As soon as a kitten appears in the house, the need arises to purchase various household items intended for a new tailed friend. Little kittens are curious and active, so they will also need toys with which they can spend their leisure time in a fun way. Even adult cats are often interested in special toys that develop thinking, attention, dexterity and other useful skills in pets.
In the article we will look at why cats need toys, what to look for when choosing toys for kittens and adult cats, what types of toys there are for cats, and methods for teaching your pet to toys.
Why cats need games and toys
Cats are predators by nature. They have hunting instincts that need to be constantly developed. Animals with free access to the outdoors develop their natural skills in their natural environment, hunting for birds, small rodents and insects.
Special toys help domestic cats diversify their leisure time. Active games have a beneficial effect on the general physical condition and health of the pet.
Other benefits of cat toys:
- promote the development of natural instincts and skills;
- satisfy the cat's needs;
- provide positive emotions for the pet;
- Having its own toys, the cat loses interest in upholstered furniture and other products in the house, which allows you to keep household items intact.
Toys are especially necessary if there are two or more cats living in the house. With their help, animals relieve stress and take out all the negative energy on toys, maintaining peaceful friendly relations among themselves.
Basic requirements for toys for kittens
- Baby kittens are naturally inquisitive and playful. In order not to lose mobility, it is necessary to choose the right toys, taking into account the character and personality of the four-legged pet. Requirements for toys should take into account the following factors:
- it should not be small so that the kitten does not swallow it while playing;
- the weight of the toy must be accessible so that cats can play normally, otherwise it will not be interesting;
- You should not buy hard specimens, so as not to break baby teeth;
- Be sure to pay attention to the color of the product - cats do not distinguish colors well, motley tones are more likely to attract your attention.
How to choose the right toys for cats
Pet stores offer a huge range of toys for cats and cats. You should select products according to certain rules.
How to choose a cat toy:
- The toy must be of high quality, made from environmentally friendly and safe materials.
- There should be no small or detachable parts on the toy.
- The owner must take into account the preferences of his tailed friend. Some cats love to play with wind-up mice, while others enthusiastically chase balls.
- For general development, you can buy your cat a multifunctional toy or developmental complex.
It is recommended to buy your cat several different toys so that she always has a choice. This will also allow the owner to determine the preferences of their furry friend.
Criteria for choosing a safe toy
When buying “trinkets” for pets, owners often choose pet supplies based on frivolous principles: “because it’s beautiful, funny,” “a friend has one, Barsik likes his, I should buy mine too.” And then they are surprised: the pet ignored the gift. In order not to make mistakes when choosing, you need to remember: each animal is individual. Before going to a pet store or looking at lots in an online store, you should take a closer look at your cat’s habits and remember the advice of your veterinarian. A thoughtful purchase will bring more satisfaction.
What to look for when going shopping at a pet store?
- High quality material
The best manufacturers take care of the health of pets using good raw materials. Counterfeits and low-quality goods have a strong artificial smell that will scare away animals and can cause an allergic reaction.
- Strength
Stitched models, decorated with glued elements, are only suitable for admiring at an unapproachable distance. Murka, with sharp claws and teeth, will instantly tear apart the fragile product, definitely taste the contents, and choke.
- Healthy color
A ball bought at a pet store at a ridiculous price, bright to the point of pain in the eyes, is dangerous. An unnatural color is the first sign that the model is made from questionable raw materials with synthetic harmful impurities. Such a gift to a pet will negatively affect its health.
- Suitable for cleaning
Hygiene is important for a healthy pet. Balls and mice that have repeatedly been in the cat's paws and teeth need to be washed from time to time so that the animal does not get sick.
- No small parts
For safety, it is better to purchase a whole product. A model consisting of many small elements will eventually begin to fall apart into “puzzles”; this is dangerous for the animal.
In an online store where there is no way to tactilely evaluate a product, you will have to be content with the information provided by the seller. When planning to order online, you should pay attention to:
- photo;
- product description;
- its characteristics;
- functional;
- brand;
- who is the manufacturer;
- customer reviews;
- price;
- guarantees;
- Payment Methods;
- delivery methods.
The last two points are important, given the large number of unscrupulous online sellers. The offer to immediately pay for the goods and delivery without an alternative - only by Russian post, raises suspicion. According to postal employees, it is not uncommon for customers to receive parcels containing garbage and unusable goods. It is impossible to return the money paid in 90 out of 100 cases.
Types of simple toys for cats
Simple toys are the most popular for cats, they are sold at a low price and are quite satisfactory for the animals. Among such products, balls, mice and pointers are in particular demand. Let's take a closer look.
Balls
Cat balls are small in size and made from different materials.
Kinds:
- jumpers;
- a ball with a bell or small ball inside;
- textile balls with catnip, stimulating the physical activity of the animal.
Pointers
The pointing toy creates a laser beam with a point of light that indoor cats love to chase. The owner controls the pointer. The kit may include additional attachments that transform the light point into the outlines of animals and other figures.
Mice
Cats love to chase mice, even if they are just a toy. Manufacturers of pet products offer artificial mice made of different materials: plastic, textile, sisal, rubber, with natural fur, etc. Such a toy can be static or mechanical. This is an interesting option for active play for your pet.
Mechanical toys
As a true hunter, a cat is attracted to movement, which means it will be interested in a toy moving across the floor. Of course, you can tie any ball or soft mouse to a string yourself and imitate its movement. But the best solution would be to buy a mechanical toy that is durable and has a long service life.
Mechanical toys are easy to operate. They are created in various forms - mice, fish, birds, etc., and can be soaked in catnip. With such a toy, the cat will never be bored, and a caring owner will be able to watch her active games from the side, where she can fully demonstrate her hunting skills.
