Toy for cats during the day

[mrmr96]

I have two house cats, my wife and I play with them loads in the morning before work and in the evenings when we get in, plus the weekend. But I want something to amuse them whilst we're out. (Times when I've worked from home, they tend to sleep a lot, but I still want to give them something.)

They really like this "Birdy" toy, which is like a fishing rod about 4 ft long with a 3 ft string with feathers on the end. When it's swung side to side the feathers spin and the cats play chase/catch/stalk etc. So I'd like to get something like that.

However we've had wall and floor mounted feathers before, and because they don't move of their own accord they are not very engaging and the cats got bored fast. So I want something powered which will start up at random times during the day and swish about for a bit.

I've seen several products which can be activated and deactivated manually, but I want one that's automatic. Any recommendations?

(My backup plan is to get one of the manually controlled ones and replace the batteries with a wire to a DC converter which I'll connect to the mains via a timer plug. Then I'll fix the switch on the toy to be in the "on" position permanently, so that the toy will start and stop according to the mains timer.)

[ehonda]

Have you considered the possibility that you might return home to find your cats have hanged themselves?

[mrmr96]

Hmm, maybe the laser based on is the way to go...

[ali_kat]

You mean like this? This brillant, you can set it to go off whilst you are out & the string isn't long enough to hurt the cat!



Available from another PHer here

[Jasandjules]

Oooh I like the look of that!

OP we do have the odd mousie thing that makes noise. They like to chase it around but the dogs nick it so we don't leave them alone with it - with no dogs should be ok though.

I also got one and tied it, hanging down the cat tree....

[mrmr96]

That was one of the ones I was considering. Do you have experience of it?

[ali_kat]

hence my review above

Tis brilliant

[poing]

Boxes, carrier bags (especially the bags for life style), today's mail, slippers, ps3 controllers. These all make great toys. The ones you spend a fortune on are played with for a short period then mostly ignored as they are not fun enough. Currently have 2 cats trying to squeeze into 1 empty Amazon box that they don't fit in. The play centre, selection of toys, massive climbing thingy and nice bedding is just there to clutter up the house.

[S1_RS]

Boxes & pingpong balls.

[edc]

Tin foil balls on tiled floor. Old collars with bell too. One of mine also bites lumps out of cardboard boxes.

[Mubby]

fish tank! mine spends hours trying to catch the moving fish! lol

[carreauchompeur]

My cat just doesn't "get" boxes and bags. I might get him something like the above swishy thing...

[carreauchompeur]

Out of stock, but available here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Frolicat-Twitch-Gift-Pet...

[ehasler]

ali_kat said:

You mean like this? This brillant, you can set it to go off whilst you are out & the string isn't long enough to hurt the cat!



Available from another PHer here

Thanks Ali

The Twitch is out of stock at the moment, but should be available again very shortly.

[paintman]

Only problem with string/elastic toys with our two is that left unsupervised once they've caught it they hang onto it & chew through the string!

[carreauchompeur]

ehasler said:

Thanks Ali

The Twitch is out of stock at the moment, but should be available again very shortly.

PH discount? ;-)

[cj_eds]

S1_RS said:

Boxes & pingpong balls.

Maybe ours are quite playful, but boxes, ping pong balls and a handful of little stuffed mice or squeaky things and the cats entertain themselves. The evidence is there when we come home and toys are scattered all over the place and hidden under sofas etc!

[ehasler]

carreauchompeur said:

PH discount? ;-)

I don't see why not Use "phpets" for 10% off. The Twitch should be back in stock towards the end of the week.

[mrmr96]

Cheers, will you post back when the twitch is in and I'll order one then?
Thanks

[carreauchompeur]

Internet marketing at the best