Cat Chasers and Teasers
Cat Chasers and Teasers
Cats of all breeds love constant entertainment. In the wild, their cousins, like tigers and jaguars, love to wrestle and chase each other around to release energy and build strong bonds with their peers. Since cats are mostly domesticated animals, they need to get out that aggression and entertainment at home.
Cat Chasers and Teasers do just that while strengthening your bond with your fur baby. Cat Chasers constantly move around to help increase their reaction speed and provide training and exercise. They range from manual to electronic, and some in the form of a cat puzzle or even a feathery cat wand. Anything that cats can swipe their adorable tiny paws at as long as they’re moving around. Let’s go through the shortlist of the various types of cat accessories in this category to help you make a well-informed decision before you shop.
Electronic Cat Chasers and Teasers
There are hundreds of electronically controlled Cat Teasers on the market today. Some devices turn on once motion is detected to preserve battery life, and others are user-controlled. Teasers of this type vary, and some even double as a teaser and a cat puzzle that promotes cognitive behavioral skills.
Typically, these devices feature a cat wand with feathers, felt pads, or just about anything that constantly moves around when switched on. Many electronic cat teasers exist, and some even continuously spin with features that move around.
If you’re looking for the ultimate teaser device, we recommend looking at something that rewards your cat during play activity with some delicious treats. Cats also love laser toys as they chase that red dot back and forth. There are many Cat Toys out there that also double as teaser toys.
Many cat parents can’t provide 24/7 company and entertainment to their cats due to their hectic schedules. These devices offer an effortless and exciting experience in such situations, and cats love to sit there and play with these for hours on end.
For those with multiple cats, we recommend purchasing a couple of these or larger cat teaser devices so that cats can interact during play activities. These teasers are typically higher in price than those that aren’t electronically controlled. We recommend cycling these every 2 – 3 weeks and introducing them to newer toys, especially kittens, as their brains absorb more knowledge during play.
Manual Cat Teasers and Chasers
Cat Teasers that are manually controlled are most cost-effective, and they’ve been around for years. Some are more sophisticated than others. However, if you’re looking to build up a stronger bond with your kitty, we recommend buying something that’s user-controlled.
Cat Wands are usually the most common type around. These wands are long sticks that vary in length. Some are even glittered or glow in the dark, with a cord connecting to the tip of the wand that further connects to a feather or a foxtail or any animal tail. Cats are a real sucker for worms, especially those crinkle teasers. Cats are drawn to feathers and tails, and the reason for this is they believe they’re chasing a real animal around—the more realistic the wand, the better.
Some wands are also equipped with all the bells and whistles (literally) beads and vibrant colors. The user simply waves the wand around like they’re playing at an orchestra while cats keep chasing and swiping at the feathery ends. Some chasers are even retractable, which is the real fun. As your kitty gets close to the object, simply hit the mechanical retraction switch and watch them run around and chase it.
If you’re looking for something to help engage their minds, there are countless cat puzzles on the market, many of which are designed to interact between owner and cat. Puzzles with balls that cats chase inside rounded tracks are great, and some even feature a built-in cat scratcher, such as the PETKIT Swipe Cat Scratcher.
Helpful and Safety Tips:
It’s always a great idea to inspect your cat teaser toys as many might have smaller parts that can be a choking hazard for both your kitty or children under 3. It’s imperative to constantly watch out for any loose pieces and your manual cat teaser devices. Some teasers might have smaller beads and chains on them.
People Often Ask:
Cats are natural, carnivorous predators with instincts to hunt. However, pet cats rely on the owners to provide them with food every day, so they don’t pursue their food anymore, restricting the natural urge to hunt. Cat toys, such as cat chasers and teasers, are a great way to satisfy this urge. They offer a safe, convenient way to stimulate the hunting experience, ensuring the cats are happy, healthy, and fulfilled.
Avoid tossing the toy at your cat or keeping the same toys in the same spot every time. This will make your cat bored with them. When using cat chasers and teasers, move them erratically in fast and slow motions, mimicking natural prey behavior. Ensure to carry out one or two play sessions of 10-20 minutes every day, as it’ll help engage your cat with these daily playtimes.
Pay close attention to your feline’s body language to determine if she is enjoying or fighting aggressively. While playing, your kitty’s body should be relaxed with ears pointed forward. If your cat flattens the ears or holds them back, it’s a sign of fighting, not playing.
You can keep cat wands and other toys in a basket by the couch from where your cat can access these toys. Besides, you can store these toys in fun, safe spots around your home. This allows your cat to explore and hunt these toys while you are away, reducing boredom and loneliness.
Always pick cat teaser toys that contain natural materials like wool and include feathers and synthetic fur, as they mimic real prey animals. In addition, avoid toys with glued-on decorations and any loose pieces that can be ingested.
