Economic toys and fun games for you and kitty

By Yvette Piña, Best Friends Network Member

Remember the good ‘ole days of playing with sticks and sock dolls and having a ton of fun? Sometimes it’s the simplest toys that are the most fun. Have you ever spent $5.00 on a toy for your cat and he just looks at you like with total disdain? One day you try your best Trent Tucker three point shot, you throw the soda bottle cap towards the garbage can, you miss, but are a hit with your cat because you just gave him a new toy, maybe even created a new game. It happens to most cat owners. Some “unofficial” cat toys can be safe with adequate supervision.

Don’t blame spaying and neutering for your cats weight gain – blame yourself for not playing with your cat. You don’t need to buy expensive toys; .99 cents ping pong balls, feather wands, or catnip laced fake mice. Here are a few economic, creative and easy games and toys you and your cat will enjoy.

Kibble Hockey (or soccer)
Good thing “don’t play with your food” isn’t a cat rule. Cats can spend hours chasing a single kibble around the house. If they need some motivation flick a kibble their way when they least expect it. Round shape kibble roll the easiest. Be prepared to find kibble under the fridge, bed, sofa, in your shoe, or even your briefcase.

Pens/Pencils = Wands/Batons
You distinctly remember leaving a pen on top of the kitchen table, but now the pen is in the middle of the living room on the floor. What is it about pens and pencils that are so fun? Does your cat dream of being the next Harry Potter? Maybe she always wanted to be a cheerleader or in a marching band. Whatever the case, just make sure pens are closed (caps on, or retracted), pencils aren’t sharpened (unsharpened preferably), you do not want pen marks all over the couch, or kitty to poke their eye. Note: Pencils wouldn’t make a safe toy for cats that like to chew – think along the lines of wooden splinter in the gums, ouch!

Toilet Paper Rolls
Once you run out of toilet paper a new toy comes to life. What use to be a cardboard cylinder not becomes a cat treat hide-away! Fold one side of the roll, insert treats, and fold the other side, now roll it towards your cat. They hear something inside; they smell something inside; hours of fun!!!

Disco Cat
Let your kitty show off his best John Travolta moves as he chases around a foil ball.
Make sure the foil ball is bigger than his mouth – otherwise it’s a swallow hazard.
Flick the foil ball off the coffee table; watch it ricochet off the wall back towards you, but wait, kitty sees it and comes to the rescue; saving you for the menacing foil ball.


Wine Party
Soon your cat will like wine as much as you do! Toss kitty the cork once the bottle is empty – just make sure to supervise that kitty isn’t trying to eat the cork, or that small pieces don’t break off, which would deem the cork unsafe for play. A cork makes a delightful toy; light and bouncy!

The Joy of an Empty Box
Receiving packages should be fun for everyone. You will enjoy the item inside the box, while your cat can enjoy the empty box. For extra fun cut a few paw-sized holes on the side of the box and throw a toy inside. Watch your cat hurl himself into the box to play with the toy. This game also works with an empty paper bag.

The Lone Sock
Here is a use for the lone baby sock that mysteriously lost its partner in the wash.
Fill the sock with catnip and stitch together the opening – no sewing machine required!
Close the sock, toss it to kitty and watch him become the life of the party.

Tent Party
Unlike other parties you won’t need to send invites to this one – the cats will start the party and you can watch it last all night long. Supplies needed: 1 chair with back, 1 comforter or sheet. Open comforter or sheet and drape over the top of the chair. Your kitty will investigate, play, and then lounge in their new tent.

Freebies
Toy Jak outline:
http://www.marmaladepets.com/promo/jak_toy.pdf

Mouse Toy outline:
http://www.marmaladepets.com/promo/mouse_toy.pdf

Ball Toy outline
http://www.marmaladepets.com/promo/ball_toy.pdf


CAUTION: Even the most harmless toy can pose a danger to your cat or small children. All cats and children should be supervised when playing with toys that contain small parts.

Photos taken by Yvette Piña
Posted by Joy Moffat, Best Friends Staff

---

---

---

---

---