Are cat toys worth buying?

Like people, cats differ. So, whether cat toys are worth buying depends on many things. These include your cat’s personality, how active they are, and their personal preferences. Here are some considerations: 

Healthy Lifestyle: 

Cat toys such as wand toys, puzzle feeders, and laser pointers, help your pet stay healthy. They do this by motivating your furry friend to stay active in body and mind.  

Bottom line is, when cats are playing, they are moving around and jumping on things or off of things.  Even when using a puzzle feeder, they tend to circle the puzzle as they look for the treats and try to figure out how to get them.  They’re literally burning calories as they’re eating. If you’d like to know more, have a look at this article about puzzle feeders which includes a picture of my cat using her puzzle feeder.

Preventing your cat from getting bored: 

When cats are bored, they tend to cause the most trouble.  A wide variety of toys such as those that mimic hunting, can help prevent some of that behaviour.  

When my cat starts scratching at the couch, I know it’s because she wants to play.  Her favourite toy is a laser pointer.  I like the one in the link below because it’s rechargeable.  I used to have one that uses those little watch batteries, but they didn’t last very long and I couldn’t find them anywhere.  Since laser pointers are pretty affordable, it was easier to just get this new one instead.  Every time I plug it in to charge it, I feel like I was so smart to get that one. 

If you’re due to buy new batteries for your laser pointer get this rechargeable one instead

(paid ad)

Build a stronger bond with your cat: 

Interactive toys for cats to play with alone are good. But toys that are meant for you and your pet to play with together can help build a stronger bond. Spending quality time with your cat lets them know they are well loved. 

I can certainly tell that my cat is much happier when I’m able to play with her a few times throughout the day.  On weeks when I’m really busy and can only play with her once a day or every other day, she lets me know she’s not happy with me by not staying close to me as she usually does or by not sleeping next to me.  It hurts when she moves her head away from me in a “Eww David” sort of way when I try to kiss her head. 

Environmental Enrichment: 

Cats are natural hunters, and toys can fulfill their hunting instincts. This is vital for indoor cats because they don’t have as many mental stimulation.

When you play with them by having them chase after a feather wand toy or using a puzzle feeder as I said earlier, it forces your cat to use their mind to accomplish a goal and fulfill a need that is deeply ingrained in them.  Cats need this sort mental stimulation otherwise they could become depressed. 

Preventing Destructive Behaviour: 

Appropriate toys can help prevent your cat from using unwanted behaviour. They redirect your cat’s natural urge to scratch or be destructive out of boredom. As a benefit, the distraction toys provide can prevent damage to furniture and other items.

Some cats may prefer wand toys, while others might prefer little soft balls they can chase around. Many factors can shape their preference. Your cat might play with one toy all the time then suddenly decide they don’t like it anymore. Or they might always remember that one little ball they go nuts over every time you dig it out from underneath the couch until they lose it again a few minutes later.

No matter what toy they prefer, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t swallow something that could be harmful.  Stringy toys or toys that have small parts that come apart could be especially dangerous. You may also need to rotate the toys you fur baby plays with. They may get bored of the same ones.  

In conclusion, I think the considerations I brought up are a good indication that cat toys are worth buying. They offer some much-needed benefits for your little friend to grow healthy and happy.  Lastly, they also provide mental and physical fun and help strengthen your bond.