Just like any child in the family, a kitten needs safe toys of her own to play with.
When purchasing toys for your kitten, follow these simple guidelines:
- Choose sturdy toys without small parts that can be swallowed. Discard any broken toys
- Provide a variety of toys and put them away between play sessions
- Despite the traditional image of kittens playing with balls of yarn or string, these are dangerous if swallowed
- Avoid games that teach your kitten to pounce on moving fingers, hands, feet or legs. These could encourage serious aggression later
- Play games that direct your kitten's playful energy away from you. Chasing ping-pong balls is great fun
- Dangle toys from a string tied to a stick like a fishing pole, but keep the pole low to discourage risky leaps
In addition to providing toys, make sure to give your kitten plenty of opportunity to play with other kittens, especially those close in age, to promote positive social behaviour.