Kittens are playful fluffy balls of fun, but they’re also a lot of work. They need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise, both of which are essential for their development.

Like the big cats that came before them, kittens love to hunt and stalk their prey. This skill allows them to get closer to their prey before pouncing, saving them time and energy. Your kitten will spend a lot of time practising this skill. A great way to make this extra fun is to provide tunnels and places to hide in. There is nothing more comical than watching a kitten slowly stalking its prey, wriggle its fluffy butt, pounce and then race away ready for the next unsuspecting suspect.

Interactive toys will keep your kitten occupied if you're going to be away for periods of time. They are also extremely useful if they’re in a playful mood and you're not able to play with them right at that moment. Interactive toys are great at holding your kittens attention for extended periods of time as they react to your kitten.

Mental stimulation is just as important as exercise. Providing enrichment and puzzle toys so they have to figure out how to get to a tasty treat or to their food is a great way to have them problem solving. Start off with the easiest setting until you know that they can get to their reward before you make it trickier.

Some cats and kittens will eat their food too quickly causing them to vomit. Using a slow feeder, puzzle or enrichment toy will help to reduce how quickly they can consume their food.

If they are getting into trouble, a great distraction as well as a great way to burn off some extra energy is to set them up with some light weight balls to chase around. If you're worried that these will disappear under the fridge then a chaser toy where the ball can’t escape will also keep them busy.

Looking for some one on one play time with your kitten? Then a teaser or wand toy is where it’s at. These fun toys are purr-fect for some bonding time. A feathered or plush toy attached to a wand by string will keep their attention by chasing, pouncing and catching their prey.

The OG of kitten toys, no kitten can resist a plush toy that they can bat, stalk, chew and attack. Usually filled or soaked in catnip to encourage play, this safe plant from the mint family affects your kittens' happy receptors. Once the action is over they can carry their prey back to their den and chillout.

Scratching is a normal, instinctive behaviour. Kittens have a need to scratch. Providing your kitten with a scratching pad or post gives them somewhere that they are allowed to scratch. This not only helps to protect your furniture but allows them to express emotions, like excitement or stress, to mark objects with their scent (they have scent glands in their paws), to remove the dead part of their nails and, often, just to get a good stretch.

Don’t forget the Catnip!

We hope this helps you pick out new toys for your kitten to keep them engaged and happy. If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.