Curious Cat
Do You Know How to Play with Your Cats?
Who doesn’t love to play?!? That goes for your cats too. Did you know that cats enjoy playing fetch? It’s a little different than playing fetch with a dog but just as engaging. Cats enjoy hunting for “prey” so you can put their natural instincts to work. When you play with your cats, be sure to let your cats “catch” the prey or it’s much too frustrating for them.
Choose toys that are sized right for your cat to bring to you in her mouth. It’s much more pleasant to have her bring a stuffed “mouse” than the real thing! Try to mimic actions that mice might make when getting your cat’s attention. Or use a feather on a wand and mimic a bird. It’s really cool to see the cats we take care of engage with their toys and play time will bring you both a lot of pleasure.
Jonasek the kitten gives us a lively demonstration about the joy of playing with cats on this You Tube clip.
D – I – Y Toys
Cat cave by Jess
Toys can be expensive motorized ones, inexpensive stuffed mice or totally free paper bags and boxes. One cool idea is to make a cat cave from a box covered with an old t-shirt. Jess from the blog Practically Functional writes about how easy it is to make this cat cave. Her step by step written instructions with photos demonstrates how she used objects that otherwise would have gone in the trash.
Ali Andrews provides a You Tube clip to demonstrate another method of fashioning a cat cave from a t shirt and box.
Stella in her blanket cave
Our friend Stella saves her humans the trouble and creates her own cave under the blankets. In the photo you can see me trying to entice Stella out from under her cave with a toy. Stella also enjoys playing with her very own oatmeal box!
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The folks over at World’s Best Cat Litter Blog show a whole bunch more! Enjoy.
The Playful Kitty Blog provides more ideas.
Inexpensive Cat Toys
cat toys
To help build your bond with your cats it’s a great idea to play with your cats in an interactive manner. After you play you can put the interactive toys away until the next play session. Your cats will also enjoy the toys more if you rotate them in an out of use just as you might rotate toys in and out of use with your children.
If you are supplying plenty of enrichment via cat caves, elevated surfaces, cat scratchers, cat TV (views of bird feeders outdoors) and indoor kitty gardens your cats will enjoy their day and still get plenty of exercise.
You can find these cat toys in most any pet supply store.
- simple felt logs infused with catnip
- mouse shaped catnip infused toys
- wand toys
- ping pong balls
- sponge balls
- Mylar balls
- treat dispensing toys (just be careful if you also have dogs as they might eat the toy!)
Play-time Etiquette
It’s best to supervise your cat during play time and to inspect the toys for safety after each play session. Remember you play with your cats to give them the necessary exercise, build your bond and to teach them how to play gently. With catnip it’s best to see how your cat responds and remember not to over stimulate your cat.
Mimic the action of their natural prey by dragging the toy away from your cat so he has to chase it. Let your cat catch the toy and “kill it.” Keep your hands away so your cat does not learn to scratch or bite you instead of the toy. The “kill” is the natural reward but a treat or two as a reward from you can signal the end of the play session and your cat will associate the reward with you.
After the play session your cat will be ready to curl up in her comfy cat bed or lounge in a sunny windowsill.
Cat lounging in window sill. All he needs is a view of a bird feeder!
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