Hollow Plastic Cat Ball with Paw-Print Cutouts

This is a simple ball for cats who like to chase. The shell is hollow plastic and about 2 inches (5 cm) across, small enough for a cat to bat along the floor and pick up in its paws. Paw-print shapes are cut through the surface, which gives claws something to catch on and makes the ball skitter in unpredictable directions when it is swatted.

The ball is two-tone, split between a darker and a lighter shade, and comes in blue or pink. Pick the color from the options on this page; the finish is the same either way.

Because it is hollow and light, it works well on hard floors and rugs, and it is easy to toss across a hallway for a game of fetch-and-swat. It is a lightweight toy rather than a heavy-duty one, so a cat that likes to chew plastic should be watched, and any ball that cracks or loses a piece should be thrown away. Check the cutouts occasionally for hair and dust, and wipe the shell with a damp cloth to clean it. Keep a few around the house so there is always one within reach.