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You can take your cat out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of your cat. No matter how cuddly your kitty may be, they will always have the urge to hunt. That’s where Nina Ottosson’s Buggin’ Out toy for Outward Hound comes in.

Cats are natural-born hunters, and puzzles stimulate their foraging instincts. “Indoor cats especially become easily bored and under-stimulated, and puzzles are great enrichment for them,” Ottosson tells Kinship. This puzzle toy allows “cats ‘hunt’ for their reward by working to reveal hidden treats and food.” It can hold up to ¼ cup of food, allowing you to use it as a slow feeder or as a way to make your cat work for their high-value treats. The 16 hidden compartments will stimulate their evolutionary hunting and foraging instincts. —Avery Felman

“Who wants to eat out of a boring old bowl when you can make meals an adventure?” says certified dog trainer and Kinship Collective member Robert Haussmann. “This interactive feeder is weighted on the bottom and wobbles when batted around by your dog, which allows the food to drop out of a small hole on the side.”

The Game’s design was inspired by Fable co-founder Jeremy Canade’s own dog. “I tried a bunch of other [interactive] products, but he would slam them against the wall,” he tells Kinship. “It was like a bowling ball knocking around my apartment, and just for a tiny piece of food to fall out. Plus, he is a very smart dog and can get through a puzzle toy within five minutes, so it wasn’t really a distraction. So that was the bar: It had to be quieter and last at least half an hour for him — and everything we make has to look good, at least in my eyes.”

Canade more than delivered. This game-changing toy holds up to 1 1/2 pounds of dry food, making it ideal for fast eaters who need a side of stimulation — both mental and physical. —Rachel Davies and Marisa Meltzer

Pet products may not be the first thing that comes to mind when trying to live a more eco-friendly life, but many brands are trying to help lower our carbon paw prints. And Bay Area brand P.L.A.Y. is one of the more impressive ones. Their pet beds and toys are made with PlanetFill®, which consists of 100 percent post-consumer certified-safe recycled plastic bottles.

“Saving the environment and protecting our planet have always been close to my heart because it is simply the right thing to do,” P.L.A.Y. founder and CEO Will Chen tells Kinship. The B Corp-certified brand also gives back to too many organizations to list, and their toys meet the quality manufacturing standard for children’s toys — pets are our kids, after all. P.L.A.Y.’s plush, crinkly toy collections offer something for everyone, and at an affordable price (stuffed toys start at $5.90). This ’90s set includes a stuffed phone, skateboard, guitar, “Game Bone,” and “Woofbuster Video.” Does it get cuter than that? —Rebecca Caplan

With three types of treat hiding compartments, this intermediate-level puzzle game designed by Nina Ottosson for Outward Hound will keep your dog busy, active, and stress-free. “Wild animals get natural mental stimulation when hunting for food, which inspired me when developing the games to match the dog’s natural movements and instincts,” Ottosson explains. 

Worried your pup will outsmart your brand new purchase? Fear not! Certified dog behaviorist Stacy Alldredge says, “I bought every dog puzzle game on the market and the Nina Ottosson ones are so hard to figure out!” —Sio Hornbuckle and MM

The Kong brand has been a favorite among dogs and their parents since it was founded in 1976: Their toys are super durable and great for mental and physical stimulation. The puppy-sized version of their classic conical toy works wonders for redirecting puppy teething — a natural activity that is best done not on your furniture. For additional joy, fill the toy with peanut butter and pop it in the freezer to keep them biting safely for an extended period of time. “As I’m writing this, he’s already been at this thing for over 30 minutes,” wrote one happy Kong reviewer.

“From puppies to seniors, everyone can enjoy a Kong,” celebrity dog trainer Nicole Ellis tells us. “Studies have taught us that licking and chewing help release stress in dogs, and the Kong helps achieve that while allowing your pup to have fun. It also helps our dog get some mental enrichment and learn to settle and focus on something.” (First we’ll get them to settle and focus on something, and then we’ll try to get ourselves to do the same.) —Kelly Conaboy

Has your cat lost interest in their toys? Do the bits and bobs that once kept them stimulated now lay untouched around your home, gathering dust? Are you wondering if maybe they’ve just grown out of their “playful stage” all together? Well, they haven’t. They just need something colorful and fun, that’s not overly complicated, like the Catstages Tower of Tracks Interactive Three-Tier Cat Toy.  

