Forums » Smalltalk » Cat Toy Suggestions?

Hey everyone!!
So, my little furbaby Ellie is turning a year old this month! She's a sweet orange baby and I want to do something special and get her some special toys! She currently has a small scratching post/tree (base, curve, scratching post with perch on top, not even table height), and one of those things where you can knock the ball around in the loop. And of course, the jingly balls, and the mice. I'm gonna get her a catnip-filled squirrel toy that I found online, but I've been trying to figure out what else to get her!
Any suggestions? (Amazon is the preferred shopping site!)

My cats go bonkers for this https://www.amazon.ca/Petmate-Jackson-Galaxy-Mojo-Maker/dp/B00O3GWKY6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512156505&sr=8-1&keywords=jackson+galaxy+cat+toys (Canadian amazon btw)

I drag it slowly along the floor and they chase it and do flips in the air. Can't go wrong with laser pointers either

Ooooo cool!!
My only concern with laser pointers is that she'll go wild against furniture/walls in her efforts to "get the dot".

I suggest Giving your cat a healthy dose of Inquistorcat right here(jking)

If you're worried about the furniture just keep to using it in an open space and keep it away from walls and furniture if you get a cat tree, which I do suggest as well, I always like to make my cats jump up it after the red dot.

I was looking at cat trees, but I wasn't able to find one that was satisfying enough for the price it cost. And I can't afford to spend more that 50$ on a cat tree, so that limited my options. Plus, many that were below that price range had reviews saying it was unstable and wobbly. My little girl is pretty active, so I want to make sure she's safe!
I think she'd be more interested in the shelf areas of a cat tree too, instead of the boxes which most have a lot of it seems.

Ahh too bad you didn't post this sooner, amazon US was having a sale for cat trees that were usually 200 for like 30$ my sister called me telling me about it a few days ago

I bought a €60 super tall cat tree. It's wobbly as heck, but I used excess rope to wrap around the mid-section, and secured it to a hook in the wall. It wobbles like no tomorrow (and Minke is a 14lbs fatass who FLINGS himself into it at full speed), but it doesn't go anywhere because it's secured.

I do highly recommend a tall cat tree though, so it's probably a good idea to save up for one if you really want a stable tree. Cats need to feel like they own their territory, and for most that means they need to be 'above the danger' to 'look out' etc.

I also recommend these: https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-Catnip-Jungle-Stripe-Lounge/dp/B0032G6VVQ/ref=sr_1_10?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1512157662&sr=1-10&keywords=cat+cardboard+scratcher

They're super cheap and offer a different texture to scratch on. Cats also tend to like sleeping on these. Once they're worn out you can just recycle them.

https://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701-57-Inch-Tree-Ivory/dp/B003BYQ100/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1512158238&sr=1-7&keywords=cat+tree

I just found this one, it seems to have pretty good reviews, and the price is okay (though that would probably be the only thing I get her, because it's nearly $50 which is a lot of money for me right now ._.). What do you guys think?

The reviews are great!
But I'm having a really hard time justifying spending $50 on a cat item ._.

Its worth it, being up high is a stress reliever and allows the cat to own something.

InquisitorCat, is that why Ellie likes sitting on the top of the sofa and staring out the window? I'm on the second floor, so the window gives her a vantage point of looking down at the parking lot for the Rita's and Papa John's right beside me.
I always thought it was because she liked to people-watch..

I hate to say it, but she is in the apartment alone for most of the day. I work 8am-9pm on Monday and Wednesday, 8-5 on Tuesday and thursday, and 8-10 with a 1-2 hr spot at home on Friday. Weekends tend to have me busy as well, often out of the house (but sometimes she gets to go visit nana and her friend Loki!). I was thinking that perhaps the cat tree might give her something new to help her stay occupied.

Exactly. Cats enjoy being up high. My cat tens to sit on my fridge and stare down at us. We also installed shelves for her to climb up to the window in the bathroom. (We are in a basement apt with high windows) She always sits up high and so does Toulouse. If I had it my way, I'd install shelves along the ceiling so they could walk around the house without touching the floor.

I think the tree would be best for her if you're gone a lot. Make sure you try and dedicate a half an hour to exercising you kitty as well.

Alright, I've been convinced! I'm going to get it for her. Thanks you guys for your help! Especially thanks to you, Inq!

NP!

Belatedly, perhaps ... I got my cat tree on craigslist for like $15. Just check it for fleas and bedbugs. Goblin is 20 pounds of garbage and that's his tower.

As for toys, my cats play with garbage, so. I even have a catnip pouch that says "garbage cat."

Hmm I have two cats but one of them an older female cat named Waffle(Weird name I know my brother named it after a character from a show he used to watch) is more laidback doesn't get rowdy alot but the male younger one a pure white one named Ghost loves the toy little mouses he goes crazy over them in my mind depending on how your cat/cats react or behave get toys that you think would go well with them if your cat is more laidback maybe get something comfy a cat pillow or something to help them relax that's all I can give!

My White Cat Ghost loves playing and the sound of Paper Grocery bags maybe your cat/cats will like them just place some around the house or a certain area my white cat Ghost loves to play with them to hear the sounds it makes and also use it to lay and relax upon them so its a toy and a place for your cat to rest and relax.

I got my cat one of those sticks with feathers on the end and he goes absolutely insane when he sees it. It's a pretty nice toy, simple to use, and overall pretty safe! Just make sure to buy it at a pets shop or smth, I bought mine on a dollar store for half the usual price, but all the feathers have already fell off but one (my cat is kind of a rough player, but I'm still guessing that there are some of best quality than mine).

You can also craft a toy yourself! Cats (and specially young ones) will play with most things if in the mood. Things like jingles tied to ribbons are instant A+ on cat's toy scale(?) But yeah, as long as it's noisy and moves a lot (and doesn't imply getting your hand between her and the toy lol) I think she'll love it!