Now that Christmas has passed, many lucky homes now have new furry family members. During the holidays we seem to have a lot more free time to devote to our furkids.
Sadly, the holidays will have passed and we must all get back to our workday routines, leaving kittens at home to once entertain themselves.
Just like any child, a kitten need not only toys which will stimulate their senses and their instincts, but are also “safe.”
And just like with our human children, toys for kittens are essential for the development of their minds.
When purchasing toys for your kitten, you should follow these simple guidelines:
• Choose toys which are sturdy and don’t have small parts that can be swallowed. Throw away any broken or damaged toys.
• Provide a variety of toys but put them away between play sessions.
• Play games that direct your kitten’s playful energy away from you so they can establish a sense of independent play. Chasing ping-pong balls or rolled up foil are two great ideas.
• Dangling toys from a string tied to a stick like a fishing pole is a great idea, but keep the pole low to discourage any risky leaps. Make sure the string is not just laying on the floor because your kitten can get it wrapped around its neck.
• Despite the traditional image of kittens playing with balls of yarn or string, these are a no no. These items can be deadly if swallowed.
• Never let your kitten play with small household items such as thread, paper clips, erasers, rubber bands, plastic bags, twist ties, coins and small board game pieces as these are also dangerous if swallowed.
• A TV DVD of birds, believe it or not, can be very entertaining for your kitty to sit and watch.
Here are some photos of other great toys which many of you probably already own which are just perfect for your loving fur-child.
