Which wool cat toy shape suits your kitten, how to start the first chase, how to get the ball back from under the sofa, and how to keep it interesting.
Does your kitten bat at anything small that moves, carry it off, and leave it under the sofa? That is a kitten rehearsing the hunt: a small thing moves, it gets chased and caught, and young cats practise this most between about 4 and 5 months old. Your MoriCat wool cat toy is made for that stage: at about 8 g it rolls at the first swat, it is small enough to carry, and the Magnetic Base version comes back out from under the furniture. Pick the shape that matches how your kitten already plays, then roll it.
What Is This Toy
A small felted toy, 100% New Zealand wool all the way through, with no plastic core, stuffing, bell or string inside. It comes in three shapes, a round ball, an irregular shape and an elongated one, and every shape comes two ways: Magnetic Base, with a 1 cm metal snap sewn onto the outside, and Pure Wool, with nothing added. Each design is a MoriCat original, needle-felted by hand, so no two are quite alike.
Best Suitable For
- A kitten's first toys. Small enough for small paws; kittens carry the ball from about 3 or 4 months old.
- A cat that plays on its own. The round ball is kicked around alone, or brought back to you for fetch.
- A cat that hugs and kicks. The elongated shape, 7 to 15 cm, is held in the front paws while the back legs work.
- A kitten that chews, or a home with a dog. Choose Pure Wool: the same toy with no magnet.
Choose a Play Style
Each shape suits a different game, so start with the one that matches what your kitten already does.
- Round ball, about 5 cm: batting and chasing; some cats bring it back.
- Irregular, 3 to 5 cm: rolls off at a new angle with every hit, so no chase runs the same.
- Elongated, 7 to 15 cm: the long body gives the front paws something to hold while the back legs kick.
Start the First Chase
- Roll it. Send it along the floor or toss it a short way ahead of your kitten, then let it run the ball down. We recommend staying in the room while it plays.
- Change direction. Send it off to one side, then the other, so the chase has a turn in it. The irregular shape does some of this on its own.
- Wait for the pounce. Leave the ball where it stops and give it time. Many cats crouch and watch before they pounce, so the next chase may not start straight away.
- Keep your hands out of it. Toss it again rather than wiggling your fingers. Cat care guidelines advise against using hands or feet as toys (AAFP and ISFM, 2013).
What to expect
A kitten that responds will bat, chase, pounce and carry the ball off, sometimes all in one go. One that only watches may still be interested: watching is part of hunting too.
Not interested yet?
A kitten that walks past the ball today may chase it tomorrow, or go for one of the other shapes instead. Put it away and try again another day.
Why a Magnet
On the Magnetic Base version the magnet does two jobs for you, both after the game.
- Quick retrieval: when the ball rolls under the sofa or the fridge, a steel rod brings it back out.
- Easy storage: between games it waits on a steel fridge door, off the floor and easy to find.
Keep It Interesting
Put the toy away after each game and bring out a different design or shape next time. In one study, cats that had lost interest in a toy played hard again once it was swapped for a different one (Hall et al., 2002). For an extra pull, seal the toy in a container with a catnip or Silvervine tea bag and leave it there a while; many cats show renewed interest, though not all.
The MoriCat Material Standard
- New Zealand wool: a 70s-grade wool, a measure of how fine each single fibre is.
- Solid wool construction: felted right through to the centre, with no plastic core or filling.
- Hand felted: each piece is needle-felted by hand, so sizes vary a little and no two match.
- Simple construction: nothing hangs off it, with no bell and no dangling string sewn on.
- Magnetic Base: a 1 cm metal snap, sewn on through its centre with cotton thread, not glued.
Care and Maintenance
- If it gets wet: let it air-dry right through before the next game.
- Spot clean only: we recommend against the washing machine or soaking it.
- Inspect regularly: check the wool, the stitching and the snap; stop using a damaged toy.
Safety Notice
For pet use only. Not suitable for children! Supervised play recommended. No toy is indestructible. Do not allow your pet to continue using a toy that is damaged, broken, or has parts missing. If your pet swallows small parts, contact a veterinarian immediately. Keep away from heat sources and open flames. Dispose of the product and packaging materials in accordance with local standards and regulations.
Magnetic Base: The snap is sewn on and can come loose with wear. Check it before each game. If you believe your cat has swallowed the snap, contact a veterinarian immediately. For a kitten in a chewing phase, or a home with a dog, we recommend the Pure Wool version.
Whichever shape you start with: play it, find it, store it.