Moving house: new cat toys to help

[MirrorShadow]

Hi, our cat is used to coming and going from our house as much as she likes, but when we move we'll obviously have to keep her indoors for at least 3 weeks (I believe that's the usual advice).

We're a bit worried she'll go stir crazy so want to buy her some new toys to keep her stimulated. Especially toys that she can play with without us as we'll be at work a lot of the time. Any top recommendations?

I thought I might also use some of the moving cardboard boxes to make her a sort of 'activity' den. Any links to inspiration for building that??

I found this helpful:
kittycatchronicles.com/home/cardboard-boxes-diy-box-fort/

Except that instead of duct tape, I fixed my boxes together using paper fasteners - the type where you push the pin through the hole and then split it, and then I taped over the split end.

I also got my cat to do quality control testing at several stages, which was really helpful.

That's a brilliant link @EmpressaurusOfWitchesBackFromTheDead - thanks for that!

You’re welcome, have fun!

I found that getting my cat to test at various stages by putting Dreamies where I wanted her to go was helpful because I could check whether it took her weight & whether she could fit through holes.

@EmpressaurusOfWitchesBackFromTheDead Top tip - thanks! 😊

Tape a bunch of toilet roll inner tubes together with cardboard sealing off one end and put treats and small catnip mice in some of them. Add some loosely packed tissue paper to hoik out in some tubes.

That provides hours of challenge for a food and rodent motivated animal, especially if you take it away once the treats have been found and then bring it out again a few days later.

Going up high is a favourite thing for some, others prefer to be at ground level.

Make sure that the dens have things that smell 'normal', so a blanket they've already slept on a few times, or a favourite jumper of yours that they always seek out. And don't forget a cat's common response is to ignore all the boxes and cat beds in favour of sleeping under your bed, in the corner of a room, on a (preferably black if they're light, preferably light if they're black) cardigan that has been left on the sofa or on the bathroom rug. And one of mine is an absolute sucker for fake fur of all types.

Thanks @NeverDropYourMooncup great ideas!