The best toys to de-stress cats
Cats love to play, they play their whole lives. Therefore, it is important to have lots of toys to de-stress cats that encourage this natural behavior. For cats that live alone, without other felines or with owners who spend a lot of time outdoors, toys play a more important role.
The good news is that many can be made at home with simple and inexpensive materials. After all, the caretaker on duty knows that felines don’t need a lot of joy. So, if you need kitten toy tips, check out 45 cool ideas to keep your kitty entertained.
Toys to de-stress cats
- Scratcher
The scratching post is one of the most important toys for cats. After all, grinding nails is vital to your feline’s health. There are many models of scraper posts and they can be made from different materials such as sisal, cardboard and some fabrics.
The vertical model, like the one in the photo, is one of the most practical, as kittens can scratch while standing up and stretch. The higher ones are colder and can also be climbed.
However, it is important to pay attention to the size of the scratching post, as it must be proportional to the size of the kitten. If your cat is very large, you will need to use a scratching post that is large and strong enough to stand upright and support your cat’s weight. Hangers can also be placed to make objects more attractive.
- Tower
Cats are passionate about heights and love climbing on furniture and objects in the house. So how about giving them a special corner? So-called towers or houses with floors are also excellent toys for cats, as they can climb, play, exercise and even rest in high places.
Some towers also have scratching posts, trinkets and soft textures to increase kitty’s happiness and comfort. A good tip is to place them on balconies, roofs, outdoor areas or near windows so that they can also observe the street and sunbathe, two other activities that cats enjoy.
- Cat wand
Among the toys to de-stress cats, wands are also a very successful toy for felines, after all, they like to hang items with ornate decorations. This accessory is perfect for the owner to play with their pet, waving the wand for the kitten to try and grab.
- Tunnel
Anyone who has ever had a cat knows that they love to dig. Whether it’s a crack in the edge of a lid or a tight space between two pieces of furniture, wherever there is access, cats want to get in. To satisfy this feline habit, there are cat tunnels, a toy made especially for them to move around.
It is generally cylindrical, made of polyester, and has an internal spring that, when armed, keeps the tunnel open. Some shapes are the simplest, that is, long and straight. Others’ forks stick in another tunnel.
However, in addition to these models on the market, you can also use a cardboard box to make a tunnel for your cat. Just collect at least 3 or 4 boxes and seal them so they don’t open mid-game. Then, simply make a hole at each end that is large enough for the cat to fit through without squeezing.
- Wall shelves
This is another option for kittens to enjoy in high places. Every zookeeper knows that cats love to climb, and the shelves on the wall are exactly the stairs for cats to explore the environment and exercise. In addition to making cats happy, this shelf also makes home decor super authentic and special.
It’s a super simple and easy solution, just install a reasonable number of shelves on the wall as far as they can reach. The arrangement of shelves can be done in different ways, depending on the creativity of each person.
But it’s important to use durable, sturdy materials to support the kitten’s weight safely. There are several models: simple, stepped, round, square, stylized, wooden, colored shelves, etc. Some even complement it with niches, also fixed to the wall.
