The Thrill of the Chase

Have you ever watched your cat zoom around the house like they saw a ghost? Yeah, same. Turns out, that's their primal instincts at play (who knew??). In fact, one of the best ways to keep your cat mentally and physically stimulated is by engaging their natural chase response. 

The Science Behind the Chase

In the wild, a cat’s survival depends on its ability to stalk, chase, and catch prey. Even domesticated cats retain this deep-seated instinct, which is why they love anything that mimics movement—whether it’s a feather toy, a rolling ball, or your foot under the covers. When cats don’t get to chase, they get bored. And when they get bored, they get messy. That’s when your couch, your curtains, and your ankles become their new prey.

TL:DR: Chasing things = happy, healthy, less destructive kitty. 

Chasing provides a healthy outlet for energy, sharpens reflexes, and reduces stress, but not all toys are created equal when it comes to simulating the thrill of the hunt. If your cat is anything like ours, feather toys are only cute for like five minutes before they get bored and decide to take their 20th nap for the day. In a world where most cat toys are designed to be hunted, what about toys that flip the script?

Why Our Kid’s Toy Became Our Cat’s New Obsession

We recently got our hands on the Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit for our youngest, thinking it would be a fun way to bring their favorite game into the real world. And it is—watching them control a real-life Mario Kart through the house, weaving around furniture and making custom racetracks, has been a blast. But what we didn’t expect? Our cat loves it just as much.

For those who haven’t seen it, Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is a remote-controlled kart with a camera attached. It streams live video to the Nintendo Switch, letting kids (or parents) steer it through the house like a real-life Mario Kart race. The game overlays virtual elements onto the screen, but the kart itself moves unpredictably based on how the player controls it—which makes it the perfect unexpected cat toy.

Most cat toys focus on letting cats chase things, but this adds a new dynamic: being chased. And while it might sound counterintuitive, that’s actually great for a cat’s mental and physical well-being. This kind of interaction can be particularly beneficial for indoor cats, who often lack opportunities to express their natural hunting behavior.

Aside from keeping your cat entertained for hours, but it also helps with:

• Preventing boredom-related destruction (Your furniture will thank you)
• Keeps them fit and active (No more zoomies at 3 AM)
• Provides a safe “hunting” experience (All the thrill, none of the casualties)
• Keeps the kids entertained too (2 birds, 1 stone)

An Unexpected Win for the Whole Family

What started as a racing game for our kid turned into one of the best interactive toys for our cat. The best part? It’s fun for everyone. Our child gets to steer and create challenges, our cat gets to engage in stimulating play, and we get to sit back and enjoy the chaos.

If you already have Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit in your house, try introducing it to your cat and see what happens. If not, you might have just found the perfect kid-friendly and cat-approved toy all-in one. Check it out here and let the fun begin!