The Best Toys for Your Kitten

Playing with your kitten has many advantages, not only is it great fun for both you and your kitten but it hones and keeps your kittens instincts primed. A bit of exercise once or twice for your kitten will keep it in great shape mentally also. I’ve also found that having a great play session with my kitten before my bedtime means a tired kitten. Which then means less nonsense and mischief in the night!

So here are a few entertaining toys your kitten will enjoy playing with. My kitten sees most things in our home as a toy so these playtimes serve to tell it what it can and can’t play with, even though it falls on deaf ears.  

• Something To Scratch – Not really a toy, more so an important tool to have. All kitten parents learn pretty quickly that their kittens claws become very sharp very soon. They also naturally want to scratch to remove layers of the claws to keep them nice and healthy. This could spell trouble for your expensive sofa or other furniture so get a decent scratching post as soon as possible. Eventually, it becomes a game and a toy for them.
• Balls With Bells & Things To Chase - Your kitten will certainly enjoy playing chase, but don’t expect it to bring it back to you to throw again like a dog. Kittens love to show off their energy and athleticism to you so let it free, throw the ball or “mouse” across the room and watch them dart after it. Better still, get a wind up toy and see them go wild. This really is a great kitten work-out.
• Something Inside – Kittens will spend so much time trying to get at something inside something. So try a few kitten toys that involve a ball or structure with a thing inside to entice them with.
• Catnip Toys – Catnip is a fantastic invention, we can only imagine the euphoria or chilled out sensation it gives a cat. Your kitten may respond differently but be prepared, it could either get completely excited, run and dart around your home, or become placid, roll over and start some serious grooming time. Either way though catnip for your kitten is a great stimulant for playtime.
• The Shoe – This toy you don’t need to buy, a nice old shoe with laces is a thing of great adventure and exploration for a kitten. Your kitten will love to play with this strange smelly laced “toy”. Just make sure it’s an old shoe and not your favorite pair!
• Fishing Poles – Your kitten will absolutely love playing with this toy, it appeals to his/her natural instincts when it comes to flying objects! Regardless of wether it’s feathers, rubber mice or balls with bells, it’s all bait for your kitten. “Cast” out the toy, behind a sofa or chair, start reeling it in, and your kitten will be alert and ready to pounce.

So there you have it, some great kitten toys. The trick also is to put your kitten’s toys away after playtime, or it gets used to seeing them lying around all day and loses interest in them. Another tip to remember and practice from day one, is that your hand, is never a toy! It’s cute now yes, but wait till he/she’s bigger and you’ll certainly feel them. It also makes strangers hands possible targets which can make guests uncomfortable.

Something to watch out for, your kitten might love pawing buttons across the floor but it might end up eating it which is never a good thing. So try to keep all small and sharp objects out of kittens reach. These are not for kitten games. At the end of it all, there are many kitten “toys” to keep them very occupied but your job is to make the toys come alive. He/she will also love spending the time with you and you’ll both enjoy a nice sit down session after!