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Aug 10, 2023

'My indoor cat tested Amazon's pet toys from laser pointers to ball rollers and he has a definite favourite'

Theo is an indoor cat, trying Amazon's cat toys and, like a cat, liking only a select few Like every other cat parent on this island, I am absolutely pathetic when it comes to my feline friend. The

Theo is an indoor cat, trying Amazon's cat toys and, like a cat, liking only a select few

Like every other cat parent on this island, I am absolutely pathetic when it comes to my feline friend. The entire living room is dominated by things to keep my 12-year-old British shorthair, Theo, entertained. He's an indoor cat now and if I for a second think he's a little bit bored, the guilt-fuelled spiral is so insufferable even my most pathetic friends think I'm being a bit annoying. Cue: Amazon cat toys.

See, the problem with cats is that you can spend as much money as you want, fill as many cat toys with cat nip, make a full scale robot bird, and they'll still decide they hate it on a whim. They're annoying but that's why we love them. And my best friend in the whole wide world is no different.

So I've made my way through a good few on the Amazon cat toy storefront, hoping to find the thing to keep my little hunter active (I've seen him catch a mouse - keeping him indoors is a benefit to all of East London's eco-system). Any that he decided against using have been gifted to my cat-owning neighbours.

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This is almost the best cat toy for my Theo, if not for a few problems. I've bought several versions of this for two reasons: he is very picky about what toy he will chase and also he has snapped four of them like a twig. The 12 piece feather teaser from DIWUJI (£9.88) was the first purchase - and I get about three half-hearted cat paws at the various feathers and weird little snake freaks before he gave me the classic "what are you doing dad?" stare.

However, the big fluffy feather thing is absolutely perfect when he, as I call it, "gets the devil in him". This is when he rolls onto his back and shows his fluffy belly: "Please rub my belly, I would ever so like a rub," he says. But I spot that glint in his eyes - this isn't baby time, this is an ambush. He will then grab my hand with his paws and shove said hand into his fangs. The fluff is the best way to stop this and it's also very cute when he tries to kill it with his back feet.

Obviously it will depend on what your cat is into. The Bojafa one (£10.96) has a pink little fish, which he loves to murder and will chase for up to about an hour. Meanwhile, the Autoau (£9.99) one has that fish plus a life-like mouse he has, on his own, chased around the living room. And one major fact that puts this above the others: you can give your cat some exercise without having to leave your sofa. Sweet, sweet laziness.

DIWUJI: 4.4 out of 3,585 ratings. Theo rating: 3/5

Bojafa: 4.3 out of 1,392 ratings. Theo rating: 3.5/5

Autoau: 4.2 out of 1,387 ratings. Theo rating: 4/5

I dunno what to tell you: Theo is a man of simple pleasures. The red light is his nemesis and he will stop at nothing until he has gone for the death blow on the crimson menace. His absolute favourite one is the VSSHE Cat Dog Red Pointer Light Toy (£5.99). It advertises itself as a 7-in-1 toy, with different modes like a butterfly pattern or a whole torch, for some reason. But his heart is with the red dot - and he will attack it until he tires himself out, while I sit on the sofa.

A second one is YVE LIFE Laser Toy for Indoor Cats (£21.99). This weird-looking robot does exactly what the top pointer does, but you don't even need to lift your hand. You can set it on a timer, so if you're out all day your cat has something to do while you're away. It makes a little bit of noise when it's aiming the laser and it can't quite replicate the erratic movements that send Theo crazy. However, it's a cheaper babysitter than most.

VSSHE Cat Dog Red Pointer Light Toy: 4.4 out of 3638 ratings. Theo Rating: 5/5

YVE LIFE Laser Toy for Indoor Cats: 4.1 out of 1,765 ratings. Theo Rating: 4/5.

Being an indoor cat, I'm always a conscious of him getting enough exercise outside of jumping onto beds and onto window sills and onto the gap behind me while I'm trying to eat my dinner so he can try and steal some from the plate. So I thought the Vealind fun roller (£9.49) might work.

It comes in three different colours and has three different levels and colour balls for your cat to hit and play with. Despite loads of rave reviews, my 12-year-old cat couldn't care less about this. I think he hit one ball once, after I tried to show him how to play with it. He then sat down and meowed at me, which I imagine wasn't very nice when translated to English. It is small and easy to put away, so may be better for kittens.

Unfortunately, the same can be said for the Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit (£17.68). What is especially frustrating about this is my friend's cat - a 2-year-old black cat - loves this thing. It was actually a recommendation from her. However, Theo could muster about as much enthusiasm for this as he can for not shaking his head violently and sending spit flying into my eye. This one takes up a bit more space - again, probably good for younger cats, the wise ones probably won't bat an eye.

Vealind: 4.4 out of 8,762 ratings. Theo Rating: 0.5/5.

Catit Design Senses Super Roller Circuit: 4.5 out of 20,589 ratings. Theo Rating: 0/5.

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