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Best cat toys for solitary play

8 replies

CrazyKittenSmiles · 22/09/2024 10:12

I have two 14-week old kittens who love to play, I’m a teacher and got them in the summer holidays so I’d have lots of time for them but since going back to work I feel guilty that I don’t have much time to play with them. Obviously being the start of term work is particularly full on and I’m out of the house 11-12 hours most days. On top of that I teach EYFS and so spend a lot of my day playing slightly repetitive games with kids, some evenings I just don’t have the mental or physical energy to then play for a long time with the kittens.

They play together a lot but sometimes one will want to play when the other doesn’t and so I am just wondering what cat toys people would recommend for a cat to play with that doesn’t require input from a human or another cat? There are so many toys out there, lots of electronic ones like flapping birds and robot balls which but they’re all pretty expensive and so it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth the money.

To add they already have all the usual toys; loads of mice and balls, various wands, several tunnels, two cat trees, laser pointer etc. I’m more wanting advice on the electronic toys that claim to entertain the cats so I don’t have to! Obviously I will still play with them I understand an automatic toy is not the same as human interaction, but on days where my time or energy reserves are low I’d like to still be able to help them get enough play to burn off some energy without me! Thanks.

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 22/09/2024 11:21

Paddington adored plastic springs

sunsetsandboardwalks · 22/09/2024 15:30

This was really popular with ours.

amzn.eu/d/1Ug0KQr

StopTheGreyness · 22/09/2024 16:35

Mine have something similar to the toy posted above and love it as well. They also have a cat tunnel that they also love. Mine have a fine old time chasing each other through it.

CrazyKittenSmiles · 22/09/2024 17:05

Thanks for the suggestions, they already have springs and tunnels (both of which they do like) but don’t have the ball toy, I have seen them advertised but wasn’t sure if cat’s would actually be interested so glad to know your cat liked it @sunsetsandboardwalks. Will order one and see if it’s a hit.

OP posts:
CocoapuffPuff · 22/09/2024 17:12

Cardboard box full of amazon paper packaging in lengths (like sugar paper). Our 3 love to dive into the paper from the stairs and often play alone in the pile. It's noisy and the paper tears easily so we've never had a "tangled up" issue.

Pixiedust1234 · 22/09/2024 17:12

My soul cat preferred these
https://www.petsathome.com/product/pets-at-home-catnip-mice-duo-cat-toy/7125740P?productId=7125740&purchaseType=one-time&size=oneSize

Stray cat prefers these (takes them to bed as well)
https://www.petsathome.com/product/floral-3-pack-mini-mice-cat-toy/7113138P?productId=7113138&purchaseType=one-time&packSize=3Pack

Both like tin foil screwed up into a ball, ping-pong sized.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 22/09/2024 17:40

They loved it @CrazyKittenSmiles - especially the youngest and oldest.

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