FAQ: Toys for cats

Boredom can show as excessive sleeping, noise at night, scratching furniture, ambushing feet, over-grooming or overeating. More play, puzzles and new places to explore often help, but sudden changes in behaviour are a reason to talk to a vet.

Sudden bursts of energy usually mean the cat has not used up her energy during the day, especially if she lives indoors. More active play in the morning and evening usually makes these zoomies less frequent.

It often does: active play in the evening followed by a meal and a calm wind-down encourages the cat to sleep longer. If night-time meowing started suddenly or the cat is older, talk to a vet, as a health problem could be the cause.

Some cats, such as Bengals or Turkish Vans, are fascinated by running water and like to bat at it. Such cats may enjoy floating toys in a shallow bowl or a water fountain, but supervise water play.

Regular play with each cat helps burn off energy that might otherwise turn into chasing. It matters that there are enough toys, hiding places and high spots for all, and more serious conflicts are worth discussing with a vet.

Play with the cats separately or with two wands, and place toys in different spots. Give the shyer cat time when the bolder one is busy, so she too can play undisturbed.

A blind cat suits toys with bells, crinkle film or catnip that she can find by hearing and smell. Play on the floor, keep furniture in the same place and move the toy so that it makes a sound.

A deaf cat suits visual toys: wands with bright attachments, feathers, or moving light spots followed by a physical toy. Approach where she can see you so you don't startle her, and invite her to play by tapping the floor, as she can feel vibrations.

A cat with joint pain suits floor games without jumping: a wand moved low and slowly, kickers, snuffle mats or easy puzzles. The right level of activity is worth discussing with a vet.

After surgery a cat usually needs rest while the wound heals, so put off active games with jumping for as long as your vet advises. Meanwhile calm scent games or puzzles are fine if they don't make the cat jump.

Three-legged cats often adapt very well and enjoy the same toys. Choose floor games, avoid slippery surfaces and high jumps, and move the wand more slowly so the cat can turn in time.

A recovering cat suits short, calm games that don't tire her: scent toys, a slowly moved wand, an easy puzzle. Decide with your vet when and how much activity is allowed.

Kittens chew more while teething, so soft rubber or silicone toys, fabric mice and some chilled toys suit them. Avoid hard toys that can hurt the gums, and small chewable parts.

Biting is a normal part of kitten play, which kittens learn to control by playing with their littermates. At home redirect the biting to toys, and stop the game when the kitten bites hands.

Kittens should not have small, easily swallowed toys, toys with glued-on parts, long strings or elastic without supervision, or heavy and very hard toys. Kittens explore everything with their mouths, so check their toys especially often.

Kittens growing up with another kitten of similar age play a lot together and learn bite control. A single kitten needs more play with its owner, but a second animal should be a considered decision, not just for play.

Kittens play energetically but tire quickly, so several short sessions of 5–10 minutes a day suit them. When the kitten lies down, breathes heavily or loses interest, let it rest.

It is better for a cat and a dog to have separate toys: dog toys are often too big and hard for a cat, and a dog can chew and swallow a small cat toy. Supervise joint play and don't let the dog chase the cat.

Give children a long wand so the cat's claws and teeth stay away from their hands, and teach them not to grab the tail or chase the cat. Supervise young children playing with a cat, and leave the cat a place to retreat to.

An outdoor cat uses some of her energy hunting and exploring, but toys and play at home are still useful. They strengthen the bond with the owner and keep the cat busy on rainy or cold days when she stays in.