Do you know why play is important to your cat? How is your supply of cat play toys? Cats love to be mentally and physically stimulated. With the right toy, they will play happily by themselves, but they also love to play with their owners.
Playing teaches kittens many important survival skills. They learn the basic techniques of hunting, such as stalking, chasing, and capturing prey. Basic instincts are expressed through playing a hunting game. This play is especially important to cats who remain inside.
Below is information that I found on Vetstreet.com that was a helpful clarification of the value of pet play.
Play Can Keep Them Healthy
Because it provides the cat with exercise, play can keep him healthy. It helps the cat to maintain a healthy weight. Playing with your cat will work to prevent some problems that might arise out of boredom. There’s no telling what he might think of getting into if he is bored.
Playing with your cat can prove a good way to strengthen the bond between you. Make sure the toys you provide your cat are safe. A toy is too little if the cat can get it entirely in his mouth, as he might swallow it. Don’t select a toy with small parts that the cat could mistake for a treat.
What Kind of Toys Should You Provide for Your Cat?
You can make a fine toy with a piece of twine or wire. Fishing line works well, too. Attach a feather or a piece of crinkled cellophane to the end and drag it around for your cat to chase or pounce on. Don’t be mean, now — let the cat catch the object now and then, so you can praise his skills, too. My cat, Carlos, would chase a ball, especially one that made a noise, all over the living room. Toys with catnip inside can make your cat especially happy and playful.
Feeder toys work well for keeping your cat from getting bored. If the cat can get a reward of food by playing with the feeder toy, it will keep him interested.
Other Great Home-made Toys
Give your cat a small box that he can get into. If barely big enough for the cat to fit in, all the better. There is some fascination with small containers that can cause the cat to do some really goofy things.
An open paper bag makes another good toy. Loose Cat, my Kodiak cat, used to have a paper bag technique that we found quite novel. When we found the cat sitting or lying on a chair, we’d place a large, open paper bag, standing upright, next to the chair seat. The cat would stare and stare into the bag until he seemed to be mesmerized by it. Then he’d slowly slide into the open bag, which would fall over once it contained the cat. There he’d stay to take a nap. Silly cat!
See below a small selection of toys that you can find on Amazon. Click on the image or on the blue item name to be taken to the page where you can purchase the item. As an Amazon affiliate, I may make a small commission for qualifying items.
1) Petstages Tower of Track Cat Toy
by Petstages
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Three balls spin and roll. Spinning balls keep cats busy and stimulate their hunting instincts. Non-slip base holds the toy in place.
2) Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
by Bergan
Colors may vary
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This toy has a channel on the outer edge for the balls (supplied). In the center is a scratch pad. Fun and exercise for your cat.
3) Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy
by Friends Forever
Battery operated (three AA batteries, not included)
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This rotate pattern laser will move randomly across the floor and walls. Cats can chase it for 15 minutes; then its automatic timer will shut it off to allow the cat to rest.
100% satisfaction guaranteed
by Ducky World Products Inc.
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This all-handmade toy is filled with 100% organic catnip. It was made in the USA.
Cat Dancer Products Rainbow Cat Charmer
by Cat Dancer Products
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My son gave me one of these for Mother’s Day one year, and it was my cat’s favorite toy. Its colored strip of polar fleece is quite mobile and will entertain your cat well. He can chase it or you can flip it in the air. It makes wonderful moving patterns. When you aren’t nearby, hook it over the back of a chair. He can still play with it, even when you are not around.
6) Petfavorites Original Mylar Crinkle Balls Cat Toy — 12-pack
by Petfavorites
Prime available
Soft and crinkly in bright magnetic colors
Excellent for kitty exercise
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prime available
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Collapsible 3-way play toy
Durable structure; tear-resistant polyester and a spring-steel frame. Each tube is about ten inches tall and seventeen inches deep. Folds down small for storage.
by Yofun
Prime available
3 sets of batteries included
Press a button and the ball continuously rolls around the house. It does a 360 degree self-rotation and has a red light.
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
by World Wise Pooch Planet
Free shipping for Prime members
Cat toy catnip mice, 3 in a package
Pure catnip with no chemicals or pesticides. Fiber fill is made from 100% recycled plastic.
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
10. Highland Farms Select Cat Toys 20-Piece Variety Pack
by Highland Farms Select
Prime
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Remember — your cat deserves some fine toys. If your supply is low, look over this list. You might see something that your cat would dearly love to play with.
What a great selection of cat toys you have here, ideal if you want to give your furry friend a Christmas gift!
My cat really likes the crinkly toys, and also the chasing type, but as you say, if you do not have a designated toy on hand, a box or a swishy ribbon make really good substitutes.
I do agree that you should play with your kitten, as it definitely helps to build your relationship and prevents boredom.
Thank you so much for this really useful information.
Chrissie 🙂
You are very welcome, Chrissie. Cats, like us, can use a little variety in their lives. If they get bored, they get unhappy, or can find ways to get into trouble. Nice toys help.
Every Christmas, I will buy different toys for my kitty to last her over a year. She gets a new one every month so that she won’t get bored. Sometimes, I recycled the old ones if she doesn’t fancy the new toys. Here favorite so far is the crinkle balls, but we are getting a new cat so I think the Pet Cat tunnel might be a good idea for them to play about. I like that the material is made of good quality because I know cats can be quite rough when they play in twos. Thanks for the suggestions!
I like that pet tunnel, too. It looks like it would give the cats a lot of fun playing in it. I like that it collapses for storage, too. Your kitty is very lucky to have a human that will bring her new toys regularly. It helps keep their boredom at bay. You are a good kitty mama!
Our cats love to play with toys. Although they can go outside, they still love coming home and play with us and the toys we have ready for them.
You have some nice new toy ideas here, I’m sure they love them. I want to try with the catnip yellow banana, this looks too cute.
The petstages tower looks pretty interesting too for letting them chase a mouse while inside the house.
Believe me, it is much better to let them chase a fake mouse than it is a real one! My cat always liked to bring me presents in the summer, turn them loose live in the house, and then play with them. Glad you liked the selection. It is always fun to come up with something new that the cat will enjoy.
Naturally cats are very playful animals Therefore I totally agree with the need for toys to enable them have fun always and enjoy themselves.
Thanks for bringing to our knowledge this amazing cat toys i’m sure cats are going to love them Their prices are also excellent and way under the budget.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, they do like to play, and new toys are always welcomed. Glad you liked the post.