[Supervised by a veterinarian] Do cats need toys? Explaining the types of toys and how to choose them

Even if you say cat toys in a bite, there are a wide variety of types, from standard ones to elaborate ones. I will explain the characteristics of each toy and how to play.

Although the structure of the cat toy is very simple, it is a classic cat toy that can strongly attract cats.
There are types of cat toys, such as a stick with a toy part at the end, and a type with a string that resembles a fishing rod with a doll shaped like a cat attached to the end of the string. Various materials such as bird feathers and cellophane are used for the doll parts, depending on the toy. Each material has a different feel and sound, so choose according to your cat's tastes and interests. The length of the stick also changes the movement of the cat teaser, so you might want to try out different types.

In addition, the cat toy is a toy that can be played in various ways by devising how to move it. For example, when letting a cat play with a cat toy, it is recommended not only to let the cat run around, but also to flip up the toy part to make it jump, or to slow down and tease the cat. Not only running around, but also jumping in between will increase the amount of exercise and increase the calorie consumption of the cat.

Cats are very stimulating animals not only when chasing prey, but also when they slowly aim at prey. When playing with a cat with a cat toy, it is also recommended to try to loosen the movement of the cat toy, or hide it under the carpet or in a gap in the interior while moving it. That might make the cat fidgety, wide-eyed, wriggling its buttocks, and poses for prey.

青色は猫の興味を引きやすい？！
「大好きブルーの猫じゃらし」はこちら

A stuffed toy is a toy that you hold with your front legs like a body pillow and kick or bite with your back legs.
Materials such as cotton, polyester, and silicone are safe for cats to come into direct contact with, and some stuffed animals are made of materials that cats can chew on to provide dental care. In addition, there are stuffed animals that make sounds that attract cats' attention, and those that contain actinidia or catnip (Western catnip). Most of them are about 20 to 30 cm in size, and the shape is generally elongated. There are many types, such as fish-shaped or with tails, and there are various designs and colors.

Cats also have hunting instincts and will occasionally kick with their hind legs. The urge to kick comes when they just want to flirt or even when they're slightly grumpy. Kerigurumi, a stuffed toy made specifically for kicking, comes in handy at such times.
In order to avoid kicking the owner as much as possible, it is a good idea to give the cat a kick from time to time to let the cat release its energy. In order to be able to kick as much as you want, choose a kitty that fits your cat's physique and that the back legs can reach when you hold it with your front legs.

＼けりけりする姿がSNSで大人気！けりぐるみ特集はコチラ／

 

Tunnels are one of the toys that can satisfy the subconscious desires of cats who love to linger in dark and confined spaces. You can play in various ways depending on your mood, such as hiding inside and relaxing slowly, or running through.
There are various types, such as long tunnels over 1m, roads that branch into three, and roads with bells and balls attached to them. Most of them are foldable even though they are large, so you don't have to worry about storing them. Some of them can be transformed into a carry bag, so you can take them with you wherever you go. It is recommended to choose according to the purpose and circumstances of each family.
The tunnel alone is enough to get your cat interested, but sometimes rolling a ball into the tunnel or pushing it from the outside of the tunnel will make the cat more happy.
However, if you have multiple cats, be careful as multiple cats may enter the tunnel and get into a fight.

通るとシャカシャカ音が鳴って楽しい
「木目調猫トンネル」はコチラ

Ball-shaped toys are toys that cats roll and chase.
Many of them are made of wool or plastic, and come in a variety of sizes and colors. There are many types that are designed to keep cats from getting bored, such as a type that has a bell inside and makes a sound, and a type that allows you to hide snacks inside the ball.
When playing with a ball-shaped toy, it is recommended not only to roll it, but also to throw it far away. Also, if you wrap the surface of the ball with aluminum foil, it will make a crunching sound when you roll the ball, which will make your cat more interested.

As a precaution when using it, when you are a kitten, there is a danger of chasing the ball too much and getting into unexpected gaps and not being able to come out of that place. Therefore, especially in kittens, it is important to let them play within the reach of the owner.

転がしたりツメでひっかけて遊ぶ
「大きなウールボール」はコチラ

Electric toys are also one of the toys that cats love. There are types of electric toys that allow you to set the speed of movement in several stages, and types that have a timer function. Therefore, even when you are out and about, electric toys can keep your cat from getting bored.
There is almost no worry about accidents, but it would be safer to check the battery status from time to time.

横向きでも裏向きでも動き続ける！
「ワイルドマウス ちょろたんレッド」はコチラ

Toys that play with light are toys that shine light locally on walls and floors, such as laser pointers used in meetings. Cats will love chasing you because you can move the light anywhere in the room.
There are various types of toys that play with light, such as types that use LED lights, types that can be seen clearly in both bright and dark conditions, and rechargeable types.

However, light is intangible and cats cannot catch it. In order to increase the cat's satisfaction, using not only toys that play with light but also toys that can catch the cat will increase the cat's sense of accomplishment.
As a precaution, do not shine the toy light directly into the cat's eyes, as the cat's retina is very delicate and there is a risk of blindness if exposed to strong light. Also, when playing with light, be sure to use only the light of cat toys, and be careful how you hit the light.

