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The best cat ball for your pet

PawTracks Contributor
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Balls are a universal toy for nearly all species. People love them, dogs love them, and cats love them. Even other animals like elephants, tigers, or cows can have a good time with balls. These toys are a great way to let your cat release their crazy energy. Some balls come with a treat storage option to keep your cat entertained for hours while also getting delicious snacks. This type of ball is great for stimulating your cat’s mind and providing great entertainment. No matter what type of cat ball toy you get your cat, it will help promote playfulness, learning, and exercise every day.

Cats need to get their energy out somehow and the best way is with fun toys. A ball is a great way to play indoor fetch with your cat or let them get their energy out on their own. Cat balls come in a variety of choices. Some are soft and small for easy tackling and pushing. Other balls can dispense food during playtime for an attentive play session. There are many fun options and your cat will love them all.

PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser

Best Food Dispensing

This toy doubles as a food dispenser and is available in 4 fun colors. This toy has small holes to let the treats fall out as your pet pushes the ball around. It can be used to help your cat lose weight and is also great for cats who eat too fast.

PETFAVORITES Foam Soccer Balls Cat Toys

Best for Safe Play

These balls are soft and lightweight. They are made from a non-toxic spongy material that is noise free. Each ball is 1.5 inches and each pack contains 12 balls in four fun colors. They are designed specifically for house cats and indoor use.

YOFUN Smart Interactive Cat Toy

Best Automatic

This ball is electronic and can be plugged in to charge. It turns off automatically after 40 minutes.

Your cat loves to play. All cats do. It is an essential part to a fun and healthy lifestyle. One of the best toys to get your cat is a ball designed specifically for them. Choose one that suits their personality. A cat that loves to eat and snack should have a food-dispensing ball, while a cat that loves to pounce and attack should have one that is soft or has interactive features like movement and lights. Regardless of what kind of cat you have, a cat ball toy will enhance their playtime.

Topics
Bengal cats: What to know about these quirky descendants of Asian leopards
Bengal cat breed facts that may surprise you
A Bengal cat lies on a white floor and bathes their forelimb

With their striking rosette coats and low-maintenance grooming needs, Bengal cats are already one of the most desired breeds in the world. Once known as Safari cats, the breed went through a name change in the 1970s to reflect its fascinating heritage. But what is living like a Bengal cat actually like? Are they as feisty as their Asian leopard ancestors?
We'll explore the Bengal cat's personality in depth, covering everything from a brief look into their history, the most common Bengal personality traits, and any breed-specific requirements that may hinder your quest to adopt one of these lovely cats.

Bengal cat history
While some cat breeds, such as the Egyptian Mau, can trace their lineage as far back as 10,000 B.C.E., the Bengal cat is a relative newcomer on the scene. The Bengal cat was first bred deliberately in California in the 1980s, after cat breeder Jean Mill crossed a domestic shorthair (a black tomcat) with an Asian leopard cat. Asian leopard cats, a breed of dainty wildcats hailing from Southeast Asia, are also known as Felis bengalensis -- hence the aforementioned name change from Safari cat to "Bengal cat," -- a nod to this hybrid breed's wild ancestor.
However, there may be another reason for the switch that led to the newly dubbed Bengal cat. When the breed's name was changed in 1974, the man responsible was named William "Bill" Engler -- B. Engler. Some believe he drew inspiration from his own name.

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Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

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Is chocolate toxic for cats like it is for dogs?
We know chocolate is toxic to dogs, but is it safe for your cat?
Cat sitting and eating a treat

If you've ever searched for a list of foods toxic to dogs, then you already know allowing your furry best friend to ingest a chocolate bar can have tragic consequences. But is chocolate bad for cats? Although your feline fur baby is much less likely to scarf down a slab of chocolate cake while you have your back turned, chocolate poisoning does occur in cats, too, and it can have equally life-threatening consequences.

Keeping your cat safe is your top priority, which makes knowing the symptoms of chocolate ingestion vitally important. Knowing the proper steps to take in case your cat eats foods she shouldn't might just save her life. Here's what you should know.

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