Which toys are good for my cat?
So you just adopted a new cat from your local shelter. Excellent! Now, what are the best toys to keep your cat(s) stimulated and active?
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Cardboard Box
Just like children, cats can be more interested in the box that the toy came in than the actual product. Cat-Sized cardboard boxes also make great free cat toys for adventurous cats. Just leave one on the floor with the lid partially open. Try duct-taping two or three open-ended boxes together for a tunnel. Cut peek-a-boo windows randomly in the sides. Cardboard boxes are also a good place for hiding a toy, catnip cigar, or other treats. Boxes also make great interactive toys.
Paper shopping bags
Don’t forget the “freebies.” Most cats love the crinkle and hiding ability of paper bags. Crunch one up to make it more interesting, then open it up. Cut or tear a window or two in the side for hide ‘n’ seek with other cats. Hide a toy or two inside. Larger department store paper bags are great if you put in some tissue paper. Use your imagination, or just let your cat use his own. Don’t forget to cut off any handles otherwise your cat will get his head stuck in them and freak out while dragging the bag around his neck through the house at high speed.
Mylar balls
Cats generally love shiny, crinkly toys, and a mylar ball provides hours of chasing, fun. If you are patient enough, your cat may even develop a game of chase and fetch with you. Like any other small toys, you’ll want to buy a sufficient quantity of these inexpensive balls. Otherwise, they’ll all end up under your refrigerator, cabinet and/or bed!
Coil Springs
Just like the mylar balls, some cats love to chase these springs around the house. They will pick them up with their toes or teeth. Cats that have good dexterity with their toes tend to love to fit these coils inside paper towel rolls or doorway cracks. You can even toss it in the air and your cat will jump up and catch it.
Lasers
The Laser Pet Toy is irresistible to cats of all ages. Be careful not to shine the beam directly into your kitty’s eyes eyes. There are also ones that are automatic and will move the beam around on its own. Also, keep in mind that your cat needs to eventually “catch” his prey, so alternate this toy with more tangible lures, to save him from frustration.
Toy Mice
A cat can never be too cuddly, too cute, nor have too many mice to play with. Your cat will spend many enjoyable hours batting them around, “killing” them, and losing them under your furniture. You may want to remove any features that might be pulled off or swallowed, such as glued-on eyes, ears, and tails. The cats won’t really care about the difference. Leather mice wear particularly well, but colorful fabric ones will also be popular, particularly if enhanced with catnip.
Peek-a-prize toy box
The most interesting aspect of this toy is that the cats’ natural hunting and stalking instincts come into play. Their interest is not particularly in the “prey” (toys hidden inside the box), but in the thrill of the hunt. The floor soon became littered with toys flipped out of the box by one cat or another, and you will be busy with retrieving them so the hunt could continue. This is a toy that cats will not grow tired of.
Da Bird
The twirling feather action is so realistic, cats will go ballistic over Da Bird. You’ll find that it’s a good idea to put Da Bird away after play, or your cats will seek it out.
“Home-Grown” Toys
Pay attention to the things around the house that attract them, and between the two of you, you can devise some interactive games with them. A few “home-made” toys to try: The plastic rings from milk bottles. Wadded-up paper – the noisier, the better. An accordion-folded piece of paper tied to a long string. A large paper bag lying on its side with the handles cut off (cut some holes in it for added interest).
Old shoulder pads make dandy “mice” (try rubbing a bit of catnip on one). A baby sock stuffed with crinkly paper and a bit of catnip sewn closed makes a terrific catnip mouse. If you don’t have babies, just use an old sock of your own and tie it closed.
Things to Avoid as Toys
Though your cat’s imagination knows no bounds when it comes to inventing games with household objects, there are several things you should keep out of bounds. Loose string, elastic, curling ribbon or Christmas tree icicles can tangle in the intestines if swallowed. Plastic bags can suffocate a small cat, or cause blockage if pieces are torn off and swallowed. Rubber bands, paper clips, thumb tacks, any small, similar items are choking hazards.
Always indulge your cat in toys that interest him. This will keep him active, healthy and out of mischief for a long time to come.
As we all know, our cats are safe when indoors, but they do get bored and sleep too much which results in excess weight-gain. I find that when I play with my cats regularly, they play more on their own too afterwards – helps keep the weight under control and results in happier kitties too!
I also find play time with my kitties important to their schedule. Sometimes they like to run around or play with noisy toys in the middle of the night. To diminish this activity, I set aside some time before I go to bed to play with them for 15-20 minutes. This gets the energy out of their system and they know it is bed time because I try to keep the time consistent each day. It increases my odds of getting a good night’s sleep.
My cat disliked all the toys we bought, and we got plenty. He does love chasing elastics when we throw them in the air, though, and never tried swallowing them. It’s just not good to leave cats unsupervised with elastics around.
In general, the best bet when it comes to cat toys and games is to try different things. Cats have different personalities and what works for one may not work for another.