When it comes to cats, you have to take extra steps to ensure that they are well cared for. Just like human children and toddlers, cats also need more of your time to play with them so that they can be healthy and free from feeling lonely or depressed.
Many cat owners find it difficult to interact and play with cats mainly because of the reactions they give, but with time and effort, you can easily get used to it. In this article, we will be looking at how you could play with your feline friend.
Encouraging cat playtime
When playing with a cat, the first step you should practice is stimulating their predatory instinct to be engaged fully. Many cats out there are extremely lonely or aggressive, mainly because of the lack of attention they are receiving from their owners. Hence you should spend some time out of your day choosing toys that capture your cat’s interest and makes them play.
Cats are especially attracted to moving objects, so try looking for items such as bouncing balls, fur strings, bells, etc. If you are unsure how to play with the cat, try to hide, throw, and shake objects with sound to attract the cat and increase their predatory instinct behavior.
Play with toys and not hands
Many cat owners make the mistake of playing with a cat by using their hands or feet, and while this may seem like a fun activity for you, your cat may not be enjoying it as much as you are. If you start tickling your cat and touching its different areas at an early age, it may be fun, but as your cat grows up, he becomes mature, and he may start biting you aggressively.
Hence it is best to allow the cat to only play with its actual toys. If you have noticed that your cat has developed the habit of biting and scratching you when playing, try not to move around when the cat is entirely aggressive and energetic. You may be able to avoid such a habit.
Treats as a form of rewards
Many people may not be aware that cats, just like humans, also have different personalities and habits that develop over time with age and the external environment. If you are someone who has a cat who never moves its body, no matter how much effort you pull in to play with the cat, then you should try to give him treats to engage him.
For instance, you could try to hide bits of dry cat food here and there so that your cat can sniff around and play. This trick has worked for many cats because they are natural carnivores, and so they love practicing their predatory instinct. However, keep in mind that these rewards are not being awarded daily as this could cause potential weight gain.
Time duration
So now that you have figured out multiple ways to actively play with the cat, another crucial step that you need to keep in mind is the schedule and duration of playtime. As mentioned earlier in the article, cats have different personalities. Depending on their health and stamina, they will have different playtime duration.
To avoid harmful weight loss in your cat and aggression, you must write down a timed duration of the playtime. You should keep in mind that, unlike humans, cats do not have the same stamina. That is why you should always keep an eye on your cat when you are playing with cat because once they are tired, they will try to avoid the toys and will hide in corners.
Building a safe environment
By far, one of the most important things that you need to keep in mind when you are planning to play with a cat is ensuring that your house or apartment is entirely safe from dangerous items such as sharp edges, heights, oil leakage, as well as toxic food such as chocolate, etc. Although you may think that your cat will not get hurt by these items, they are still is a health risk to your feline friend.
Hence it is best that you try to hide or cover these areas and remove the food and water bowl. In addition, you should also try to have sufficient light as you play with your cat to minimize the risks of it getting hurt.
Tips when playing with cats
If you do not know how to play with the cat, there are a few tips and tricks that you could perform to keep him/her engaged fully for a long time. For instance, one game that you can easily play with your cat is hide-and-seek, as it encourages their predatory instinct. Many cat owners have stated that cats love to play hide and seek as it helps them stay active.
Another game that you could play is blowing bubble games, as cats love to catch moving objects. It is worth mentioning that you should purchase a nontoxic bubble to protect your cat’s eyes and face. Some other games include scratching tables, treasure hunts, the game of tag, singing contests, etc.
Conclusion
So that is all that you need to know when it comes to playing with a cat. You have to make sure that your cat is active and does not suffer from depression and loneliness; hence you must always play with the cat.
2 comments