For many people, being a cat or kitten owner goes hand-in-hand with constantly wanting to buy a new little toy to amuse your feline friend.

Of course, it's nice (and fun) to buy a multitude of toys; but it can also be justified by the fact that it is so important to keep your cat stimulated. Toys are beneficial to both the mental and physical wellbeing of cats; particularly indoor kitties.

Cats are curious about (and happy to play with) many things; but when they develop a penchant for things that you'd rather they didn't touch, toys can also be a great attention diverter.

Not to mention that playing with toys together helps improve your bond with your kitty!

Basic Pleasures

Many cats love little things that they can instinctively (and very imaginatively!) swat, hunt, chase, hide - and hide inside.

The simplest box or shopping bag can delight a cat; as can ribbons, string, balls of wool and crinkled bits of paper.

As you get to know your cat, you will learn more about his/her personality and therefore be able to better determine what is appealing - and safe - for your cat.

For food-type treats always check on the packets particularly for the recommended age (just like kids toys).  Some food related toys or treats, for instance, are designed for adult cats (i.e. over 12 months of age) rather than kittens (under 12 months).

Ultimately, your vet will be able to give you the best advice on what is safe for cats - for instance, my vet said to keep cats away from chocolate, onions, tomatoes and grapes; as well as certain plants such as lilies.

Practical Gifts

A great array of practical cat supplies can be found on Ebay; from collars to scratching posts.

One I was thrilled with was an ID tag I bought recently (many types available), which can be ordered in different shapes and with engraving.

Deluxe Treats

Cats can find catnip very stimulating; I have read that many cats go wild over it (though not all and generally not under 3 months of age).

Catnip can be found in various forms on Ebay; from toys already containing it, to sprays and even seeds so you can grow your own patch.  Other cat-friendly plants include catgrass (which is said to help with furballs) and cat mint.

When searching for cat-specific toys & treats on Ebay you'll get an idea of just how many options are out there to choose from!

I've personally bought many things such as little mice right up to a special DVD for cats (featuring looping scenes of fish, mice, crickets and birds) - all of which have been adored many times over by my kitty.

Note: Like their human counterparts, cats can get sick of playing with the same toys over and over every day.  A good thing to try in that case is to leave a selection out and put the rest away in a cupboard; and then rotate the ones you choose to make available to your cat.

Thinking Outside The Box (for the Cat Who Has Everything)

I personally find it fun to think up new things that will delight my kitty every once in a while; and as such I've bought other "not-technically cat toys" which have been treasured greatly by her.

For instance, I bought a whole bunch of satin & lace ribbons on Ebay the other day and put them in a basket for her -- she has excellent fun jumping in and pulling them out.

Before that, I did a search for novelty toys or party favours (also sometimes spelt party favors), which you normally use for piñatas or kids parties.  My cat's favourites from that selection are small rubber balls, a tiny yo-yo, a little spinning top, and a wriggly plastic snake.  (Of course, if your cat is prone to swallowing toys rather than playing with them, perhaps best stay away from toys that have tiny pieces.)

I've even bought my kitty her own miniature stuffed toys via Ebay - which was actually a collectible set of plush Mr. Men toys from McDonalds! If you like this idea, try searching under mini (stuffed, plush, soft) toy for a treasure that your cat can carry around, wrestle with or snuggle up to.