Cat Crack: Recommended Toys
I'm a Crazy Cat Lady (CCL) to some extent. While I only have two, I've become very enthusiastic about their care, in part because it's been 16 years since I needed to pay attention to current cat products. There's so much nifty new stuff on the market, or new to me; Keely was very low maintenance, so I got lazy. With two new kittens in the last year, I've gone full on new pet owner mode.
Plunkett and Macleane (aka Licks and Chomps) are just about a year old now, huge, demanding, and very energetic. And they seem to have some Maine Coon Cat in their DNA, as they are very smart, very talkative, and insist on quality time with yours truly. They fetch, they require personal adoration sessions, and will even tap my leg if they haven't had enough interactive play during the day.
So if you're looking at pet products for your brood, or considering items for the approaching silly season (aka The Holidaze), here are some ideas.
Go Cat's Da Bird is Cat Crack of the top order. Seriously. They aren't kidding about the public alert stating "hide toys when not in use or cats will love them to pieces." Hide it very well, and far out of paw reach. My cats have ruined one in a record two hours, and that's during controlled play. I'm about to buy a refill 10 pack. I recommend stocking up on refills and buying the two piece pole, as it's easier to store.
What makes this cat crack is the design and materials; It includes two large, stiff feathers (the kind used to fletch arrows) strategically placed to simulate the sound and motion of a flying bird. Two smaller, wispy feathers dangle enticingly. Swing it around, and even the laziest feline will perk up. My two will meow at my feet, staring at The Place It Is, and at me, with the 'catch up, stoopid human' accent. If your cat already likes to play, be prepared for spectacular leaps and gymnastics. And be prepared to laugh a lot. But be careful about removing it from your cat's mouth. One of mine growls quite vehemently when he 'catches' it, and it's hard to make him let go.
Molly's Friend Cat Trees. These come in several models and heights. Cats adore having different levels, and it's vital to have a cat tree that can withstand them climbing all over it. My guys are pictured here, resting after an exhaustive session with Da Bird.
The Molly's Friend cat trees arrive pre-assembled and they're very solidly built (the model pictured is 4'6" with three different tiers, and a sisal covered pole). Two hours after it's arrival, my cats claimed it as their own and they nap and play on it daily (and not just because it's by a window).
Unlike cat condos, this is something that won't fall over when they jump on it. If you buy a cat tree, or cat condo, make sure it can withstand the force of a leaping cat. My two have proven this isn't a playscape they can topple, and they leap on to and off of it from all angles.
Cat Cubes by Sportpet are also excellent and inexpensive cat gifts. They usually come in sets of two and can be hooked up to each other. Each has three holed sides, so they can be set up to creatively allow cats to move around and keep an eye on their environment. I have one in the living room with an old pillow in it, and it's often occupied with a cat when they're not on the cat tree.
You can find Cat Cubes just about anywhere cat supplies are sold. There are also similar 'tents' and 'tunnels' out there. These can be placed outside of traffic areas and provide endless hours of fun. Didn't you like "forts" as a kid? Cats do too, especially when they can safely spy on you, the dog, or each other. Or any other critter.
Other cat toys that my cats like are balls of all sorts, their favorite being a tennis ball, a cotton swab (sans cotton), bottle caps, paper bags, those air pockets used in shipping. My 'boys' seem to think they're Beckham with anything they can make fly around the floor. Plunk is particularly fond of rolly things, and those he can toss around and chase.
Mac, on the other hand, is more drawn to toothy items. He's the growler with Da Bird. He's even taken off part of an ear of a plasti-ceramic gargoyle I have (and nothing else has been able to damage the thing. He particularly loves to chew on boxes, specifically he likes to lounge in them and chew up the flaps. It's cheap, he gets his chomp on, my furniture, person, and wallet are spared. It works out for all of us.
If you want to get small cat toys that are actual toys, be aware of their sound, texture, and stuffing. A toy mouse with fur is likely to be devoured, so be sure the innards are non-toxic and won't cause GI problems. I bought a couple fur mice at BarknPurr the other day (when I picked up some Da Bird refills), and they loved it to pieces... there is lots of what appears to be sawdust stuffing around the house. And a soaked mouse 'hide'. I certainly hope it's inert and non-toxic. The crocheted mice seem to go over well with them, as they can bat them and carry them around in their mouths. When selecting cat products, think about how they move, and how feel to paws and mouths, and how a cat could destroy it.
All that's the good stuff. But there is bad stuff, too. Some things are dangerous for cats, and others are simply not smart choices for loving cat caretakers to use with their cats. And with the toxic and dangerous products from china making so much news, it's even more vital to be mindful about what you buy for your pets; they're just small kids with fur and purrs.
Lastly, some tips for cat entertainment, maintenance, and mental health:
Play with your cat (mind out of gutter, you!). Seriously; interactive play sessions are not just good exercise for them, but help reduce stress and improve bonds with you. Try to do a couple sessions a day. A happy cat is less likely to act out.
