How important are cat toys?

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

TOYS are very important!! But stores sometimes give us the impression that we have to buy them expensive and fancy toys. No, a toy doesn't have to cost much to be a true hit!!
Snoopy's favorite toy is a wrinckled supermarket ticket! She takes it between her teeth, and plays hours chasing it around as if it were a mouse!!

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I have bought my cats many, many toys - only to have them play with the packaging they came in (typical cats). Right now, they have a bunch of mice toys that they really love playing with.

[Catty1]

I am wondering if a shot of catnip spray on some toys here would peak my boys' interest...

It has been said by someone that the best plaything for a cat is another cat!

Oscar has a bit of flab to work off, so I will try the spray on the mice...that way he might play with them for longer than 10 second!

[KitCat]

Cocoa Kitty loves his toys, but he likes it best when I get involved. I buy sturdy cat toys that won't fall apart easily (a lot of them do) but also stuffed animals for babies (very safe!). Cocoa wrestles them, kicks them and then he grooms and cuddles the toy and uses it as a pillow. Since he's an only cat, it's very good exercise.

[mruffruff]

Most of my cats aren't very interested in toys. Out of 13, only 3 or 4 regularly play with the toys. All are former street cats, so I think they want 'live' toys.

I'll try some catnip spray on their mousies. Maybe I can re-educate them.

[RedHedd]

My two have a large basket full of toys, but they have their favorites - the small furry mice seem to be the biggest hit, in fact I had to buy more this weekend, four of which immediately "hid" under the sofa It's so much fun seeing them go over to the toy basket and select a toy to play with - I swear they're just like little kids, except they're covered in fur and have four feet

We also have our nightly session with a ribbon-type fishing wand - they love the interaction with meowmie.

[KitCat]

I have found that rotating toys helps to keep the kitty's interest. A box makes a great toy also.

[Jessika]

Cat toys DO NOT last around here with my two pups around... they think everything are toys for THEM... too often I get a ball out for my kitty, toss it down the hall way, listen to it jingle as he bats it around... then I hear a CRUNCH! Apparently Jamie likes playing with the cat toys, too...

[RICHARD]

cat toys?

The most fun that Ed has is stepping on my groin as he tries to find a spot on my lap.....