall is the SlowTon Remote Cat Feather Toy which is one of the most popular remote control cat toys for a reason.
This toy features a genius wheel design that makes the movements of the toy even more unpredictable, giving your cat even more of a challenge. It is a little remote control car in the shape of a mouse with a feather tail that is irresistible to a playful kitty.
One reason this toy is at the top of the list is that it is simple to operate, even for those who are not tech-savvy. It requires five AA batteries, which are not included. Just pop the batteries into the car and the controller, and you’re ready to roll. The controller is easy to maneuver with just two buttons — one for front and back motion, and one for side to side movements.
The large rubber wheels allow the toy to move around on different terrains in your home including hard floors and carpets. However, if you run it on a plush carpet, lint may stop the toy temporarily. If that happens, just pick it up and set it down somewhere else.
This is a toy that will please your cat without busting your wallet. Some of the numerous positive reviews mention how fun it is to watch your cat chase this toy, especially when it does surprise tricks and turns. This toy provides the kind of entertainment the whole family can enjoy — including the cat!
Pros and Cons of the SlowTon Remote Cat Toy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This toy is a remote control car in the shape of a mouse with a feather tail. | The batteries are not included. |
| It features a unique wheel design that makes the movements unpredictable and fascinating to cats. | It may stop temporarily on plush carpet. |
| It is easy to control with just two buttons. | |
| It features large rubber wheels that allow it to easily move on different surfaces. |
- One of the most popular on Amazon
- Wheel design makes movement unpredictable
- Simple to operate
- Features large rubber wheels
2. Best for Stimulation: SlowTon Remote Cat Toy with Flashing Wheels
As the best option for stimulation is the SlowTon Remote Cat Toy with Flashing Wheels.
This toy is very similar to our number one pick, with one major difference. It has blue and pink wheels that have bright flashing lights. For some cats, this might be a little overstimulating. However, many cats who like a little extra pizzazz with their playtime go wild for it.
The body of the toy is a remote-controlled mouse with large wheels. The nose of the mouse can turn a full 360 degrees, allowing the wheels to turn along with it. This gives the toy a unique movement pattern that may intrigue and excite your cat.
This toy is ready to go once you open the package. Just put in the five AA batteries (not included) and pick up the remote control. The remote is small enough even for kids to use comfortably. It has just two functional buttons — a forward and reverse button and a button to move the mouse left and right — meaning this toy is easy for anyone to use.
The reviews mention that the toy works well on a variety of different surfaces. Roll it over carpet, hardwood, or tile. They also mention that the toy is pretty durable, even if your cat pounces on it or you crash it into the wall once or twice.
Pros and Cons of the SlowTon Remote Cat Toy With Flashing Wheels
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This toy is very similar to the best overall pick. | The batteries are not included. |
| It has blue and pink wheels with bright flashing lights. | It can be overstimulating for some cats. |
| The nose of the mouse can turn a full 360 degrees. | |
| It has a unique movement pattern that excites cats. | |
| The remote is small enough even for children to use. | |
| It works on a variety of surfaces. |
- The wheels have bright flashing lights
- Has a unique movement pattern
- No assembly required
- Very easy to use
3. Best Value: Patgoal Remote Control Toy
If you’re looking for a remote control cat toy for under $15 then the Patgoal Remote Control Toy one is for you.
This toy is a classic remote control mouse toy. The mouse is a grey color with black ears and black whiskers. It has wheels on the bottom to make it race across the floor when you use the simple remote to make it go. We love that this remote control mouse doesn’t have too many bells and whistles. It is just the kind of toy many cats adore.
This simple-to-use toy has a remote that only allows the mouse to go back and forth. However, the toy turns a bit on its own each time it goes back and forth to give your cat some variety and intrigue.
The online reviews for this toy state that it works on carpet and hard floors. However, the reviews also point out its durability — even after a spirited strike from a cat, the toy still goes strong. It’s simple enough that kids can easily use it to bond and play with the family cat.
Batteries are required for this toy, but they are not included. Otherwise, it comes with everything you need to entertain your cat for hours!
