Toys bought, made or used for the enjoyment of pets, not people.
Any questions about the use of toys with pets.
Questions tagged [toys]
74 questions
38
votes
3 answers
Why does my cat put toys in my shoes?
My cat has a few favorite toys that he goes nuts for. More specifically: a plastic ball with a bell inside and a small stuffed mouse.
From time to time when I put my shoes on in the morning, I'll find one of these toys in my shoe. At first I thought…
JohnB
- 1,838
- 4
- 21
- 30
28
votes
6 answers
Why does my cat bring me her toy?
A few times every week, I have noticed that one of my cats would bring me her stuffed mouse-shaped toy with catnip inside it.
The living room with all the toys is downstairs, in contrast to where I am working on my computer - upstairs. I always have…
D. Tunus
- 1,200
- 4
- 14
- 32
22
votes
4 answers
Why is my cat growling at his toys?
I have an adolescent cat that I adopted as a kitten (not this one :P ), and he growls when playing with his toys. At first I thought that he was growling at our other cat (also adopted as a kitten) for getting too close and trying to "steal" the…
Lix
- 1,459
- 2
- 12
- 26
22
votes
5 answers
What level of output laser pointer is safe for a cat?
I've got a few laser pointers: a red one, and a green one. The green laser pointer is much stronger than the red one, it's the type that you can seem the beam if it's dark enough (it's 5mW).
What level of laser output is safe to use for playing with…
JohnB
- 1,838
- 4
- 21
- 30
22
votes
3 answers
How can I keep my cat stimulated when she's stuck inside the house during winter?
My cat is vehemently an outside cat. When she's stuck in the house for more than a few hours she starts clawing at the back door and yowling.
Here's the problem: I live in Massachusetts, where the winters tend to be long and cold. She'll still yowl…
User1000547
- 321
- 1
- 9
21
votes
6 answers
Laser pointer: does a no-win situation risk psychological harm to cats?
When using a laser pointer to play with the cats, I've always been careful to end the session by giving them a physical toy to play with. I've assumed, without any actual basis, that putting them in a no-win situation where they could never…
Monica Cellio
- 8,285
- 6
- 43
- 83
16
votes
1 answer
How effective is leaving a television or radio on to comfort dogs when away?
When I leave for a few hours, I put my dogs in a room, turn on the television, and close the door. I always tune to either a classic rock music or a classical music channel at a moderately low volume (since dogs can apparently hear quite well). …
JoshDM
- 9,003
- 11
- 51
- 108
13
votes
2 answers
Cats and string: will a toy make this better or worse?
My current cats are both fascinated by shoelaces. (I've never had this problem before.) For shoes not currently being worn, if I don't keep them hidden away behind a closed door the cats will bat the laces -- and the shoes -- around. This is…
Monica Cellio
- 8,285
- 6
- 43
- 83
12
votes
3 answers
How do I get my dachshund to be interested in toys?
I have a dachshund who will not actively play with toys. She will, very rarely, pick up a bone or a chew toy (mostly a bone). She has a myriad of toys available to her, ranging from small, fluffy, squeeky toys, to large rubber rings, a coupled…
JoshDM
- 9,003
- 11
- 51
- 108
12
votes
2 answers
Why is our cat bringing his toy to us and whining?
So I have a cat who's a bit of a loner. Really hates contact unless it's under his terms and he very rarely wants contact except for about 10 minutes in the morning. Unwanted contact is met with serious aggression. He's been neutered if that…
Ross Drew
- 243
- 2
- 7
11
votes
4 answers
When and for how long can my hamster safely play in a hamster ball?
I know there is a special ball for hamsters, which they get in start to moving in; it's called a Hamster Ball.
I want to buy one for my hamster, but I have two questions:
At what age can a hamster start to play in the ball? My hamster is about 40…
Omid Kashmari
- 111
- 1
- 4
11
votes
3 answers
Should I take my dog's favorite tug-of-war toy away from her to prevent her from potentially eating pieces of it?
So I've been leaving my dog's toys scattered about; she'll come ask me for fetch or tug by bringing me a toy. I've been recently reading, however, that I shouldn't leave tug ropes out, because she'll chew on them and swallow strings of yarn or…
Yamikuronue
- 379
- 3
- 13
11
votes
3 answers
Choosing durable toys for dogs
When it comes to purchasing toys for dogs, how can I determine whether or not it will last just by looking at it or touching it? Websites that sell toys typically include reviews, but they are rarely helpful since any given item will have just as…
cimmanon
- 1,145
- 7
- 18
11
votes
2 answers
Why do my cats leave small toys/items around the house?
My cats tend to leave small toys or items (favorites: socks, sweatbands and a Jerry Springer koozie) around the house when we're not at home and we find them in the hallway when we get home. What does this mean?
Alison S
- 521
- 2
- 7
10
votes
1 answer
How can I keep my Labrador-mix entertained?
I recently acquired my first dog from somebody who was moving away, but could not take the dog with them. The dog is a 3-year-old Labrador mix. We don't know what the other breed is, but I suspect a pointer.
The dog is amazingly well-behaved. He…
avi
- 540
- 4
- 13