Oreo Cookie

Question
QUESTION: Okay... First of all, yes, Oreocookie is my cat's name. Now, I have a male cat about a year old, he is neutured. He is an indoor/outdoor cat, and he loves to hunt. Even though he is outside most of the day, he still finds the need to attack my father's legs and it suprises my father very much. I read that most cat's get their energy out if the go outside, but Oreo doesn't. My parents don't really like spending a lot of money, so we can't buy him a big toy. Do you have any suggestions?

ANSWER: Tova,

I would suggest a "Pet Laser Light". You can get them at PetSmart, etc. I'm pretty sure they are less than $5. They are excellent for interactive play, wearing a cat out, giving him a chance to satisfy his hunting urge by "chasing the bug" (the little red dot that you shine on the walls, floor, and ceiling).

A package of little shiny craft balls that come in a package. You can get them in the crafts dept. at Wal-Mart for maybe a dollar or two. They are good to throw and you cat cat 'fetch' them. My cats love them.

A couple of furry toy mice that you can throw for the cat and he can pretend to 'catch a mouse'. Those are about a dollar something at PetSmart.

A long plastic "zip tie" that you put around stuff and put the end through and pull to make them tight. Your parents may have one around the house. My cat love them because you can pull them around the floor for the cat to catch but they can't hold on to them because it slides right through their claws.

A little bag of catnip and rub it into the carpet. Most cats get really silly smelling it and will roll around and act silly.

Remember....an active, energetic, playful cat is a happy, healthy cat!

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I heard about the laser light one but I am afraid it will harm my cat's eyes, do you know if it is safe?

Answer
Tova,

Yes it is safe as long as you use it correctly. You never shine it directly into their eyes. There should be no reason to anyway because they follow the red 'bug' on the floor, wall, ceiling, etc. If they should turn towards you when it's on just put your hand over it or shine it down.

I use it with my cats and they love it. Just use caution and care and your cat will love it too.

Tabbi