I have a genius for a cat - name me your best toys

I have tried almost everything under the sun. Crinkle balls, wand toys (which is his favorite so far but that is fading too) regular balls with bells, cushy soft balls, battery operated mice, little toy mice, cardboard boxes, paper bags, tunnels, toilet paper roll inserts.. you name it I have it. I'm sure I'm missing a few. I haven't gotten Da Bird yet because I'm saving that for times like now. They get bored very very quickly.


Other than Da Bird and any Turbo roller cat toys (you guessed it, I have it) give me your most stimulating cat toys. My cats (6 months old, both) are little geniuses. They are so smart. I have actually clicker trained them, and one is an escape artist who figured out how to open doors.

Give me any toys you can think of that your cat loves. Anything for two einstein level cats.

I think toy boredom comes with the territory.  I rotate toys often and store them when not in use. And don't forget playtime technique can be as important as the lure itself - try to simulate the movements of the prey.  Some of Archie and Lucy's favorite toys include:

* Children's fishing pole with a small, fury mouse tied to the end of the line.  It's quite versatile.  You can throw the mouse, pull it across the floor or dangle it in the air. And when the cats get bored (which they will) you can swap out the mouse lure for something else.

* I'm not sure what toy is called, but it is a thin wire with several cardboard tubes that can slide from one end of the wire to the other to change the weighting.  When used properly, it simulates an insect.  They sell it at PetCo (and probably many other places).

* Shoe strings.  I tie several together and toss one end toward Lucy - she loves to catch it.  Archie prefers to chase it while I drag it on the floor or sling one end under a chair and slowly pull it out.

* Throw a towel on the floor and slide a wooden dowel (or the wand from another toy) under the towel.  Rapid movements seem to work best.

* Peacock Feathers.  Archie loves these.  

* Laser.  Archie loves the red dot.  Lucy quickly figured out that she will never catch it and feigns disinterest.

* Puzzle Box.  Not so much a playtime time toy, but a way to engage and stimulate your cat's brain.  I have two.  A Peek-A-Prize and a Seek-A-Treat Dog puzzle.  I put treats in them and let the cats figure out how to retrieve them.  

RickR said:

* I'm not sure what toy is called, but it is a thin wire with several cardboard tubes that can slide from one end of the wire to the other to change the weighting.  When used properly, it simulates an insect.  They sell it at PetCo (and probably many other places).

Click to expand...

I think the one you are thinking of is called the Cat Dancer.

My cats love Da bird. it has many different attachments that let you change things up. There all time favorite cat toy right now is paper packing material. We got a large (about five foot) piece of paper with our last big order. They hide in it, pounce on each other and love running all over it to make the crinkling noise. They also love playing on the three tier cat tower we got them. They chase each other up and down it and try to grab each other from one tier while the other is on another. I suppose in reality their favorite play thin is one another.

For cats of higher intelligence try teaching them tricks or even start training them to do cat agility!

NewYork1303 said:

 
I think the one you are thinking of is called the Cat Dancer. <snip>

Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one.  Thanks!

My kitten has a favorite toy.  It is a short want with a patch of furry leather firmly attached to the end.  He loves to play fetch with it.  I am trying to find more of these toys to keep for when the original one wears out.  My cat's breeder said that she got it as a prize at a cat show.  Unfortunately I can't attached a photograph because I have not been a member of this forum long enough. 

NewYork1303 said:

I think the one you are thinking of is called the Cat Dancer.

My cats love Da bird. it has many different attachments that let you change things up. There all time favorite cat toy right now is paper packing material. We got a large (about five foot) piece of paper with our last big order. They hide in it, pounce on each other and love running all over it to make the crinkling noise. They also love playing on the three tier cat tower we got them. They chase each other up and down it and try to grab each other from one tier while the other is on another. I suppose in reality their favorite play thin is one another.

For cats of higher intelligence try teaching them tricks or even start training them to do cat agility!

Click to expand...

I'm gonna buy Cat Dancer, Da Bird, and I have trained them. They like it a lot. Thanks all for the suggestions, keep them coming.

My cat's like Neko Flies and the attachments.  And the Cat Teaser, a 4 ft long piece of fleece attached to a wand.

Chula and Paul like chasing the laser and Da Bird, but here are two more toys they like:

The Ware Manufacturing Remote Control Toy 


The Ripple Rug Cat Activity Mat

I am definitely buying that ripple rug for Robin!!! Thanks for the mention!!!

misterwhiskers said:

I am definitely buying that ripple rug for Robin!!! Thanks for the mention!!!

Click to expand...

Paul and Chula love it.  I rubbed some cat nip in it and I thought Paul was going to pass out from excitement!

misterwhiskers said:

I am definitely buying that ripple rug for Robin!!! Thanks for the mention!!!

Click to expand...

Yes, the rug looks way cool.  I've never thought of using a towel or blanket with holes cut into it.  What a great idea.  Though, I'll probably just buy the commercial version.

Food puzzles! Like the CatIt Food Tree, the SlimCat Ball, the Trixie Mad Scientist (this one is hilarious), and the Northmate Catch Interactive Feeder are all ones I've tried. 

Our two cats love the ripple rug. We got them the Da Bird with the telescoping handle and retractable line. It looks like a little critter running along the floor.

My cats love wine corks.  The real kind.

They also like pipe cleaners.  I wrap them around my finger to make them springy, but I dont live the with this toy sense there is a wire in it. Also make sure to twist end in a little so it's not sharp.

I purchased one of these tunnels around Christmas time,

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcos...at-tunnels/abo-gear-cat-fun-tunnel-5003872--1

It collapses like an accordion. I thought Rhett & Rayna might like it, and they do. Both run through it, or hide inside and spring out at each other. It's been a couple of months now and they still run in & out and play around daily. Sometimes I secure it so it won't roll, and move the openings around a bit, other times I set it up so it does roll, they seem to like variety. I have most of the usual toys too, but I'm gone all day, so anything that can occupy their interest for a bit while I'm gone is a good thing.  

A box, no really, just any size shape or color of box.

I broke down and purchased the Ripple Rug.  It arrived yesterday.  Archie loves it - of course it's new, so time will tell.  He seems to especially enjoy the peacock feather and Ripple Rug combination.  Lucy is warming up to the rug.  As of now though she seems to prefer the shipping carton.  Pulling a rope between some of the holes does spark her interest.  

I'm glad I got it.  It's very well made.

RickR said:

 
I broke down and purchased the Ripple Rug.  It arrived yesterday.  Archie loves it - of course it's new, so time will tell.  He seems to especially enjoy the peacock feather and Ripple Rug combination.  Lucy is warming up to the rug.  As of now though she seems to prefer the shipping carton.  Pulling a rope between some of the holes does spark her interest.  

I'm glad I got it.  It's very well made.

Click to expand...

Mine is folded up right now. With the windows open they are more than entertained by the back yard bird sanctuary. It's nice to have tings in rotation so that something doesn't just become a universal dust collector.

Onirin said:

 
My cats love wine corks.  The real kind.

Click to expand...

Finally!  A worthwhile and credible excuse to increase my wine consumption!  IT'S FOR THE KIDS HONEY. 

Definitely gonna look into that rug.. they're so bored! bought them soft catnip toys.. still nothing!

Thanks for the suggestions.