Here’s the thing about cats. You can buy them something complicated, expensive and enriching, and they’ll still choose the grocery bag you accidentally left on the floor, which is why the Deluxe Cat Tunnel from Five Below makes so much sense. It’s basically the responsible, slightly upgraded version of that exact scenario.
At first glance, it’s delightfully simple. A tunnel in unapologetic pink, featherlight and satisfyingly crinkly, with a few dangling toys begging for a swat. No batteries, no assembly, no instructions to toss aside. That’s the magic. It lets cats be cats, minus the tangled handles or the guilt of another shredded paper bag.
The tunnel channels feline energy into wild, joyful sprints that actually tire them out. Dash through. Freeze. Glare. Dash again. Disappear. Ambush. Repeat. It’s action without you playing a wand-toy marathon until your arm protests. Cats get to burn off steam their way, which is precisely how they like it.
Deluxe Cat Tunnel, $5 at Five Below
Five Below
And then there’s the price tag. For a little over five bucks, it’s a buy that feels both spontaneous and absolutely right. No overthinking, no calculations about how long it will last. You’re simply upgrading your cat’s favorite obsession.
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The tunnel, available in blue and pink, lights up every feline instinct at once. It’s a secret hideout, lightning-fast racetrack, and the perfect spot to lurk in suspense, convinced something thrilling is about to happen. One moment, your cat is quietly surveying the world from inside, eyes huge and unblinking. Next, they’re rocketing out as if an invisible insult just flew by.
The size is spot on for these antics. Spacious enough for epic zoomies, yet compact enough not to dominate your living room forever. It folds away in seconds, which is handy when you want your floor back, and your cat has other ideas. The dangling toys inside add just the right flicker of movement to keep things lively, especially for cats who love to stake out and wait for imaginary prey to slip up.
This isn’t a toy that overpromises enrichment. This toy doesn’t make grand promises about enrichment. No flashy claims needed. It simply offers cats a space to dash, hide, burn energy and finally flop. For you, it’s a definite step up from a crumpled grocery bag on the floor, which feels like real progress.
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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Shopping section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.