Become your feline friend's best buddy with a great cat pet toy
!
Copyright 2005 Marc Deschamps
Providing your feline friend with the right cat pet toy will
make cat ownership more rewarding.
Many cats spend their days in home environments that are often
lonely, and non-stimulating.
Without an outlet for pent-up mental and physical energy, some
cats can become stressed, or even destructive. Luckily, you can
help minimize these tendencies by enriching your cat's
environment with stimulating, fun toys designed to appeal to
their outgoing, playful natures.
Before purchasing any cat pet toy be sure to first "pet-proof"
your home by picking up or concealing objects that, if eaten,
could cause medical problems.
These include:
-Paper clips, pins, or staples -Rubber bands, string, or
shoelaces -Pens or pencils -Wires or power cords -All children's
toys -Socks and pantyhose -Jewelry -Hardware -Human foods or
medications
In addition, be sure to remove any items of clothing (including
shoes, belts and other delicious leather goods) that your cat
might find tasty.
Though cats tend to amuse themselves better than do their canine
cousins, they too need some regular mental and physical
stimulation to stay happy. Also, without an outlet for their
strong predatory instincts, most cats will become stressed or
even destructive; it is essential, then, to provide your cat
with a stimulating home environment that includes the cat toys.
Cats are not quite as destructive as dogs with regard to
playthings. Nevertheless, care should be taken that a
non-supervised cat pet toy not contain any easily-swallowed
pieces such as buttons, feathers, strings or squeakers.
Often, cat owners find that their feline friend will treat
simple household items as treasured toys. Balled-up wads of
newspaper, cardboard boxes stuffed with shredded paper,
ping-pong balls, or even the cardboard cores of paper towel
rolls can often occupy hours of a cat's time.
The following store-bought toys can also provide your cat with
hours of fun. They include:
-Plastic or hard rubber balls, with or without noisemakers
inside -Small, soft, stuffed animals, with or without catnip
inside -Wind-up or battery-operated toys -Teaser wands or laser
pens (operated by you)
Be sure to rotate your cat pet toy (s) on a regular basis, to
keep interest levels high. Also, keep them clean.
Don't simply let your feline friend play with a cat pet toy all
on its own; instead, participate in the action. Doing so will
help bond you to your cat, and make playtime all the more fun.
Whether it's a game of fetch or a session with the teaser toy,
your cat will soon come to see you as its greatest play buddy.
Providing your feline friend with a fun cat pet toy will help
minimize problem behaviors and make cat ownership more
rewarding.