Tag Archives: toys for cats

Cat Care, General Care

International Cat Day

International Cat Day is coming up August 8th. Kitties around the world will be more than happy to get some extra attention, and perhaps a special gift or two. If you have kids, you may want to take full advantage of this cute holiday. International Cat Day can be both fun and educational! A Roanoke, VA vet lists a few things you can do to celebrate below.

Treats

No animal holiday is complete without some special treats! Fluffy can have store-bought goodies, but she may also appreciate some plain tuna in water, or perhaps some shredded deli meat. Don’t give her any milk, though: despite all of those iconic pictures of cats drinking milk, most of our feline pals can’t digest dairy.

Toys

Kitties are very playful, which is one reason they’re just so much fun to have around. Pick up some new toys for the furball. Or, better yet, have the kids make Fluffy something. You’ll find some great ideas online!

Photo Session

You can never have too many adorable pictures of kids or cats. Kids and cats together? Even better! Snap some cute pictures of your feline buddy. You can play around with different filters and effects after. Frame your favorite. Or, start a collage, and add to it every year.

Box Castle

If there’s two things we know about cats, it’s that they love boxes and are convinced that they are superior beings. Have your youngsters make Fluffy her own box castle. This can be very simple: you can just cut a door and ‘windows’ out of a single box. Or, you can incorporate several boxes, and create features like towers and turrets.

Art

Creativity and the arts are just wonderful for children: they really help kids learn to express themselves. Have your little ones do something fun in honor of Fluffy. They can write a poem or story, draw a picture, or even sing a song about her.

Story Time

There’s no shortage of cute tales about our feline pals. Look into some of the myths and stories about Fluffy, and choose a cat-centric bedtime story from around the world.

Movie Night

Movie nights are purrfect for cuddling cats! Pick a feature that features a feline. Puss In Boots is a good bet.

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we’re here to help!

Cat Care, General Care

Creating a Catio

Do you have a screened porch or patio? If so, you’ve got a perfect spot for a catio! Our feline friends are definitely much safer staying indoors, where they are protected from hazards like weather, predators, traffic, and chemicals. However, they do enjoy getting some fresh air and watching butterflies, birds, and squirrels. Why not give Fluffy the best of both worlds? Read on as a Roanoke, VA vet offers some great tips on making your furry buddy a catio.

Plants

Many of our feline pals love to nibble on plants. Just be sure to choose pet-safe options. If you like potted trees, you can get an Areca palm, a Ponytail palm, a rubber tree, or a money tree. Ferns are also safe, and look great. If you have a brown thumb, you may want to get something hardy, like a spider plant or cast iron plant. African violets and hibiscus are good for pops of color. You can also add some herbs, like thyme, rosemary, and basil. (Bonus: you’ll also have fresh ingredients for cooking.) Catnip is also a must, of course. Check the ASPCA website here for a full list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Furniture

No catio is complete without some kitty furniture. A cat tower is a great option here! Your cute pet will gain a napping spot, a jungle gym, and a nail-care station, as well as a place to sunbathe and spy on local wildlife. You can also get Fluffy some soft beds, scratching posts, or even a kitty fountain. For extra purrs, plant some cat grass in a shallow storage tote or an old litterbox. Once it’s grown in, your feline buddy will have her own little ‘lawn’ to look smug on. Don’t forget to add a few pieces for yourself! You may find that your kitty’s catio is a great spot for reading, chatting on the phone, or drinking coffee.

Toys

Don’t forget to add a few toys for Fluffy! You may want to opt for plastic or rubber playthings, though. Catnip mice and other fuzzy/fluffy toys will soon get dusty and rained on. You can also try a mechanical ‘swimming’ fish, or a remote-controlled mouse. This is also a good spot to keep a laser pointer on hand.

Is your furry friend due for an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control? Contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, today!

Cat Care, General Care

DIY Cat Toys

Did you know that playing is beneficial to your cat, both mentally and physically? Kitties can get bored and unhappy with nothing to do all day. Making sure Fluffy has plenty of toys is very important! You don’t have to break the bank buying cat toys, however. There are lots of great playthings you can make your feline buddy. Making cat toys is also a great rainy-day project for kids. A Roanoke, VA vet lists some cute DIY kitty toys below.

Catnip Mice

For the easy version of this, just take some baby socks, stuff them with catnip, and sew the openings shut. Voila! If you want something a bit more involved, you can use patterns to create specific shapes. Add felt ears and pipe-cleaner whiskers if you like!

Toilet Paper Roll

You can do quite a bit with the cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels. Cut them into rings, and assemble them into small balls. Then, put some catnip in the middle. Or, put some treats inside the roll, and then fold the corners into an ‘envelope.’ You can also just cut narrow strips into the ends, then fold them back. Look online for more options.

Cardboard Mouse

In just a few minutes, you can turn a piece of cardboard into a little ‘mouse’ for your kitty to bat around. Trace an outline of a mouse shape, and cut it out. To add depth, glue two together, or make a little ‘fin’ section out of another piece of cardboard.

Puzzle Toy

Take the tube from a can of potato chips. You can peel off the label or cover the can with contact paper. Another option is to glue thick wrapping or parcel paper onto it. Be sure to make the edges neat, so the lid still fits! Then, use a round object to trace circles onto the tube. Cut the circles out with an X-acto knife. Drop a catnip mouse into the tube, close the lid, and tell your feline pal not to use it. She’ll immediately start playing with it!

Pipe Cleaner Kitty Toy

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. Take two pipe cleaners, and twist them into a little ball shape. Just be sure there are no sharp parts sticking out! Presto!

Please contact us, your Roanoke, VA pet hospital, for all your cat’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!