 Rolling Cat Toys
Cylinder cat toys involve can-shaped things that roll. Here are two different ways you can go about constructing cylinder cat toys, though they are by no means the only. The first provides more potential audible enjoyment for the cat but is more complicated, while the second is extremely simple but quiet.
For a noisy cylinder cat toy, take a handful of dry rice or other small objects (the best are food items that). Then put them in a cylinder, like a film can roll or tiny plastic container and close them up making sure that the objects cannot escape. When rolled the cylinder cat toy makes a pleasant chattering or clattering sound that will excite the cat. Smaller or cautious cats are often not attracted by this toy because it is noisy. For them, try the second method of cylinder cat toy, which involves the tube from a used up roll of toilet paper. That's all there is to it... just place it on the ground or hold it up in the air to get your cat's attention. Sometimes this cat toy on the ground leads to a strike by the cat. His attention will be kept, because the cat will try to bat the cat toy with his paw and it will likely roll and spin out of his grasp leading to further excitement for him.
Warning: make sure if you are doing a filled cylinder cat toy that none of the objects have a chance of escaping because you don't want the cat to ingest any of the pieces.
String cat toys
Here is an all time favorite for cats. Anything to do with a string or long piece of yarn. Do not use nylon or fishing type lines as they can cut a cats soft tissue. Lay out a string and twitch or slowly pull it towards you. Cat will go nuts. Hang it on a doorknob and kitty will have something to play with when you're gone. Sometimes tying a small cloth object or a stick to the string and then hanging from the door is a great "swat" fun toy for your cat. Another cool idea is to tie a long piece of yarn to a very limber thin stick or rod, that way you can play "cat fishing" with your cat.
Stuffed cloth toys
A cloth stuffed mouse or any small stuffed cloth toy is excellent with cats. Beware of some import cloth toys may have an insecticide sprayed on them that can harm a cat. This is required by some importer laws, so check them carefully. Also make sure there are no pieces that kitty can swallow. Usually a plain "rag" doll type of toy works best. Nothing fancy, no eyes or buttons. The softer, the better. Kitties like to bat them around and sometimes the toy will even become personal to the cat, like a young child's security blanket is to them.
Scratching posts
A cat scratches at things not only for play, but to strengthen its "grip" and other muscles. It is natural for cats to scratch and a cat "cannot" be made not to scratch. Even de-clawed cats will attempt to scratch and claw objects. Teaching your cat to use a scratching post can save many pieces of furniture. Scratching posts may be bought or home made. To make one, just attach a piece of carpet around a piece of non-treated wood. The "carpet" side goes against the wood, and the underside is what the cat will scratch on. You can attach that to a flat base. You can also just attach a piece of carpet to wall in the same manner. It should be high enough to allow your cat to extend it's body while scratching. Another idea is to place a wicker type of planter in the room, like the ones holding fake trees. That way, you have a tree and a scratching post all in one!
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Ribbon toys
BEWARE : No ribbon should ever be used as cat toys. These can be shredded by you cat and can have serious effects to your cats digestive track and can be fatal. This includes any ribbons attached to cat toys as well as ribbons used for Christmas or other gifts. Easter grass is a ribbon also. All ribbons should be cut off any cat toy having them. Ribbons are not safe for cat play.
Light toys
Cats love chasing a light beam across the floor of a darkened room. A pen light works great. Really, any small flash light with a focusing beam of light works well. Even a reflection on the floor from another light source. Cats will chase all over the place. Careful of lasers pointers as their beam is far stronger and should never be pointed directly into kitties eyes!
Paper cat toys
Anything to do with non-dyed paper. A balled up sheet of paper is a favorite. Just ball it up and throw it across the room, then watch kitty fly. When kitty is done, leave it lying around and kitty will swat it around later. A paper grocery bag, NOT PLASTIC, is a great toy. Just leave one sitting around in a room. Kitty will eventually play with it. If you can not find your cat, check the bag, cats like sleeping in bags.
Noise maker toys
Another cat favorite. Not too much noise though, or kitty will be scared. Usually something like an old film canister with a little pebble or a coin inside makes a great cat toy. Anything plastic that has a top that can be securely fastened will work fine. For the rattle, do not use dry cat food, as this will make the cat try and open the toy to get the food. The plastic pieces can hurt your cats digestive track.
Plastic ball toys
One of kitties favorite toys are "ping pong" balls. They are cheap entertainment for your cat. The plain old white ones work the best. They make a lot of noise skipping across the kitchen floor as the cat swats them around. Watching a cat swat a ping pong ball really illustrates how accurate cat swats can be. They come in packs of many, so you can leave a couple in each room. Rubber balls are good but you must make sure the rubber gives off no bitter taste. Place your tongue, after cleaning ball of course, to the ball and if you taste any bitterness or tartness, the ball is not safe for kitty. Also make sure the ball can not be swallowed by the cat. It should be the size of a ping pong ball or larger. Do not use balls or toys containing any type of glitter or liquid inside or on the outside the toy. Little bells are OK.
Cardboard toys
Old toilet paper rolls are great cat toys. Cats can swat them around and pounce on them. When the cat begins to tear the cardboard apart, just throw away and replace with another one as you finish with the paper part. Very cheap and a house full of kids always have an endless supply.
Metal Toys
Only use non-painted toys that your cat can not swallow. Small capped, smooth canisters can make excellent toys for cats to swat around. Painted toys can be fatal to cats.
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It’s almost unbelievable. But it works and I feel better knowing they’re safe and occupied.
