Cat Toys

Keeping cats happy has come a long way since the old days when catnip and balls of string were the only dependable cat toys around.

Toy makers have come up with a dazzling assortment of cat toys that amuse, entertain and stimulate your cat. These days, cat toys generally fall into one of the following categories:

• Catnip
• Scratching toys
• Action toys
• Motorized toys
• Balls
• Squeaky toys
• Interactive toys
• Talking toys
• Feather toys

Which variety best suits your cat will depend on how easily entertained it is. Cats are generally viewed as being more sophisticated and discriminating than dogs, and the world of cat toys certainly reflects this.

In fact, some trends in cat toys show incredible imagination and innovation - not to mention a sense of humor.

My favorite cat toy innovations include:

• Laser Bugs, which project an image on the floor or wall for your cat to chase;
• Catnip Bubbles, just like the soap bubbles your kids like to play with; and
• Video Catnip. My all-time fave, these are VHS tapes or DVDs that show images of butterflies or other critters flitting across the screen. Watch your kitty turn into a TV junkie before your eyes!