“Every cat loves this toy!” says actress and cat mom Kat Dennings. “[My cat] Millie has spent hours poking her little paw into the track and watching the magic happen.” If your own cat isn’t instantly enamored by this toy, cat behaviorist Cristin Tamburo suggests giving them a day or two to get used to it, then showing them exactly how they’re meant to play with it. Does your cat need a little more convincing? “Up to 70 percent of cats respond to catnip or catnip toys,” Tamburo says. “So spraying toys with a catnip spray — From the Field is my personal favorite — can help entice them.” —Charles Manning

Is your cat a food-motivated little firecracker with a seemingly unquenchable thirst for attention? Well, have we got the toy for you! The Catit PIXI Treat Dispenser is the feline equivalent of one of those weighted, inflatable punching bags that were popular in the ‘90s. Remember those? They often looked like clowns, for some terrifyingly inexplicable reason, and you could wail on them for ages and they would always pop right back up and ask for more. So, yeah, this toy is like that. Only, for your cat! It features a weighted bottom, so as your cat swats, it rolls around, occasionally dispensing a treat, and then righting itself, ready for another paw swipe. 

It’s the perfect low-tech tool for adding a little mental and physical stimulation to your cat’s daily feeding routine, which can actually have a huge impact on their overall wellbeing. You see, cats love to hunt. “It’s an innate need,” says certified cat behaviorist Ingrid Johnson. “They don’t even have to be hungry to hunt and we give them a big bowl of food, which provides no mental stimulation and no problem solving.” The Catit PIXI Treat Dispenser helps fill this void by adding an element of fun to your cat’s feeding time and forcing them to use their mind and body in order to get what they want. —CM

West Paw’s inventive and durable enrichment toys backed by the brand’s eco-friendly principles have helped establish it as an industry staple for over 25 years. One of the company’s signature offerings is the Toppl, a next-level fillable puzzle toy, made locally in Montana with zero-waste and recyclable materials. Dogs love it, so it’s naturally become a favorite among pet parents.

And thanks to the toy’s ability to stimulate dogs during mealtime without making a mess, pros rep it as well. “It’s really versatile — it can be used as a slow feeder and as a puzzle toy,” animal behaviorist and trainer Karen B. London says. “It can be frozen, used to hold bully sticks, and the different sizes can be linked to create a new, more challenging puzzle. It’s made of strong material that’s free of hazardous chemicals.” She also notes that its unique design featuring protruding round teeth encourages dogs to lick rather than grab food, which helps it last longer. —Sean Zucker

Has your cat lost interest in their current crop of toys? Do the bits and bobs that once kept them stimulated now lay untouched around your home, gathering dust? Do you wonder if maybe they’ve just grown out of their “playful stage” all together? Well, they haven’t. They just need something colorful and fun, that’s not overly complicated, like the Catstages Tower of Tracks Interactive Three-Tier Cat Toy.  

“Every cat loves this toy!” says actress and cat mom Kat Dennings. “[My cat] Millie has spent hours poking her little paw into the track and watching the magic happen.” If your own cat isn’t instantly enamored,   cat behaviorist Cristin Tamburo suggests giving them a day or two to get used to it, then showing them exactly how they’re meant to play with it. Does your cat need a little more convincing? “Up to 70 percent of cats respond to catnip or catnip toys,” Tamburo says. “So spraying toys with a catnip spray — From the Field is my personal favorite — can help entice them.” —CM

Tug-of-war is a classic for a reason. “For a game you can play in a relatively small space, it’s remarkably tiring for your dog,” says animal behaviorist and trainer Karen B. London. “The high-intensity nature of tug relaxes a lot of dogs, improving their emotional state, and leaving them calm and content after a good session.”

When it comes to picking a toy to battle over with your dog, we couldn’t recommend Jax & Bones enough. The company founder Tinya Nyugen reimagines soda bottles and fabric scraps into plush dog beds, durable toys, and other accessories — all produced locally in Los Angeles. “Our dogs are really like our children, so every type of fabric, every dye, every raw material we give to them needs to be really closely inspected,” she tells Kinship. “When I’m trying out a new material, I actually scratch it — kind of like a dog! — and smell everything. I’m a little bit obsessive — but I think we’re all obsessed with our animals.” 

The Top Tugger is made from non-toxic dyes and is perfect for hours of tug-of-war games. Your purchase will go toward a good cause, too: For each sale, Jax & Bones donates 10 percent of the proceeds to rescue and animal welfare groups. —SH

Use code WILDEST15 at checkout for 15 percent off your purchase.

It’s a rare cat who does not stan a good wand toy, and this is easily one of the best there is, with plenty of fun colors and fabric to bat around. “I always keep this toy in the exam room,” says veterinarian and Cat Dancer enthusiast Dr. Annette Louviere. “It makes kitten exams more pleasant for everybody.” —CM

Ever wondered why your cat seems offended by a felt mouse but will ambush a feathered lure like a tiger shark? According to certified cat behaviorist Dr. Mikel Delgado, “All cats have the instinct to hunt, and play behavior is an expression of their hunting instincts, just directed towards toys instead of prey.”

