Some people think that declawed cats can’t enjoy playing with toys because they don’t have claws, but this doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of fun and engaging toys that are perfect for declawed cats.
Declawed cats still need toys that allow them to scratch.
Cardboard, sisal, or corrugated cardboard
are some of the materials used to make cat toys that are suitable for declawed cats.
You might be surprised at this, but in a literature review (July 2019), it is suggested that the normal feline behavior of scratching is still observed in up to 78% of declawed cats, and they will continue to exhibit scratching behavior.
Related Reading – Declawing Your Cat – The Not So Rosy Facts
Suitable Types Of Toys For Declawed Cats
| 1. Interactive Toys – Pouncing/Chasing Toys |
| 2. Pole/Wand Toys |
| 3. Kicking Toys |
| 4. Is Your Declawed Cat Always Anxious? |
1. Interactive Toys
An interactive cat toy is a toy that responds to your cat’s natural behaviors in some way. It essentially mimics prey, such as birds and mice, and can be used during playtime.
There are a wide range of cat toys on the market designed for this purpose.
We commonly think of battery operated toys, although not all interactive toys have batteries. The toys chosen for declawed cats here all have batteries. The movement of the toy will give your declawed cat some motivation to chase the toy or react to the toy by batting or swiping it’s paw.
Some examples include: catnip mice with tails that move when your cat plays with them, ball track toys, which allow balls to be rolled around an enclosed space or laser toys.
Here are some interactive toys for declawed cats. These toys below are all highly engaging, and use light, color, and sound to capture the cat audience.
1. PetFusion Ambush Interactive Electronic Cat Toy
This interactive toy stimulates hunting and pouncing, both traits your declawed cat still has despite having no claws.
A bright, multicolored feather will randomly pop out of one of the six holes around the edge of the toy.
The speed of the feather popping out can be adjusted. The toy lights up using LED color lighting to further encourage the cat to investigate.
Cats love this toy and some will sit by it waiting for it to turn on. It does have to be manually turned on and it switches off atter 8 minutes automatically. This is to preserve battery life.
This toy is suitable for cats of any age and size. It appears to be quite durable with some more enthusiastic kitties being quite rough with the toy.
Hunting instincts are part of our cats built in DNA. There is nothing we can do to change that.
This toy helps to satisfy that urge.
A declawed cat can still jump and pounce on the feathers in this toy.
Pros
Perfectly fine for multiple cats to enjoy this toy.
Although it cannot be said with 100% certainty that your declawed cat will love this toy to bits, it does have an 83% success rate of customer satisfaction.
Anti slip feet.
Cons
Some say that the noise is annoying, but maybe that is just for humans. Others say that some cats are just not interested in tunnels. If you already know this about your cat, give this tunnel a miss.
Specifications
The toy is powered by batteries. Four AA batteries are included, plus a replacement feather. Feathers can also be purchased separately.
The toy is plastic. It lights up using LED lighting. It has anti-slip feet, so it can be placed on carpeted or hardwood or tiled surfaces.
The dimensions are 6.8 x 6.8 x 2.8 inches. The feathers are soft to the touch because they are natural turkey feathers.
Related Reading – Which Litter Is Best For A Declawed Cat?
2. Petlinks Twinkle Chute Lighted Cat Tunnel Toy
Most cats love tunnels. No claws are needed to use this toy. This is an interactive toy that utilizes things all cats like to do, such as crawling into small spaces. The light motion and the crinkling are extra touches to make the toy even more appealing.
Can I guarantee that your cat will love a tunnel? No, nothing about a cat is a solid guarantee unless it is sleeping on you or meowing for breakfast, however, if your cat likes boxes, there is a fair chance that a tunnel will be good.
This tunnel has touch activated lights that blink.
The tunnel does make a crackly sound, like a paper bag noise, when the cat runs through. For some cats, even brave ones, this can be too much stimulation in the beginning. Pop a catnip mouse inside to entice reluctant kitties or dangle a toy through the peephole.
Bring the tunnel out without making any fuss at all and every now and then entice kitty through with a treat. Your cat may leap through in bounds but some kitties need a bit of mollycoddling.
There is a peephole in the middle where cats can enter and exit.
This tunnel is not weatherproof.
Pros
The tunnel is a good place to stop and have a snooze in private.
Makes a crinkling noise like a paper bag when the cat runs through.
Springs back into shape after some serious pouncing.
Cons
Some cats are just not interested in tunnels. If you already know this about your cat, give this tunnel a miss.
Specifications
The dimensions of the tunnel are 35″ x 9.5″ x 9.5″. It is made from nylon and is super lightweight at 11.68 ounces.
For safety it is recommended that your cat should be supervised when playing with the tunnel and the tunnel should be out of reach when not actively being used.
Two 2LR41 batteries are required. The battery pack requires a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws in the pack.
The tunnel can be folded up for storage by pushing on it vertically until it compresses. It is then secured with the ties.
3. Feathers, Mouse, Squeaky -Touch Activated Cat Toy
4. Moving Cat Ball with Elastic Mesh Tail
