Exercise that isn't a laser toy?

[drspouse]

DH is understandably nervous about getting a laser toy for our DCat because he worries the DCs will shine it in someone's eyes.
Any thoughts on an alternative for Miss Plump?
She would love an artificial mouse as her main form of exercise at the moment seems to be bringing in field mice to the warm and torturing them.

If your cat is bringing mice in, surely her being out and chasing live mice is all the exercise she needs?

I've always found feathers make very good cat toys. The bigger the better, swan or peacock are good.

In the old days, we just used small torches.

Laser toy, keep it away from the children?

My cat used to love pouncing on our hands under a blanket or duvet (maybe don't try this if you think your cat will start attacking your feet at night) or things on string, feathers, crinkley materials, shiny, etc

We had a large box with holes cut in so we could dangle toys and a paw,or two, would try to catch it. We used to say "Haribo, where's your face"? and he would oblige.

If your cat is bringing mice in, surely her being out and chasing live mice is all the exercise she needs?
You'd think, but she's overweight. The vet has suggested indoor cat food and we've cut down the overall amount but she's much less active than when we got her and she was a slim thing.

She loses interest in things on strings but we haven't tried a box with holes like that - she loves boxes - or feathers.

DD has used a laser toy with the cats since she was 7. We always made sure the rule was laser on the floor. She's a pretty sensible kid and we've had no issues.

Otherwise a small torch as suggested works well.

A large paper bag with a crumpled ball of foil is a cheap and fun toy.

Small balls are good toysz Snorg who doesn't play with anything, loves a paw-about!

My DCs are the very opposite of sensible. Nice if yours are, but mine are not. We aren't getting a laser.

She also loses interest in scrunched up anything and balls! She will on her own play with a piece of Lego or a marble but basically I think she's a bit lazy.

We also have a laser tower toy. The laser is pointed down at the floor automatically. we bought ours from Aldi and it's one of the few cat toys girl cat really likes.

www.aldi.co.uk/blue-diamond-laser-cat-toy/p/020653309521501

Now that looks great!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006N9I68?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

These have always been a hit with our cat. Or any of the other wand/ fishing rod type toys.

We have one that will only go for the laser. Everything else gets ignored. But I hear you on the eyes.

Slim cat will go for conkers, feathers - ideally the fake fluffy ones like a feather boa, but will tolerate normal ones, and fabric balls.

Feathers through the banisters, making her go up and down the stairs is good, but watch your fingers. Fabric balls up the stairs are quite good too - and partially self returning!!

Just like with humans the single biggest factor to getting cats to lose weight is reduction in intake. You need to feed her for the weight you want her to be and weigh the food out every single time, common mistakes are feeding for the weight the cat is currently and not weighing food so it creeps up. You can encourage activity by making them hunt for their food, you can buy food dispensers, make a toilet roll pyramid and put the food in the toilet tools to hook out and hiding food around the house. This mimics hunting that studies show have 10 attempts before a successful kill on average. Playing with toys helps, but not a huge amount.

We use a food dispenser (and we checks its dose, it was bigger than it should be so we cut it down). We now use indoor cat food at the vet's recommendation. Good idea to make her hunt for it though.

*checked

We've just got these for our kitten.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TZPZVPW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

He gets bored VERY easily so the different colours and textures help - we just swap them over occasionally.

You can have a look for battery powered toys which twizzle and they can chase whatever is moving about (like this)

www.amazon.co.uk/DADYPET-Interactive-Automatic-Entertainment-Intelligence/dp/B07DCKVGJ8/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?dchild=1&psc=1&s=pet-supplies&crid=C09UYE5H85E7&keywords=automatic+cat+toy&sprefix=cat+toy+automa%2Cpets%2C148&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUFJEQTk1N0JXQkRWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDkxODE0WkhPSlVHMlE1UUFIJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NjAyNjRXOVdIR004SUMzRzkmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1587649269&sr=1-13-spons

Hope these help x