Boredom with toys can also set in so it's your job to ensure they are entertained without being overstimulated. “It’s important to swap toys around regularly to keep them interesting and very short games of one to two minutes are fine,” Warren-Cummings adds. “And older cats will love playing three or four times a day, while younger cats will be happy to play 10 times a day or more.” Why do cats put toys in water? By including food-based puzzles, there is an added benefit: it will help with a cat eating too fast. This is useful if you have kitties that like to gobble their food, something which can lead to indigestion problems. It also makes feeding feel more rewarding since cats will have to perform different actions to get at their food. One of the problems with giving a cat a ball to play with is that, with an ill-timed swipe, it's easily lost. By ensuring a ball is sent along a structured path, a cat can repeatedly enjoy all the thrill of a chase. You won't be on your hands and knees trying to rescue a ball from beneath the sofa with this toy. Finally, on a practical level, ensure the toys are robust, unlikely to fall apart under heavy play and free of small pieces that could come away and be swallowed. As vet Dr. Joanna Woodnutt says: “A common danger is swallowed string from wand toys – if you allow your cat to ‘catch’ the toy, be sure to remove it before they chew through the elastic.” Why does my cat not show interest in toys? But what should you consider when choosing? “Cats need to exhibit hunting behaviour to avoid stress and frustration and toys can reduce a cat's motivation to seek out prey,” explains Warren-Cummings, “Toys can reduce a cat's motivation to seek out prey. Fishing rod toys can imitate their natural hunting instinct, for instance, while catnip toys will provide hours of fun.”

The toy works by attaching the string to a moving elastic conveyor belt but there's no assembly required and the string is sewn for you. There are also two speeds which not only provides an additional challenge but ensures the toy doesn't become too predictable. Just be sure to keep an eye on cats while they play with the toy. If your cat is a menace for clawing items they shouldn’t, a scratching post is undoubtedly the answer - and they’re bound to love using it.

Find Great Deals on Cat Scratching Posts

With feathers to hunt, balls to bat and flashing lights to attract attention, this three-in-one electronic toy from Orsda will get even the most disinterested moggie up and playing. It's programmable too, so you can set it to come on at set intervals to ensure your kitty is getting much needed distraction when you aren't there to play with them.

Bring out the hunter hiding inside even the most adorable ball of fluff with our great selection of cat teasers and toys. You'll find that the banana is made from heavy duty cotton twill, so it should be tough enough to withstand some pretty rough play, although a few testers have reported the toy being ripped open at the seams. As with any catnip toy, damage is possible if a cat gets a little too enthusiastic so it’s always best to supervise their playtime. Just attach it to a door handle, pop in three AA batteries (sadly not included) and the string will wiggle around while moving in and out of the casing. It's simply like pulling a piece of string away from a cat and watching them pounce and chew. Every now and then, you may wander over to your cat's bowl and find a toy bobbing in the water. Sometimes, you may even find one in the toilet. But why? “The reason is unknown but there are a few theories,” says Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection’s Central Behaviour Officer. We also have a range of gorgeous soft plushies, ball chasers, specially designed balls of wool and laser pointer toys to excite and stimulate your pets.

Chaser Cat Toys, Cat Teasers and Catnip Toys

Help to exercise them and enable them to expend some energy with both handheld and stand-alone options - including battery-operated products that move independently! Using toys is a great way for a cat to use up some of their energy, keep fit and healthy and keep their brain alert and active,” affirms Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection’s Central Behaviour Officer. “It’s particularly important for kittens as it teaches them the skills needed for life and lessons about the world around them.” By watching your cat and identifying certain behaviours, you can better target your toy buying. For example, if your cat is scratching the furniture, a toy that relieves the urge to scratch would work well. Likewise, if a cat is displaying an urge to chase, a toy which includes an element of hunting is sure to go down well. Treat dispensers and items stuffed with catnip will also make superbly popular additions to your cat’s possessions!

Cats that don’t have toys to display their inbuilt prey/play behaviours may start directing these behaviours on to people (particularly if owners encourage their cats with fingers or toes) and over time this can develop to be a substantial problem,” says Daniel Warren-Cummings, Cats Protection’s Central Behaviour Officer. While the mechanical mice, with winders, will provide limited amounts of play time such as the Liddle Cats Wind Up toy, the battery-powered mice can provide decent sessions if your cat decides to stalk and chase it.It's always worth having a ball of string handy for an impromptu play session with your kitty and it's among the DIY cat toys you can make at home. But this toy goes that little bit further. It provides all of the thrill of catching a piece of moving string but without any involvement on your part.