by Barb Hopkins

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: February 27, 2009

Anyone who has had the pleasure of sharing a living space with a frolicking, fun-loving feline knows that the more playtime you share with your cat, the more the kitty wants to play. Stocking your home with the latest in cat toys and gadgetry can put a huge dent in your household budget. The easiest and most wallet-friendly solution is to purchase one or two of your favorite toys from the pet store and then treat yourself and kitty to 10 toys you already have lying around your home.

For chasing, pouncing, and tossing:

1. Twisty-tie.

Most brands of garbage bags/sacks come with one or two sheets of flexible twisty-ties that are meant to secure the bag shut when full. Pluck one and twist it to form a shape that mimics the ribbons worn by celebrities to show support for their pet cause. Toss it to your cat and watch him skitter it across the kitchen floor. He can pick it up in his teeth, flip it into the air, and then pounce on it when it comes back down. If your cat likes to fetch, it is the ideal toy for a fast-paced game. When it gets soggy, toss into the garbage and then fashion a new one for more hours of enjoyment.

2. Plastic Milk Ring.

Most milk or orange juice plastic jugs have lids that are sealed with a plastic ring. When you open the new jug, do not throw out that ring of potential kitty-fun. Flick it to your cat and watch her pounce with joy. Easy for even the smallest kitten to carry around, one milk ring will last for weeks.

3. Crumpled Paper.

Before you play a round of wastebasket-basketball with that paper wad, engage your faithful feline in a rousing game of toss and pounce. Paper wads skid playfully across most non-carpeted surfaces allowing kitty to indulge in her natural instincts of pouncing and trapping that paper like a mouse between her paws. Office paper works great but newspaper can be messy if your cat uses her mouth, as the newsprint will run.

4. Human Fingers.

One of the greatest toys to share with your cat because we always have them with us no matter where we are at in the house! Form a v-shape with your middle and index fingers and "walk" your fingers in a tantalizing manner in front of your cat. Also known as, "little people", these finger games with your cat can involve tapping the surface you're playing on or hiding the "little people" underneath a pillow or blanket for a great game of hide-and-seek. Only play the "little people" finger game with a cat that does not have biting issues.

For batting, jumping, and grabbing:

5. Yarn.

A household

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