As impressive as the collage of cat toys to the left might be, it’s only a small representation of the entire collection of cat toys my cats claim. (Wayne’s decided if we’re looking for ways to cut money in case of a depression, cutting out my pet toy spending is a place to start. Sadly, he’s probably right.)
But the purpose of this blog isn’t to show off my cats’ impressive collection of cat toys. Rather, it’s to discuss the names they know their toys by. (As I wrote in another article, I’m big on naming things.)
See if you have similar names for like toys you may have, or, if not, feel free to share the names your cats know their toys by.
A. The Launch Pad
Yes, the first item up for grabs does look like a cat scratcher. (Or, as our friend Michael says, like an air filter we tossed out on the floor.)
And while Tabby does use it to scratch her claws on (as well as sharpen her teeth by ripping off pieces of the sides to keep her Shredinator skills honed), her favorite thing to use it as is a launch pad.
She starts off in a perch, then tenses to crouch, then wiggles her butt before launching herself at Murphy or Mr. Meow, which sends her pad careening across the floor from the force of her blast off. It’s really pretty hysterical, but so far my efforts to capture it on video and add it to their YouTube queue has proved unsuccessful.
B. The Blue Puffie
This was the first “prize” Tabby ever brought to us. She found it in what was then Mr. Meow’s sole collection of cat toys and claimed it. Now, like she did with my mom and the red heart, she still brings her blue puffie to us when she feels we’re fit for a reward.
C. The Crinkle Ball
This is one of Mr. Meow’s favorite toys. It makes a crinkley sound that for some reason affects him like catnip. He goes bonkers for it!
D. Sparkle Balls
Unlike the crinkle ball, these are soft and more tinselly in texture. Both Mr. Meow and Tabby enjoy chasing these if we throw them, but they’re not usually the toys they go to first to play with.
E. Jingle Bell Balls
Mr. Meow likes these. A lot. He seems to favor things that make noise, which these do with their bells rattling around inside. (Tabby has her Wiffie that she likes, but it doesn’t have a bell inside. Although, when she gets that Wiffie bouncing on the wood floors it makes a pretty good ruckus.)
Mr. Meow has two jingle bell balls he particularly likes (neither of which are pictured because I have no idea where he bapped them to), but when he’s ready to play and he wants to let us know, we’ll hear him slapping his jungle bells balls all over the place. It’s as if he’s saying, “DING! Let the madness begin!”
F. Micies a.k.a. Mouses or Mousies
Mr. Meow and Tabby like these equally well. They’re not either of their first choices for a toy, but if they’re wild enough and we toss one, they’ll chase after and bat them around for a bit.
G. The Wiggie Wand
Our neighbors gave this to the cats last Christmas. To my surprise, it was an ENORMOUS hit. It is by far their favorite toy. For the both of them. All I need to do is wave the wiggie wand and crazy cat magic is unleashed.
H. The Wizzle Twizzle
This is their newest toy. (Which I did not buy. Their Aunt Karen gave it to them.) So far Tabby is the one placing dibs on it. She especially likes rubbing her face against it –after she’s thoroughly attacked and roughhoused with it, of course.
Courtney Mroch writes about animals great and small in Pets and the harmony and strife that encompasses married life in Marriage. For a full listing of her articles click here.
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