Finding the Right Cat Toys: How to Keep Your Kitty Amused in the Current Economy

Cat toys are probably one of the next-to- most expensive items that you can buy next to vet visits, food and cat litter. (The money isn't always there. Let's face it). We are too busy trying to make the bills on time, buy groceries, and make sure that we have gas in the gas tank to get us to work or take the kids to school or soccer practice. Being a cat owner myself, I have had to find more and new ways of entertaining my pet as I could never seem to catch that one thing that she loved the most.

I have a two-year-old blue lynx point Siamese/American Shorthair mix named 'Sugar'. Siamese by nature are always extremely playful, and there are a great many times when that playfulness can lead to annoyance if you're right in the middle of something. I had tried a multitude of cate toys that I thought may have worked from a glove with felt strips to a simple one-dollar red laser light that I picked up form the grocery store one day on a whim. What most cat owners fail to realize is that every cat personality is different. While some breeds, such as the Maine Coon for instance, are solitary and have a less active life playing and more to the point of hunting for mice and rats. Other breeds, like the Siamese, love to play and are always extremely energetic and need constant attention from their owners.

After a while, I began to watch my cat and realized that cats in many ways are just like dogs. They don't always have to have that expensive electronic toy that costs $100, takes a bazillion AA batteries to run, and has to be operated by a remote control. You know what that means. The minute it hits the floor, whatever you are doing goes right out the window!

As I watched, I saw that her eyes caught a simple paper bag that had been laying on the floor from groceries that had been delivered to me by a family member. Within minutes, she had sprung from the couch and was in that bag, attacking it like it was a mouse! After a few more minutes, she had decided that this bag was her enemy and instantly that bag was ripped at the seams with her small head sticking out. It was then that it occurred to me: cats honestly do not care. All they care about is the fact that their owners are being interactive with them, making them feel loved and needed.

So, I began thinking of some great creative ways that I could get my cat her exercise as well as some of my own. Here is a great list of things that you can use from around your house to let them know that it is playtime:

1) Aluminum foil: Take a large amount of aluminum foil from a roll that is just about empty. Mash the foil up into a ball and show it to your cat. The fact that it is shiny may immediately grasp their attention. Take the ball and gently roll it across the floor. Tip: use a hardwood or kitchen floor. It does not work very well on carpets. If they do not go for it right away, retrieve it and roll it again. It may take a few times depending on how intelligent you cat is, but once they see that it is okay to play with, they should dig right on in.

2) An empty toilet paper roll: This works about the same as the foil ball, but it rolls faster and it may actually encourage them to chase it. My cat will chase these things for hours and bat them around wherever she wants. It is actually quite a comical experience to view from any feline.

3) Your feet: Try to get involved with a game of 'chase' with your cat. Widen your eyes and say something like 'I'm going to get you!'. In most cases, the cat's eyes will widen and ears wil perk up. Turn around in circles and watch your feet and watch what they do. The fact that there is movement may entice your cat to try to catch your feet. But, always be careful if you cat has claws. Mine does, and if they get them, you might as well get used to the fact that they have become chew toys for your feline. Try to discourage a chewing behavior as much as possible.

4) Yarn Balls: Oh yes, the old stand-by. My wife tried this experiment just recently and found out it was a great success. Take a yarn ball and look for the loose end. While you have the yarn, take it and begin making another ball from the other for your hand. Tip: make sure that that the original ball is tossed just about a foot away across the floor before making the new ball. As you wind it, the ball may start to spin. Again, the fact that there is movement may be enough to peak their interest in play. You may have to throw it a few times if you live in a small apartment, but if it makes them happy, it will be well worth it.

5) Keys: Keys make lots of noise and cats love that. If you have any extra keys around that you are not using, put them on a key ring and shake them in the same way as if you were trying to entertain a baby. The noise will be enough to get the cat running and will want them to further investigate the sound. If you have one of those types that have an elastic cord and it is not too heavy, simply dangle the key ring and bounce the elastic. This will cause them to want to try to catch it the same way that they try to catch a mouse.

In all play, try to be an interactive as possible. In some of these methods, the benefits that come from it will help your cat become leaner and stronger and you don't even have to take them to the gym! It will help them gain speed, strengthen their pounce and strengthen their muscles if they need to get away from danger quickly.

Take a look around you house and see what you can come up with that will encourage your cat that play is okay. They will love you in the long run for it!