Not the brightest bulb in the box

If you have cats, you know what wonderful companions they are.  Some cats are among other things, resourceful (they can hunt of they have to); funny (have you seen the amount of cat videos on YouTube?); and smart (just try taking out four treats and only giving three). 

And then, then there’s Gabriel.

Ever since he arrived here as a kitten, I knew there was something odd about him.  Oh he’s cute alright, but he’s definitely not the brightest bulb in the box.  At first everybody excused his lack of smarts due to the fact that he was a baby, but now he’s just over three years old and … well, not much has changed.

I saw him do something yesterday that made me shake my head in wonder.  He lay stretched out in the loveseat having a wash.  It started out alright, he groomed his chest, he groomed his belly and paws and then … then he started washing his face, and that’s where it all went wrong. 

He licked his left paw until sufficiently wet and then groomed his face with his right paw.  He did this again and again.  Then he licked his right paw and groomed his face with his left.  It was just the strangest and funniest thing I’ve ever seen.

He of course didn’t have a clue.  He just kept on licking one paw and wiping his face with the other.  

But it didn’t end there.

Later that day mom and Dieter played a game of ping pong with us.  They would throw a ping pong ball and the cats would chase after it.  By the cats I mean, Mickey, Charlotte and Charlie.  They went in pursuit, I just watched.

Gabriel was there too, but he didn’t get the game.  He would see the ball go by, but he didn’t chase it.  Not even when it hit him in head.  That’s right, the ball bounced and bounced and landed right smack between his ears.  And what did Gabriel do? … nothing.  He looked at the ball, shook himself and walked away.  

Being mentored by Mickey sure hasn't done Gabriel any good.  Maybe I should take over.  Neih, every house needs a comedy act.

Cat Toys

I'm feeling a little bored, so perhaps this is a good time to talk about cat toys.  Cat toys serve more than one purpose. Not only are they entertainment for your cat, they keep kitty mentally stimulated and provide exercise.

Popular Cat Toys

What do cats like to play with? Just about anything and everything. Anything that can move is a potential cat toy. Like people, no two cats are the same; but fake mice and balls are the two most popular cat toys. Some cats like toys stuffed with a little catnip, others are completely indifferent to the herb.

Cats are not the most active creatures and have to be encouraged to play. Not only is playing a much needed distraction, playtime benefits the cat's health. The physical activity of running and jumping gets the heart rate going, the blood pumping and is exercise for the muscles. Playtime is also a vital part of relationship building. While cat toys are great, your cat will most appreciate you taking part in the game too.

Cat Toys That Challenge Your Pet

Cats are clever and need to be mentally stimulated. Some popular cat toys are:

* Rump and Roll

* Crackling Hide and Seek Sack

* Leopards Den Kitty Cat Teaser

* Laser Mouse and of course the

* Cat Tree

The Laser Mouse in particular will provide hours of fun. Cats are predators and even the most docile cat feels the need to hunt. Trying to catch the red dot of the Laser Mouse presents the perfect opportunity. Whether directed to the floor or a wall, a cat will chase this dot and never grow bored of this game. A clever pet owner will allow kitty to catch the dot, and praise her for its accomplishment.

For those who don't have a lot of money to spend, Wal-Mart and on-line pet stores always have discount cat toys. An excess of a certain brand of toy, a new shipment, or a special promotion usually is the cause for discounted items. Interacting with members of a cat forum can also be a great way to pick-up on special offers and ideas.

One has to be aware of dangers in discounted pet toys though. You may question why the price of a cat toy seems low. Are the eyes, nose, whiskers or feathers on the toy secured, or can kitty bite them off? You don't want these small items ending up in your cat's throat. No matter the price, choosing quality items is always preferable.

Handy pet owners with a sewing machine can make their own creations. Whether it's a mouse or a bird or even a simple pillow, if stuffed with a little catnip it's sure to have you cat's attention.

With a little ingenuity, you can even make a cat tree yourself. All it takes is a few pieces of left-over carpet, some wood, and if you lack the expertise, a conversation with a knowledgeable handyman at your local hardware store.

Not willing to spend any money? The packaging of your new lamp or new pair of shoes will fascinate your kitty. They can hide in them, push them around, and after playtime curl up in them. Some form of paper is probably the cheapest of all cat toy possibilities. Whether it's a brown paper bag or a scrunched up newspaper, for you it is a cast off, but for your cat it is a toy.

Cats are quickly bored and more than one item should be available to them. Another good idea is to rotate their toys. When they appear to become bored with a toy, put it away for awhile and then re-introduce it at a later time.

Keep in mind that your love and attention is the most valuable and the best cat toy of them all.