petcarefun.info

November 1st, 2009 by KittyKitty

Do you amble through the pet products shop, notice the many toys on offer for your cat, and question if the cost will be worth it? Cats can be choosy animals, but a good time can be found with just about any toy. Cats are like children; they go through stages and occasionally 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 bite into their toys. Let us look at the toys listed above. A cat scratcher is a great way to coach your cat where it is appropriate to climb. It will keep them off the blinds or curtains at the same time as providing them with hours of amusement. There are numerous types 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 pleasure they will get out of a cat scratcher. A cat will make use of the scratcher for play as well as sleep.  They love to bat at ropes and other objects hanging off the scratcher as well as going through small tunnels up to the next level. If you have two cats you will have fun watching them chase each other to the top often trying to knock the other off. A cat scratcher can also be convenient because they will scratch at it rather than your couch.

Stuffed mice are also valuable 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 usually second during playtime. If you find your kitty to be indifferent to mice you may want to check the type of mouse you have chosen for them.

Catnip toys are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to be more rowdy, which can be a plus because they tire faster. Catnip ahead of bedtime is a great means to get your cat to sleep for quite a while and permit you to get some shuteye. Catnip should be given out sparingly. You do not want to give your cat catnip each day since it can have adverse effects on their behavior. They can start to rely on it and have mood swings.

I have found the best toy could just be your old stuffed animal lying around the house. My kitten will fetch 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 bring me a stuffed animal, bigger than she is, and proceed to throw it in the air and pounce.  Cats like the feel of particular 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 to diminish the pain. The stuffed animal can work in much the same way and keep them away from injurious products.

To answer my initial 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 kitten from getting bored.  You might even decide to hide a few toys and reintroduce them after a few months to keep from buying 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!