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For those of us who “gift” our pets at Christmas, it is time to start thinking about toys for Mitzie and Rover. Somehow pet toys always need replacing.
Maybe there is a secret place that they all retreat to when they are tired and worn out…or they cross the “Rainbow Bridge” seeking a happy afterlife.
Probably our pets find a way to eliminate them. Total destruction is a popular means as is relocation.
I know that in the spring after the snow has melted, I discover pitiful, ragged, moldy things in the yard that once were treasured toys.
Dogs and cats both need good toys to play with.
If they don’t have some, they will seek out other unacceptable things to play with in order to avoid boredom. Cats especially need to have activities that allow them to follow their cat instincts of stalking and chasing prey.
Criteria for a good toy should be that they are safe, durable and interactive.
PetProductAdvisor.com has published a list of top-10 recommendations for dog and cat toys based on their evaluation of products shown at major pet product shows.
Following are some new and innovative ones from their list that I find interesting.
The following dog toys made my “list.”
- “Invincible Gecko” by Kyjen. Price: $10.50 - Squeaker toy with no stuffing.
- The squeaker keeps on squeaking even after it has been punctured.
- As a safety feature, the eyes are embroidered into the fabric.
- The fabric is said to be rugged.
- “Twiz” by West Paw Design. Made in the USA. Price: $16.95 - Chew toy made up of a non-toxic, durable, pliable rubber-like material that floats.
- It sort of looks like an octopus with only two legs.
- The head is a cavity where treats can be hidden. It is guaranteed against dog damage. It is great for fetch, chewing and tug of war.
- It’s bright tangerine color makes it easy to spot.
- “Talking Babble Ball” by Pet Qwerks. Price $8.99 for small size. An interactive ball that makes sounds when touched. It can be triggered by the slightest vibration. It is available with three variations of sounds…talking, animal noises and kitty conversation.
- When the pet stops moving it around, it automatically shuts off until the next time it is triggered.
- It is highly recommended for visually impaired pets.
To keep cats happy and engaged I like the following.
- “Scratch-N-TV” by Cat Ware. Price $14.99 - All of a cat’s favorite activities in one…a hideaway, a scratcher surface, a feather flyer toy and is a great place for a “cat-nap.“
- It is a cardboard box with an opening in the front designed to look like a TV screen.
- The interior is a corrugated scratching surface. The “antenna” is a feather on a wand and can be reached with a cat’s paws while they are lounging inside.
- “Pawbreakers” by unknown. Price $2.99 to $3.29 depending on size. Described as “The Candy for Cats,” this is a solid ball of U.S.-grown catnip mixed with a human-grade binding agent.
- Catnip is said to improve a cat’s physical and mental wellbeing.
- Cats will have a lot of fun with it.
- They rub and roll it, carry it around, flip it in the air and eventually consume it.
- It would be a great thing to toss into a bathtub (no water) and watch the cat go crazy batting it around.
- “Twitch” by Brilliant Pet. Price $19.99. Battery-operated toy that is a suction cup mounted on a smooth surface.
- An enticing toy with a feather, ball and bell attached that swings and bounces around.
- It has an automatic timer so that you can set it to operate for 10- minute sessions multiple times during the day.
- An electronic beep signal alerts your cat that it is about to perform.
- My only concern is if it will stand up to the aggressive attack mode some cats demonstrate.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
For those of us who “gift” our pets at Christmas, it is time to start thinking about toys for Mitzie and Rover. Somehow pet toys always need replacing.
Maybe there is a secret place that they all retreat to when they are tired and worn out…or they cross the “Rainbow Bridge” seeking a happy afterlife.
Probably our pets find a way to eliminate them. Total destruction is a popular means as is relocation.
I know that in the spring after the snow has melted, I discover pitiful, ragged, moldy things in the yard that once were treasured toys.
Dogs and cats both need good toys to play with.
If they don’t have some, they will seek out other unacceptable things to play with in order to avoid boredom. Cats especially need to have activities that allow them to follow their cat instincts of stalking and chasing prey.
Criteria for a good toy should be that they are safe, durable and interactive.
PetProductAdvisor.com has published a list of top-10 recommendations for dog and cat toys based on their evaluation of products shown at major pet product shows.
Following are some new and innovative ones from their list that I find interesting.
The following dog toys made my “list.”
- “Invincible Gecko” by Kyjen. Price: $10.50 - Squeaker toy with no stuffing.
- The squeaker keeps on squeaking even after it has been punctured.
- As a safety feature, the eyes are embroidered into the fabric.
- The fabric is said to be rugged.
- “Twiz” by West Paw Design. Made in the USA. Price: $16.95 - Chew toy made up of a non-toxic, durable, pliable rubber-like material that floats.
- It sort of looks like an octopus with only two legs.
- The head is a cavity where treats can be hidden. It is guaranteed against dog damage. It is great for fetch, chewing and tug of war.
- It’s bright tangerine color makes it easy to spot.
- “Talking Babble Ball” by Pet Qwerks. Price $8.99 for small size. An interactive ball that makes sounds when touched. It can be triggered by the slightest vibration. It is available with three variations of sounds…talking, animal noises and kitty conversation.
- When the pet stops moving it around, it automatically shuts off until the next time it is triggered.
- It is highly recommended for visually impaired pets.
To keep cats happy and engaged I like the following.
- “Scratch-N-TV” by Cat Ware. Price $14.99 - All of a cat’s favorite activities in one…a hideaway, a scratcher surface, a feather flyer toy and is a great place for a “cat-nap.“
- It is a cardboard box with an opening in the front designed to look like a TV screen.
- The interior is a corrugated scratching surface. The “antenna” is a feather on a wand and can be reached with a cat’s paws while they are lounging inside.
- “Pawbreakers” by unknown. Price $2.99 to $3.29 depending on size. Described as “The Candy for Cats,” this is a solid ball of U.S.-grown catnip mixed with a human-grade binding agent.
- Catnip is said to improve a cat’s physical and mental wellbeing.
- Cats will have a lot of fun with it.
- They rub and roll it, carry it around, flip it in the air and eventually consume it.
- It would be a great thing to toss into a bathtub (no water) and watch the cat go crazy batting it around.
- “Twitch” by Brilliant Pet. Price $19.99. Battery-operated toy that is a suction cup mounted on a smooth surface.
- An enticing toy with a feather, ball and bell attached that swings and bounces around.
- It has an automatic timer so that you can set it to operate for 10- minute sessions multiple times during the day.
- An electronic beep signal alerts your cat that it is about to perform.
- My only concern is if it will stand up to the aggressive attack mode some cats demonstrate.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
