It’s gift-giving season and it’s hard to resist the alluring cat toys in store aisles this time of year. But which toys will naturally appeal to your kitty’s hunter instincts while keeping them safe?
Cats and kittens need to play, and as their servants, it is our job to provide safe toys for them. But what are cats doing when they are playing? Why do some cats ignore the fancy toys you buy them and instead play with a paper bag?
Hunting Instinct
Our cats’ wild relatives stalked and chased prey to feed themselves and their families. If people allow their cats to go outdoors, most can and will hunt for food. Many times, they’ll bring “presents” of small rodents or birds into your home and announce their hunting success with loud meowing. They assume their job is to help feed you because you’re one of their family members. Many domestic cats get their food from humans, but they still have the instinct to stalk, pounce, and chase.
Cat toys fall into one of several categories:
- Toys That Move
- Toys to Chase and Fetch
- Toys to Bat Around
- Places to Go (perches)
- Scratchers and Other Sensory Items
- Free (or Cheap) Stuff (a paper bag or cardboard box, golf balls, cardboard tubes)
- Puzzles and Games ( battery operated, motion sensor)
- Catnip, found in toys or from the garden (pesticide-free)
Here are great tips that fellow veterinarian Dr. Justine Lee recommendations for feline toys:
- Watch the size. If it’s too small, it can be swallowed and lead to an unplanned and expensive trip to the vet’s office. That’s why you may not find small sparkly balls at pet stores anymore.
- Check where it was made. Toys from the United States or Canada are more likely to be better made than those manufactured in China.
- Get sturdy toys. Make sure that nothing will break off and get stuck in your kitty’s stomach or intestines. Watch out for string, yarn or dangly parts. If swallowed, it can lead to an unplanned and expensive trip to the vet’s office.
- Look for healthy, stimulating toys. Many cats are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Playing with cat toys helps manage their weight while stimulating their predatory drive.
Even though cats are not always as attention-seeking as dogs, many of them do love to snuggle, get groomed, or have the undivided attention of their humans. Look around a pet store, or your own home, and cook up a fun play activity for your cat to keep him feline fine (we couldn’t resist!)
Dr. Anna M. van Heeckeren is a veterinarian and Founder, President & CEO of nonprofit One Health Organization in Cleveland, which works to increase access to veterinary care for people living with dogs and cats in Northeast Ohio. She also is the author of the Northeast Ohio Boomer blog, Aging with Pets.