Toys: Cats Love Them

Use Caution

As smart as we are, it is almost impossible to resist attacking a piece of string or anything that looks like string.  The most attractive things are generally the most dangerous for us to play with.  You can easily cat-proof your house by removing items that can be eaten by us.  Some of these include ribbon, rubber bands, needles, floss, clips or my personal favorite, iPod headphones!  I know we look adorable playing with these things but they are all dangerous.

I suggest avoiding any toys that are not “feline-proof”.  Another option is to modify any toy that may have feathers, string, or other small things that we can chew and ingest.

In general, we are not as attracted to hard and rigid toys.  For our soft and plush toys, it is preferable that they are machine washable.  A good practice is to find stuffed toys that are safe for children under three years old.  Beads and shells are dangerous and should be avoided.

Mr. Jenks Recommended Toys

Dynamic Toys: 

• Sisal covered toys- Includes sisal cat scratching posts, sisal cat scratching boards and sisal litter box mats.  We LOVE to scratch!!!  This is exercise for us too!
• Balls- with or without bells inside, preferably plastic.
• Paper Bags- Remove handles.  Great for hiding in and interactive playtime.  We can chew and ingest plastic bags so they are to be avoided.  My favorite is to wait in an overturned bag until my owner drags a toy across the opening and I POUNCE! Also, make sure that the bag is not on a counter or table when your cat gets inside.  Once the front claws land inside the bag our back legs continue to drive forward causing the bag to slide.  I have learned this lesson the hard way after a blind fall over the side of the kitchen counter.  OUCH!
• Cardboard tubes- From empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls. 
• Mr. Jenks approved game: To insure no more balls being lost due to rolling under a couch or dresser, place your cat into an empty bathtub.  Get a whiffle golf ball or Ping-Pong ball and drop it into the tub with the cat.  Sit back and let your cat wear itself out!  FYI Remove the ball before going to sleep.  We have been known to play this game in the early morning hours as if we knew that how much it would drive you crazy ;)   

Comforting Cat Toys:

• Cardboard boxes!  I LOVE THESE! My favorite is when it’s slightly too small for me to fit into.  We will try our hardest to fit in the box but usually settle in with our tail wagging off the back.
• Stuffed animals are great for many reasons.  Some cats like to carry around smaller stuffed animals.  Personally I like to wrestle with them.  For wrestling, the stuffed animal should be around our same size.  An animal with a tail or legs helps you hold it while we bite and claw on.  I really like to get my back legs scratching when playing like this! 

Catnip: 

• Catnip is safe for your cat to eat, roll around in and rub on themselves.  I personally can’t get enough of the stuff!!  Toys that are filled with catnip are a great way to add fun to our playtime.
• Catnip leaves can be crushed and sprinkled on the floor for your cat to use.  Sprinkle it on our favorite spots or new toys.  The oils of the catnip stay long after they are visible to you.  I can still smell where a bag of catnip was spilled on the kitchen carpet.
• Be aware that kittens under six months old are seemingly immune to the effects.
• Catnip sprays are a great way to attract your cat to a new toy, scratching post or for a special treat on their dinner!  These are made of concentrated catnip.  Order the best catnip blend here.
• My owners also grow catnip in their garden at home.  The leaves can be dried and crushed to get the same product that is found in stores.  This insures that no chemicals are used in the production of the catnip.  The catnip plants outside are a frequent stop on my hunting route. 

Getting The Most Out of Your Toys 

• Variety is the spice to a cat’s life too!  Make toys available that have different uses.  I personally have a toy that I wrestle with, one stuffed animal that I “baby” and carry around, numerous balls and a wide variety of sisal cat scratching posts (a perk of being Cat Post Directs’ “Test Cat”)
• One way to get us excited about a toy is to play “Hide and Seek” with it.  When we find a toy that you have “hidden” it is more appealing than one that is presented noticeably.
• “Cat Fishing” is a game that I am always willing to play!  Many toys are available that are similar to fishing poles with attractive toys on the end of the line.  Remember to be careful when selecting the type of string that the toy is attached to.
• If you have multiple toys it never hurts to vary their usage.  This helps prevent boredom with the toys.  Unless it’s our cuddle “baby”, that you can always keep around.