Cat Toys Are Essential For A Happy Cat

Providing Cat toys for your feline friend is as important as buying them for a child. It helps them to understand the world around them and to experiment and learn through play.

It is also very important to play with your cat, especially if they are the only cat. It will build bonds and trust between you, which will last a lifetime. I have come across cats that never received those early play times and contact with humans or other animals,

They are either quite aggressive toward people and other cats or appear to very reclusive and shy.

This is certainly not natural behaviour, as Mother cats and siblings use play as an important learning experience.

The health benefit of play

Not only will play help to socialise cats into a world of people and other animals, but it also plays an important role in the physical and mental health of your cat. Knowing how to play with your cat will also help to strengthen the bond between you and your cat.

Cat Toys have many positive health benefits, which include:

Keeping cats alert and curious about the world around them
Preventing boredom and therefore destructive behaviour
Keeps muscles strong and Flexible
Teaches hunting skills
Keep Claws in tiptop condition, essential for self-defence and climbing

What types of pet toys are there?

Think Toys R Us for cats. When I was growing up the selection of toys was good but not like it is today, with the warehouse style toy shops there are now.

Well cat toys have gone through a similar revolution. My first cat had to put up with a basic ping-pong ball and squeaky toy. Whereas Little Mo has more choice than I think is good for her (luckily we can’t take her to the shops, or we would be coming home with a lorry load of toys I’m sure).

But to give you a quick breakdown of the various ranges of toys available, we have a short list of the sort of toys that you may want to consider, which will help to keep your cat healthy and happy.

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Scratch Toys – Ideal for keeping those claws in good condition, while at the same time saving your furniture and curtains. Little Mo has the biggest claws for such a small cat and so these toys are essential.

Cat Teaser Toys – From furry mice to motorised balls, these toys will keep your cat amused for hours and provide endless entertainment for you as well. We like nothing better than sitting back and watching Little Mo go mad chasing around after all her balls and play mice.

Catnip cat Toys – Toys with Catnip in them, a wining combination. It’s amazing how crazy some cats can go for this harmless herb. If only it worked on humans too.

Crinkle Cat Toys – Ever watched a cat’s reaction when you open a paper bag or other crinkly packaging? It’s guaranteed to get your cats attention immediately. So a range of toys has been especially made with this sound in mind.

Cat Video’s – These are quite new on the market and are very good at reassuring your cat if you have to leave them at home alone. We have never tried them as Little Mo, loves to be outside for most of the day and I am at home most of the time. But we can imagine how comforting they must be for cats who may have some separation anxiety problems.

However the videos can also just be given to a cat as a treat. After all don’t all cats love to watch birds and other creatures darting about. Little Mo does and she makes that strange litter chatter sound when she catches sight of the birds in the garden.

Play Safe

A cat will of course play with anything they find, a button, a piece of thread, rolled up paper, the trouble is that some of these things can be harmful if swallowed. So by providing special toys for them they won’t be tempted by anything else.

However it is also important to make sure that the cat toys you do buy are also safe and durable and won’t disintegrate.

I worry sometimes by the cheap cat toys that can be found in the bargain shops. Can you really be sure that they are not cheap because they are badly made or even toxic?

Cat toys bought from reputable shops are thoroughly tested and approved by animal welfare governing bodies.

Yes! they may cost a little more, but they should last a lot longer and you can be safe in the knowledge that your cat will not be harmed by using them.