need ideas for frugal toys for cats

**teresa.russell92** · 02-01-2011, 07:15 AM

Try different sizes of balls and colorful ones. My cats love to play around them. Try anything that is colorful and shiny and you can keep them occupied!

**Ceashels** · 02-01-2011, 07:55 AM

I used to take an old shoe string and tie it to my ankle. The cats would follow me every step trying to catch it (just be careful backing up). I also put catnip in an old unmatched sock and let them go after it for a while.... they love it and it gives them some mellow time and interaction with each other (my two cats don't often play together). My boys also love the string and wand toys and that will keep them occupied - until my dogs join us.

What about a rubber band gun? My cat would fetch rubber bands only... no other toy would work. It was a great game until I found them chewing and trying to eat the bands... so that game needs some supervision and picking up afterward.

**RaineyDaye** · 02-01-2011, 08:41 AM

Thanks for all the great ideas! I've tried the boxes and paper bags. I've had cats that loved to play in them, but the cats I have now are afraid of boxes and bags. (One was a cat that was drop-off cat, so maybe he was dumped in a box. The other cat is just very timid.) I loved the video of the two cats playing in the boxes. I love cats!!!
The foil ball seems to be a hit with my cat that likes to fetch.... now he has started to bring me the foil balls to throw, so I guess he just loves to fetch... How can I refuse, since he is such a sweetheart, and my arms need the workout?

**mndtrp** · 02-01-2011, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

What about a rubber band gun? My cat would fetch rubber bands only... no other toy would work. It was a great game until I found them chewing and trying to eat the bands... so that game needs some supervision and picking up afterward.

???

**CrazyHomemaker** · 02-05-2011, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by mndtrp

Get a piece of wood, a coil of wire, and a laser pointer. Attach the coiled wire to the wood, the laser pointer to the wire, and stick in a corner so the laser light hits the walls. Laser chasing with no human interaction.

You have a very frugal cat, mndtrp.

Be careful with this one. Some animals are sensitive to quick light movements like the TV or chasing a flashlight beam. My brother's dog has seizures from the flashlight and watching TV. Yeah. He watches the animal shows. You'd have to meet my brother to understand.