Cat Toy Recommendations

What are some basic types of cat toy?

The two main categories of cat toy are solo and interactive play toys. Solo toys are made for your cat to play with by themselves. Interactive toys, on the other hand, involve play between the human and the cat. A healthy cat needs stimulation from both solo and interactive play.

You might also see toys labeled as "active" or "comfort." Active toys are ones that simulate the hunt for your cat. They tend to mimic prey animals, whether they're built for solo or interactive play. Comfort toys are made to offer a cat comfort, and often include stuffed animals or cardboard boxes.

Some common examples of active toys are:

• Plastic balls that roll, possibly with jingling bells inside
• Motorized toys that simulate prey
• Wand toys for interactive play
• Plastic rings, such as those from a shower curtain

If a cat ignores typical soft toys, they might respond to a Sisal-wrapped toy.

There are also catnip-enhanced toys. Some toys have a compartment for you to insert catnip or treats, which makes your cat more interested in the game.

What materials shouldn't be used as cat toys?

Cats tend to be fascinated with the objects in their environment, whether or not those objects are meant for play. Unfortunately, certain objects can be dangerous to cats. It's especially important to be aware of hazardous materials if you ever make your own cat toys at home.

These are some common unsafe materials:

• Dental floss, yarn, ribbon, string, and similar items
• Paper clips
• Needles and pins
• Rubber bands
• Other chewable and small objects
• Plastic bags

Most of these objects are dangerous because your cat might swallow them. Some are more dangerous than others. A needle or paper clip could do serious damage to your cat's insides. And yarn can get tangled in your cat's intestines, causing a medical emergency that can be fatal if not treated with surgery.

As a general rule, you should try to keep small objects away from your cat. That goes especially for people whose cats like to chew on things. It helps to distract the cat by giving them a safe toy to chew on instead.

Plastic bags might pose a risk if pieces are torn off and swallowed. But the bigger issue is the suffocation risk. Cats can easily suffocate if they get stuck inside a plastic bag and can't open the entrance.

How can I be sure a cat toy is safe?

Many toys from reputable companies will have certifications indicating that they've been tested. But you still want to make sure that toys are safe before you give them to your cats. Sometimes toys can be damaged in transit, and the broken pieces may pose a hazard.

The first thing to do is check the toy for loose clamps, wires, or pieces. With wand toys, special attention should be paid to the place that the wand attaches to the toy's string. Cats can sometimes chew through the pin attaching the parts.

Wand toys should also be stored apart from your cat when you aren't using them. The design isn't meant for your cat to play alone. It's possible for cats to become tangled in the string, which may cause injury. And if they chew through the wand attachment, they might eat the toy and string itself.

It's also important to supervise play when using electronic toys. Many electronic cat toys have moving parts to simulate prey. But it's also possible for your cat's paws or whiskers to become caught. Even if this doesn't cause injury, it can be very upsetting for a cat.

What role does sound play in choosing a cat toy?

Just like humans, cats are creatures with many different temperaments and personalities. And the priorities of a cat are different from the priorities of a human. Toys that we think are cool and fun might not seem so to our cats.

Take electronic toys, for instance. Motorized toys are extremely popular because they allow for more advanced play without requiring human interaction. An electronic motor can make a toy flap like a bird, soar through the air, or scuttle around a track on the ground.

But these toys can be large and unwieldy. When the motor turns on, some cats become afraid and upset. The sound is foreign to them, so the toy doesn't register as prey. It just seems like a scary thing to avoid.

Prey usually makes scuffling and squeaking sounds. You won't be able to hear the majority of prey sounds with your human ears, but your cat's hearing is very sensitive. If your motorized toy makes mechanical noises instead, your cat might be apprehensive.

You can often judge the right kind of toy based on your cat's personality. While flashy, motorized toys might look cool, they don't tend to appeal to timid cats. But bold and adventurous cats are very likely to investigate and enjoy a motorized toy.

What role does the texture of a toy play?

Cats tend to be particular about textures. You've likely noticed this in your feline pal. It's common for a cat to have fabrics, cushions, or blankets that they're fond of. It's also common for cats to be particular about their litter, where they sleep, and what they eat.

Texture has a big impact on your cat's sensory perception. The same is true of how your cat perceives toys. Different cats have different texture preferences - what appeals to one might feel abhorrent to another.

Because of this, it's helpful to experiment with toys that have different textures, so you can see what your cat responds to. Some examples of common cat toy textures are:

• Soft toys that allow your cat to sink their teeth in
• Smooth plastic toys that skid and roll quickly across the ground
• Leather toys that feel good to knead
• Fuzzy or feathery toys that mimic the feel of prey
• Crinkly toys that are fun to move

The world of cat toys is extremely diverse. You can expect to do a few experiments before you find the right fit for your kitty.

How should I "test" new toys with my cat?

Cat experts recommend getting several different toys with different mechanisms, textures, and styles of play. That way, you can experiment and see which toys your cat best responds to. This helps give you an idea of what toys to order in future purchases.

Some of the process is a game of trial and error. But there are ways to make it easier.

First, it's important not to try every toy at once. Instead, introduce one toy to your cat at a time. Some people offer their cat an entire basket of toys and wait to see which their cat "chooses." It's easier to evaluate each individual toy's performance if you actually have a play session focused on it.

It's also important to note that your presentation of the toy matters. You have to grab your cat's attention. Toys are meant to mimic prey. If your cat doesn't feel like they're hunting, then they won't have the mental stimulation they need. Your approach might be as simple as tossing a toy behind a couch to chase instead of dropping it in the middle of your floor.

