Play and Bonding

Acclimation

Does your cat need daily playtime?

Cats have a reputation for being low-maintenance, easy-care pets. They don’t need much space, daily walks or access to outdoors (although many cats would like that) or regular baths. Some even contribute to the household with their hunting prowess, should an unlucky mouse appear indoors.

Because cats are easy-to-keep pets, many people assume cats don’t need as much attention as dogs do. But as any cat owner knows, that’s simply not true. Cats benefit from consistent interactive play and activity (aka exercise) as much as dogs and people do.

Above view of kitten and kid lying on the bed.

Why your cat needs exercise disguised as play

Playing with your cat, or interactive play, is a great way to get your kitty moving every day. Especially if they are an indoor-only pet, your cat will benefit both physically and mentally, from kittenhood all the way through their golden years. While kittens and young adult cats tend to spontaneously play and entertain themselves, older and overweight cats may need you to help find their inner kitten.

Cats benefit from consistent, interactive play in many ways:

Exercise — Play encourages your cat to be active, helps maintain a healthy body weight and keeps muscles toned and strong. Activities that let your cat express their natural hunting instincts also help keep their mind alert and active.

Given that an estimated 60 percent of U.S. cats are overweight or obese, encouraging your tubby tabby to move more can help them lose weight gradually while helping to maintain their calorie-burning muscles. Just be sure to discuss any changes in diet or activity with your veterinarian first.

Stress relief — Stress and anxiety are as harmful to our feline friends as they are to us. Stressed cats are more likely to develop behavioral problems, such as aggression, urine spraying or obsessive-compulsive disorders. One of the best ways to counteract kitty stress? Regular playtime with you (and it just may lower your stress level, too).
Break from boredom — Cats are naturally curious and need some type of challenge or entertainment every day. If they aren’t entertained or challenged, cats can become bored, lethargic and depressed. Interactive playtime, along with other toys or entertainment while you’re away from home, can help avoid kitty boredom and mischief.

How much playtime does your cat need?

Certified cat behaviorist say cats need the consistency of scheduled play time. Schedule playtime once or twice daily, with about 15 minutes per session. Playtime should be split into multiple 10- to 15-minute segments as cats are naturally active in short bursts.

ats may be a bit tougher to get moving. These feline friends may not have the stamina or interest in extended playtimes, so you’ll want to limit playtime to only a couple of minutes two to three times a day when starting out. Depending on how your cat responds, you can gradually increase the amount of time you spend playing together.

Cat hunting to mouse at home, Burmese cat face before attack close-up

How to Play with Your Cat

Cats need a variety of toys, including those they can play with on their own and those that you use to play with them. You’ll also want to provide items for your cat to explore, such as cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, packing paper and toys that encourage them to investigate various holes with their paws.

Cats are natural hunters, so it makes sense that the best way to get your cat moving and playing is to stimulate their predatory instincts. Small, motorized, remote-controlled and battery-powered mice are great for capturing your cat’s attention and then getting them to stalk, pounce and chase. Feather toys, which are often attached to the end of a wand or string, are good bird replicas for your feline friend to stalk and even snatch from the air. Yet another favorite is the laser pointer, which can imitate a bug for your cat to hunt and chase. Just be sure to avoid pointing the light directly into your cat’s eyes.

For those times when you’re not home, you’ll want to have toys that your cat can throw around, such as small mice (with or without catnip), or swat, such as crinkle and rattle balls. Interactive toy puzzles that challenge cats to get to treats through different openings can keep your kitty entertained and mentally stimulated.

Remember to introduce new toys, or at least alternate toys, occasionally to keep your cat from becoming bored. And you also need to let them catch the “prey” from time to time. Both of these practices will keep playtime interesting for your kitty.

PLAY HUNTING

You are the key Ingredient

Interactive play involves YOU. Use a fishing pole-type or wand toy to create prey-like action. Conduct a game that allows your cat to act like the athletic hunter she was born to be. Move a toy like a wand so the target at the end of the string can wiggle, slide, dart, and creep around your cat. When you move the toy like prey, it’ll stimulate the hunter in your cat to pounce.

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Phone: 479-222-1290

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