Scented cat toys: the smell only matters if the toy stays still
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Catnip on the plush toy, attractant spray in the tunnel: scent is often the first instinct for reviving a cat's interest in a jaded toy. A recent study isolated that variable from movement, and the result meaningfully complicates the intuition. Our play ideas are gathered in the cat toys and enrichment section.
Contents · 4 sections
Identical toys, only one variable changes
Webberson, Stellato, O'Hanley, Zhang and Aviles-Rosa published in 2025, in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, a study comparing cats' interaction with toys across two factors: scented or not, moving or stationary. The protocol offered cats toys that were identical apart from these two variables, in order to isolate the effect of each on interaction time.
The clear result: cats interacted noticeably more with moving toys than with stationary ones, regardless of scent. On the other hand, no preference for the scented toy appeared while the toys were moving — a preference for scent only showed up when the toys were stationary.
What the study does not say
The movement tested was mechanical and controlled, not the unpredictable kind produced by an owner handling a toy — the comparison with an interactive session using a wand toy, as covered in our article on using a laser toy properly, therefore remains indirect. The study also does not test individual scent substances one by one: it cannot say whether catnip, silvervine, or another scent behave differently from each other on this exact point.
What this changes in practice
- Favour movement to revive interest during an active play session, rather than relying on simply adding scent.
- Reserve scent for toys left out freely accessible, stationary between play sessions — that is exactly the context where the study found an effect.
- Compare alternatives to classic catnip in our article on silvervine and matatabi, if scent remains your main lever for stationary toys.
Frequently asked questions
Should scented active toys be avoided now?
No, the study shows no negative effect of scent on a moving toy, only an absence of additional preference compared with an unscented toy.
Is an automatic toy enough without human involvement?
The study measures interaction with the toy, not the overall behavioural benefit of a shared play session; it does not replace guidance on the duration and frequency of interactive play.
Does this result hold for every cat?
The sample does not break results down by age or individual temperament, two factors known to influence interest in play. Find all our guides on the cat hub.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.