my year end review of cat toys

So I've been looking through our household expenses for the year. Sigh. Anyways, as usual the boys seem to take quite a chunk out of the old wallet. I've kept track of their toys this year, and how worthwhile they were:

radio controlled mouse - $18 - lasts about 10 seconds before dying, can't go over carpet properly, cats lost interest after 5 minutes.
thing in a bag - $20 - Pushkin was frightened, and would run and hide every time we turned it on. Wiggies loved it at first, then got bored after a few days.
aquarium with fake fish - $10 - Cats didn't like the noise, and they look at the fish like, "what, they're plastic?!"
laser pointer - $1 - Always a hit! Wiggies loves to chase that darn light, Pushkin will deign to watch his brother chase it, but has better things to do himself, like lick his butt.
super sticky slinky - $1 - Huge hit! Both cats will stare transfixed as the mini slinky man slowly peels away from the ceiling and slides head over heels down the wall. Rating: four way up!
ball in a ring - $9 - Both cats enjoyed it for 10 minutes, now it's collecting dust on the floor.
Birdfeeder just outside the window - $10 - Hours of fascination for the boys, and their humans enjoy it too!

And putting on a ski mask and chasing the cats around the apartment? - Priceless!

- ski mask!

Do they try to eat the sticky slinky? I wouldn't buy one because I just know my girls would try to devour it.

Cute! Same thing happens to me....I get them expensive toys, and they hate them or it doesn't last long. :

So what's that about the ski mask? Are you serious??

Funny, especially the ski mask!

This is so helpful, thank you!!

As a first time cat owner, I've been spoiling my babies with things they never seem to use. My most recent gift to them, this "cat play center/cat spa". I thought they would LOVE it... in three days they've merely sniffed it and walked away. I think ONE time Shorty hit it with the tip of his right leg while running after Little Pete. I think this one will eventually go in the closet, unfortunately.

I'm definitely going to RUN out and get the laser pointer.. at $1, even if they use it for only a day, its worth it!

Thanks again!

Originally Posted by pushylady

laser pointer - $1 - Always a hit! Wiggies loves to chase that darn light, Pushkin will deign to watch his brother chase it, but has better things to do himself, like lick his butt.

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Originally Posted by joanne511

Do they try to eat the sticky slinky? I wouldn't buy one because I just know my girls would try to devour it.

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They definitely try to eat the slinky, which I'm sure is made of something toxic. So it's only used under supervision. But it's fantastic entertainment for $1!
I wanted to get a cat spa, but my husband put his foot down, fortunately. I'm sure it would have been a 5 minute wonder.
As for the ski mask......

What are some toys people would like to recommend?

Without a doubt, get a Cat Dancer if you don't have one already!

I recommend Cat Dancers, glitterballs (the smaller sized ones, they seem to like these better) mylar balls, and carefully pointed laser pointers. That's about all the toys my cats like. And fur mice that rattle. And catnip!

The kittens all love glitter balls and rattle mice. They will carry the mice around with them and then throw in the air and chase it. One iof the kits even put one in their waterbowl.

The adults play with them sometimes but normally just watch. Bonnie sometimes likes to play with the ring from any bottle. She will fetch it and wait for us to throw it.

lol @ the ski mask
Kallie loves to place with crumpled up pieces of paper. and boxes and all the little fun things i keep on my shelfs and a little catnip toy that cost me a dollar........actuly come to think of it she only likes toys that cost me $1 or less

Originally Posted by jessicasoosweet

actuly come to think of it she only likes toys that cost me $1 or less

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Cats are cheap and easy eh? Hmmm... except for all those vet bills, and the premium food, oh and they only like the expensive litter....

Great thread! I still have a Panic Mouse sitting here in the hopes that it'll eventually interest Jamie. He loves fishing poles with furry mice at the end (they must be furry - the cloth ones are unacceptable to him), cardboard boxes, especially when they have tissue paper or paper streamers in them, Daddy's guitar picks, his Weezil Ball, and super balls or ping pong balls that are bounced down the hall or steps for him. Another thing he really enjoys is Boogie Mats.
Of course, none of this stuff is as much fun as the telephone/fax machine, printers, the DVD player, or light switches. I'm waiting for somebody to invent a really fun cat toy with buttons to press.