cat activity

October 23 2018

A Buyer’s Guide to Electronic Cat Toys

melissa Cats, Fun, Products, Resources, Training cat activity, cat toys, electronic cat toys

Electronic cat toys offer cats an opportunity to play on their own or with each other and simultaneously hone their instinctive needs to pounce and hunt. There is a fabulous selection to choose from to keep felines in play mode for spurts of 10 to 15 minutes at a time. They beep, blink and make sounds that mimic birds, mice and other critters. Some even have motion sensors to reactivate themselves when some feline stalks by and sets them in motion all over again. So, stock up on batteries and get shopping!

PetSafe® Pounce™

This automatic cat toy features an electronic mouse that zips around a circular track, zooming forward, reversing, hiding under obstacles, and occasionally twitching back and forth. The unpredictable movements stimulate a cat’s natural instinct to hunt, chase and pounce on prey. The game has four speed settings and turns off automatically after 10 minutes, or manually with an on/off button. Cats can even be taught how to activate it—my Ziggy taught himself. Petsafe.net

Petlinks Mystery Motion

This battery-operated toy has a mouse-tail that peeps out from under a plastic cover. It shoots erratically around in different directions, recreating the idea that there is a critter hiding under the covers. Consequently, this toy replicates a cat’s instinct to patiently watch and observe before jumping into hunt mode. It’s excellent for enticing older cats out of snooze mode. It has four different speeds and is ideal for single cats as well as multi-cat households. Petlinkssystem.com

PetSafe Cheese

This “chunk” of Swiss cheese has holes on both sides that allow peek-a-boo mice to pop out on either side. Cats love the surprise and anticipation! The Cheese has a timer that automatically turns the toy off after 10 to 15 minutes. There is also a play-while-you-are-away mode which allows for sessions to be programmed to keep cats engaged throughout the day. Petsafe.net

PetSafe Laser Tail

This interactive laser toy moves by itself across the floor in random patterns and in all directions. The laser is on the back of the toy so the laser light is always rolling away from the cat, encouraging the chase. Sensors help the toy find its way out of corners or out from under furniture. It automatically shuts off after 10-minutes of play. It works well on all kinds of floor surfaces such as wood, tile and short-tufted carpets. While such toys utilize low-powered lasers such as 5mW 3R class lasers that are certified safe around pets and people, laser beams must never be shone directly at a pet (or a person). Laser toys should always be used under supervision. Petsafe.net

Petlinks Pure Commotion™

This spinning wand toy from Petlinks is a fun, interactive toy that simulates a bird in flight. The feather attachment spins and whips through the air in erratic flight patterns to entice your cat to catch it. The speed can be altered by turning a knob on the base from slow, medium, fast and random. There’s a timer that can be set at 15-minute intervals all the way up to a full two hours of uninterrupted fun. Petlinkssystem.com

Petlinks Stir Crazy™

The Stir Crazy from Petlinks is an electronic cat toy with a furry tail that pushes a ball around an electronic track and is spurred on when cats poke their paws through the sides of the track to attempt to catch it. It offers four different play speeds. The ball can be filled with catnip to add to the fun and frenzy. The on-off button is on the top flat surface of the toy so clever cats can be taught to operate it themselves. Petlinkssystem.com

Roaming Runners™

These tiny little battery-operated toys mimic the movements of real prey encouraging cats to chase them, pounce and leap about. There are a variety of shapes – bird, mouse, caterpillar, a cute ladybug. They are small enough for cats to pick up with their paws and fling around. Once back on the ground, they set off on their own again. Petlinkssystem.com

August 10 2017

Feline Frolics

melissa Fun, Pets, Products, Resources cat activity, cat play, cat toys, wand toys

These new toys will keep your cats entertained for a long time.

It’s been proven that indoor cats live longer, healthier lives. They are safe from predators, speeding cars and many contagious diseases. However, living indoors can be boring for a lot of cats, especially those who are young and active.

Pet owners can do a lot to help their indoor cats get the mental and physical activity they are missing. Myriad cat toys are designed to provide fun and exciting activity to indoor cats. These toys not only encourage cats to exercise, but also keep them mentally stimulated.

Here’s a look at five recently introduced cat toys designed to keep your cat entertained.

Nip-naps & Curly. These cute organic catnip-infused toys by Goli Design LLC come in four designs and four colors. Curly Kitty, Curly Bunny, Nip-Naps Kitty and Nip-Naps Bunny are hand-crafted from colorful cotton fabric, and have a long lasting scent. They range in size from 2.25 in. to 3 in. in length, depending on the style. Goli Design employs villagers of impoverished third world countries to create these toys in an effort to help improve their quality of life. For more information, visit golidesign.com.

Kitty Tippy Track n’ Roll Toy. Made by K&H Manufacturing, Kitty Tippy Track n’ Roll toys features a variety of shapes with a cardboard scratching post in the center, surrounded by an outside track containing two balls for batting. Cats can swat at the balls as they roll back and forth. An optional Tippy rocker can be installed on the back of the toy to make it teeter during playtime. The toy comes with a packet of catnip to encourage cats to play. For more information, visit khmfg.com.

Twin Tail Wand. Cats love to chase after things, and the Twin Tail Wand by Posh Feline gives them two fleece “tails” to pursue. Attached to a 24-inch plastic stick with a comfort grip, the wand comes with replaceable lengths of soft, stretch fleece fabric designed to create cat-enticing movement and action. The wand is assembled in the USA, and all material used in the toy is made in the USA except for the fleece fabric. For more information, visit poshfeline.com.

