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Although cats generally have different play styles
than their canine counterparts, toys are as much a necessity for cats as
they are for dogs. Toys help fight boredom and give cats an outlet for their
instinctive prey-chasing behaviors. And when you are the one moving the toy
around while your cat fishes for it, chases after it, or jumps in pursuit of
it, playtime becomes a bonding experience for you and your cat.
"Safe" Toys
Our mothers always told us "no playing ball in the house," but cats can
usually participate in that forbidden exercise without knocking down a vase
or a lamp (and being grounded for two weeks). Still, there are plenty of
factors that may contribute to the safety of the toy they're batting around.
Many of those factors are completely dependent upon your cat's size,
activity level, and preferences. Another factor to be considered is the
environment in which your cat spends her time. Although we can't guarantee
your cat's enthusiasm or her safety with any specific toy, we can offer the
following guidelines.
Be Cautious
The things that are usually the most attractive to cats are often the
very things that are the most dangerous. Cat-proof your home by removing
string, ribbon, yarn, rubber bands, plastic milk jug rings, paper clips,
pins, needles, dental floss, and anything else that could be ingested. All
of these items are dangerous, no matter how cute your cat may appear when
she's playing with them.
Avoid or alter any toys that aren't "cat-proof" by removing ribbons,
feathers, strings, eyes, or other small parts that could be chewed and
ingested.
Soft toys should be machine washable. Look for stuffed toys that are
labeled as safe for children under three years of age and that don't contain
any dangerous fillings. Problem fillings include things like nutshells and
polystyrene beads. Also, rigid toys are not as attractive to cats.
Toys We Recommend
Active Toys:
- Round plastic shower curtain rings, which are fun either as a single
ring to bat around, hide, or carry, or when linked together and hung in an
enticing spot.
- Plastic balls, with or without bells inside.
- Ping-Pong balls and plastic practice golf balls with holes, to help
cats carry them. Try putting one in a dry bathtub, as the captive ball is
much more fun than one that escapes under the sofa. You'll probably want
to remove the balls from the bathtub before bedtime, or you may lose some
sleep, as two o'clock in the morning seems to be a prime time for this
game.
- Paper bags with any handles removed. Paper bags are good for pouncing,
hiding, and interactive play. Plastic bags are not a good idea, as
many cats like to chew and ingest the plastic.
- Sisal-wrapped toys, which are very attractive to cats who tend to
ignore soft toys.
- Empty cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels, made even
more fun if you "unwind" a little cardboard to get them started.
Comfort Toys:
- Soft stuffed animals, which are good for several purposes. For some
cats, the stuffed animal should be small enough to carry around. For cats
who want to wrestle with the toy, the stuffed animal should be about the
same size as the cat. Toys with legs and a tail seem to be even more
enticing to cats.
- Cardboard boxes, especially those a little too small for your cat to
really fit into.
Catnip:
- Catnip-filled soft toys are fun to kick, carry, and rub. Catnip is not
addictive and is perfectly safe for cats to roll in, rub in, or eat.
- Plain catnip can be crushed and sprinkled on the carpet or, for easier
cleanup, on a towel placed on the floor. Catnip oils will often stay in
the carpet, and although they're not visible to us, your cat will still be
able to smell them.
- Catnip sprays rarely have enough power to be attractive to cats.
- Not all cats are affected by catnip. Some cats may become
over-stimulated to the point of aggressive play and others may become
relaxed.
- Kittens under six months old seem to be immune to catnip.
Get The Most Out of Toys
- Rotate your cat's toys weekly by making only a few available at a
time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your cat has a
favorite, like a soft "baby" that she loves to cuddle with, you may want
to leave that one out all the time.
- Provide toys that offer a variety of uses—at least one toy to carry,
one to wrestle with, one to roll, and one to "baby."
- "Hide and Seek" is a fun game for cats to play. "Found" toys are often
much more attractive than a toy which is obviously introduced.
- Many of your cat's toys should be interactive. Interactive play is
very important for your cat because he needs active "people time" —and
such play also enhances the bond between you and your pet. Cats generally
engage in three types of play—"fishing, flying, and chasing"—and all types
are much more engaging for cats when you are part of them.
© 2002. Adapted from material originally developed by
applied animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado.
All rights reserved.
Up
Aggression Between Family Cats
Aggression Towards People
Caring for Your Cat
Cat Toys You Need Them
Common Cat Hazards
Common Poisonous Plants
Declawing Cats
Destructive Scratching
Discouraging Free-Roaming Cats
Eating Strange Objects (Such as Feces)
Fearful Cats
Introducing Pets to a New Cat
Kitten Behavior Basics
Kitten's Rough Play
Noisy Cats
Training Your Cat with Treats and Praise
Preventing Litter Box Problems
Removing Pet Stains and Odors
Solving Litter Box Problems
Urine-Marking Behavior
Using Aversives to Modify Your Cat's Behavior
Your Cat—Indoors or Out
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