Little sausage cat is totally obsessed with the water hose

We know you love to do everything you can to keep your beloved cat entertained. Whether your cat is a squeaky toy fan, a claw-sharpening tiger or more of a puzzle-solving genius, there is a myriad of toys available on the market to keep them occupied.

However, some of these toys are potentially dangerous and despite guidelines for choosing wisely, there is no guarantee that any cat toy is 100% safe. It’s important to be aware of these dangers, and to make sure you’re supervising playtime.

Let’s take a look at the different types of toys available, and how you can make sure that your cat is safe while they’re indulging their predator instincts.

What cat toys are out there?

Toys are a brilliant way to stimulate your cat’s mind, express their instinctive pouncing and chasing skills, encourage them to exercise more and prevent problems such as boredom and separation anxiety. Importantly, you can use toys to develop your bond with your cat through interactive play, and toys can offer a major source of enrichment, especially for indoor cats. Toys with an element of motion or sound are particularly appealing to cats.

There are many cat toys currently available on the market for you to choose from. These include:

Chase and pounce toys – Cats have a natural predatory instinct, so they enjoy toys that encourage them to chase and pounce. These include plastic balls, remote controlled toy mice, fabric ‘charmers’ and toys dangled from a teaser wand or fishing pole.Stuffed toys – These can mimic ‘prey’ which cats like to carry around, toss or ‘fight’.Treat dispensing toys – Kong wobbler toys are not just for dogs. Cats can express their natural stalking behaviour by pushing around a Kong until it releases treats. Cat food puzzles are another option.Cat water fountains – Cats love to drink from moving water sources that mimic running streams. If your cat loves their H2O, then a water fountain will keep them hydrated throughout the day.Cat tunnels – Tunnels are a treat for cats as in them they’re able to indulge some of the behaviours they’d naturally exhibit in the wild, like running, hiding, playing and pouncing. You can purchase either single one-way tunnels or multi-section tunnels that link up, depending on your cat’s size and the space you have available. Even a simple cardboard box with holes cut out can provide a perfect opportunity for playing hide and seek with your cat.Cat exercise wheels – These are a great way to encourage your cat to exercise, as well as preventing them from getting bored. They’re basically a hamster wheel or treadmill for cats.Cat climbing toys – Giving your cat the option to climb encourages them to develop their muscles and adds a new dimension to their playtime. It also allows them to enjoy the view from a high position, which provides stimulation and makes them feel safe. Cat climbing furniture can be a good way to keep your cat’s nails trim and give them something to scratch that isn’t your couch, although specific scratching posts should always be available. Examples of cat climbing toys include cat castles, ladders, condos or window hammocks.Phone apps for your cat – Your kitty might have a knack for the high-tech and be interested in what’s going on with your phone screen. There are a number of apps that have been especially developed for cats, so you can entertain them with some virtual fishing, frog hunting, or ball play.