by Raven Lebeau

Created on: March 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 30, 2010

Cats are playful and curious by nature and need plenty of appropriate mental and physical stimulation. Some cat owners spend a small fortune buying toys and furniture for their furry friends, but with a little creativity, you can use household items to keep your cat thoroughly entertained. Here are the ten best cat toys you probably already have around your house.

1. Twist ties.

For some inexplicable, entirely feline reason, cats find simple twist ties to be irresistible. Not only do cats enjoy batting twist ties across the room, but they collect them as well. One of my four felines used to keep her stash of twist ties in her water bowl, dropping them in with her mouth and then dipping a paw in the water to retrieve them for play later.

2. Cardboard boxes.

Why spend money on a "cat condo"? Cats enjoy any small, dark space in which they can hide. A cardboard box is just as enticing to a cat as an elaborate, carpeted piece of "cat furniture". If you have two cats, they will probably use the cardboard box as a "fort" and take turns being the attacker or the defender. One of my cats took the initiative to chew herself a loophole in the side of a box so that she could keep an eye out for invading cats. When another cat would come too close, she would stick a paw through the hole and bat.

3. Paper bags.

Like boxes, paper grocery bags provide an ideal hideout. They also make a loud crinkling sound, which most cats enjoy. While paper bags make an excellent cat toy, it's best to put the away at night if you intend to get any sleep.

Note that cats love crinkly plastic grocery bags just as much as paper, when they get their paws on them. However, plastic bags are not an appropriate playing since your cat could accidentally suffocate himself with a plastic bag. If you find that your cat has gotten a hold of a plastic bag, take it away and replace it with a more appropriate toy.

4. Strings.

Almost all cats love chasing a string if you're willing to dangle it. You can also tie a string to a doorknob. Some cats will enjoy pulling on the end of the string and letting it bounce when they let go.

5. Balls.

Golf balls or children's small rubber balls make excellent targets for active kitty paws. Anything that your cat can roll around on the floor is a potential toy.

6. Poles or sticks.

Any kind of long object, such as a broom handle, stick, dowel rod can be made into a cat "fishing pole". Simply tie a string to the end of the pole and then move the pole so that the string moves

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>