Pros and Cons of the Patgoal Remote Control Toy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This toy is a classic remote control mouse toy. | The remote only allows the toy to be moved backwards and forwards. |
| It works on both carpet and hard floors. | The batteries are not included. |
| It is durable enough to cope with excited and playful cats. | |
| This toy is easy to use. |
- Affordable option
- Classic remote mouse toy
- Very durable
- Very simple to use
4. Best for Small Spaces: Hexbug Remote Control Mouse Toy
If you live in a small apartment then we suggest the Hexburg Remote Control Mouse Toy.
The range for this mouse with a remote is only about three feet, making it perfect for compact spaces. It can be a challenge to keep a cat in good shape in a small apartment without stairs or space to run around, but this toy makes it possible.
One thing to watch for with this model is hair on the floor. Some of the reviews mentioned it is difficult to clean the axel of the toy if hair gets stuck in it. So, sweep or vacuum the floor before you use it for the maximum amount of fun.
The toy looks like a white mouse with pink ears and a pink nose. Want to make it go? It’s easy. Just put in five LR44 batteries, turn the switch on the mouse and the remote to the on position, and watch it go! The remote has two channels so you can actually control two Hexburg remote control mice at once, although this product only comes with one.
One of our favorite qualities of this toy is the way it almost looks like a real mouse when it moves around. Once you turn it on, the tail wiggles around like a real mouse. It is a smart mouse that automatically flips itself back upright if your kitty turns it upside down for continuous play.
Pros and Cons of the Hexbug Remote Control Mouse Toy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This toy has a range of three feet which is perfect for small spaces. | Sometimes hair gets picked up from the floor and gets stuck in the axel of the toy. |
| The remote has two channels so you can control two Hexburg remote control mice at once. | |
| The tail wiggles around when the toy is switched on. | |
| It automatically flips itself back upright if your kitty turns it upside down. |
- The movement of the toy is almost like a real mouse
- Suitable for small apartments
- Will flip over if turned upside down
- Features a soft rubber tail
Choosing the Best: What to Look For
When searching for a remote control cat toy, there are many things to consider to make sure the toy is safe and effective for cat entertainment.
Remote Range
Most of the remote control cat toys we looked at had a range of about 10 feet. However, some were as low as three feet. Keep in mind the size of your space and how you would like to play with your cat when considering the remote range for your cat toy.
Batteries
Many of the remote cat toys on the market require batteries. However, there are a few out there that can charge via a USB cable. If you buy a toy that uses batteries, make sure you have replacements at the ready.
Flooring Options
Some cat toys with wheels don’t work well on carpeted surfaces. Make sure to read the reviews thoroughly to find out which surfaces your toy of choice works best on.
The Different Types of Remote Control Cat Toys: Pros and Cons Compared
There are a few different types of cat toys with remotes to consider on the market.
- Battery-operated remote control cat toys: These are cat toys that need batteries to work. You need to keep replacements on hand in case the batteries die.
- USB charging remote control cat toys: These are cat toys that come with a USB cable to recharge the toy. One consideration is that you can not use many of these toys while charging.
- Light up remote control cat toys: These remote cat toys have light-up features. Some cats love the extra stimulation, but the bright lights can scare skittish cats away.
Up Next
- The Best Interactive Cat Toys: Reviewed and Ranked — Check out the very best interactive cat toys here!
- The Best Cat Toys — Find the perfect toy for your cat here.
- The Top Cat Treats for Your Pet — Does your kitty love treats? Choose the perfect treats here!
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | SlowTon Remote Cat Feather Toy |
| Best for Stimulation | SlowTon Remote Cat Toy With Flashing Wheels |
| Most Affordable | Patgoal Remote Control Toy for Cats |
| Best for Small Spaces | HEXBUG Remote Control Mouse Cat Toy |
The Best Remote Control Cat Toys For Entertaining Your Pet FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are important safety precautions for cat toys?
Most cat toys have safe designs, but some cats are more destructive than others. Sometimes, some cats can easily destroy toys that others seem indestructible. One helpful thing to remember is that no toy is completely indestructible.
Proper supervision, especially with kittens, helps prevent a lot of problems. Disposing of a toy when broken is a better option than attempting repairs. Making sure there are no broken pieces left behind that your cat could swallow and choke on is a smart idea.
Why are remote controlled cat toys a good idea?
Remote controlled cat toys are great for cats as they encourage them to exercise more while stimulating their mind.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
