In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let’s not forget our little furry companions. FixNation’s certified cat behaviorist Mirian Hasani says, “Encourage your kitty to play and have fun. It enriches their lives and is very important for their mental, emotional and physical well-being.” Here are Mirian’s suggestions for what toys to get – and to avoid – for all the kitties on your gift list:
STUFFED TOYS
Look for toys that are soft and washable. Smaller stuffed toys are great if your cat likes to carry them around. If they like to wrestle, get them a larger stuffed toy or fabric-covered stick. Balls, fake mice and sisal toys are also great. Keep things interesting by keeping some toys stowed away and rotating them on a regular basis. And try not to leave toys laying around – to a cat, a toy on the floor just looks like dead prey. Cats don’t like dead prey!
CAT TREES
If you don’t have a tall cat tree, this is a purrrfect time to get one. Why a “tall” cat tree? Sometimes when people buy smaller cat tree (less than 4’ tall), cats don’t seem very interested in them. Cats LOVE height! The taller the better! To really make your furry friend happy, consider a cat tree that is taller than 6’. Make sure it is sturdy and strong enough to support an adult cat jumping on it. If you put the cat tree by a window, your kitty will also have a place to relax, sunbathe and do some birdwatching.
INTERACTIVE TOYS
If you are a pet parent that has to be away from home much of the day, consider giving your kitty some interactive toys. Cats become easily bored without mental stimulation and some of them will act up as a result (e.g. damaging furniture or other items around the house). Some interactive toys have a timer in them or can be programmed to turn on and turn off at different intervals to keep kitty interested and amused. Try different ones. Always put away the toys your cat isn’t using and rotate the toys every few days to maintain novelty and interest. Some good interactive toys include:
- Kong Glide ‘N Seek Cat Toy
- Petlinks Mystery Motion Concealed Electronic Cat Toy
- Electric Butterfly Cat Teaser Toy
- Bergan turbo Scratcher Cat Toy
- Catit Design Senses Play Circuit
- The Ripple Rug Play Mat
- Peek-A-Play Toy Box
- Cat tubes, cubes and tunnels in all sizes and shapes
DIY TOYS
Cats love cardboard boxes, so you might try creating some mazes and “castles” with various empty boxes taped together with cut-outs. Add some catnip or feathers inside and your cat will be absolutely thrilled! You can also put some ping pong balls or walnuts inside an empty tissue box (or even in a bathtub). Or make some simple with empty plastic bottles filled with some small bells and uncooked rice or buttons. Be sure to tightly secure the opening so kitty can’t swallow or choke on any small pieces. There are tons of great DIY ideas online!
FOOD DISPENSERS & PUZZLES
If your cat is the type that will inhale an entire bowl of food in one sitting, you might offer him some puzzles or dispensers. Hide some treats or dry kibble inside and your cat will have to work to get the food. Food puzzles encourage cats’ natural instincts to forage and hunt and they also provide great mental stimulation. Cats that are overweight benefit from these types of toys as well, as the food is not as readily accessible.
CATNIP TOYS
Catnip is a member of the mint family, and one whiff of it can trigger all sorts of oddball reactions in cats. Most cats react to catnip to some degree – some get a bit crazy, others become calm. It’s harmless and wears off quickly. If you do buy any catnip toys, be sure to hide them inside a plastic bag in a place kitty can’t access, like a closet or even your car. Otherwise it WILL be found!
SCRATCHERS
If your cat loves to scratch your furniture, give him some scratchers, the more the better. Use them in every room of the house. Cats LOVE scratchers and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, vertical and horizontal. You can also find scratchers in the shape of chairs, rocking chairs, whales, etc. Cats like these types of scratchers because they can give their claws a little workout, then curl up and take a nap on them.
WANDS
Wands of with lots of feathers or a toy mouse or fish dangling from it are very popular among cats. Cats are natural hunters. Give them a good play session using the correct “prey sequence” for optimal effect.
Playing with a wand is also very beneficial from a behavioral standpoint as it helps alleviate excess extra energy, anxiety and aggression.
TOYS FOR SENIOR CATS
Although older cats (9+ years) may not be as playful and active as younger ones, they still enjoy play sessions. Consider some lower-activity toys and some homemade ones, like paper bags (cut off the handles), cardboard boxes, fleece pulls, balls and catnip toys.
TOYS FOR COMMUNITY CATS
Community Cats love toys too! Community cats are as curious as the cats that live in a forever home; they love to investigate and play.
TOYS TO AVOID
Some toys that we don’t recommend for cats include laser lights, iPad cat games and videos. All these might be entertaining but they also create a degree of frustration in cats because of the lack of tangible “prey.” They chase a dot or a fish on a screen but they cannot catch them. They might end up with Redirected Aggression because of the frustration.
Also not recommended: any kind of yarn, ribbons or strings (unless supervised); if ingested they can cause a painful and even life-threatening blockage in the intestine. Avoid toys that contain small parts that can come off and be chewed or swallowed, such as beads or small plastic fillers. Watch for toys with sharp edges or hard plastic toys that can hurt your cat’s mouth. When the toys break or tear open, throw them away as they become even more dangerous to your kitty.
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Have fun with your cat and Happy Holidays!
