Unleashing the Tiger Within
Play is very important for cats. Through play, kittens gain coordination, strength, and even social skills. As cats get older, play helps them to socialize, stay fit, and sharpen their senses. Playing with your cat has lifelong benefits, which include:
- Physical fitness
- Mental exercise
- Decreasing unwanted behaviors such as destructive scratching
- Easing the transition from an outdoor to indoor lifestyle
- Strengthening your bond
- Having fun!
Getting your kitten or active young adult cat to play is a piece of cake. Full of energy and imagination, a young cat is very in touch with her inner tiger. She will play-hunt anything and everything: wads of paper, bottle caps, balled up socks, empty boxes, carpet fringe, your feet…not to mention the store-bought toys she’s actually supposed to play with. In fact you might be concerned about making sure her play is safe and appropriate. More on this later.
The real challenge comes when cats get older, more sedentary and set in their ways. A slower metabolism, boredom, and overeating can result in a downward spiral. Your vet may have prescribed structured playtime to help treat obesity or a behavior problem. If your cat has become a couch-potato, then she needs your help to reawaken the tiger within.
Appeal to the predator in your cat by simulating the hunt. While a young and active cat knows make her own fun, games where you interact with your cat are the most beneficial. Choose toys that simulate prey species like birds, small rodents, snakes and fish. Some favorites are:
- Fishing pole toys with feathers or fuzzy things attached
- Feather wands, peacock feathers
- Strings, ribbons, strips of fabric on a pole
- Ping-pong balls, pom-poms, or other light objects that roll
- Fake fur mice, small stuffed animals, balled-up socks
- Flashlight or laser pointer
The way the object moves is very important. Prey animals flutter, jump, scurry, wiggle, freeze, and then scoot under things. Watch your cat’s body language. When she starts to crouch, head craned forward, whiskers erect, pupils dilated, you know she’s hooked. Experiment with different toys and different tricks. Be sneaky. Merely jiggling a toy in front of your cat’s face for too long may actually overstimulate or confuse her. But when it darts and disappears – now there’s a challenge!
Here are some additional tips to make play more effective. Aim for two 10-15 minute play sessions at the same time each day. Good times are early morning and evening, when your little carnivore is alert and hungry. Hide toys when not in use, and rotate them to keep things interesting. If you have more than one cat, try physically separating them to give the more timid ones a chance. End play sessions when your cat seems overstimulated or her attention seems to drift. But make sure she finally gets the chance to deliver that killing bite.
Make playtime safe by choosing well-constructed toys and checking regularly for half-chewed, broken off, unraveled, or loose pieces that your cat could swallow or choke on. Toys with glued-on pieces are not a good idea except during supervised play. Ensure non-toxic materials were used in the manufacture. Avoid loose string, rubber bands, balloons, or curling ribbon, too. Toys should not be small enough so they could be swallowed. Hide or discard plastic bags, which could pose a choking hazard. If your cat is out of shape, start slowly. And never use your hands and feet as toys. This teaches your cat that it’s OK to scratch and bite people. Serious injury can result.
If your cat is ready for advanced play, try some cool techniques from the canine world. Some cats can learn to fetch a ball or favorite toy. Other cats can learn tricks like sitting, rolling over, or jumping for a food reward. Whatever the case, your efforts to play with your cat will surely pay off in the form of a happier, healthier and more fulfilled feline. Speak with your veterinarian about toy choices!
Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.
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