Cat toys: the most sought-after in Portugal and how to choose the ideal one for your feline friend

If there's one thing all cat owners know, it's that play is part of the feline essence. A cat that plays is a happy cat — and also healthier, more balanced, and more connected with its owner. But with so many options available, choosing the ideal cat toy in Portugal can seem like a real challenge.
Among balls, tunnels, wands, and electronic toys, how do you know which is best for your whiskered companion?

In this guide, we'll dive into the world of feline toys, understand their functions, and discover which ones are most sought after and recommended in Portugal.

🐾 Why do cats need toys?

Playing is more than just a way to entertain a cat—it's a natural necessity. In nature, felines hunt, explore, and chase prey. At home, toys replace this experience, helping the cat express its hunting instincts in a healthy way.
Additionally, playing:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety;

  • Stimulates physical activity, preventing a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight;

  • Enhances the emotional bond between cat and owner;

  • Promotes balanced behavior, preventing scratching furniture or nighttime attacks.

In short, playing is a way for cats to stay mentally and physically healthy.

🧸 Types of cat toys

In the Portuguese market, there's an immense variety of toys—and each type meets a different need. Here are the main ones:

1. Hunting toys

These are almost every cat's favorite. Wands with feathers, plush mice, balls with bells, or toys that move on their own awaken their predatory instinct.
👉 Ideal for: active, curious, and natural hunter cats.
👉 Benefits: help burn energy and satisfy the natural need to chase and capture.

2. Mental stimulation toys

These so-called "feline puzzles" challenge the cat to think and find a way to get a reward—usually, a hidden treat.
👉 Ideal for: intelligent cats or those who spend a lot of time alone.
👉 Benefits: keep the brain active, reduce boredom, and help prevent destructive behaviors.

3. Tunnels and hideouts

Cats love to explore, entering and exiting enclosed spaces. Tunnels with different textures and small openings create very stimulating sensory and hunting experiences.
👉 Ideal for: playful, curious, or shy cats.
👉 Benefits: provide comfort, security, and fun all at once.

4. Interactive scratchers

More than just protecting sofas, modern scratchers come with balls, platforms, feathers, and even integrated circuits.
👉 Ideal for: cats that enjoy climbing and scratching.
👉 Benefits: care for claws, strengthen muscles, and prevent stress.

5. Tech toys

Yes, even cats now have electronic toys! In Portugal, automatic toys with random movement, such as self-moving balls or USB-rechargeable mice, have gained prominence.
👉 Ideal for: owners who spend the day out.
👉 Benefits: entertain the cat even in the owner's absence and simulate real prey behavior.

🌍 Trends in Portugal

In recent years, sustainable toys made with natural materials (such as organic cotton, sisal, bamboo, or wood) have attracted increasing numbers of conscientious owners.
Furthermore, there's a growing appreciation for multifunctional toys that combine physical and mental stimulation—something that reflects the new generation of owners: informed, demanding, and dedicated to their cats' well-being.

Another trend is the increased demand for cat toy surprise boxes, such as those offered by MewChel, which monthly assemble a curated selection of fun, cute, and safe items. Each box is designed to create new experiences and strengthen the bond between cat and owner—transforming playtime into a moment of affection.

💡 How to choose the right toy

Before buying any toy, it's important to observe your cat's behavior:

  • Does he prefer to chase things? Choose hunting toys.

  • Does he like to hide? Tunnels and boxes are perfect.

  • Shows signs of boredom? Invest in smart toys.

  • Is he destructive? Combine scratchers with durable toys.

It's also essential to vary toys from time to time. Cats get bored easily, so swap out available items and save some to rotate weekly. This way, the "old" toy will seem new and interesting again.

🧶 Extra safety tips

  1. Avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed.

  2. Check seams and threads regularly.

  3. Prefer products made with non-toxic materials safe for felines.

  4. Supervise your cat when playing with new objects, especially electronic ones.

Safety always comes first—especially when it comes to curious, exploring felines.

💛 MewChel's Vision

At MewChel, we believe that playing is a language of love. It's the moment when the owner enters the cat's world and shares their energy, attention, and affection with them.
That's why our monthly boxes are not just toy sets—they are carefully designed experiences to spark curiosity, joy, and companionship.

Each toy is selected based on three criteria:

  • Safety, because well-being always comes first;

  • Stimulation, because cats need to be challenged and entertained;

  • Enchantment, because we believe that beauty and delicacy are also part of the lives of cats and their humans.

When your cat plays, they express what is purest and most natural in them: curiosity, lightness, and the joy of living. And that's what we want to celebrate in every box, in every moment, in every purr.

Back to blog