Photo by Piotr Musioł on Unsplash
A ball of paper. Just make it from a piece of paper and play soccer with your cat.
Pro: it rustles funny in the process.
A ball made of foil. It rustles even better than the paper one. Con: in some cases, it can be gnawed and partially eaten. Watch out.
A stack of paper (imitation of "important documents" forgotten on the floor).
A paper boat floating in a bowl of water.
A paper airplane.
A ping-pong ball thrown into a bathtub (or a bowl with a small amount of water).
A helium balloon with a small toy tied to it. (Caution: Not suitable for ribbon- and thread-chewers)
Cardboard boxes left in different places in the apartment. You can put toys or kibbles of dry food inside.
A maze of several cardboard boxes glued together with cut-out passages.
A large box filled with your clothes you don't need.
Paper, cellophane or cloth bags. Hiding toys or treats inside will make them even more attractive. Tip: cut the handles so that the cat does not get his head stuck in them.
Cat tunnel. It is gorgeous when there are several of them - combined or lying side by side.you can buy ready-made or make it yourself from boxes. It’s a perfect place for hiding cat treasures, like toys or treats.
Pigeons outside the window. To implement it, you will need a pigeon feeder fixed near the window where the cat likes to sit on the windowsill, and bread. Warning: keep the window closed.
A more complicated version of that: fish tank with a securely closed top.
Soap bubbles.
A hand-made steam roller toy. If you didn't have this in your childhood, check it out here.
A small radio-controlled car.
Leaves, chestnuts, reeds, and other souvenirs brought back home from a walk (Warning: beware of plants which are poisonous to a cat)
A game of thimbles.
A game of thimbles with a treat instead of a ball.
A game of hide and seek.
Tag game. An option to continue hide and seek. Keep the balance of chasing and being chased by cat. Pro: fitness points for both of you.
Access to vertical space. Cat's multi-tiered scratching posts or ordinary shelves arranged one above the other in the form of steps, which can be easily climbed up and sat on something soft.
A coarse-meshed wire mesh, firmly attached to the wall or the end of a tall cabinet (if you don't mind it). Ideal for amateur climbers. Don't forget: the cat will jump down, so take care of a soft "landing" place (sofa, armchair).
Cat tent. A great place to relax and reflect on life. It is constructed from a blanket thrown over a chair, table, ironing board, or a folding ladder. Cover the floor inside with a soft cloth.
Instead of a bowl of food, use food puzzles. You can buy them at a pet store or make them yourself. Pour dry food into a half-liter glass jar tied to a table leg or into an egg tray – and you have your first homemade food puzzle ready.
Once in a while, leave a few bubbles of food in the cardboard box, house, and other cat locations.
A kibble path is another variant of the food puzzle. You can use this method to train your cat to use a cat carrier or climb on top shelves, or to encourage him to be more physically active.
Catnip. It doesn't always work for everyone, but it's worth a try. It is harmless to health, you can find it at pet stores. Put some in an old sock and roll it into a ball. In an airtight container filled with a catnip, you can marinate cat toys between play sessions.
Throwing (or rolling) the ball. The ball is better small and fleecy.
A drinking fountain instead of a bowl of water.
Toys on ropes tied to a doorknob, cabinet door, chair back. To maintain intrigue, periodically change locations.
Drag a small rug or a yoga mat on which the cat sits on, trough the floor.
Laser pointer.
Cat games in the Playmarket or AppStore. There are plenty of options, both paid and free.
Entertaining cat videos on YouTube: Paul Dinning channel
Hunting for a twig from under the door could be very exciting. Instead of a twig, you can use a feather, shoelace, etc.
Hair bands, bread crusts, plastic bottle rings, socks without a pair, and other items that arouse a cat's interest more than pet store toys. Throw them in a bag, box, or just in the corner of the room -- let him chase them down and find them.
Walking on a leash. Sounds extreme, but this could be the most preferable option for your cat. The main thing is gradualness: both in getting used to the leash and in leaving the home comfort zone.
Home garden. For those who are not yet ready for walks, but really want to go to the grass. Plant oatmeal grains in a pot and let them germinate. Some experts even recommend that cats chew grass to cleanse the stomach of swallowed hair, preventing it from lumping inside. Risks: The cat may prevent the grass from growing by confusing the pot with a litter box or sofa.
Another cat in the house. A great option if the cats will get along, which is always a lottery. Win-win in only one case: littermates who play together and sleep in each other's arms from the first weeks. If you are just thinking about getting a kitten, consider getting two at once. You'll have plenty of entertainment every day, and the cats won't get bored while you're away.
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