FAQ: Toys for cats

Usually the task is too hard or the food too difficult to reach. Go back to an easier level, add more treats and let the cat win easily a few times so she doesn't lose motivation.

Yes, a snuffle mat with fabric strips where kibble is hidden suits cats too. It trains the sense of smell and slows eating, but it is meant for dry food and needs washing regularly.

Plastic ones are easier to wash and often dishwasher-safe, while wooden ones are heavier and more stable but absorb moisture and smells more. For wet food silicone or plastic suit best, while both types work for dry food.

The usual advice is that treats should make up no more than about a tenth of a cat's daily calories. If you give a lot of treats during play, reduce the main food accordingly.

A cat tunnel is a collapsible fabric tube a cat can run through, hide in and ambush from. It suits solo play and wand games, and gives shy cats a safe hiding place.

Most cats suit a tunnel around 25 cm in diameter, while large breeds such as Maine Coons are better off with a wider one. The cat should run through freely without her back catching.

Most tunnels have a spring frame and fold into a flat disc, so they are easy to put in a cupboard or take on a trip. Hold the frame while folding so the spring does not suddenly snap open.

A box gives a cat a safe hiding place from which to watch and ambush, and cardboard holds warmth well. A plain box with a hole cut in it can become one of a cat's favourite toys.

Cardboard toys, houses and scratchers are generally safe if the cardboard is unpainted and free of tape or staples. If your cat not only scratches cardboard but eats chunks of it, give such toys only under supervision.

Cats often love paper bags, but cut off the handles first so the cat cannot get tangled. Never give a cat plastic bags, as they can cause suffocation and are dangerous to the gut if chewed.

A play mat with dangling toys, holes or crinkly inserts suits solo play and kittens in particular. Check that the hanging toys are firmly attached and replace them when worn.

A tent or soft hideaway gives a cat a hiding place and somewhere to ambush from, and together with a tunnel creates a more varied play space. It is particularly useful for shy cats and homes with several animals.

It is usually enough to vacuum the hair off a tunnel and wipe stains with a damp cloth and mild detergent. If the manufacturer allows, it can be hand-washed in warm water, but the spring frame must be dried well so it does not rust.

Dangling toys on a cat tree add to a cat's play, but they move little and soon get boring. A cat still needs a wand and other toys, and above all play with her owner.

Remove the broken toy first so the cat does not swallow the string or stuffing. Many can be replaced with a new one fixed to the same hook or screw, or the tree can simply be left without a dangling toy.

An exercise wheel is a large rotating wheel in which a cat can run as on a treadmill. It is mostly useful for very active breeds living in apartments, but not every cat learns to use it.

Start by letting the cat sniff the wheel and stand in it, rewarding her with a treat. Then slowly move the wheel with a wand or laser in front so she takes a few steps. Training can take a few weeks.

The wheel must be large enough for the cat to run with a straight back rather than hunched. Large breeds need a bigger diameter, and check the space in the room before buying, as these wheels take up quite a lot of room.

Firmly stitched fabric, natural cardboard, untreated wood, sisal and sturdy rubber toys without small parts are considered safer. Avoid brittle plastic, glued-on details and strong-smelling paints.

Wooden balls, puzzles and toys are fine if the wood is smooth, unvarnished or pet-safe coated and does not split. A chewed or cracked toy can develop splinters and should be replaced.