While it is safer for cats to stay indoors and away from dangers such as disease, cars, and traffic, most indoor cats are overweight and inactive. Just like humans, cats benefit from physical and mental activity. Exercise helps them relieve stress, build muscle, and prevent or reduce unwanted behaviors. The simplest way to help your cat get up and move is to stimulate her instincts with cat toys. In this guide, we show you the best home cat toys that achieve this goal and how to choose them. You can also find them all in our store at the best prices.
What are the best useful home cat toys for your cat?
Here are the best useful home cat toys for your cat:
Climbing games
Some cats prefer to explore vertical spaces, while others like to stay low to the ground. If you think your cat might be the climbing type, give her some climbing toys, like a cat tree, window perch, or wall fixture so she can explore her new home from above. These toys target cats' predatory and defensive instincts, as cats love to climb because the high position gives them an aerial advantage over their prey. They also like to scratch to keep their claws sharp and ready to attack. So make sure the toy you choose is intended for scratching as well. Additionally, some climbing toys have hiding places where your cat will also enjoy hiding.
Climbing toys for cats feature a sturdy base and extending arms with tunnels and hiding places. Some also feature scratching posts to make them more attractive to cats. If your cat ignores the tower you bought her, you can encourage her to explore it by sprinkling some catnip or placing her favorite toy inside it. Climbing toys for cats can be an invaluable toy if you want to redirect your cat's unwanted behaviors. For example, they can help prevent your cat from climbing into unsafe places or scratching your furniture.
Cat toys, hanging furniture set for cats, 9 pieces
Soft tunnel from Italian Verabella, cyan, 25X90cm
Hiding games
Cats love to hide and hide. Therefore, make sure to provide cat toys ( hiding toys) at home. Your new cat may need a place where she feels safe. Various hiding places that provide security and enrichment for indoor cats include tunnels.
Puzzle Games
Challenge your cat's brain with puzzles that require some extra effort to produce a tasty treat. Some puzzle toys can be filled with treats or dry cat food and create obstacles for your cat to reach their reward, while others consist of balls or toys suspended in a maze that keep your cat occupied. This is because cats are curious and love to solve puzzles to find out where they hide their food, how to sneak outdoors, and even how to get into the cupboard where you keep cat food. Furthermore, it is common for cats to come up with unique toys, including those that encourage unwanted behavior. Hence, puzzle toys provide mental stimulation by targeting your cat's curiosity and hunting instincts.
Cats enjoy their puzzles best when they are not difficult to solve. Since they also have a keen sense of smell, you can use scents to make it easier to discover hidden objects within the game. For example, you can hide treats in different compartments to slow your cat down when eating. The cat must recognize where its food is hiding, perhaps making its way through a small opening to reach its big catch.
Chasing games
From feather toys to mice to plastic balls with bells inside, there are a plethora of options when it comes to toys that your cat can bat and chase independently. These types of toys can keep your cat entertained even when no one is around.
If your cat quickly gets bored with toys, or turns his head in the opposite direction every time you buy a new toy, it's time to try catnip toys. Most cats find catnip irresistible, and will not only attack catnip toys, but will also toss them, chew them, and roll with them. You can use these toys to take your play sessions with your cat to the next level. Playing with catnip toys for just a few minutes will ensure that your cat has a delightful trance for 5 to 15 minutes. After that, you will stop playing and maybe take a nap. Catnip loses its effectiveness over time if you don't store it in an airtight container, but many toys can still be fun for your cat to stroke and chase even after the catnip has stopped taking effect.
Provocative home cat games for cats
Although these are also toys that your cat can chase, unlike the toys mentioned above, they require human involvement. Stick toys, feathers, and pointers are all exciting toys that give your cat the opportunity to get good exercise and spend quality social time with you.
The smart electronic hook toy from Betaholic
Rod with mounting stand from Petaholic
The most important tips for playing with your cat in a healthy, safe and beneficial way
If you're a new cat owner or just starting out with indoor cat toys, you may have some questions regarding best practices. In this case, check out the following tips for playing with cat toys.
- Watch for small parts: Just as you wouldn't give a child a toy with parts that are easy to swallow, you should be careful about the toys you give your cat. Consider whether any of the cat toys you use could pose a choking hazard. This is especially important with string toys, as a cat that ingests string can develop a common but life-threatening condition.
- If the cat toys you use could pose a choking hazard. This is especially important with floss, as cats who ingest floss can develop a common but life-threatening condition. Make sure your cat never plays with string-like objects (rubber bands, bracelets) unsupervised, or remove these items from the play area completely.
- Read the Label Whether you're buying a cat toy from a pet store or making a toy from home, make sure you understand the types of materials your cat will be playing with, just make sure it's not made from toxic materials.
- During interactive play, let your cat win and allow her to catch the prey at the end of the play session, and reward her with a reward she enjoys, such as letting her pounce on a laser pointer to reinforce her sense of victory.
- Monitor your cat's body language while sleeping, especially during long play sessions. Just make sure she's not hyperventilating or hyperactive. Take breaks as needed.
It may take some trial and error to find the best cat toys that suit your cat's preferences. Discovering the toys your cat enjoys may be stressful at first, but over time you'll discover the best ways to communicate with your cat, entertain him, and strengthen the bond between you. At Petaholic, you will find all the home cat toys that your cat will definitely like.
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