The Importance Of Play In A Cat's Life

826 Words2 Pages

Playing with your cat may seem intuitive: bat the string, cat chases the string, everyone goes home happy. However, cats are complex and variable creatures, so it's important to know how to play with cats in order to ensure that they not only enjoy themselves, but also get enough exercise, satisfy their natural instincts, and remain safe and healthy.

In a house cat's life, play serves a number of a purposes. Though they are housebound, they still retain that killer instinct that serves their wild counterparts so well. Because they don't have to fight for their food, though, domestic cats are more prone to weight gain, which can lead to a number of health concerns, including weakened joints and diabetes. Play can also help a cat and his owner bond, as shared …show more content…

Once you have taken these things into account, age will play a large role in dictating how you will ultimately interact with your cats. For instance, kittens require play that fosters their maturing development, and trains them to become well-behaved adults. Younger adult cats, especially those adopted from pounds and foster homes, may still require some training; however, they will also crave mental stimulation and physical enrichment. More mature felines are no different than their younger cohorts, but may prefer to take it a little easier. So, how to play with cats in their various stages?

Kittens:
To a kitten, pretty much everything is a toy. At this stage, they don't know that that enticing wire hanging out of the lamp is something to be avoided. So right now, distraction is key. Teaser toys are a great bet for your fluffy new friend, as are soft, plushy critters, rubbery chews toys and remote controlled rodents. Cat trees with dangly balls and plenty of perches are also fantastic for encouraging them to blow off some excess energy.

Young Adults

More about The Importance Of Play In A Cat's Life

Open Document