Yesterday’s article about playing did not include news about the cats’ latest toy. Over the weekend, I bought a track-ball (or whatever brand name this particular version is called). I had one in the house before, but only the foster-cats played with it, so when one of them - I believe it was Kola - was adopted, it went with him.
But recently, seeing that the beasts often looked bored (they probably just want to be left alone to sleep), I thought I would introduce something that would bring hours of action-packed enjoyment. Instead, I bought a track-ball.
Many cats like the track-ball. Many spend a long time trying to catch that elusive sphere as it spins about the circular groove. Many cats love pushing the ball about as fast as it will go. Many cats don’t live with me.
This is not to write that the track-ball doesn’t get used. I may be in the washroom brushing my teeth, or sitting on the couch reading, and hear the ball make an orbit in its course. The ball moves leisurely, deliberately, as if it were on holiday, thinking of where to go, what destination is best value for its hard-earned vacation. My cats will lie beside the toy and gently prod the ball (which comes with a blinking light for greater fast-paced excitement). The ball may complete the circuit, or it may putter to a halt half-way around. It is all the same to the cats.
Yes, they play with it, in the same way a person may sit down, turn on the television set, flip through the channels hoping for something to pique their interest, then turn off the machine and go and eat a meal because there was nothing good on the one hundred and fifty eight channels now available.
The beasts will use the scratch pad in the centre, but normally simply lie on it; well, partially on it, and partially off. Cammie, like Tungsten before her, is small enough to crouch on the whole pad. Frankly, I think $19.99 is a bit steep for a circle of corrugated cardboard. But if that’s what it takes to give my pets another spot on which to sit and wait while I prepare their soft-food meals, I am happy to pay that kind of money. Really.
With a sigh, therefore, I will leave you with these pictures of two of my cats being thrilled by the slam-bang non-stop action of their latest diversion. I hope the blur of their speed doesn’t give you a headache.
That is funny! I bet they would play with the box it came in though :)
ReplyDeleteI have boxes for the cats, too, and those get some use, at least.
DeleteActually, the blur of speed has made me nauseous. :-P
ReplyDeleteI wonder what my boys would think of one, it's been years since I've had one in the house. Nicki might be enticed for a moment or two, but I can't imagine Derry paying it any mind.
Anyway, this post was a much-needed perk in an otherwise dreary day; thank you. :-)
I think your boys have more fun wrasslin' with each other than they would with a ball. I certainly like seeing the pictures of their fun.
Deletebwahahaha.....so true. most of us here will whack it once and wonder if that is all we get?
ReplyDeleteMine would get more, but I've diverted some of their their toy-fund so I could eat. Sorry, guys.
Deleteguyz....give yur dad another ten dayz then let de too act shun N fun bee gin....we finded that a time frame frum 2:18 AM - 4:17 AM werkz best for track ball ! ☺☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteSo far, they have refrained from that, thank goodness.
DeleteWell, it's good to see that two of your cats seem to be enjoying their new toy, (even though it's not intended to be used as a bed.) I have two track-balls, and my cats do play with them. They even use the scratching pad in the center, (to scratch-not to sleep!)
ReplyDeleteI should have invested in younger cats, I think.
DeleteAt least it gives them another place to rest their weary bodies!
ReplyDeleteLike the lazy dogs need more of them.
DeleteLOL! I had a similar toy - no scratching pad in the centre though and not one of my cats has used it past kittenhood. So I gave it away to my daughter when she got a kitten a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteMost toys are sniffed at, perhaps batted about once or twice, though Saku still likes to play with elastics and other items he ought not too.
At least, as you say, the cats have another comfortable spot to rest on. Anything to keep them happy. :)
Eileen
There are toys all over the apartment. I suppose if they want to play they will. Still, it feels as though I'm not doing enough.
DeleteHaha miss pops would be the same.
ReplyDeleteSome cats just prefer the quiet life.
DeleteI LAUGHED! Katie plays the same way! Well, Admiral was the one that style fits to a T. Katie will whap it around a bit more I must say, but the way you described it..that leisurely stroll the ball gets as it travels in a slow elderly-like way halfway around the track...ah yes.... BUT there are times when she bats it back and forth for several minutes. That is like having a ringside seat at a sporting event to me...as I rarely get to see all that blazing action! I was emboldened to get her the even more expensive one that snaps together in a racetrack style. It is cleverly made so that the ball will travel back and that encourages the cat to whap it again! It's more of her "go-to" than the other but neither will suffer over use.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of the tracks that look like the toy race-car tracks we had when we were children, but I thought I'd try out the more modest version first. Just as well...
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