With interactive toys, you have to simulate prey. Cats don't identify prey by shape. If you dangle a mouse-shaped toy before them, they'll be uninterested. What activates a cat's hunting reflex is prey-like movements. You have to drag that mouse across the ground like it's actually scurrying.

Why does toy rotation matter with cats?

Toy rotation serves a simple purpose: It keeps your cat from getting bored. Just like humans get bored doing the same thing day after day, cats also lose interest in repetitive play.

Once you have a small collection of toys that your cat enjoys, you can rotate them. Put one set of toys away at the end of the week and bring out the other. This keeps playtime from getting "stale" in your cat's mind. And it saves you from buying a new toy every two weeks!

What if my older cat doesn't like his toys anymore?

There are a variety of reasons that your cat might lose interest in his toys.

One is boredom. Older cats tend to bore more quickly with play, particularly repetitive play. They don't have the same motivation or fierce hunting drive that they did when they were younger. Rotating toys can sometimes help with this.

Another reason is that older cats are slower. Young cats with mobility issues also struggle with this. It's hard to chase prey or leap into the air the way your cat used to. Vision loss can make it hard to see the toy move. Sometimes adapting your style of play can help, and sometimes introducing new toys is a good idea.

When your cat's behavior changes, there's an easy method of evaluation called the HISS test. This evaluation examines several areas that might influence a cat's behavior:

Their health. A cat's activity levels are strongly impacted by their health. Older cats often suffer from arthritis and stiffness, which can make it difficult to play. Blindness makes following the toy visually difficult. Health issues like worms can cause cats to feel lethargic and unmotivated.

Their instincts. When you play with your cat, you're simulating a hunt. This allows your cat to act out their wild instincts. A kitten will run around, bat at their environment, and stimulate themselves. But adult cats need external stimulation. Something needs to activate their instincts.

Their stress levels. Cats with elevated stress levels tend to be less interested in play. Has your household undergone any sudden changes? Is your cat anxious or nervous in its environment? How friendly is your home's setup to your cat's needs? A stressed cat typically isn't interested in play.

Finally, their symptoms. If your cat is suddenly uninterested in play, observe their behavior closely. Are they showing any other odd behavioral changes? What about health symptoms? A cat who becomes suddenly lethargic and uninterested in play should often be taken to a vet, even if there aren't other obvious warning signs.

Why does play matter so much when taking care of your cat?

Cats are well-known for being a relatively low-maintenance pet. They certainly need less training, grooming, and active care than dogs. But even though cats are easy to take care of, they can't be ignored. It's vital that your cat gets enough attention if they're to live a fulfilling life.

When you play with your cat, you encourage them to move. In the wild, cats sleep most of the day, but they spend their waking hours hunting. Domesticated cats don't need to hunt for their food, so they often become lethargic and out-of-shape.

Kittens and young cats are good at entertaining themselves. But as your cat gets older, you'll notice that their spontaneous energy seems to fade. That doesn't mean that they're no longer interested in playing. It just means you have to work harder to bring out their interest.

Regular play sessions provide the following benefits:

• Physical exercise
• Mental stimulation and alertness
• Relief from stress
• Improved bond between human and feline

It can be hard to keep an indoor cat active. Play sessions encourage them to move, which helps them stay at a healthy weight. Overweight cats tend to have health issues and mobility problems. In addition, play sessions bring out your cat's hunting instinct, helping them connect with their wild inner self.

Cats get stressed when they don't have playtime. The feline response to stress is very similar to the human one. When you get stressed, you engage in relaxing and recreational activities to unwind. The same is true of your cat. If you aren't giving your cat the positive energetic experience of play, they'll have no way to process their day-to-day stress.

In addition, cats are prone to boredom. Cats are highly intelligent creatures that like to interact with their environment. They look forward to overcoming challenges and discovering new things. If a cat is bored, they may become depressed and lethargic. Boredom can have a serious negative impact on a cat's quality of life.

And of course, playing with your cat helps foster the connection between you two. Just as petting and feeding your kitty helps to forge a bond, playtime makes your cat feel like you're a bonded family.

What features should I look for in a good cat toy?

An ideal cat toy should mimic a prey animal. Some toys are made to mimic birds and insects, so you wave them through the air. Others are meant to mimic ground prey like mice.

Natural materials are good. Many cats do enjoy the feeling of artificial plastic. But synthetic fur, feathers, and wool can all help mimic prey more closely. The more closely a toy resembles prey, the more likely a cat is to be stimulated by it. It's best to avoid designs with breakable pieces.

When looking for interactive toys, some of the simplest and most effective are wands and fishing poles. These have a piece of "prey" attached to a string, which is attached to the end of the wand. By wiggling the string or waving the wand in the air, you allow the toy to move like real prey.

Sometimes you can't be home to play with your kitty. But you'll still want ways for your cat to entertain themselves anyway. One way to approach this is by using puzzle toys. You fill the toy with treats, and the cat has to solve a challenge to unlock the prize inside.

How often do I need to play with my cat?

When it comes to cats, you can't just play with them when the whim strikes. Cats are animals that value consistency. Playtime has the most positive health effects if it happens consistently.

Some cat breeds are more active and need more play per day. The average domestic cat doesn't have demanding genetics, but they still need at least fifteen minutes of play per day. Experts recommend working playtime into your schedule at the same time each day. Your cat will learn to anticipate it.

Some cat behaviorists believe that fifteen minutes is too short for a session. They recommend anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour, depending on your cat's energy levels. Conversely, if your cat has mobility issues or health conditions, you might not want to play for long periods of time.

Kittens often start play sessions themselves. But with older cats, you generally have to take initiative.