i'm stumped

[mrscat]

i know im being premature but im already thinking of xmas. im singing carols already & i just love the spirit of xmas. i never know what to buy my darlings, laila & hassan, for xmas. ive spent so much money on toys & cat furniture that they looked at once before i donate them to a cat charity. i always go overboard because i want to give them the world when they seem to just prefer to amuse themselves with an empty cardboard box, scrunched up paper, a bit of catnip, or jumping on the furniture. anyone have any expamples of successful cat gifts? eva, mrs cat

[GILL]

We have tried the same and given up. Now the presents are squiggles, keep in a bag with catnip and paper balls. We also get these very light balls that are about the size of a golf ball and fuzz sticks from the $ 1 store. I will also bring home different size boxes. No more expensive toys they like the cheap stuff better.

[Taz_Zoee]

Another cute idea (although the cats would care less) is the paw print stockings with the kitties names on them.
We first got one for DJ (RB Cocker) and Taz. Then when Zoee joined us we got her one. Now this year I'm going to need to get one for Paizly. If only I could remember the company I ordered them from. Hopefully they'll send me a postcard with a discount code on it like they did a couple years ago. If they do I'll post it on PT so others can benefit from it as well.

As for toys, the old man Taz could care less. But I always get him a little something to go in his stocking. Now with the kitten, she'll probably get a little more (if Zoee doesn't steal them ).

Give them what they like. If they like wadded up paper and boxes then that's what they get for xmas.

[krazyaboutkatz]

You might want to try buying them a laser light. Most cats love chasing the red dot around. Mine also love the cat track toy in the large version. Here's a link about one of the brands you can buy: http://www.viewpoints.com/Petmate-Th...Circle-reviews. Click details to see it better. They also love almost anything that has catnip in it. Good luck.

[Laura's Babies]

Hi mrscat and welcome to Pet Talk! I am Laura and you can see my babies in my siggy below. I am a regular here but I have been gone but now I am back again!! Anyway WELCOME to PT!!

Here are some of my suggestions.

Meet My silly girl Giz who LOVES digging in purses so I dug out a old one, stuffed it with her favorite toys and you will see the results below..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlgsPSHwXic

Do yours have a catsitter DVD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQGgb0BVZVU

and of coarse the laser light!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVlpAUSt3No

[cassiesmom]

Cassie plays with things around the house - pencils, because they are great to bat and swat off of a table; the ring that holds down the cap on a bottle of milk; and store bought toys she enjoys are little furry mice and a ball with a jingle bell inside.

Her very favorite toy is Kitty Tease. She enjoyed playing with it at the shelter before I adopted her, so we were given one as an adoption gift. She's been playing with it for 11 years and still enjoys it a lot!
http://www.kittytease.com/

[Catty1]

How about a donation to a pet charity from your kitties? It could be for the same amount you would spend on presents.

And then you can go to the grocery store, and get them a brand new empty cardboard box!

[Laura's Babies]

And then you can go to the grocery store, and get them a brand new empty cardboard box!

That is a GREAT IDEA!! Hay, who has those pictures posted of the box they cut windows and door in and made a castle for their kitties?

[Freedom]

I bought several cat perches (cat trees? climbers?) and those are a huge hit. To get the safer ones costs a bit more, but it is so worth it. I seldom have a perch empty. Mine also like the catnip mouse, preferably one with a pebble inside so it rattles a bit. Other than that, brown paper bags and empty boxes. I learned (like you) that the toys just don't get much use.

[catmandu]

THE ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION HAS EXCELLENT CAT NIP MOUSIES AND BALLS , AND ALL OF THE MONEY GOES TO THE STRAY AND HOMELESS CATS OF HAMILTON.
THEY SUDSIDIZED SCRAPPY 2S SPAY , AND I ONLY HAD TO PAY A PART. ALTHOUGH I AM PAYING THE REST THROUGH VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO HELP OTHER CATS WHO ARE LOST AND FRIENDLESS.
AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BUT ENTHUSIASTIC REVIEWS FROM THE CAT LOVERS ON THE BOARD AND WE WILL TRADE FOR AMERICAN CAT FOOD WE CANT BUY HERE.

SOUND LIKE A GOOD DEAL?
BIG MICE ARE 3 DOLLARS, THE BALLS ARE 2 DOLLARS.
WE PAY POSTAGE!!!

[Randy_K]

Simple things make a kitty happy. Last Christmas my mom's seven-year old cat Pookie found a pile of tissue paper great fun as he'd take a run at it and crash through it or sleep on it all day. He had so much fun she let him keep it all year and he still plays and sleeps in his paper pile. It does get refreshed regularly as he shreds it pretty good.

[momcat]

One thing I've found with Groucho is he prefers to play with the wrapping paper and the boxes. From talking with others owned by kitties, the simple things are the best. Soncat had a kitty who loved to play with Cheerios and the top from Bic pens.

[Randi]

A cardboard box is always a big hit! Tubby & Peanut's mom and Lut posted pictures of some they had made for their cats, they were very popular. The pictures may be gone now.

I'm thinking (still) of making a tunnel for Fister, he would love that! I just need some kind of "rings", bottom preferably flat, to put he material around. One day....

If any of you have ideas of what I could use, I'd appreciate it.

[RICHARD]

A cardboard box is always a big hit! Tubby & Peanut's mom and Lut posted pictures of some they had made for their cats, they were very popular. The pictures may be gone now.

I'm thinking (still) of making a tunnel for Fister, he would love that! I just need some kind of "rings", bottom preferably flat, to put he material around. One day....

If any of you have ideas of what I could use, I'd appreciate it.

http://www.bf-plastics.com/eproduct_1.htm

If you go to a hardware store or home supply store you can get something like this?

You have to pay attention to the ends that have the spiral wire poking out and check out the material. DO NOT BUY THE INSULATED KIND! That has fiberglass in it.

Check around construction sites. They often throw out things that can be used as cat toys.

They use a cardboard tube where they place steel rebar and fill it with cement, to make pillars/columns- Most round cat houses are made with that, they cover it with pieces of rug. When they cut the tubes down to size they will throw out the excess pieces. Try talking to the workers or foreman and asking in they have extra! You will usually find it where they are pouring concrete for slabs and floor!

Old rug pieces!

I have an old rug piece that I put on the inside of the front door!

Old wood from woodworking shops. that is harder to come by because of the recycling laws, some places will sell it to other companies to shred to make press board, that board that looks like it was shredded and glued together.

Some places that make furniture will toss out boards of scrap the you can nail together, carpet and you have a cheap scratching post or hideout!

[catmandu]

I FIND THAT THE FOUND CATS WILL NEVER BE UNHAPPY AT THE WORDS FANCY FEAST!!