August 23rd, 2011
|
The image of a cat with his body wrapped around a ball of string used to be very common. But today, we know that string can get caught in a cat’s throat or stomach or intestines and is, therefore, not safe. Instead, try one of the myriad of rolling cat toys out there. One of the newer varieties is a tinfoil ball which crackles when your cat bats it. Other options are a shimmer ball, wobbling ball, furry balls and pom pom cat toys. If your cat is really into things that roll, you could also consider a pet track toy where the ball is trapped inside a round track.
Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
See more Pet Products tips
and doesn’t stop. She starts meowing and then cuts it off xD
Recommending tin foil cat toys is not too smart since cats who bite, chew and possibly swallow bits of tin foil are looking at possible stomach and intestinal damage which could at worst result in exploratory surgery. Yuuchhh!!! I think a dangling bird feather is less dangerous.
My foster kitty, Tommi, has a very worn-out red pom pom ball that she loves above all things. She carries it around in her mouth, deposits on my bed apparently either as a gift or for safe-keeping. It’s like Linus’ blanket to her.
I take care not to leave anything string-like laying around, such as rubber binders or twisties.
Don’t forget the normal electricity wire that lay around the floor, i had almost killed a cat by the telephone wire.
he was allwrapped around, soooo excidents are quick to have, cats are not kiddo\s so you allways must take care of that.
and such a round sliding ball, my cats hate it.LOL
they were after a quater bored with it.LOL
they have those plushed balls and like Sally her cat mine walks and play with them in the house and give it always to me to throuw it away to play a doggy game with them.
and often i found many toys in my bed, too the not suposed to be toys the have stolen.LOL
they always hopes i will be awake and paly with them.LOL
or…. i will give them there food.
I think i have too smart cats around me.;-D
I actually had a yr. old cat get a piece of string wrapped up in his intestine. This was many years ago and cost $350 at the time. The cat did well and lived to be 17. It certainly taught me to pick up every thread I see!
A toy I’ve made for my cat & she really loves it: I cut the top off one my sox & using the foot part I roll it all into the toe as tight as I can get it in the shape of a ball, then sew it together with strong thread inside the seam so it does not show. Ta Da she has a “ball” she can play with, it can be laundered, & I don’t have to worry about what she might swallow. We have a great time with it together as we hit it back & forth to each other or I roll it across the room or down the hall for her to chase. Good fun!
My cats love the yarn pom pom balls, I buy a big bag of them at Michael’s. I then spill in some catnip and shake it up. They spend hours playing with their catnip pom poms and it barely costs a thing..
My Nandi likes the inexpensive toy mice (particularly the hard plastic ones coated with fur) whereas her sister Izzy really likes bows (think Christmas plain bows that you just stick onto a box) and sometimes will chase a little ball or ping pong ball. Simple things seem to make them happy.