At a little over a year old, our two cats are officially junior cats. Though their needs are similar to when they were kittens, they are very much looking for additional stimulation. For Ink, this means looking for ways to hunt. For Hermione, it means looking for things to scratch.
We knew it was critical to find ways to keep them happy, entertained, and healthy, especially if we were going to be out of the house more than usual. Junior cats are curious, energetic, and can quickly become bored without stimulation. After some trial and error, we found several things that have made our junior cats happy and helped reinforce good behavior (instead of clawing at the furniture!). These two additions have made a huge difference for our junior cats.
Cat Scratcher Toy
The Cat Scratcher Toy is an excellent way to keep our cats entertained. This innovative toy combines three fun features in one device: a squirrel shaped teaser, a cardboard scratcher, and a ball on a track. The unpredictable movements are great for keeping both Ink and Hermione’s attention, helping them exercise, and encouraging natural hunting instincts. It’s perfect for junior cats that need both physical and mental engagement. They often play with it together!
Catnip Balls
Ink and Hermione both love to chew and bite and have recently been more interested in catnip. The Catnip Balls are great for satisfying their chewing instincts to keep their teeth and gums healthy. They both adore the fruit of silvervine and will spend quite a bit of time licking it. The included removable sticky pads worked for Hermione but Ink was able to dislodge the ball and used it as a chase toy.
A Surprise Favorite
We weren’t expecting both Ink and Hermione to absolutely love the 3-in-1 Interactive Toy but they very much do. So much that after we turned it off last night, Ink tried to figure out how to turn it back on! This is an excellent way to keep Ink and Hermione entertained for hours. This toy combines three fun features in one device: a rotating butterfly, (which Ink and Hermione do not love being on, but do love batting at); a feather teaser, which they both think is the best part of it and will attack for a long time; and two roller balls in a track. The unpredictable movements are great for encouraging natural hunting instincts, a must for Ink. It’s perfect for junior cats that need both physical and mental engagement. With automated motion, your cat will stay active even when you’re not there to play with them.
For Us
When we are away from our junior cats, we have enjoyed playing the Name That Kitty – The Ultimate Family Game For Cat Lovers. With a few house rules such as giving everyone five cards, “blank” cards for a create your own name and another for your own cat, this game is perfect for three or more players and can go as fast or as slow as needed. This was a great addition to a get together with friends and for a recent overnight trip. I can see our family and friends playing this game for a long time!
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