5 Free Cat Toys You Can Find Around the House

My cats are constantly loosing their toys, and at any given time, I can move a piece of furniture and find one of those rabbit fur mice. But it seems like the cats can lose them permanently because I end up buying many more than I can find again. It adds up, so here are the 5 best cat toys that can be found around the house for free.

Reflection

I know they sell those little laser pointers that make a dot for the cat to chase, but in my house, all that's needed is a sunbeam and a compact. Or a watch, or necklace or just about any shiny thing. It's simple: just reflect a point of light at the wall, and your cats will be entranced. I'm not sure why they get so distracted by it, but it's surprisingly absorbing for me to get them playing with light, so I won't judge them.

Crumpled Receipts

I suppose any crumple piece of paper would do, but my kitties like store receipts the best. I guess the crinkly light weight paper is more fun to bat. Plus, they're already trash, and they're always being forced on me whenever I shop, so it seems good to get one more use out of them before they're tossed into the recycle bin.

String

String and yarn are classic cat toys, but they have to be used with care. I never allow my cats to get a hold of yarn unsupervised because I think they may have death wishes. They all gobble it down as fast as they can when my back is turned. Eating string is common cat behavior, but it's also very dangerous because it can cause impacted bowls and other digestive problems. That said, it's a great toy when play with Kitty interactively.

Paper Bags or Rinsed Out Soda Bottles

If there's a treat that Kitty just goes crazy for or she's really into catnip, try putting some into an empty paper bag or empty bottle. Cats will chew and shred a bag to get at the treats, they love going in and out of them, and there's just something about that crinkling that they can't resist. Soda bottles slide and spin, and if Kitty is determined enough, he'll be able to tip his treats out eventually, and if not, can always be helped out by a little human assistance.

The Ring from a Milk Jug

The little plastic ring that's around the cap on a jug of milk is the all-time best cat toy. My youngest cat even plays fetch with them, and it's pretty cute to see her walking around with them in her mouth. These are my favorite, because it's so annoying to throw that thing away when I'm opening up a new jug of milk. This way, I can just toss it on the floor, knowing that the cats will have it hidden somewhere soon enough. And if I find them when I'm sweeping up at day's end, I don't feel like I've got to sort it out of the other dust and such and keep it, since it really is just trash. I don't feel guilty about throwing away the cat toys, because, after all, there's more where that came from.

Playing with pets is great exercise for them, and helps form a bond with them. They also enjoy play and it can help alleviate boredom, which may help with behavior problems. Cats aren't as straightforward as dogs when it comes to playing, but they are lots of fun, and really enjoy having toys of their own for independent play as well.