A nice gift to get my cat?

Question

One of my older cats is depressed lately because she cannot go outside for while (the neighbor's dog is in heat and there are frequently strange dogs passing by). I want to do something special for her that will keep her occupied and happy in the house. She is active cat and loves to run around, but she is bored of the toys she has now!

Any suggestions on treating my cat?

Answer 1

oooh, Pawbreakers =D don't be scared by the name!!
It's this cool 'ball' of catnip- my cats go nuts over it, chasing, chewing, batting, rolling around,
they can't get enough!!
It doesn't break down very quickly so it is awesome and rolls around so when they're trying to get it they have to work for it =)
Also for some reason they are obsessed with those tinselly balls, I thought they would be boring, but picked a couple up because they were 29 cents, and wow! since they are so light, the cats AGAIN, really have to work so it fascinates them to bat it with their paw and it FLy's through the room =) they play with them for a looooong time.
I got them this strange 'mouse mat' too, it has a bar in the middle that has hanging things and a scratch pad and a bunch of other textures. They really like that, but one of the cats is completely bored of it.
The kitty spa is really good to if your cat likes being rubbed, my two that like being petted go nuts over it and fight over it, they will roll on it for an hour or more purring!
I put links to all of them at the bottom =) (well, except the tinsel balls- I can't find those- their the 'puff' balls that have the reflective tinsel strings shooting out)

Answer 2

Not all cats go for catnip, but try that first. And I suggest leaving the cat inside because it's SO much safer for her there. You don't want anything to happen to her, obviously, so keep her in from now on. Introduce a new toy every few days and take away all others. re-intruduce then one at a time. Crumple up a piece of paper and throw it passed her. She'll love it! Be sure to get some interactive toys. My Leopold has a peice of feather on a string attached to a stick. LOVES IT! and I have to play WITH him. But he never tires of it. Even at 3 in the morning, so we have to put the toy to bed too, in a drawer. Good luck with kitty!

Answer 3

Cat tree's are great and also a cat wheel and rub it with the cat nip...your cat will stay active with the wheel. I have a cat wheel and my Bengals love it, they are indoor cats. Also get a treat toy so she can figure out how to get the treat out, that will keep her occupied. Empty toilet rolls are great as well. Even some baby toys are great..I run a home based child care and my Bengals love the kids toys. Oh and also a crinkle bag, those are great. I hope that helps.

Answer 4

You could try getting your cat a harness and a leash. I harness is safer than a collar because you have more control of the cat without the pulling of the leash on the neck. But if kitty has never had anything around her she may feel too confined and not accept it at all, even though you're trying to play nice with her. I have two cats and they are indoor only cats they are active and have an obscene amount of toys and climbing posts/cat trees. They bore easily with the same toys all the time. They each have a favorite toy that they will always play with should they come across it in their travels around my house. I keep the rest of the toys in a small bin mainly to keep it neat and because I know they don't play with every single one of them every day.

Get a few different types of toys, a crinkly foil ball, a fishing pole toy with a mouse/feather on the end, different textured toys, with and without squeakers or noise makers. Offer one to kitty and play with her with it until she plays on her own. Most cats will. When you see she's bored or looking for something to get into take away that toy if she seems to have no interest and try a different one.

It's all about keeping their interest. I play hide and seek with my 4 year old female cat, basically I call her from a hiding spot in a different room, she comes and finds me, meows at me and takes off into another room. I find her and it goes on until she stops coming, hahaha! My younger male, 2 years old, we play a game of chase. All I have to do is shuffle my feet towards him and he takes off like a shot into another room, I run after him give him a pet or some funny words and then I take off. He follows me until I'm in a corner, stares at me then takes off. If I don't go after him he stops and turns around to wait till I come. I swear he loves it! I think I have 2 little dogs in cat suits sometimes! They're a lot of fun.

Good luck. ;)

Answer 5

Honestly, a lot of the time a cat's favorite toy is something you don't have to go out and buy specifically for them. For example, my girl kitty, Morwen, loves playing with balls of paper. She comes running when she hears you crinkling them up and will fetch them if you throw them for her. And my little boy kitty, Calcifer, loves plastic straws so much that he'll come and take them out of your drink (and spill it everywhere). My big boy kitty, Binxie, isn't so much on toys, but he really likes potato chips (go figure).

They ALL love kitty treats (their favorites are the temptations with the soft treat in the middle of a crunchy one) and catnip (though the effect does wear off if they get it too often). Cal loves laser pointers, too, but some cats, just like some dogs, can become obsessed with them, so if your cat has that sort of personality, don't try them!

And, of course, as others have mentioned, special treats of wet food (if your cat doesn't always get it) or canned fish (in WATER, NOT in oil, as oil can cause digestive problems) are great to make your kitty feel special!

Answer 6

I like those cardboard scratching boxes (you can buy the extra large one if she's a particularly chunky kitty =); they come with cat nip. I sprinkle that cat nip all over the cardboard and my cats go insane! Also, try a lazer pointer! My cats love to chase it, although that does require interaction from you, so she can't play when you're away. Also, you can try cat fishing. Tie a toy that has feathers or something equally flashy to a long string. Toss the string across the room and slowly "reel" it back in. When she lunges at it, jerk it out from her. It always is fun for my kitties.

Answer 7

If you are up to the task, you could try training your cat to walk on a harness and leash. My cats love it, but not all cats are as responsive, and it does take a little work.

You could also look into cat trees and condos. Having a place they can hide in and climb on really makes them happy. Placing it by a window would be good too, so that she can look outside and watch the scenery.

If the trees end up being a little too pricey - they can be sometimes, but you can get a usually good deal on eBay - You can try a simple window perch.

Answer 8

Yep catnip ought to do the trick. And maybe an extra treat like some wet food, and lots of TLC!
Hey also have you ever tried walking your cat on a leash? Sounds crazy but after trial and error your cat might get used to it. Mine did, and now he loves it!! He recognizes the sound of the leash when I get it out and he goes CRAZY just like a silly ole dog!! Ha!

Answer 9

My mom brings grass inside for cats and my aunt gets a box a dirt for hers.. They seem to be happy. The best toy my cats love is the feathers on on string attach to a stick. Even my lazy cat loves it.. If all else fails "cat nip" I hope this helps.

Answer 10

I would buy my cat either a special kind of food. For example i always feed my cat dry food and so i would give it canned food for christams. Also 90% of cats love catnip unfourtuanatly one of my three cats doesnt respond to catnip. But maybe your cat would. Or of course they best thing for a friendly cazt is to get it another firend, every one loves a kitten!