How to Choose the Right Cat Toy

Watching your cat play can be as much fun for you as it is for your feline companion. Sometimes, though, it's easy to get carried away when trying to choose the right toy. By understanding your cat and knowing what toys are safe, you and your kitty can share hours of entertainment.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Observe your cat. See what kinds of things your cat plays with on her own. This will give you clues to what toys will keep your cat active and happy.

2. Choose something that your cat can move easily. If it swings, rattles, rolls or bounces, chances are your cat will become interested in it.

3. Pick an interactive toy if you like to play with your cat. Some toys allow you to get some distance from your cat, which will encourage a shy pet to play. Feathers on a string or a long felt band are good toys to get your cat to play with you. Now, you can even buy remote controlled toys.

4. Simulate hunting. Being natural predators, cats love anything that gives them the excitement of the hunt. Toy mice or birds, or toys that make noise will pique your cat's interest.

5. Make your own toys. A cat can't tell if you have spent money on a toy or not, so feel free to be creative. Empty thread spools, ping pong balls, a paper bag, or a crumpled up piece of paper can provide your cat with hours of entertainment.

Tips & Warnings

• Give your cat some catnip. Most adult cats become very playful when they get a whiff of it. Buy a cloth toy stuffed with catnip, and present it to your cat.
• Avoid string or yarn. Cats will often try to swallow long pieces of string, which can cause serious health problems. If you do use a toy that involves any sort of string, you should supervise your cat's play.
• Choose something without sharp edges, or anything that could break apart. If a toy becomes chewed up, broken or is falling apart, throw it away. Broken toys can injure or choke your cat.