Don't just dangle the toy in front of their nose; cats need to stalk and pursue, dangle at a distance, or half-hide the toy.
Change patterns of movement; it simulates prey and stimulates their senses.
Give them a happy ending; by allowing them to catch and gnaw the toy, you satisfy their craving, instead of leaving them frustrated.
Store toys in a cat-proof location when not in use, and only have a few out at a time; it increases their interest in them (and makes the place look better, as well as sparing your feet- and ears).
Plunkett and Macleane (aka Licks and Chomps) are just about a year old now, huge, demanding, and very energetic. And they seem to have some Maine Coon Cat in their DNA, as they are very smart, very talkative, and insist on quality time with yours truly. They fetch, they require personal adoration sessions, and will even tap my leg if they haven't had enough interactive play during the day.
So if you're looking at pet products for your brood, or considering items for the approaching silly season (aka The Holidaze), here are some ideas.
Go Cat's Da Bird is Cat Crack of the top order. Seriously. They aren't kidding about the public alert stating "hide toys when not in use or cats will love them to pieces." Hide it very well, and far out of paw reach. My cats have ruined one in a record two hours, and that's during controlled play. I'm about to buy a refill 10 pack. I recommend stocking up on refills and buying the two piece pole, as it's easier to store. What makes this cat crack is the design and materials; It includes two large, stiff feathers (the kind used to fletch arrows) strategically placed to simulate the sound and motion of a flying bird. Two smaller, wispy feathers dangle enticingly. Swing it around, and even the laziest feline will perk up. My two will meow at my feet, staring at The Place It Is, and at me, with the 'catch up, stoopid human' accent. If your cat already likes to play, be prepared for spectacular leaps and gymnastics. And be prepared to laugh a lot. But be careful about removing it from your cat's mouth. One of mine growls quite vehemently when he 'catches' it, and it's hard to make him let go.
Molly's Friend Cat Trees. These come in several models and heights. Cats adore having different levels, and it's vital to have a cat tree that can withstand them climbing all over it. My guys are pictured here, resting after an exhaustive session with Da Bird.The Molly's Friend cat trees arrive pre-assembled and they're very solidly built (the model pictured is 4'6" with three different tiers, and a sisal covered pole). Two hours after it's arrival, my cats claimed it as their own and they nap and play on it daily (and not just because it's by a window).
Unlike cat condos, this is something that won't fall over when they jump on it. If you buy a cat tree, or cat condo, make sure it can withstand the force of a leaping cat. My two have proven this isn't a playscape they can topple, and they leap on to and off of it from all angles.
Cat Cubes by Sportpet are also excellent and inexpensive cat gifts. They usually come in sets of two and can be hooked up to each other. Each has three holed sides, so they can be set up to creatively allow cats to move around and keep an eye on their environment. I have one in the living room with an old pillow in it, and it's often occupied with a cat when they're not on the cat tree.You can find Cat Cubes just about anywhere cat supplies are sold. There are also similar 'tents' and 'tunnels' out there. These can be placed outside of traffic areas and provide endless hours of fun. Didn't you like "forts" as a kid? Cats do too, especially when they can safely spy on you, the dog, or each other. Or any other critter.
Other cat toys that my cats like are balls of all sorts, their favorite being a tennis ball, a cotton swab (sans cotton), bottle caps, paper bags, those air pockets used in shipping. My 'boys' seem to think they're Beckham with anything they can make fly around the floor. Plunk is particularly fond of rolly things, and those he can toss around and chase. Mac, on the other hand, is more drawn to toothy items. He's the growler with Da Bird. He's even taken off part of an ear of a plasti-ceramic gargoyle I have (and nothing else has been able to damage the thing. He particularly loves to chew on boxes, specifically he likes to lounge in them and chew up the flaps. It's cheap, he gets his chomp on, my furniture, person, and wallet are spared. It works out for all of us.
If you want to get small cat toys that are actual toys, be aware of their sound, texture, and stuffing. A toy mouse with fur is likely to be devoured, so be sure the innards are non-toxic and won't cause GI problems. I bought a couple fur mice at BarknPurr the other day (when I picked up some Da Bird refills), and they loved it to pieces... there is lots of what appears to be sawdust stuffing around the house. And a soaked mouse 'hide'. I certainly hope it's inert and non-toxic. The crocheted mice seem to go over well with them, as they can bat them and carry them around in their mouths. When selecting cat products, think about how they move, and how feel to paws and mouths, and how a cat could destroy it.
All that's the good stuff. But there is bad stuff, too. Some things are dangerous for cats, and others are simply not smart choices for loving cat caretakers to use with their cats. And with the toxic and dangerous products from china making so much news, it's even more vital to be mindful about what you buy for your pets; they're just small kids with fur and purrs.
Lastly, some tips for cat entertainment, maintenance, and mental health:
(and yes, I will get back to more on-topic stuff soon.)
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