Choosing the right cat toys isn’t just about keeping cats entertained – it’s about keeping them safe, healthy, and happy! That’s why cardboard cat toys are a must for cat parents who care deeply about what they give their cats.
Cardboard might seem simple to us, but to your cats, it's a full sensory experience: touch, smell, sounds, and sight – all in one safe material.
Why Do Cats Love Cardboard?
Cats are instinctively drawn to cardboard, because it engages their senses and mimics the textures, sounds, smells, and movements that cats enjoy outdoors.
Cardboard cat toys provide kitties with a full sensory experience, which is both comforting and stimulating.
Texture They Crave
The corrugated texture of cardboard offers the ideal resistance for scratching and biting. It mimics the feel of tree bark (nature’s original cat scratcher!).
Cardboard is firm enough to provide satisfying resistance, yet soft enough for play. This balance feels incredibly rewarding to cats!
Scent That Soothes
Made from trees, cardboard retains a natural, tree-like scent that cats find familiar and appealing. It’s a safe, natural smell – unlike the chemical smell of commercial toys made from synthetic materials.
Cardboard also absorbs your cats’ own scent. As they play, cats release pheromones from the scent glands in their paws – making the toy "theirs" in the process.
Stimulating Sound
The crinkle and crunch of cardboard mimic the rustling of wild prey, exciting your cats' sensitive ears and triggering their hunting instincts. Each bat, bite, or scratch provides an auditory experience that heightens play.
Prey-Like Movement
Lightweight cardboard toys move unpredictably when swatted or chased – just like small animals would in the wild. This movement taps into cats’ natural hunting instincts and predatory response, exciting them during play!
Benefits of Cardboard Cat Toys
Cardboard cat toys offer many benefits both to cats and cat parents!
Safe for Your Cats
No need to worry about plastic parts, tiny pieces, or mystery materials. Cardboard is natural and is safe on cats’ teeth and claws, unlike many manufactured toy alternatives.
Better for the Planet
Unlike plastic cat toys that may take centuries to decompose in landfills, cardboard is biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable. Cardboard is much more environmentally friendly!
Quiet and Peaceful
Cardboard cat toys are naturally quiet. No loud jingling, chirping, or motors – just peaceful play that won’t disturb you at home.
Budget-Conscious
Well-made cardboard cat toys are durable, but affordable enough to replace as needed. This helps ensure cats have fresh, new toys available.
Prevent Boredom
Cardboard cat toys simultaneously engage multiple senses – touch, smell, sound, and sight. This sensory experience helps prevent boredom compared to single-dimension toys.
Promote Physical Exercise
Well-designed cardboard toys motivate cats to run, jump, and pounce, supporting healthy weight, muscle tone, and overall fitness. For indoor cats especially, regular physical activity is key to preventing obesity-related health issues.
Boost Mental Stimulation
The irregular feel, sound, and motion of cardboard toys tap into your cats' predator brain, encouraging them to “hunt” and strategize, which keeps them mentally sharp.
What to Look for in Cardboard Cat Toys
If you’re someone who carefully reads product descriptions, here’s what to look for:
• Made in the USA from U.S. materials
• Heavy-duty cardboard
• Non-toxic glue
• No dyes or coatings
• Transparency about materials
That’s exactly what Americat Company offers! Americat Company is a woman-owned business founded in 2016 with the mission to create the safest, most durable cat products – all made in the USA.
Cardboard Cat Balls
These cardboard cat balls by Americat Company are a safe, modern take on the beloved cat ball toy. They are much safer than the synthetic foil, plastic, and foam cat balls often found in pet stores and online
Why cat parents (and cats!) love these cardboard cat balls:
• 100% USA-made from start to finish
• Heavy-duty, U.S-sourced cardboard
• Non-toxic, vegan glue FDA approved for food contact
• Lightweight and easy to bat, carry, and chase
• Balls wobble to mimic the irregular movement of wild prey
• Loved by cats of all ages – from kittens to seniors
Each set is handcrafted in the USA and includes 3 balls!
Cardboard Cat Scratchers
Cats need to scratch – it’s not optional, it’s instinct. It’s important to give cats plenty of scratchers so they have a place of their own to scratch rather than your furniture. This rectangular cat scratcher by Americat Company is made in the USA and built to last through aggressive scratching.
What makes this scratcher different:
• 100% USA-made from start to finish
• Made using a thicker, heavier carboard than other brands for max durability
• Double sided for double the fun
• Customers comment that this doesn’t shed cardboard bits
• Modern shape looks attractive in homes
Many cat parents report that their cats use this scratcher every single day – and that it outlasts typical cardboard scratching pads.
Conclusion: Simple Materials, Thoughtful Design, Happy Cats
When it comes to your cats' toys, simplicity can be powerful – cardboard cat toys prove just that. Cardboard engages all of your cats' senses, taps into their natural instincts, and provides both mental and physical benefits. Plus, cat parents love that they are safe, eco-friendly, and affordable.
Shop Cardboard Cat Balls
Shop Cardboard Scratchers
