Fun Games for You and Your Kitty

by Tara J. Yen

Many expenses have been made on toys for your cats (plastic balls with bells inside, fake mice that move when you pull the tail of the mouse, an remote control mouse, etc.) but did you know that most cats like the most inexpensive toys made out of foil, string/ribbon, wire, dowel rods, milk carton rings, sheets and your fingers?

Here are some simple games that your cats will love:

1. "The Two Way Exercise Game"

Take a small piece of foil and shape it into a ball. Throw the foil ball and watch your cat run after it. If your cat likes to play fetch, he/she will bring the foil ball back to you and the game will go on. If your cat is too spoiled to play fetch, he/she has the pleasure of running after it while you have to throw it, walk over to where it is and throw it again so the game can go on. This can keep your cat busy for quite a while. (Did I say "your cat"? I meant you.)

2. "The String Game"

Cut a piece of string and drag it around the house. Kitty will run after it and try and grab it. (Let him/her get it sometimes so that he/she doesn't feel defeated.) Your cat may grab the string in his/ her mouth and not let go. This can be used as a "leash". Now you can keep your cat occupied and go jogging, just inside your house.

3. "Rainbow Ribbons"

Shape a piece of wire into a circle and bend ends together. (Best with thicker wire, or braided wire.) Cut multiple colored ribbons in six foot lengths and drape on the wire ring and tie so it is doubled. Wave the ribbons in the air and on the ground while your kitty chases them. This is my cat's favorite toy.

4. "The Flicking String Game"

Tie a long string on a dowel rod and at the other end of the string tie a fake flower or milk carton ring. Do the same thing with this toy as you do with the "String" toy and the "Rainbow Ribbons" toy. This toy has an advantage because of the long rod so you have the ability to flick it more affectively.

5. "My Pretty Rings Game"

Simply throw a milk carton ring back and forth like the "Two Way Exercise Game". If your cat likes to play by itself, you can watch him/her as he/she pushes the ring under a rug and then in your shoes. This is my sister's cat's favorite game.

6. "The Exhilarating Sheets Game"

When you are making your bed and your cat comes wandering in, pick him/her up on your bed and throw the sheets over him/her. This can go on and on until Kitty gets tired (I mean until you get tired). If you want to upgrade it a little, tickle your kitty's back with he/she is under the sheets. Your cat may flip over and try it grab it with it's paws. Or slip your finger under the sheets while Kitty is on top of the sheets and move it just enough to drive him/her crazy!
These are games that our cats love, and I hope you and your cats will love them too. Don't buy a ton of cat toys when they are on top of your leftover food (foil), on a gift bag (string/ribbon), on your milk carton (milk carton ring) and in the dryer (sheets).

Have fun playing with your cat!

Tara J. Yen is the youngest daughter of David and Annette Yen, and enjoys making toys and playing games to amuse her happy cat, Scamper, of whom she is the happy owner. She and her older sister, Kathryn, operate HappyCatOwners.com.