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Best Toys for Cats

January 23, 2017 by Mary Telesz

Best Toys for CatsSimilar to most domesticated animals, cats are not necessarily the type of creatures that are to be trained. And unfortunately, it can be difficult to find ways to occupy cats when they like to do activities on their own time. Playing fetch or “wrestling” are not options for most cats. However, it is still important to keep cats happy and content. One of the best ways to accomplish this, is to provide them with different toys and activities that they can use at their personal discretion. These toys, for most owners, can vary from store-bought to homemade, but they all work just the same. Or, so they think. It turns out, some popular types of toys for cats are, in fact, rather dangerous for them and can cause sickness or even death. Below are some reasons why cats need certain types of toys, the toys that are bad for your cat, and the best toys for cats that can benefit both the cat and the family!

Why Cats Need Toys

Cats are very active creatures (despite their reputation). Most are rather anxious and constantly move around. They need to be mentally stimulated in order to keep aggressions and anxiety low. Without it, most cats will “lash out,” biting, clawing, and sometimes even scratching their owners and breaking the skin. This is not done out of hatred or spite for the owner; it is simply a manifestation of the negative emotions they have building up inside of them. It is important to give cats the outlets to work out their anxieties and energy on their own time (since, in line with their reputation, they do everything on their own time).

Toys to Avoid for Cats

Anything stringy: despite the stereotype, string, ribbon, yarn, and rubber bands are actually quite dangerous for cats. The risks of swallowing the strings or ribbon could result in choking or blocking the airways, leaving the cats defenseless. Cats have tongues covered with rearward-facing barbs that make it hard for them to spit out things that rub against the grain. This means that the cats would not be able to choke up the swallowed string. If this does not cause instant choking, it would then cause their intestines to twist up and would need to be worked on, which can be a rather expensive procedure to reverse.

Fishing pole type toys: although these are fun and safe to play with when the owner is around, they can be dangerous without supervision. Typically, the strings are easy to swallow and may result in choking. Also, chewing on the (typically) wooden rods is not safe either, since the little wooden chippings can easily fall off and be ingested by the cats. Only use these with proper supervision, putting them away when not in use.

Decorated Toys: although the cute doll with long strings of hair seems like a good option for a cat, it can actually be rather dangerous. Extra accessories on chew toys, such as string, ribbon, plastic pieces or yarn can be chewed off and eaten if not careful. It is best to choose toys that are made of a single, durable fabric that can withstand the chewing and clawing of a cat.

Stuffed and Fluffed Toys: Although, as people, we love soft stuffed animals with squishy beads or fluff on the inside, they are dangerous to cats and to all other pets. Once the toy gets ripped or chewed open, it typically will spill the beads, which will hurt the cat if they are ingested. It is best to avoid all stuffed, fluffed, or beaded chew toys, in order to keep them out of the mouths and stomachs of your furry friend.

Best Toys for Cats

Most good, safe toys for cats have a common theme: no excessive parts. For cats, the toys will spend most of their time in your cat’s mouth, so it is important to resist buying the cheaply made, sparkly toys that claim to be good for cats. The only thing truly good for your cat is a soft chew toy or a bouncy ball to chase. Anything that gets them moving in a safe and contained area is the best solution. Below you will find some of the best and safest toys around. Before using, be sure to check their instructions for any safety precautions to take. In some cases, it might be better to store some of the toys away while you are not home or not paying much attention, in order to prevent your loving cat from doing some harmful damage to themselves or the toys. All in all, the toys below are safe, fun, and can benefit you and your cat in tremendous ways!

Rubber toys: chewy, rubbery toys are perfect for cats, as they typically do not shed and are not capable of being chewed to pieces (at least the kind with thick plastic). There are some toys that have tunnels down the middle of them that can hold treats or other incentives. These can get your cat moving and biting, working out all of their inner energy. With their durable layers of rubber, they are promised to last a long time.
Knit Toys: knit toys tend to last a little longer. Although they are not as durable as rubber, they are easier on cat’s teeth. Be sure to find knit toys that do not contain any of the fluff or beads that can hurt or injure cats, if ingested. The best knit chew toys are those that have no stuffing at all. It is best to use these types of toys for younger cats or kittens that may not have fully developed or strong teeth yet.

LED Lasers: the best types of toys are those that can be shared between the cats and their owners. Lasers are good for just that. They keep cats moving and motivated for quite some time, and allow the owner to be in control of the fun. Be sure to control the laser, moving it quickly and randomly to maximize your cat’s movements. Be sure to only play this game with one cat present. Too many can cause fights or altercations (such as them running into each other). Be direct with movements of the laser, being sure only to move it to practical, easily-accessible places for your cat (not on the wall, around sharp corners, or high on the ceiling) as this can frustrate the cat more. Note: do not leave the laser laying around when you are not present. Chewing on this could result in injury for your cat!

Rubber balls: playing toss is not just for the dogs! Cats love to chase around a rubber ball. They are not easily gnawed on, so the likelihood of them popping is small to none. Instead, your cat can use this as a substitute for that beloved ball of yarn. Tossing it, hitting in, pouncing on it, and rolling around with it are just some of the exerting activities that cats can perform with these toys. They are safe to leave out while you are away, since they are rather durable and resistant to chewing and stray pieces of rubber getting into the unwanted mouths!

Scratching post: while not exactly a toy, a scratching post is essential to any cat’s happiness and wellbeing. The scratching post has a lot of benefits for a furry feline; they help to dull claws, they release anxiety, they stimulate the brain and body, they work out energy, and they really enjoy it! Scratching posts are available in all shapes and sizes, and made out of carpet, scratchy material, or what can only be described as an enlarged loofah. All of these materials are great for cats to play with and can help reduce the anxiety of not being active in the household.

Fishpole Toys: although these have mixed reviews by users, fishpole toys have the same effect as the laser toys. Moving them sporadically and randomly helps to get your cat moving in a contained environment, except with this toy, they can actually catch something! This is typically a cat’s favorite toy, and changing the toy on the end of the pole leads to never end fun when it involves “fishing” for some quality cat time. It is important however, to store toy away whenever you are gone, due to the issues above.

Overall, cats too, can be man’s best friend, if that best friend provides the best and most efficient toy for their cat. However, the dangers of some toys on the market are not a concern for big companies, as they place value on the price rather than the safety of your loved pet. If your cat is showing signs of anxiety, depression, hyperactive behavior, excessive gnawing, chewing, or biting, or even hissing and aggressive behavior, a change in toys might be just the thing needed to boost their self-esteem. Let them release some energy, and get back to being the cuddly kitty that you fell in love with. Contact Paw Pals Pet Sitting for more information on our pet sitting services.

Filed Under: Pet Care

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
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(703) 345-1695

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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