Playing With A Cat

Playing With A Cat Advice

Playing with a cat does wonders for both you and your pet.

Cats often get the reputation as being distant, or even cold. Sometimes people think they don’t require much attention, affection or care.

In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Playing with a cat is one way to provide this attention and care, and can do wonders for both you and your pet.

Cats, like dogs, need to get exercise. They require mental and physical stimulation in order to stay happy and healthy. Without this stimulation, they will become depressed, and may become overweight. Overweight cats are susceptible to a number of ailments and illnesses. They are likely to have a shorter lifespan.

Playing with a cat is one way to avoid these issues.

Some Cats Are More Playful Than Others, But All Will Play

Some cats are more playful than others, but almost any cat will play when properly engaged. This is especially true when you starting playing with a cat from an early age. Kittens are very playful by nature, and the more you play with your cat throughout its life the more it will retain this playfulness.

Some cats will play by themselves, if you supply toys on a regular basis. You can keep toys out for them to play with whenever they get bored. Just make sure they are safe. If a toy becomes broken, throw it away and replace it with a new one.

Toys with strings should be kept away unless you’re around to supervise. Otherwise the cat may become tangled and hurt.

Interactive Cat Toys

Interactive cat toys allow play with a cat that is controlled by the owner. These are most often toys you hold in your hands and engage the cat with, such as plastic wands with feathers tied to them with string.

The benefits of playing with a cat are not only those health benefits outlined above. A cat which remains intellectually stimulated is less likely to destroy furniture, meow incessantly or cause other disturbances around the home.

Playing With Indoor Cats Is Especially Important

Indoor cats require regular play even more than outdoor cats, which can interact with their environment. Since there are unsafe elements in the natural world, many owners choose to keep their cats inside at all times. These cats require a playful atmosphere in order to stay fit, but even outdoor cats will enjoy a bit of play inside the home.

Playing With A Cat Shouldn't Involve Your Hands

Cats and kittens have a tendency to go after hands and arms if they don't know any better. People often create this problem, or make it worse, by allowing their cats to attack their hands. They might move their hands back and forth along the floor to get the cat's attention.

This will cement in the cat's mind that your hands are fair game. They will learn to bite and claw at your hands, and other people's hands. This is obviously not a good situation to get into, and you should therefore discourage this activity by diverting the cat's attention onto toys and away from you.

Bonding

Playing with a cat also encourages bonding. Cats aren’t as cold or solitary as some think, and they enjoy the time spent in recreation with their owner.

Try to play with your cat a couple of times a day, for ten minutes or so. If you have more time to offer, then certainly, you can up that amount of time. There’s really no limit. When your cat tires of the activity, they’ll simply walk away and go rest.

Cats do become habituated to toys after a while, so it’s a good idea to rotate toys in and out every so often. This keeps them from becoming bored.

Start a play regimen with your favorite feline today, and see what a difference it makes in the quality of life for the both of you. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

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