Toys for energetic kittens
If your beloved pet is full of energy, an appropriate purchase would be toys of an active nature, these could be:
- various balls, inside of which there may be rattles, bells, squeakers. The surface of such products can be smooth, pimpled, or rough. The fluffies happily chase the ball around the room and retrieve them from under the cabinets and sofas;
- a battery-powered mouse toy is a fun purchase that you will like from the first time you meet it;
- a mouse on a rope is a classic option for developing the hunting instinct, here it is important not to show the cat that you are controlling the rope, it may lose interest in the mouse;
- interactive gaming centers - a gaming complex, often consists of two levels, the first floor is an entertainment center, on the second there is a bedchamber for sleep and relaxation;
- toys - fishing rods - frogs, fish, moths, bows on a string. Such toys are liked not only by cats, but also by owners and children.
Electronic and battery-powered toys
Battery-powered toys and electronic models have a variety of functions and may have sound and light.
Some models of electronic toys are equipped with sensors that detect the smell of an approaching cat and trigger the game mechanism automatically.
Pet stores offer a large selection of such toys: electronic game plates, imitation fish, birds, mice on a wireless control panel, teasers, rotating balls, etc.
Interactive toys for cats
Interactive educational toys for cats are presented in a wide variety. They develop the mental and physical abilities of a pet well, allowing them to spend time fun and enthusiastically without distracting the owner from important matters.
Types of interactive toys for cats:
- ball track;
- game “Catch the Mouse”;
- game track “Pyramid”;
- radio controlled mice;
- massagers;
- tease toys, etc.
Billy Lilli Pet spring toy
An original and entertaining toy will surely interest your pet. It can become a cat's favorite pastime. A toy mouse on a spring that can be tilted in any direction. Inside the circular track there is a ball that the cat is trying to get. The product is made of durable plastic and comes in a variety of colors. Very gambling cats like the game, regardless of age.
Pros:
- Color selection;
- Durable material;
- Two in one;
- Cats like it.
Minuses:
- High price;
- Sometimes the mouse on the spring is not secured well.
Food toys and chew toys
For a cat that doesn't eat in moderation, you can buy a food labyrinth. The owner will pour food into special holes, and in order to get food from the toy the pet will have to show dexterity and intelligence. Such products perfectly develop the cat’s intellectual skills and prevent overeating, which prevents the risk of obesity.
Toys with food are presented in different variations: with rotating elements, with plastic cups, with balls, tubes, adjustable holes, etc.
Chew toys are also beneficial for cats to help maintain dental health. They are made in the form of different shapes and have a textured or mesh surface. Can be filled with compressed mint leaves for fresh breath. Among the chewing toys, rubber products impregnated with catnip oil are also popular.
DIY toys
If you have time and desire, you can make a cat toy with your own hands without material costs from available materials.
The first option is the classic one - a rope and a tied piece of fabric at the other end. You can tease your kitten to the point of exhaustion, but you can use an elastic band instead of a rope and tie it to the doorknob. When pulled, the bow will try to escape from the predatory, but still small claws. From the outside it is very funny to watch this scene.
The second option is to take a container from a Kinder Surprise, put pieces of dry food inside, make holes in the plastic, and the pet cannot be torn away from the wonderfully smelling product in which something rattles.
The third option - an excellent gift for inquisitive cats would be several cardboard boxes, fastened together so that the cat can climb from one to another box. From one he will watch, in the other he will relax... Fur toys for kittens and cats will also be interesting; you can carry them around the room with you, tying it to a long thread.
These are classic options, but there can be more of them, it all depends on the imagination of the owners. In any case, the pet will be glad to see new things in its everyday life.
How to teach a cat to play with toys
Some kittens immediately show interest in new toys, while others have to be accustomed to a foreign object using various tricks.
How to accustom a cat to toys:
- Try to guess the cat's desire and choose a toy that will definitely arouse her interest. See what she likes to do in her free time. If she enthusiastically chases insects flying in the air, buy an interactive or mechanical toy that imitates real game. If your cat rolls a ball of thread or other objects that come its way across the floor, buy her a ball or a whole play set with a surprise.
- Give your cat a new toy to explore and get to know.
- Play with your cat with a new toy, imitating different movements. A cat, like a true hunter, will definitely show interest in a moving object.
- Try hiding the toy under a paper bag or in a cardboard box. Draw your cat's attention to the hidden object with a rustling sound. This can arouse interest in a bored pet and make you want to actively play with a new toy.
- If your cat doesn’t want to play with toys at all, use catnip to stir up interest in active games. It is absolutely harmless and safe for cats. Its smell awakens the playful mood in cats. You can buy a ready-made toy filled with catnip.
Observe your cat and try to choose toys that suit her interests and preferences.
What to focus on
Products must be made of safe, durable and environmentally friendly material. Under no circumstances should you purchase equipment that has a strong and unpleasant odor. This way you can not entertain, but only scare away your pet. Too bright colors are also unacceptable, this indicates the use of low-quality chemical dyes.
If there are feathers, fibers and threads, you need to make sure that they do not come off during play. The cat may accidentally swallow them and choke. The same goes for small parts and tapes; sharp components of the equipment are undesirable.
You should not buy products that are too heavy, as pets will quickly lose interest in them and stop playing. Those that are light in weight are also not recommended.
A “golden mean” should be found between hard and overly soft material. The cat may inadvertently tear the stuffing or get hurt if the toy is too hard. It is advisable to pay attention to equipment that can be cleaned or washed so that it looks good.
