Good cat toys?

Is it a rescue cat?

cats are fickle and have very different temperaments. many will take almost no interest in toys at all. they also tend to get bored with the same toy very quickly. if you're stuck on getting a toy, i recommend something that offers repeated stimulation without requiring the owner to participate. like toys that have balls that go around a track, puzzle feeders, etc. a gift card for a pet shop is probably better, they might want to get supplements, a regular supply of cat grass, or a new cat tower instead.

This one is endorsed by the cat volunteers at my shelter:

The one that spins a butterfly around is a great one.

White ping pong balls. The rings around plastic gallon jugs. Plastic bags (cut air holes in them to prevent suffocation. Big boxes.

An empty box

A mouse.

My cats always like soft catnip scented toys.

Little ball with little bell thing inside.

A sock rolled into a ball (my one cat carries it around the house meowing loudly). Loose shoestrings. Crinkly food wrapping. Q-tips.

Anything with catnip in it. I have two cats and I bought a cloth banana that had catnip in it. My cats won't stop playing with it.

Twist ties (found at the end of a loaf of bread) in an empty half-closed box.

The stick with the feather on the end. Even an old fat cat will do acrobatics when you start that.

My boy goes absolutely nuts over these. And he doesn't discard them after a few days. They're handmade and adorable.

And here's the link, duh.

A fresh twink.

r3: I was hoping someone would post this. It really stimulates the prey drive and our cats go nutz over them. Until they get old. Then they turn into coma kitties.

Awww. Yes, it’s one of those unicorn toys: cheap, fun, cats love it.

I don’t have cats or any experience owning cats but I have watched enough stupid cat videos over the years to confidently say that you should buy a gift for your friend online and make sure that cat is around when she opens it and then gift the empty box to the cat who will have lots of fun playing with it.

My cat loves playing with popsicle sticks from my Trader Joe's Mango Creamsicle and used Q-Tips (she fishes them out of the bathroom trash can). Everything else is just "Meh..."

Scotch tape on the paws

Aluminum foil placed on surfaces where they like to rest

Cats enjoy wrestling with a preroll. They don’t digest much, but they do tear it apart.

They also enjoy the wired cork from a sparkling wine bottle. I think it’s the scent.

I have one cat who loves to eat out of that maze-like dish that keeps them from eating too quickly. I throw a few treats in and he pushes it around for the next ten minutes. He hasn't gotten bored with it yet.

OP, you can't go wrong a soft crinkle toy and a container of catnip. You could also throw in a cardboard scratching thing.