A cat educational toy is a type of toy that hides food or snacks inside the toy and lets the cat take it out.
By playing with educational toys, cats can not only move their bodies, but also use their heads to think and play. Therefore, you will be able to play for a long time without getting bored.
In addition, since it concentrates on its toys, it is ideal for playing alone when you are not at home or when the owner is unable to take care of you. It can be said that it can be expected to be effective in preventing cognitive function decline in senior cats because it uses their heads to the fullest.

じゃらしの先におやつを隠して遊べる
「キャットトリーツじゃらし」はコチラ

Giving your cat toys is not just for play. So why do cats need toys?
Here are four reasons why cats need toys.

Cats can play with toys and use their bodies and minds to release energy and relieve stress. Cats are animals that have a hunting instinct, so cats that usually live indoors may get stressed because they can't hunt. Therefore, if you give your cat a toy to play with, you can simulate a hunting experience and relieve the cat's stress.
Also, if the cat can relieve stress, it may lead to the reduction of problem behaviors such as biting and rough appearance.

＼ネコちゃんのストレス発散に役立つおもちゃや遊び方をご紹介！／

 

As mentioned earlier, cats are creatures with a hunting instinct. Although they cannot actually hunt at home, playing with toys gives them a simulated sense of accomplishment in catching prey and the successful experience of hunting, which leads to self-confidence.
If your cat doesn't have confidence, it won't be able to fight back when it gets into a fight with the cat you live with. .

One of the reasons why cats need toys is that they can communicate with their owners through toys. Playing with toys naturally deepens the bond with the owner. Let's enjoy together with the owner while watching the cute appearance of the cat playing energetically.

If your cat is completely indoors, it has a hygienic and safe environment. However, while there is almost no danger when cats are indoors, there is little stimulation for cats, and they may develop dementia as they become seniors.
Give toys to activate your cat's brain and help prevent dementia. At the same time, there is also an aspect that leads to prevention of decline in physical strength in the senior period, as moderate exercise is performed.

マタタビ入りで大興奮♪ネコキック専用のぬいぐるみ
「けりぐるみ」はコチラ

There are some points to consider when choosing toys for cats. We will introduce what you should be careful about when choosing.

Avoid toys that are too small, as they can be accidentally swallowed.
Especially when they are kittens, they may be interested in anything and put it in their mouths just like human children. Be careful not to give toys that are too big to fit in their mouth. In addition, there are many problems with mouse model toys that have fur around them, such as the fur peeling off and being swallowed by mistake. Also pay attention to the material of the toy.

Different cats have different play styles and preferences. For example, it would be premature to assume that your child won't play with a toy just because he doesn't show interest when you give him a cat teaser.
There are various types of toys, depending on their shape, sound, texture, and how they are played. Experiment to find out which toy your cat enjoys playing with the most.

For cats, toys are prey. They play with all their might, so delicately made toys can easily break. Therefore, it is important that the toy is durable.
In the unlikely event that a cat plays with a broken toy, there is a risk of injury to the cat's body, so when buying a toy, make sure that it is durable. Also, be careful not to use toys that are already broken.

You want the toy you choose for your cat to last as long as possible. What kind of tricks do you need to get your cat to play with toys without getting bored quickly? Here are some tips to keep your cat from getting bored with toys.

When playing with a toy with a cat, the point is to make it resemble the movements of the mice and birds that the cat hunts.
Don't just move it left and right, up and down, but be aware of dynamic and static movements and move the toy like an animal. Doing so will awaken the cat's hunting instincts and encourage it to jump on the toy in pursuit of prey.

To make your cat feel that toys are only for special occasions, keep toys away from your cat's eyes when you are not playing with them.
Having toys in sight all the time can make your cat feel less special and cause them to lose interest in toys. Try to put away the toys each time so that you can concentrate and play with them with a fresh feeling every time.

When cats play with toys, their goal is to catch them. Toys are prey for cats, so catching them completes the whole hunting process. Therefore, it is important to let them catch them from time to time while keeping an eye on the timing.
When you're playing with a cat, it's cute to try to catch it, and you tend to move the toy around so you can't catch it, but be careful not to be too mean. If the toy cannot be caught after many chases, the cat will lose interest in the toy, assuming that no matter how hard the cat tries to catch the prey, it will not catch it.

Both the cat and the owner may get absorbed in playing, but it is recommended to aim for about 10 minutes when playing with toys.
After playing for more than 10 minutes, your cat will be out of breath and may start to get frustrated that it can't catch the toy. It's supposed to be stress relief, but it can also be stressful. When playing with a cat, try to play with it at moderate intervals. There are individual differences between cats, so it is important to adjust accordingly while watching the situation.

Petio also has a large selection of cat toys. Here are three products that we highly recommend.

For cats, toys are indispensable items that can relieve daily stress and prevent dementia, and are also indispensable for physical contact with their owners.
In order to satisfy your cat's hunting instincts and keep them from getting bored with toys, choose toys that suit your cat's tastes and devise ways to play with them.