Fun Things for Cats to Play With

Cats are in constant search of something new and fun to play with -- and face it, so are you. One joy of owning a cat is that you get to watch it pretend to be a mighty hunter and jumper, all in the safety of its own home. While a cat can usually make a game out of anything it finds, there are some toys that a cat will particularly enjoy. Above all, don't let your cat get bored.

  1. Laser Pointer

    • Cats love a good row with the laser pointer. The laser pointer offers little to no running around for you and plenty of exercise for the cat. Turn the laser pointer on and aim it toward the floor. Once your cat sees the small, red dot emitted by the laser pointer, start to move it around. Your cat may want to sneak up on the laser dot slowly or run at it, chase it, and try to catch it. One fun thing to do is to run the laser pointer light up the wall. You cat will jump to try to reach it.

    Balls

    • Cats love things that spin, twirl, and bounce. A good place to play with balls and ball-based toys is in the kitchen, or a room with tile, wood, or linoleum; because of the slippery, smooth surface, your cat will have more fun as it and the ball slide around the floor. Ball toys may include bells or feathers, which are bonus sensory treats to cats since they can hear the bell or feel the tickle from the feather. Some ball toys are more puzzle-like, such as a ball within a circular tube of plastic. As your cat bats at the ball, it may start to look at the toy as a challenge and figure out how to free the ball from the tube. Toys like this challenge your cat's mind.

    Catnip Toys

    • If your cat seems lazy and doesn't want to run around or play a lot, get a catnip toy. Catnip toys are usually small stuffed animals with catnip inside. Sometimes, the toy is refillable. Depending on how your cat reacts to the catnip, it may roll around a lot, or even get up and physically play with the toy. Cats enjoys these catnip toys, which give them something to play with alone while you are gone for work, or asleep at night.

    Dangling Toys

    • Many cat toys involve a stick with a string or rope that is also attached to a toy (such as a ball, feather, bell, catnip bird). These toys are entertaining for both you and your cat. You can sit or stand while you play with your cat and the new dangling toy. You can hold the stick and direct the string/toy around so your cat can chase, bat at, or sneak up on it. You don't even have to be around for your cat to enjoy a dangling toy -- fit the stick between couch cushions so the string/toy dangles out beyond the couch. Your cat will be able to have fun even when you aren't around.

    Tunnels

    • Cats love to play in tunnels. A tunnel can be anything from a manufactured kitty tunnel (which is usually about a foot or two in length and is made from carpet or plastic) to a paper bag or cardboard box. Simply put your kitty tunnel on the floor and it should pique your cat's interest. Perhaps the cat is interested in what is on the other side or just the tunnel itself, but it will usually dart into one side of the tunnel just to see what it can find. This is another toy your cat can easily play with even if you are not home.