Cat Toys- The Sky's The Limit!

Cat toys are a must for any cat owner- not only are they fun to buy, they are actually very important for the cat to have. Cats are hunters by nature and if they weren't domesticated, they would be spending a lot of time tracking and attacking their prey. This is what forms the bulk of their exercise. Since house cats often don't have the means or space to hunt, it's these toys that provide them with the exercise that they need.

A Good Toy

It's true that something as simple as a piece of string can be a great toy for a cat. But there are some particular aspects that you should look for in good cat toys. Cats are natural stalkers- they love to creep up and pounce on their prey. It's a good idea to buy things like mechanical mice or birds for your cat to play with. Cats are also very fond of anything that moves- if it squeaks or makes any kind of noise, that's even better! This is why small, rubber balls are always a good toy for cats- all you need to do is set one in motion and your cat will take care of the rest!

If you're wondering where to buy cat toys from, you don't have to look very far. Pet shops and even exclusive boutiques carry a wide range of toys, from simple rubber mice to top of the line expensive cat gear. So what should you choose?

Buying toys for your pet is a bit like buying toys for a child- for one thing, you need to make sure they are completely safe. This means that they should be made from non-toxic materials- this is something you want to be especially careful of while buying plastic toys or brightly colored rubber balls. You should also check out for small parts in things like mechanical mice. Remember that cats do a lot of their tackling with their teeth- if they manage to pry something loose, they could end up choking on it. Also, avoid toys that have sharp points or edges.

Do It Yourself

If you'd rather not spend money on cat toys, you can easily make some great toys using everyday material around your home. Got an empty cardboard box that's about 2 inches deep? Scatter some cat treats inside and that's it! Cats love to fish things out with their paws, especially if it's something that they like to eat! If you've got some aluminum foil, just scrunch it up tightly into a ball. This is always a big hit with cats since it's both shiny and moves around easily.

If your cat seems restless but you want to watch TV, there's an easy way to fix that problem. Fix a piece of elastic at the end of a pencil or piece of bamboo. If you have some colored thread or a little colored ball, tie that at the end of the elastic. Now all you need to do is sit back and hold the stick like a fishing rod. Your cat will endlessly tackle the elastic and you can watch TV in peace.

Some cat toys are not only fun, they will save your furniture as well. For example, you can bring in a clean, dry log from outside that still has some bark attached to it. Sprinkle this with some catnip and you've got yourself a kitty scratching post. Your cat will be able to flex his claws and your furniture will be safe!