Cats are naturally curious and playful creatures. There are many items you can find around your house or buy that can keep your cats engaged and active.
If you are a cat owner, you might have noticed that cats can be picky about the things they love. Not all cats love to play and explore with the same toys or gadgets.
Here are a few of the things that my cats love to play with.
Crinkly Paper
Anytime a box arrives that is packed with paper, my cats get excited. Diving into paper and hearing it crinkle is a great sensory experience for many cats.
Cats are naturally curious so any kind of new material, whether it be packing paper or wrapping paper, presents something exciting to explore.
Many cats also respond positively to things that make crinkling sounds. Researchers believe this is because the crinkling sound is high pitched and mimics the high frequency sounds that rodents make.
Anytime I pull out wrapping paper, one of my cats loves to dive in among it.
Cat tunnels
Explore Cats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Cat tunnels are another fun toy that many cats enjoy playing in and around.
Cats love cat tunnels for a few different reasons.
Cat tunnels can provide a sense of security and privacy for cats during play. In the wild, cats are ambush predators, and they often hide in confined spaces to stalk their prey.
By nature, cats have an instinctual desire to hide and observe their surroundings from a safe distance. Cat tunnels mimic this natural behavior, which makes them a popular choice among cats.
Cat tunnels also provide a sensory experience many cats enjoy. Cat tunnels made with crinkling materials can stimulate your cats auditory responses. As with paper products, cat tunnels made with nylon or other crinkly sound material make a high pitched sound that is similar to the high frequency squeaks of rodents.
Cats also love to play by stalking and punching on their feline housemates. A cat tunnel provides a fun way for cats to chase and pounce on each other.
Doll Brush
Most cats love to be groomed by you. Brushing your cat helps to keep their coats healthy by distributing natural oils and will remove loose fur.
Grooming is a form of bonding so when you brush your cat, you are also strengthening his or her bond with you.
Cats, however, can be picky about the type of brush or comb you use on them. If your cat reacts negatively to being groomed, make sure it isn’t the brush they are reacting to. Try different styles of cat brushes and combs to see which one they prefer.
In fact, you don’t need to find a brush specifically made for cats. I have one tabby with a pretty thick undercoat and she absolutely loves being brushed with a doll brush. The thin metal prongs on the doll brush are gentle enough on my cat’s coat while still managing to pull out loose fur.
Laser pointer toy
Pet laser pointers are a good way to give your cat a workout.
Laser toys also offer a way for cats to release pent-up energy and exercise their muscles. When a cat is chasing a laser dot, they are running, jumping, and pouncing, all excellent ways to work off energy
Make sure you exercise care when using a laser pointer. Laser toys should never be pointed directly at a cat’s eyes (or anybody else’s eyes), as they can cause eye damage.
Cat window beds
Cats love window beds because they offer a comfortable and cozy place for them to rest while still being able to observe their surroundings.
As natural predators, cats are instinctively curious and enjoy watching the world around them. A window bed provides an ideal place for cats to observe and be entertained by birds, squirrels, or just watching the world go by.
Since they are elevated, cat window beds also provide cats with a secure place to sunbathe or take a nap.
Window beds are also a great space-saving solution for small living spaces. They can be easily installed in a window sill or mounted on a wall, providing a cozy resting spot for cats without taking up valuable floor space.
