Cats can be picky is a terrible understatement. We all know that by now. So, unfortunately, there’s not much you can do if your cat is bent on ignoring the 100-dollar toy you have just bought. So, what you should do? Frustration is not an option. After careful deliberation and conversing with our cat oracle, we have compiled a small list of tips on how to choose the best toys for your cat.
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A Few Considerations for Buying Cat Toys
If you are having trouble figuring out how to choose toys for cats, check the linked article for the best chew toys for cats that your furry friend will love as. Bear in mind that there’s no guarantee your cat will like any toy no matter how shiny or colorful it is. That’s the trouble with cats – they’re unpredictable but lovable. So, before spending hundreds of dollars on cat toys, you should do your homework on what your cat likes and dislikes.
Also, don’t rush to give her the toy. Try to spark her interest in it. For example, while the cat is sleeping or doing anything else besides playing, you show her the toy and start playing with it. If the cat sees that you’re paying more attention to that thing instead of her, she’ll definitely want to do something about it (think about kittens and laptops).
Another thing to keep in mind is that, sometimes, improvisation is better than most store-bought toys. You never know with cats. She can be easily taken aback by a piece of tin foil or an empty TP roll.
Well, with these in mind, let’s see how you can choose the best toys for your cat.
Step 1. No Pocket-Digging
Remember that YouTube movie about the woman who bought her cat a very expensive scratch post, but the cat ended up playing and sleeping in the box? Well, if you don’t want that to happen, then you should not spend too much on cat toys. Go to your local supermarket and check out the pets’ aisle. If you can’t find anything there, you can also check the kids’ department or visit catcaveco.com. So, if you’re bent on going shopping for cat toys, remember to look for bargains or cheap toys.
Step 2. Know What Your Cat Likes
Cats have different tastes in toys. Some prefer scratch posts, others like chasing around the dreaded red dot, while others are into plush toys. See what your cat is into before going shopping.
Step 3. Inspect The Toys
When you are at the pet store or local supermarket, look at the toys carefully before buying. Look for sharp edges, small parts that can be swallowed or that can come off easily. Remember that the purpose of a toy is to keep your cat entertained not injure her. Also, you should steer clear of plush toys with fake hair because your cat could choke on the strands. Wash the toys before giving them to your cat. Don’t use the washing machine. Just wash it with soap in the sink, rinse it a couple of times, and allow it to dry on the clothesline.
Step 4. Consider Other Options
Physical toys are great for cats but do bear in mind that there are tons of other toys out there. For instance, there’s a stand that fires up lasers or mini projectors capable of rendering cat-friendly images. You can also try installing a cat app on your tablet or smartphone. Just fire up your phone’s online app gallery and search for cat games. There are tons of cat apps to choose from.
Step 5. Remove Labels
Don’t forget about snipping out those labels as they are choking hazards.
Step 6. Don’t Buy The Same Type Of Toy
If your cat appears interested in one type of toy, refrain from buying a similar one. Eventually, she will lose interest and stash them away. Try to buy a different kind of toy each time.
Step 7. Catnip’s Your Best Friend
If you want to stir your cat’s interest, you could try some catnip. Some toys have special pouches that allow you to put in as much catnip as you like. As for other toys, you can try a spray catnip solution. Just take the toy, spray it a couple of times, and leave it in the middle of the room. It will not be long until your cat pounces on it.
Step 8. Careful with DIY Cat Toys
For cat owners who are more into DYIs than purchasing, we advise caution when creating cat toys. Sewing toys mice or hedgehogs is nice but be careful about loose threads or pins. Your cat can easily choke on them, and the last thing you will need is a trip to the vet’s office.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing cat toys can be challenging. But, then again, is there such thing as ‘easy’ when you are a cat owner? Still, if you follow our tips, you’ll definitely find the right toy for your pet.
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