Do you walk through the pet store, see the many toys
available for your cat, and wonder if the expense will be worth
it? Cats can be fickle creatures, but a good time can be found
with almost any toy. Cats are like children they go through
stages and sometimes need age appropriate toys and can get bored
very easily. Some suggestions for toys include the cat towers,
stuffed mice, small amounts of catnip, stuffed animals, ribbons,
and plastic balls.
From an early age, kittens learn to pick up things in their
mouths. It is an instinct, just like using their claws. When a
cat plays, they like to grab and bit their toys. Let us look at
the toys listed above. A cat tower is a great way to teach you
cat where it is appropriate to climb. It will keep them off the
blinds or curtains while giving them hours of fun. There are
many styles of cat towers from the two story towers to the ones
rising to the ceiling. The answer to your question is, the more
levels they have the more fun and enjoyment they will receive
out of a cat tower. A cat will use the tower for play as well as
sleep. They like to bat at ropes and other items dangling off
the tower as well as going through little tunnels up to the next
level. If you have two cats you will have fun watching them give
chase to the top often trying to knock the other off. A cat
tower can be practical because they will scratch at it rather
than your couch.
Stuffed mice are also important to any kitty’s playtime. Not all
mice are the same; most cats prefer the small leather mice with
the multi colored fur and long tails. These mice come in twelve
packs or three packs, and believe me if they are anything like
my kitty they will tear them apart. Cloth mice are typically
second during playtime. If you find your kitty to be
uninterested in mice you might want to check the type of mouse
you have bought them.
Catnip toys are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to be
more rowdy, which can be a plus because they wear down faster.
Catnip before bedtime is a great way to get your cat to sleep
for quite a while and leave you to slumber. Catnip should be
given out sparingly. You do not want to give your cat catnip
everyday because it can have adverse affects to their behavior.
They can start to depend on it and have mood swings.
I have found the best toy may just be your old stuffed animal
lying around the house. My kitty, Spooky, will bring me a
stuffed animal when she is ready to play and she has stuffed
animals in her toy basket. There is nothing more amusing than
watching my kitty brings me a stuffed animal bigger than she is
and proceeds to toss it in the air and pounce. Cats like the
feel of certain things in their mouths that is why they chew on
paper, plastic and even your blankets. The feel of the material
in their mouths allows them to clean their teeth or when they
are teething help reduce the pain. The stuffed animal can work
in much the same way and keep them away from harmful products.
To answer my above question you do not have to go to great
expense to entertain your cat, however when you spend a little
on toys you keep your kitty from getting bored. You may even
decide to hide a few toys and reintroduce them after a few
months to keep from purchasing new ones all the time. Just make
sure it is not the favorite toy of your pet or they may find
other ways to entertain themselves that you do not find amusing.