Cat Toys
Cats need to play for a number of important reasons, and cat toys are among the most important items you can have for your pet. For one thing, playing and having fun reduces the likelihood that your cat will suffer from stress. Also, active play keeps cats in shape. If cats are given the opportunity to play, they won’t get bored and frustrated, and they will be less likely to destroy furniture or belongings. They may even sleep more at night instead of keeping you awake while they seek out something to do! Cats like toys that mimic their instinct to chase and attack prey. Long wires with an object at one end are great interactive toys that people can hold and cats can pounce on. You will probably notice that kittens will pounce on almost anything, especially if it makes a fun sound. A paper bag, a ball of foil or a plastic golf ball can all be of interest to a young, active cat. Finding something to keep an older cat active may be more of a challenge. If you choose to give your cat regular household items to play with, be sure they are safe. Never give her string, yarn, ribbons or rubber bands or anything small enough to swallow. It is fine to have your cat chase a string that you are holding, but make sure to keep it out of her reach when you are not in the room with her. Of course, there are many commercial cat toysdesigned to entice and amuse your cat. Toys made by reputable companies will usually be safe for your cat to play with, but it is always a good idea to check for small pieces that can break or fall off and be swallowed. Toy mice (a favorite in our house is Marty Mouse) and anything that can be swatted or batted around the house are likely to be big hits. Of course, your cat will probably have some toys she loves and some that you are surprised to find she has no interest in at all. Many cat toys are designed for the amusement of both people and cats (for example, I love the "kitten mitten," which is a glove with long, silly fingers for your kitty to attack without injuring you!
Catnip ToysSome cats love toys filled with catnip, while others, especially kittens, may have no reaction to it at all. About two out of three cats is excited by catnip and will have a grand time when exposed to it. Catnip is a natural herb that is perfectly safe for most cats, bringing out the playful beast in most of them. However, a cat that is aggressive by nature may lose his inhibitions and become overly mean when exposed to catnip. If you have a cat like this, try giving him catnip in an isolated area to see how he reacts to it before allowing him to play with catnip toys freely, especially if there are other cats in the household. For most cats, though, catnip is both safe and entertaining.
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