I’m looking to buy some cat toys that will last. I’m looking on Amazon – though I would love to avoid Amazon – and everything is terrible quality. Even if I sort by rating, everything still seems like junk.

There are some pretty sick toys, like this automatic motion activated laser that will move around the room when it senses motion. Or one of those balls that will role itself around the room. But neither seems to hold up.

I suppose I could stay away from the electronic stuff and just get some good old fashion manual cat toys. I’m looking to adopt a kitten, and I wanted to give him as much play time as he needs. I figured a few automatic toys for while I’m working could be good.

  • FauxPseudo @lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    13 days ago

    Applewood sticks. Felted wool with a hole for catnip. Other cats. Milk jug lid pulls and caps.

    I haven’t bought a cat toy in decades other than a laser. We did get gifted running wheel.

    As for lasers. Get a rechargeable one so you don’t have to buy batteries. Get one with good buttons that won’t fail.

    • moseschrute@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      0·
      13 days ago

      I was looking at those lasers too! They seem to all be USB-A, and I try and only buy USB-C now. I’m new to buyitforlife, but I’m guessing one that takes AAs (since rechargeable AA are a thing) are better. These integrated rechargeable batteries wear out are are more difficult to replace.

      • solo@slrpnk.netEnglish
        0·
        13 days ago

        I wouldn’t recomend lasers. Cats get a pleasure not only from chasing but also from catching things. Lasers can never be caught so the end feeling that is accumulated is of devastation for never fulfiling their end goal.

        There are plenty of great ideas here for making them toys. I will add a couple more that my cats have loved much bettter than any toy that was bought.

        • Carton roll of toilet paper
        • Carton roll from electrical adhesive tapes
        • Get a stick and attach an elastic string to it. At the end of the string attach something else - like a cork, a rolled sock etc. Personally I don’t use plastics for toys, but I also don’t stop them from playing with one that accidentaly fell on the floor. When they are done playing with it, I just make it desapear.

        Remember that:

        • they don’t have the same color palette we do. I don’t know the official terms but we see with 3 colors, they have 2, so bright colors are not of importance to them
        • the time you spend playing with them, is bonding time.
        • don’t be rough or attack them (in the sense to take them by surprise sudenly). We are a giant to them size-wise. Even tho they see us as equals, we need to ackgnledge that they are much smaller creatures. If you don’t respect them they will start attacking you out of the blue, and a vicious circle will be established.