November 8, 2024, 8:38 am | Read time: 5 minutes
A new trend is spreading on social media. In it, cats are given a collar with a play rod attached to it. Endless fun for the animals, they say. But this is actually bordering on cruelty to animals! PETBOOK editor and cat expert Saskia Schneider explains why this toy should be banned for cats.
Questionable trends are always going viral on social media. This time, it involves a new cat toy—an “activity” for cats that was previously unfamiliar to me. It is a play rod that is attached to the cat with the help of a collar. As the cat moves, the “bait” dangling from the rod—a fabric mouse adorned with feathers—sways in response. The more the cat chases after the prey, the more vigorously it moves. A wild chase ensues.
To outsiders, it may look as if the cat is having a lot of fun and can even occupy itself all by itself – for hours on end. However, very few people know that this borders on cruelty to animals. So, accounts rightly warn against this dangerous trend.
Fun activities for cats?
You don’t have to look far to find various models of this cat toy on many online shopping portals. These colorful collar toys are marketed with enticing promises like “entertaining self-engagement for your cat,” “encourages your pet to be more active,” and “allows your cat to play while you’re occupied.”
One particularly absurd claim is that this self-occupation is supposed to help strengthen the bond between pet and owner. In reality, the opposite is true. You are more likely to traumatize your pet.
Why this cat toy should be banned
There are several reasons why such cat toys should not be sold. The primary concern is that this game can lead to extreme frustration in animals. This frustration stems from the fact that they are, more often than not, unable to capture the elusive object attached to the rod.
It’s similar to playing with a laser pointer. The cat chases after the glowing dot like crazy, but can never catch it. When playing with the cat, however, the aim is to simulate the hunt as realistically as possible. This is the only way to make it fun for the animals and keep them busy in everyday life. Regular sessions with a species-appropriate cat toy are, therefore, particularly important for indoor cats.
Play can make cats aggressive
If the cat can never catch its prey, this causes enormous frustration, especially when the animals become increasingly wild in their pursuit, as can be seen in many videos. The pent-up energy and frustration inevitably need an outlet, usually through aggressive behavior towards other cats and objects, but also towards people. This cat toy is, therefore, not only a danger for the animals but also for their owners.
But even if cats do not immediately become aggressive, the frustration can lead to behavioral disorders over a long period of time, such as depression, nervousness, licking wounds, or even uncleanliness. These are, of course, extreme manifestations, but one thing is certain: this game is no fun for any cat.
High risk of injury
Another reason why I, as an expert in cat behavior, warn against such cat toys is the high risk of injury. Young kittens, in particular, can lose themselves in the game. When hunting, they are so focused on their prey that they forget everything around them. It is not uncommon for them to run into doors or walls, fall off cupboards, and seriously injure themselves.
What’s more, the cat toy is attached to the animal’s neck. If you look at the design, the collars are tightly fastened. There is no safety catch that opens in an emergency if the animal gets caught. This poses a risk that the cat could accidentally strangle itself during play. Especially if the owners leave their pets to play unsupervised; after all, it is advertised that the cat “occupies itself alone” when you don’t have time.
Cat toys can traumatize animals
Finally, many cats react with panic when something is attached to them. This can even be a lead on a harness. In the case of a fishing rod, the potentially fear-inducing stimulus is also directly in the animal’s field of vision. So, if the cat actually becomes afraid of it and panics, it will also be constantly pursued by the toy. At worst, this can traumatize the animal.
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Cat toys – what you should look out for
If you want to make your cat happy, it’s better to choose other toys. The following points are important:
- Toys must appeal to as many of the cat’s senses as possible (sight, smell, touch, taste)
- Toys should be made of safe material
- Cat toys should be able to be moved by the owner to enable realistic hunting games
- Cats should never play unsupervised
For an interactive toy that allows your cat to play independently, consider choosing puzzle boards. These are small puzzles in which the cat has to fish treats out of tubes, openings, or closed compartments. This provides mental exercise and boosts the animal’s self-confidence – provided the puzzles are not too difficult.