Turbo Tail Cat Toys. Turbo Tail toys by Coastal Pet Products feature a bright orange tail attached to different toy types designed to attract and keep a cat’s attention. The various Turbo Tail styles include the Pop Up Ball, the Rattle Ball, Turbo Tail Teaser, Catnip Belly Crunk Mouse, Rattle Mouse and Ameba-Bug. Cats bat the toys around, causing the tail to twist and jiggle. All the toys come with a catnip refill pouch. For more information, visit coastalpet.com.

Mix & Scratch Play Stations. This combination scratching post and puzzle by Pet Stages provides encouragement for appropriate scratching along with an opportunity to play. Each puzzle piece is catnip blasted to keep pets interested as they move the puzzle pieces around. The pieces snap together, allowing for variety in play. Pet Stages also sells accessories to add more fun and interest to the play station. For more information, visit petstages.com.

About the Author: Audrey Pavia is an award-winning freelance writer and author of “The Labrador Retriever Handbook.” She is a former staff editor of Dog Fancy, Dog World and The AKC Gazette magazines. To learn more about her work, visit www.audreypavia.com and hollywoodhoofbeats.net/

April 5 2016

Active Cats are Happy Healthy Cats

melissa Health, Pets cat activity, cat behavior, cat exercise, cat playtime

Regular exercise is as essential for felines as it is for people.

There’s a quote from “The Little Prince” that has always stayed with me.

“People have forgotten this truth,” the Fox said. “But you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Bored cats can become destructive, which is just one reason why ensuring they stay active is so important. Photo credit: Barbara Vallance/iStock

While the Fox was speaking to The Little Prince about friendship, I like to apply that quote to the care of animals. It’s especially important to remember in regards to caring for cats.

Cats have chosen to self-domesticate throughout history, but we all have our part to play in caring for these animals. Once we domesticate an animal, we must provide for it and that includes all of the things they no longer has access to—like hunting.

In a natural environment, cats get plenty of exercise. From hunting prey to playing with littermates, they are always on the move. However, when kept as pets, their owners are responsible for ensuring they remain active. If you become lax in offering them plenty of time to play, they can become overweight or even resentful and are more likely to take out their frustration on you and/or your household.

Exercise is an important part of any animal’s life. However, it’s critically important for cats; they are naturally designed to be active. To neglect this part of their world is to invite bad behavior and physical problems into your life.

Therefore, if you’re having problems with your cat spraying, biting, clawing furniture, or anything else, you should first eliminate any physical issues. However, once you’ve done that, exercise may be the answer to your dilemma.

When to Exercise

Your cat might require more challenging activities, such as figuring out how to get at the treats in puzzle toy. Photo credit: cynoclub/iStock

Cats are crepuscular (most active at dusk and dawn) by nature, which often makes dusk and dawn the best time to play. This is usually when they are most alert and ready to accept new stimuli.

However, a cat’s schedule depends on the cat. Every cat is different, which is just one reason why we love him or her so much.

Observe your cat’s schedule. If she begins causing problems every afternoon at 2 p.m., then that’s when you want to engage her with play. If she sit sin the window and strikes out at every bird or cat she sees outdoors each evening at 8 p.m., then that’s the time to get the toys out.

If your cat doesn’t seem to want to play, then it’s time to introduce some new toys….

Choosing a Toy

Toy mice, felt or Mylar balls and small stuffed toys can appeal to a cat’s instinct to pounce on and kill her prey. Photo credit: neotakezo/iStock

Exercising cats will depend largely on their personalities. The best play for cats stimulates all of their senses, but motivating your cat to play will usually involve one or more of the following activities.

Chase/Hunt: Wands and laser pointers can be used to encourage chasing/hunting. Wand toys, in particular, can entice your cat into movement.

Stalk: Common stalking toys include anything that rolls (such as small felt or Mylar balls), motorized toys and interactive toys that hide treats or catnip. There are myriad toys that focus on “stalking” skills. If you’re having problems getting your cats engaged, you might want to consider building an outdoor cat enclosure.

Pounce: Pouncing toys are focused on “the kill,” meaning things your cat can pounce on such as toy mice, catnip toys and interactive toys that entice cats to attack or any other type of “kill it” toys.

Climb: Climbing is crucial for cats because it helps them naturally shed claws (cats regularly shed the sheaths of their claws to keep them extra pointy forever). It’s also a great workout. Most cats love to be up high where they can lord over us all. Even if your cat doesn’t like to climb, you should be sure to provide a scratching posts around your home if you want to save your furniture.

Sometimes, all a cat needs is a box to keep herself entertained. Photo credit: kmsh/iStock

Exploring: Exploration is a big part of your cat’s life. It’s important to provide many places she can explore. If you’re in a small place, a plain old box r two will do nicely.

If you think your cat might enjoy the great outdoors (and what cat doesn’t?), then be sure you put her on a harness and leash and consider having her wear a GPS tracker in case she gets loose.

No matter what type of activities your cat prefers, be sure you choose at least one to do regularly. Cats need help becoming active and ignoring this necessity jeopardizes your cats mental and physical well-being.

About the Author: Stacy Mantle is a fulltime freelance writer, bestselling author and founder of PetsWeekly.com. She resides in the deserts of the Southwest with a few dogs, several cats and a very understanding husband.