As a part of more mindful caring for Cookie & Pippin I've started looking into less harmful toys. Many toys, even some of those at Pets at Home are glued together or have little pieces that might fall off and cats might swallow them (cats, kids, the same thing innit!). Whilst looking for some new toys for my little munchkins to try I've come across a plethora of absolutely spectacular, amazingly creative and enchantingly unique catnip toys.
🌿 Catnip or valerian?
There are millions upon millions of cat toys scattered across the internet (and our living room). And if your cat normally doesn't care for toys then looking for a new addition to the toy basket becomes a rather frustrating quest. A guaranteed way to initiate a playtime with your cat is to get a catnip or valerian toy. Both catnip & valerian are herbs containing stimulants to cats. They are absolutely safe however different cats can have different reactions to them. Some cats go absolutely crazy for a few minutes and then sleep for half a day (Cookie) or just cuddle up to the toy & fall asleep immediately (Pippington). When choosing between catnip & valerian I suggest you try both - each is slightly different but both are so worth it! Cookie & Pipps love catnip toys however there's huge difference at what type of catnip is stuffed inside of the toy. The best catnip we've tried so far is in the Freak Meowt teabags (look at them here) and the best valerian toy we've had is a gingerbread man from Katzenworld (see it here). I do warn you though - valerian STINKS. It stinks like dirty socks that have been at the bottom of the laundry basket for at least half a year!
🌿 Why is buying toys from an independent seller better?
Since discovering independent cat toy sellers I haven't bought a single toy from a large pet shop retailer - simply because the toys you can get from small creative businesses are just so much more unique, usually don't use any harmful glues and are stuffed with higher quality herbs. Just look at them! I'm so getting those French baguettes for my Birthday. To give to Cookie. Obviously.
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Where do you usually buy toys for your cat from?
Let me know in the comments below please, I'd love to check the shops out!
