Selecting safe toys for your cat

Toys are for every cat

Is your cat a world-class pouncer and stalker? Or perhaps she gave that up at 18 months and now her only activity seems to be daily trips to the food bowl. Whether your cat is an athletic dynamo or an expert sunbather, you can provide her with safe and stimulating toys.

When your cat plays, she may look like she's stalking prey. This is no accident. Her wild cousins are predators, and playing brings out her hunting instincts. That's why cats are fascinated by toys that can be:

• Shaken
• Wiggled
• Dangled
• Made to look like they're alive

Pet supply stores are stocked with many interactive products that do just this. Try a "kitty teaser," a simple wire or plastic-string toy with a securely attached feather or other object. Some of these toys even look like fishing poles. These toys allow you to get in on the act, too, but be sure to put them away when playtime is over.

Catnip cat toys and moving prey

Catnip mice and catnip "sacks" are good toys for cats, provided they are well-made and do not include any tiny beads, buttons or trims that could fall off and be eaten or swallowed. Small, bouncy balls are just right for cats to bat and push, but take care they don't contain very small bells or plastic parts.

Safe DIY cat toys

You can also make your own toys. The simplest of all? A cardboard box, in which cats can play hide-and-seek. Cardboard tubes also intrigue felines. If you're feeling more ambitious, you can cover a wooden plank with carpet; set it securely at a 45-degree angle and watch your cat scratch and climb! You can also build a set of stairs for your pet. These can be as simple as ascending stacks of books.

Above all, safety first!

Avoid toys made of dangerous materials such as tinsel or Mylar. And balls of string are definite no-nos, too. If ingested, string can wrap around your cat's intestines, which can cause serious internal injury. Other inappropriate play objects are your hands and fingers. This can lead to aggression and biting.