FAQ: Toys for cats

This is a normal reaction to catnip: the cat rubs her cheeks, rolls, sometimes drools or purrs. The reaction is harmless and passes after a few minutes.

Cats suit light balls that roll and bounce well: plastic, soft foam, felt or ones with a bell inside. The ball must be big enough not to be swallowed and must not have parts that are easily chewed off.

Many cats love scrunched foil balls because they are light and rustle. But a cat can bite off and swallow bits of foil, so give such a toy only under supervision and throw it away once it starts to break up.

No, rubber bands, hair ties and laces are dangerous for cats, as they can block the intestines if swallowed. Keep them out of the cat's reach and offer a proper toy instead.

Springs are light, bounce unpredictably and are much loved by many cats. They are safe only as long as the cat does not chew them: throw away chewed or stretched springs so the cat cannot swallow pieces.

Check that the mouse is firmly stitched and that the eyes, nose and tail are not glued on or easy to tear off. Furry mice are often more interesting to cats, but they too must be sturdy, and a torn mouse should be thrown away.

A kicker is an elongated soft toy that a cat hugs with her front paws and kicks with her back legs, as in hunting or play-fighting with another cat. It often contains catnip and suits solo play.

A kicker should be roughly the length of the cat's body so she can hug and kick it comfortably. For large breeds such as Maine Coons choose longer and sturdier toys.

It is a natural hunting and play movement that cats use in the wild to tackle prey or other cats. It is better for the cat to kick a kicker toy than your hand, so offer a toy instead of your hands.

Plush toys are fine if they are firmly stitched, without glued-on eyes or small parts. Cats often carry, kick and bite them, so a torn toy with stuffing coming out should be thrown away.

A toy should not fit fully in the cat's mouth or be easy to swallow. Avoid tiny balls, beads and parts the cat could bite off, and pick toys sized for kittens or large cats accordingly.

Cats often behave this way with ‘caught’ prey: they carry it to a safe place, sometimes call out or show it to their owner. It is normal instinctive behaviour, especially common in neutered and indoor cats.

By bringing a toy a cat may be inviting you to play or sharing her ‘catch’. Some cats, especially Siamese or Bengals, even learn to play fetch if the owner throws the toy again each time.

Pick a light toy your cat already likes carrying, throw it a short distance and praise her or give a treat when she brings it closer to you. Repeat in short, frequent sessions, as not every cat will learn it.

Some cats ‘hide’ prey this way or simply play with water, while others take a toy to a place they often visit. It is harmless, but change the water more often and dry the wet toys.

Fit blocker strips or guards under the sofa or wardrobe so balls cannot roll there. Gather toys into a box once a week and rotate some of them, as rediscovered toys will seem new to the cat.

A ball track is an enclosed circuit or tower where balls roll and the cat bats them through the openings. It suits solo play because the balls are not lost, though cats tire of it faster than of play with a person.

Sounds that resemble prey grab some cats' attention and scare others. Start with a short trial and watch the reaction, and put noisy toys away at night.

Electronic toys that move, spin or make sounds can add variety to a cat's day, especially when the owner is out. Still, they move predictably, so they do not replace play with a person and cats often tire of them sooner.

Only a toy without easily chewed parts, strings or reachable batteries should be left out. Watch how your cat handles it the first few times, and choose models with automatic shut-off or a timer.