Pet Care Information Blog
Jul 31 2010
Cats and kittens love to play, hide, pounce and chase. These activities are based on instinct and are an essential part of their health and well-being. It is, therefore, important to offer your pet a variety of suitable and varied toys to provide both physical and mental stimulation.
There are many toys available to buy, but they are also very easy to make. It can be much more fun and less expensive to make your own. When your feline friend sees all the interesting materials lying around, he/she may even want to get involved in the process.
There are so many materials around the house that can be used to make interesting and stimulating toys. Old paper bags, for example, are great for exploring; crumpled paper makes an ideal toy to pounce on and grab. You could even make a tunnel out of large paper bags, by removing the bottom of the bags and then taping them together – making sure that you remove any handles.
Cardboard boxes make great hideouts for cats. Cut one or two shapes out of the sides and then hide some treats and toys inside. Your pet will love this and it should keep them entertained for some time.
Cats love anything that moves, and the faster the better. Soft and fluffy material can be sewn into a mouse shape, which can then be stuffed and enhanced by the addition of a string tail. The mouse can then be attached to a long piece of string and fastened on to a rod. Pulling this quickly along the floor or bouncing it up and down in the air will delight your cat for hours. You could attach all sorts of different materials to your string; feathers, strips of material or paper, a ribbon, a shuttlecock, an empty cotton spool; the list is endless. You could even stuff your mouse or an old sock with catnip and a bell for extra enjoyment.
Apart from making or buying toys there is also another option to consider, and that is finding old baby toys. These make excellent toys for cats and are obviously safe too. Baby toys have plenty of interesting sights and sounds and some of them move quickly, which your pet will of course love. You could choose a rattle, a small ball with something inside, small soft toys, or even wind-up toys.
Whatever you make or choose for your cat, safety must always be a top priority. Always use animal safe products and make sure that there are no sharp pieces protruding from anywhere. It is also advisable to test anything you make out on your cat whilst you are around, before leaving your pet unattended with new toys. This will enable you to spot any potential problems.
To prevent your cat from becoming bored, keep rotating the toys round and thinking up new and exciting ideas. This will ensure that your feline friend is constantly being stimulated and will help to enhance your relationship with your pet.
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