WHAT DO DIFFERENT TOYS DO?

Cat toys are designed to stimulate the various senses, including sight, sound, and smell. Rather than put a new toy in front of your kitten and leave him, give him some idea of what he’s supposed to do. Kittens have strong, instinctual desires to stalk and pounce, so spark your pet’s curiosity with quick movements.

Just like humans, kittens have individual likes and dislikes — what one may love, another will ignore. It’s all part of the joy of getting to know your pet. Most enjoy interactive play, which is important because your kitten needs active ‘people time’.

This could be as simple as rolling a scrunched-up ball of paper for him to dash after. Fishing rod-style toys are ideal for encouraging energetic play. Swing it so the toy appears to fly, letting it occasionally land and hop around on the floor.Take your time, allow your kitten to watch for a bit, then let him pounce on the toy or snatch it out of the air.

Some cats go wild for a laser toy, chasing it around the floor and up the wall. Just be sure to keep it away from your kitten’s eyes.When the game ends, toss him a real toy to grab, so he feels a sense of achievement after the chase.

Automated toys will challenge your kitten’s eye-paw coordination, and can be quite fast and furious. Remain in the room while your kitten plays, for safety’s sake. Some individuals can find these addictive, so it’s a good idea to limit how much time he plays. Speaking of time, play with your kitten in short bursts, rather than continuing until he flops with exhaustion.

Biting is a natural part of a kitten’s development — teething happens at around three months.To avoid him chewing on your favourite shoes, or something dangerous like electrical flex, buy dental chew toys.These are usually firm, made from a mixture of fabric, and scented with mint or catnip.Toys that you can place food kibble inside for him to remove are also good.