Interactive game for cats | Animal welfare magazine

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Daily interactive play is a great way to keep your feline fit, trim and content.

If you’re like most cat lovers, you probably buy all kinds of toys for your kitty, only to find that he quickly loses interest in them after a few days or sometimes hours. The thing is, cats are hunters by nature and therefore tend to be more attracted to moving targets. A toy mouse just lying there isn’t as much fun as a live mouse running around the house. This means that you have to move the toy occasionally to get your cat to chase it! In short, regular interactive play is essential to keeping your cat fit, happy, stimulated, and well-behaved, especially if he spends most of his time indoors.

Start early

The need to play begins at an early age. “A kitten’s job is to hone its hunting skills,” says feline behavior specialist Mieshelle Nagelschneider. “There’s no getting around this!” If kittens don’t have appropriate outlets to play with, they may choose less appropriate targets to hone those skills. They might start attacking their owner’s ankles or sneaking up on another cat or dog in the house to pounce on and bite.

Mieshelle adds that interactive play with a kitten should begin as soon as possible after adoption. This not only helps put his development on the right track, but also alleviates any stress or fear he might feel as he adjusts to his new environment. Cats are very prone to stress and will often act on it. They may start coming out of the litter box, meowing excessively, scratching and chewing furniture, and even spraying the walls. Daily interactive play can help prevent this. “Cats can’t feel fear when displaying animated play,” says Mieshelle. “These two mood states are independently controlled.” Regular play builds trust and confidence in a fearful cat.

prey and predator

Interactive play isn’t just about dragging a string across the floor or waving a feathered stick through the air. It involves using the toy to mimic the behavior of its natural prey to stimulate its stalking and hunting instincts.

Observe your cat’s behavior when playing. Does he like to leap or throw himself from above, or jump on things under a bed or behind a chair? If so, try making the toy behave like a bird in flight; in the latter case, make the toy behave like a mouse scurrying for cover. If your cat doesn’t seem interested in one approach, try another.

“You should also try to focus on giving your cat a mental challenge, rather than just trying to physically exhaust her,” Mieshelle adds. “Part of cat hunting is strategizing and being stealthy. You can physically exhaust any cat, but they may not be fully satisfied if they don’t have a mental disability. For example, you can help a cat think more by hiding the end of a magic wand [e.g. feathers] around the corner of a sofa or inside an empty box for a few moments. “Let the cat grab the toy over and over again, but do your best not to make it too easy to grab, or too difficult,” advises Mieshelle.

playFeral cats hunt between seven and 17 times a day. Domestic cats may need between one and three interactive playtimes each day, depending on their desire to hunt. Schedule play sessions during the times of day when your cat is most active and respect these times to help your cat anticipate and look forward to them.

Depending on the age of your cat, he will decide how long the play times last. Some cats will play for up to 15-20 minutes, while others prefer shorter, more frequent games. End each play session by letting your cat catch its “prey”, then put the toy away out of its reach. If the toy is still out, he can quickly lose interest in it. Spinning toys are also a great way to keep playtime fresh and interesting for your cat. Immediately after the game, offer verbal praise and some healthy treats.

Avoid aggression Never use your hands or feet when playing with your cat; it might make him think it’s okay to “attack” him and bite him (and other people’s hands and feet) at any time. You should also never bully a cat like you would a dog, and that includes tug of war games. You could prevent your cat from playing with you and/or cause unwanted aggression later.

Scheduling regular interactive play sessions with your cat will help her associate you with fun and companionship, and not just as someone who hands out food once or twice a day. “Some people think cats are low-maintenance and can take care of themselves in many areas, including play,” says Mieshelle. “That’s the reason why they don’t start playing with their cats.” This may also be why many people think cats are aloof or aloof. Making time every day to play with your cat will not only help keep them from getting bored, stressed or overweight…it’s also fun, relaxing and will create a wonderful bond. and lasting between you.



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