So it makes sense that cats would prefer “toys that move easily when touched, toys that have fur or other interesting textures, and toys that have tails or that appear to look like a bird,” Dr. Delgado explains. This is why cats will respond more to toys like this handmade wand by Los Angeles-based brand Ocatnip, which comes with four pastel-hued feather teasers and tiny bells. It's also approved by the founder’s discerning product testers — her adopted cats Brunello, Linguini, and Toast (aka BLT). —AF

Your dog probably has a favorite ball, but sometimes, what they love isn’t good for them. Unfortunately, some tennis balls, for example, have been found to contain toxic lead. Luckily, there are some tennis balls that are safe for your pup, especially if they’re going to chomp on them at all. But the best way to avoid toxins is to get them a ball that is 100 percent safe, like the Chuckit — which as the name might imply, comes with its very own launcher to help you chuck the ball a longer distance. You can also use the launcher to scoop up the ball so you don’t have to bend all the way down to pick it up. This means you can keep the game of fetch going even longer: Your dog and your back will thank you. 

The balls themselves are pretty great too. “I love the balls that come with the chuck-it launcher,” says animal behaviorist and trainer Karen B. London. “They are super bouncy, easy to see, and they float. They are extra durable so they last longer than ordinary tennis balls. Many dogs I know prefer them to other balls, so even though I don’t know why exactly, their attitude toward them adds to my own love for these toys.” —Hilary Weaver

Ever wonder why (most) cats go so gaga for catnip? Turns out it can do wild and wonderful things to a kitty’s brain. “They will experience euphoria-like effects, characterized by licking, chewing, and head shaking, followed by cheek and body rubbing,“ veterinarian Dr. Sarah Dougherty says. “Spontaneous vocalization can occur, which could be a response to hallucinations. A lot of people have also referred to catnip as an aphrodisiac for cats, and while the physiological response is not the same, some sexual stimulation is evident.” 

For these reasons, for many cats, nothing beats a good catnip toy. And this is a good catnip toy. It may be simple in design but it has an abundance of well-earned five-star reviews on Amazon. “My cat doesn't like most toys, but he does play with this one,” wrote one reviewer. “This is my [cat] Rico’s favorite toy,” said yet another satisfied customer. “He throws it up in the air, holds it close to himself, sometimes falls asleep on it...It’s adorable and entertaining to watch him. Rico is a 9-year-old rescue and I wanted to get him a toy he would love to help him transition to his new home with me. Not only is Rico happy with this banana, but so am I.” —CM

We all want our dogs to be happy, but sometimes…we just cannot take any more squeaking. For dogs who crave a ton of playtime stimulation, and for their humans who crave quiet time, no-squeak toys are a great compromise. 

Choking and stomach obstruction are also the most common hazards associated with dog toys, and those little squeakers do not help. “The problem is that [squeakers] can be too much of a temptation for many dogs, leading them to massacre their toys in an attempt to reach the source of those intriguing squeaks,” veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox tells Kinship. This sweet hippo toy from Bottle Crusherz is ingenious; it acts as a soft, durable outer shell for a plastic water bottle, so your dog can chomp on it (a beloved doggie pastime) quietly. —KC

We’ve been through a pandemic, plenty of political turmoil, and we’ve seen Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian’s tongues touching more than we should ever have to. In times like these, we humans should be charging our crystals before we charge our phones. And if we’ve had a tough go of it, just think of our pets. “Anxiety, at its core, is a response to stressful stimuli, whether it be the departure/absence of the primary caregiver, loud noises, or a general phobia of newly introduced situations or individuals,” integrative Dr. Lindsey Wendt says. 

Pets deserve to work through their trauma, too. This is where Merci Collective’s crystal-infused catnip for cats and dogs comes in. “When cats are exposed to catnip, it causes them to become more active and playful and leads them to a feeling of pure bliss and euphoria,“ Chani Ronez, founder of Merci Collective, tells Kinship. “For dogs, however, it’s totally different in that it offers a sense of relaxation and calm.” —HW

Use code THEWILDEST15 at checkout for 15 percent off your purchase.

When former Nike Design Director Angela Medlin pivoted to the pet industry and created House Dogge, she did so with a simple goal: to make sustainable products that catch the eye without breaking the bank. “In general, there’s a perception that eco-conscious and eco-friendly products are bland,” she tells Kinship. “So I wanted to show that eco-friendly products can be colorful and have texture — their quality can be elevated.” Starting at $20, House Dogge’s wool binky toys are the epitome of this initial declaration. 

