advertisement

Be creative when it comes to getting finicky felines to play

I often encourage feline fanciers to stimulate play with their felines by making old toys new by either reapplying catnip or putting them away for a while. Then, when they reappear, they are new.

You shouldn't have to work too hard to get your feline to play with interactional toys.

If your feline is disinterested in anything you buy, your feline just does not respond to conventional store-brought toys. What can you find for them to play with that will be safe?

Use your imagination and enter your feline's state of mind. If you watch your feline's behavior, you will come up with some ideas.

Don't our felines always want something to play with they shouldn't? Our response to their behavior is key. An object is always more interesting if we are saying no. Now, the object is a must have. Look for creative ways to make the item safe or only allow access when you can supervise.

I have a feline that always helps me when I put away groceries. They are two things she asks for when this happens. She watches me untwist the ties I get from the fruit and vegetable bags. She tries to grab them and run away.

She is even smart enough to know where they are kept. She tries to open the kitchen drawers and cabinets. She enjoys the twist-ties so much, I allow her to play with them when I have time to watch her to make sure she does not run off and hide them for later play.

Ultimately, she would chew all of the paper off, exposing the wire, if I let her have it for an extended period of time.

If I come home with paper handled shopping bags, her world is complete. The handles are cut off and she proudly claims her prize by carrying them off and putting them in the toy box. Flat handled paper is safer because it does not unravel like the twisted handles.

Forget crinkled or fuzzy store-bought toys for my paper-obsessed feline. She prefers wadded note paper balls. She will fetch nothing else. She loves the texture and the sound. This is a harmless toy to leave out as long as you check the condition of the paper daily.

She hauls these paper wads around and proudly puts them in her toy box so she does to have to share them with my other felines. The rest of my felines think she is crazy, because they love the expensive store-bought toys.

If your feline does not like conventional toys, keep experimenting. You will find something they like that is safe and brings out their inner-kitten.

If you want to provide a real special toy, and you don't mind the price range, YEOWW brand catnip toys will send even the laziest feline into a playing frenzy. Even my paper-crazed feline plays like a kitten with these toys. The price range is from $6-$8.

When your feline gets through playing with YEOWW catnip, make sure you have a super Kitty Kong for them to divert aggression at so they leave the rest of your feline family alone. Yes, they are that crazy with YEOWW. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Did you know, June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month? Contact The Buddy Foundation to make an appointment to secure your viewing time for adoption.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.

Blackie was found at someone's workplace. He is a friendly cat that loves to sit next to you on the couch. Come in and sit by him, give him a little attention and he will really snuggle up to you and start purring. June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, so make an appointment to see if Blackie would be a good fit for your home. Courtesy of The Buddy Foundation
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.