The Best Cat Toys for Your Cat, and the Ones to Avoid!

Introduction

Many cats (particularly as they get older) are quite content lounging around and napping on windowsills and taking it easy. That however doesn’t mean that a cat doesn’t require exercise or that they don’t enjoy playtime - and all cats need physical and mental stimulation, particularly indoor ones. But how do you know which toys to buy for your kitty? We take a look at the do's and dont's for cat playtimes and why they love certain toys more than others.

Toys For Your Cat’s Natural Instincts

Feeding your cat’s natural instincts will help make sure they feel happier and are healthier whilst also hopefully curbing the behaviour that may affect your belongings.

Hunting

A cat’s natural instinct is to hunt and chase, so you can play hunting games with your kitty to satisfy their instinct and to save you from being randomly pounced at!

A laser pointer (making sure it’s very low powered - below 5 milliwatts in strength so as not to damage kitty’s eyes), cat-specific feather toy, or toy mice are good options for supervised hunting games. 30 minutes a day will suppress their urge to hunt and will be a fun bonding time for you and your cat whilst also keeping them stimulated and providing exercise.

Scratching

Cats love a good old scratch! Scratching stretches their back, legs and shoulder muscles. A scratching toy will help to keep your cat from scratching your furniture and instead scratching the correct item in the right place, satisfying their need.

To find which type of scratching post your cat prefers, try a vertical one, as most cats like these. If they don't take to it, opt for a horizontal surface like a corrugated cardboard scratcher.

Hiding

For this instinct, you don’t even need to spend any money! Cats love to hide, which is another part of their hunting instinct.

Specifically, they adore dark, enclosed spaces to hide in. As you've probably experienced, an empty cardboard box with holes cut in the sides can offer hours of endless enjoyment for your kitty, and whilst hidden in the box, they can keenly observe the world outside!

Climbing

Have you ever ventured into the kitchen for a cup of tea and found your cat perched on top of the fridge?

That’s because cats enjoy being high up and surveying the world below from up above. It’s where they feel the safest. A cat tree or mounted perch can offer a place to climb and a safe place to avoid whatever they want from the ground level.

Note that it is best to wait until your kitten is at least 4 months old before purchasing a climbing tree.

The Toys to Avoid

Cats will try and play with almost anything, but that doesn’t mean they should! Some toys are completely harmless but some come with a big risk and be dangerous for your cat. Below are a few items you should be wary of around your cat.

Avoid: String

String toys are the ones that dangle from a stick and wand or the dangly toys you place on door handles.

The risk of string-type toys is ingestion of the string or strangulation, and this can have serious consequences - including expensive vets bills. If you do own these types of toys, then discard them as soon as they start showing signs of wear or become damaged in any way and always supervise your cat when playing. The same goes for simple yarn and ribbons, which can get stuck in a cat's gastrointestinal tract.

Avoid: Feathers and Very Small Toys

These toys, although extremely enticing and enjoyable for kitty, carry a risk of being a choking hazard if swallowed. This is the same for any small toys and balls that are small enough to fit in their mouth. Feathers could also cause lacerations in their mouth if chewed or swallowed, so it's best to check any feather-like cat toys closely before you buy one and always supervise play.

Safe Play & Supervision

You don’t need to throw away all of your cat’s toys to ensure their safety; you just need to be vigilant and supervise them whilst they play.

If you do play with risky toys such as ribbons and strings, then store them away in a safe place away from kitty as soon as playtime is over.

Chew-type toys should only be given to cats under supervision too - and be sure to check all of your cat’s toys regularly for any signs of wear and tear.

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.