As they are batted around, they circle the pyramid and come back to intrigue kitty again and again. This pyramid-shaped toy has four looped tiers, each containing a lightweight ball. Because rollerball toys - toys with one or more balls that roll around a circular track - are predictable, higher-energy adults may quickly become bored with them, according to Quagliozzi.īoth of my cats, one a low-energy adult and one a high-energy senior, were ideal candidates for rollerball toys, and of the 10 different products we tested, the Chase Meowtain was the clear multilevel favorite. Rollerball toys like Petstages Chase Meowtain have two ideal audiences: excitable kittens and lower-energy adult and senior cats that prefer toys that require minimal effort. With four levels of ball-rolling fun, the Petstages Chase Meowtain entices kittens and lower-energy cats to play. Read our review of the Catit Senses 2.0 Collection. The BPA-free plastic toy comes apart for hand-washing. ![]() ![]() This stimulates a cat to continue to engage with each piece of kibble until it eventually lands in the no-spill dish at the base. For the greatest challenge, deposit kibble or treats at the crown so a cat can bat them through small holes at each level, ultimately working them through to the bottom. The exterior of the uniquely designed three-level tree has horizontal openings for pawing and batting at food distributed throughout the interior. We tested several of the food-dispensing toys in Catit's collection and found that the Food Tree best suited Osito's skill set. "I look for something that presents a challenge but is also intriguing enough to boredom," said Quagliozzi. Ideally, you want a toy that taps into the skill set of your particular cat. The Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree challenges your cat's mind by stimulating problem-solving and advanced foraging skills.įor cats that enjoy problem-solving and love a good challenge, Quagliozzi likes the food foraging toys in Catit's Senses 2.0 Collection. Read our review of Nina Ottosson's Puzzle & Play toys. The puzzle board is made of eco-friendly, washable materials and is free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Ladybug and leaf-shaped knobs and caps slide and swivel to conceal the meal, encouraging a cat to bat, dig, and pounce to capture their kibble. Of the three puzzles in the line, the clear favorite with my cats was the Buggin' Out Puzzle, which has 14 compartments for holding up to 1/4 cup of food. Nina Ottosson's puzzle boards are among the toys that Sueda recommends. "Cats are extremely intelligent and would normally spend time roaming and hunting for food if they were not indoors," said Sueda. Eating from a food-dispensing puzzle toy, on the other hand, taps into a cat's natural instincts to hunt and forage. When a cat eats from a standard dish or bowl, they are on autopilot - they are not challenged to acquire or consume their food. Mealtimes provide an excellent opportunity for mental stimulation. With hidden compartments, sliding knobs, and swiveling leaves, Nina Ottosson Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play encourages cats to bat, hunt, and forage for food. In addition to Sueda, I spoke with cat behavior consultant Daniel "DQ" Quagliozzi, owner of Go Cat Go! in San Francisco, and Heidi Cooley, DVM, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in Vancouver, Washington. ![]() While most of the products we tested were good, if not great, only a handful could be crowned the best.Īs my cats played, I also consulted with experts to understand why cats play the way they do and the types of toys that help them thrive. ![]() Over the last six months, my cats Ostio and Phoebe have been the lucky testers of 42 different toys, most of which were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers. To give your cat the mental and physical stimulation they need, we recommend bringing some interactive cat toys into your home. Play can go a long way toward helping a cat "channel their brain power and instincts into productive outlets," veterinary behaviorist Karen Sueda, DVM, of VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital told Insider Reviews. But just like dogs, a bored cat can be a troublemaker. Whether it's because they sleep for up to 16 hours a day or because they live independent lives in which humans are most valuable for their ability to open cans, we tend to provide our cats with far less daily stimulation than their canine counterparts.
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