What makes cats attracted to certain toys and totally ignore others?
We all know, that our feline friends are natural predators. They like toys that appeal to their natural hunting instincts. Bird toys (that tweet), ball toys that squeak or make some kind of noise, toys that look like bugs and snakes are pretty popular in the kitty community. Anything that moves basically. The faster the better. And don’t even get me started on catnip toys – buts that fodder for another story. Cats should not have catnip every day.
Things that move – GOTTA be things that move. Rumor has it, that kittens lose interest in toys that don’t move after about 21 weeks of age (around 5 months).
Cats get bored very quickly. What was their favorite toy one day, can be totally ignored from this day forward. Trust me on this. I’ve spent so much time and money searching for “just the right” toys to keep my boy and girl occupied and happy.
Right now, my boy cat (8 mo old black with a white angel pattern on his chest) seems to like those little foil scrunchy ball type toys that crinkle. He carries them all over the house and bats them around. He also leaves them at my feet (especially when I’m computer occupado) when he wants to play.
My little 9 month old Tortie girl goes absolutely apeshit over these fishing pole type toys with feathers on the end of them. I should take a video of her just leaping in the air – I swear, she must jump 4 feet or so just to “catch” the feather on the end!
Now, having said all that. I was reading recently about being cautious about certain toys with ribbons, feathers, strings, eyes, or other small parts that could be ingested. I get it. You should always be aware of the aforementioned items. In my case, the feather thing doesn’t’ seem to be an issue. She doesn’t sit there and chew on the feather or anything like that. Actually, she’s not even interested in it unless it’s moving.
Finally, there’s always ‘The Box’ and ‘The Bag’. Seriously, as soon as I get a delivery that comes in a box, and my little freaks get site of it, they’re following me all over the place until I open it up and throw it on the floor. And, when I have groceries delivered – the plastic or paper bags are an absolute hit. Of course, the plastic bag is a no-no for more rabid cat owners. DO NOT LET YOUR KITTY PLAY WITH PLASTIC BAGS!!! Well, I do. Under VERY STRICT SUPERVISION. Sorry, I just can’t deny my babies the outrageous fun they have with those things – at least for a few minutes.
And so, to conclude this little tirade about kitty toys – what’s good, what’s not – toys and interaction with their human(s) are essential for keeping your little hunter happy and healthy. Be sure and provide a variety of options suited to their activity level and that are safe for them. Create a stimulating environment and EVERYONE will be happy – felines and humans alike.
Koji (black boy) and Mika (Tortie girl) say “keep yer kitty kids happy damn it!” (Mama says that damnit word a lot).
Ciao for now.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions herein are based on personal research. My Blog posts are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a Licensed Veterinarian nor am I any sort of medical professional. I am merely a human who takes caring for my pets seriously. My goal is to share my research with other like-minded individuals with the hope that it will help others in some small (or perhaps large) way.