The entirely non-toxic toy is a stylishly minimalistic mashup of rope tugs and dog bones, with the option to include your pet's name in customized embroidery. Alternatively, if your dog is passionately committed to the eternal pet species battle, you can just have it say “cats” and let them chew away their demons. Beyond that, a portion of every House Dogge purchase goes towards supporting animal rescues. And don’t just take our word for it, take Oprah’s: The brand has been featured on her ever-coveted Favorite Things list. —SZ

Even though Awoof’s snuffle mat might resemble the most boring salad of all time, rest assured, your dog will love it. It’s a fun, mentally stimulating way to serve your pup dinner (or just give them a few treats) while allowing them to flex their impressive sense of smell. 

“Sniffing is an essential part of your dog’s life, and giving them a regular healthy outlet for it is a highly enriching activity,” certified dog trainer and Kinship Collective member Haussmann tells Kinship. All you have to do is scatter their food or treats throughout the felt, no-slip bowl and watch them sniff and search. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Valli Parthasarathy tells Kinship the activity will provide entertainment for your dog, but that’s not all. “Sniff-based mental stimulation can help promote overall relaxation in dogs, as well,” she says. And that is sure to make you feel good — just like eating a gigantic plain salad might, if we ever dared. —KC

Let your cat scratch all they want with the Star Chaser Turbo Scratcher from Bergen. It features a motion-activated LED ball your kitty can bat and nudge around the track, and a replaceable catnip scratch pad at the center. You can even pop on a second layer of fun (ball and all) with the Catnip Cyclone attachment.

“This is an all time favorite,” says cat behaviorist Cristin Tamburo. “It’s great because it is interactive and the cat can play with it on its own, with a cat friend, or even with its humans. It keeps the cats active by allowing them to use their mind and paws for play...The cats also use the scratching pad as a means to fulfill their scratching behaviors, it helps them to stretch, removes the sheathes from their nails, and even allows them to ‘mark’ both visibly (scratching) and by scent (they have scent glands in their paw pads).” —CM

After taking the necessary steps to address the root cause of your dog’s anxiety, a great way to help your dog channel their stress is through toys that engage stress relieving behaviors like licking, chewing, and mental enrichment. Got a dog who needs a more energetic outlet for releasing their demons? This unique toy is for the burrowers who enjoy a quick dig before their snack. With the iDig, dog parents can hide toys and treats under the toy’s flap, and pups can dig their way to their prize.

“The iDig is one of my dog’s favorite toys; it provides mental enrichment [from] finding the toys and treats mixed with the physical element of digging (which is a natural innate desire of dogs),” celebrity dog trainer Nicole Ellis says. “I find mine often goes to sleep in the iDig once he’s done. It’s our go-to when he needs to get some anxious energy out.” —RC

Catnip might just be the hack to cat parenthood. It mimics feline sex hormones and makes cats feel euphoric, but there is an alternative for cats who don't dig it. Last year, a study published in the academic journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, found that anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of cats do not respond to catnip at all. The same study found that silver vine, a plant native to mountainous regions of China, Japan, and Korea, produces an identical response and works on 90 percent of cats, including those who couldn’t care less about catnip.

“Silver vine is considered safe and non-toxic for cats,” veterinarian Dr. Amy Fox tells Kinship. You can add Meowy Jane’s freshly ground silver vine powder to your cat’s fave toy or scratching post — just a little pinch is more than enough. “Meowy Janes makes my favorite silver vine product, a high-quality, fine silver vine powder that comes in a cute storage tin,” certified cat behaviorist Dr. Mikel Delgado tells Kinship. “My cats go wild for this powder, and it's a fun, safe way to tap into your cat's olfactory abilities and jumpstart a play session!” —CM

If you have a pup who tears apart their chew toys in ten seconds flat, you’re not alone. According veterinary behaviorist Dr. Valli Parthasarathy, it’s totally normal for dogs to gnaw…and gnaw…and gnaw. “Dogs explore their environment with their mouths and chewing is an extension of this normal and natural behavior,” Dr. Parthasarathy says. “If a dog is chewing for self-stimulation or exploration, provide appropriate toys that are strong and are difficult to destroy.” That’s where the Kong Extreme comes in. 

Kongs are pretty much the gold standard when it comes to toys for tough chewers, which makes the Kong Extreme the best of the best. The ultra-durable rubber satisfies your pup’s desire to chew, which can help curb unwanted chewing behaviors — so maybe you can finally stop hiding those slippers. —SH

This adaptable cat tunnel can be folded in several ways, helping you and your pet keep things fun. It has buttons to easily modify the shape and rolls up into a compact carrying mode for easy transport. Our favorite feature, though? The toy’s thick felt material is filled with cut-outs your pet can poke its little paws through to play, while creating a safe space for privacy — which is important for cats, according to experts. 

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