Cats, while often viewed as aloof and independent, still need playtime, but before forking over hundreds of dollars for toys, one pet parent shared in a Reddit thread that some of the least expensive toys work out the best.
A perfect toy for cats should bring out their natural hunting instincts, while being durable enough to withstand bunny kicks, chewing, clawing and licking, an article from PetMD recommended. Owners should consider toys that mimic real prey moving, or small objects that can appear and disappear under fabric. And while colors aren’t a driving factor, cats might see blue and yellow toys the best.
An owner, who wished to keep the Reddit profile private, recently shared to the subreddit channel r/standardissuecat how the rescue cat, Lola, became easily entertained by a nearly free toy made at home. The owner took a sweatshirt hoodie string out and attached a bright, shiny purple scrunchie ball to the end.
Newsweek reached out to the owner via Reddit for additional information and comment.
The simple, low-cost toy has quickly become Lola’s favorite. She’ll carry it around the house, constantly playing with it and choosing it over every other toy in her possession.
Realizing it doesn’t take much time or money to entertain the cat, the owner wondered if other pet parents experienced the same. With nearly 400 comments and 3,400 upvotes on the Reddit post, people flooded the post with the bizarre items their cats cannot get enough of.
A common favorite, paper and bags. While there is no rhyme or reason why cats love paper, an article from Catster stated a few explanations for the behavior. Cats might gravitate toward paper because it appeals to their sense of smell. Paper absorbs your cat’s pheromones and your scent, giving them security and familiarity. It also allows them to preserve their body temperature because of its insulating properties. Or they simply might enjoy the feeling over other surfaces.
This owner suggested that people scrunch scraps of paper into a ball and throw them, as Lola “goes mad for that.”
Other hilarious toy favorites among cats were hampers and a basting brush.
One person added: “Egg cartons and old paper towel roll cardboard tubes frayed out at the ends. She dotes on them.”
Another said: “Plastic lids. And more specifically, the plastic rings that come off milk bottles. Loses his mind over them…”
And while the homemade toy possibilities are endless, be careful about what you use, as it can become a safety hazard.
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