Interactive play with cats is not only fun, but a valuable exercise for cats of all ages. Equally important, it strengthens the bond between cat and human, which is good for everyone's well-being. Interactive play allows your cat to hone their hunting skills, and the exercise they get while playing helps them maintain a healthy weight.
Additionally, play with your cat is a positive way for your cat to release negative energy or aggression. Play can help a shy or nervous cat gain confidence, and an intense play session is a good way to ease your cat's transition into a new home.
Play with kittens
Kittens play with anything. Remember that your kitten is a baby and you need to keep her away from sharp objects and small objects she could choke on. The best toys for kittens are usually soft objects they can sink their teeth into without hurting themselves, such as cotton chew toys.
Ideally, a kitten will have other kittens to play with, but if you're a single-cat household, at least make sure you don't train your kitten to "play" with your hands or feet. You'll be happy to set boundaries as your kitten grows and develops full-sized teeth and claws.
And a word for the wise: For many years, a plastic ball with a little bell inside has been sold as a popular toy for cats. If you give this toy to a kitten (or an adult cat for that matter), you can pretty much guarantee that the animal will find it and play with it at 2 a.m. Cats are nocturnal and don't care if that bell disturbs your sleep as long as it amuses them.
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How to play with adult cats
Keep a set of spinning toys handy. Some good cat toys you can buy include wands, catnip mice, and catnip items. Some good toys you already have at home: paper balls, straws and plastic rings from milk or juice containers.
Put toys away after playing. If a toy is always outside, it can become annoying and unrealistic for a kitten, like a mouse that never goes away.
Make the toy act like a mouse or a bird to pique your cat's curiosity. But let your cat set the pace. You can't force a cat to play, but you can try different approaches to see what sparks interest.
You can try dimming the lights, as cats like to hunt when it's darker. Adapt the intensity of the action to the interest of your cat. After a while, you'll get to know your cat's playstyle and the look that says "I'm ready to play!"
Don't make it too easy; let your cat enjoy the chase. But when it comes to taking the plunge, let your cat score a direct hit and relish the thrill of victory.
How to end a game session
Good times to leave the play session are when you've been gone for 10-15 minutes and your cat has just scored a decisive "victory", and when your cat has clearly lost interest.
In both scenarios, praise your cat for being there. In the first case, make the victory a little sweeter with a nice treat.
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