Kitten Toys
Beanie Babies make great cat toys for kittens and adolescent housecats. The stuffed toys have just the right plumpness and heft, so that a kitty can fantasize that he has captured something substantial, like a squirrel. Kittens can also be amused for hours on end by a cat toy called a Star Chaser. The kitten sits on the scratching post material at the center of a plastic track, and swats at a ball, which glides along the circular track but can never be removed. Grown cats catch on quickly that they’re never going to retrieve the ball, and soon lose interest.
Sometimes, a toy that may be appealing to the owner’s eye will send a cat running for cover. Catnip bubble blowers are one such example. Even if the cat did hang around to watch his owner blow bubbles from a wand, the first time one pops on the cat’s nose, he’s outa there. Automated laser beam cat toys also sound like a clever idea, but the laser moves too quickly for the cat to maintain interest beyond about a minute and he soon becomes more fixated on knocking the noisy laser generator off the table.
Dangerous Items
Some household objects can lead to injury or death. Here are the ones to avoid:
• Ball of yarn – once the cat starts swallowing, he can’t stop and may choke
• Tinfoil balls – can block intestines if swallowed
• Cellophane – reacts with digestive juices, causes internal hemorrhage
• Rubber Bands – can lead to fatal complications if swallowed
• Superballs – they bounce back hard and hit kitty in the face
• Toys with glued-on decorations – dangerous if swallowed
• Plastic bags – cats can suffocate, just as children can
• Bags with handles – they can get caught in the handles
Let Him Win
In order for a cat to stay interested in a game, he must enjoy the thrill of success. If you pull a string for him, allow him to catch it occasionally, and don’t forget to give him praise. Also, it’s important not to yank a toy when the cat has his claws or teeth in it. Pain is no fun. Playing with your cat not only creates a bond between you and your pet, but also makes him feel relaxed and happy. Once you understand your cat’s preferences, you can enrich his life with some well-chosen cat toys.
Great links for Incredible Cat Toys
