Cats love to play; there’s no doubt about that. But when you play with your cat, it’s not just about both of you having fun. Playing is a good way to keep your feline family member healthy and happy while strengthening the bond you share.

There are a lot of ways to play with your cat. We love to play with our humans! There are some great fun ways to play with your cat, whether you want to use some older, time-tested toys and tricks; or prefer some of the newest toys available today.

6 Ways to Have Fun Playing with Your Cat

1.     Play Hunting Games

For cats, we consider playing and hunting the same thing. In the wild, cats have to hunt to be able to eat and survive. Boy, am I glad I’m a domestic cat and my food is in the kitchen! What humans call “playing” whether we are at home or out in nature, is often just simulated hunting. You may notice kittens like to stalk each other, then pounce, chase, bite, or kick. These are all actions they need for taking down their prey.

Here are a few ways to engage your cat’s natural instincts for hunting.

·         Dangle a toy, string, or feather and flick it around quickly to mimic a bird flying.

·         Toss cat springs or toy balls so your cat can chase them as they bounce across the room.

·         Crumple a piece of paper or a paper bag and toss them around the room.

·         Purchase toy mice that have rattles or bells inside and toss them across the floor.

·         Encourage independent play by providing puzzle toys and food-dispensing toys for your cat.

2.     Wrestling Play with Your Cat

When cats catch their prey, they like to wrestle with it. You may notice that your cat likes to wrestle with you by “bunning-kicking” your arm. Save your arm by buying them a kicker toy. Having a kicker toy will save your hands a lot. Shake the toy in front of your cat so they can grab it. Then, put it in their grip so they can wrestle with it. If you want to keep your cat’s attention and pique their instincts, shake the toy in front of the cat like it’s trying to get away.

3.     Cats Play By Foraging

Something as simple as cardboard boxes can provide your curious kitty with hours of fun and entertainment. If you want to turn it into a game of hide-and-seek, throw in some packing materials or a few cat treats for them to search for. Empty boxes are a favorite toy for cats. They love to dig through packing paper and hiding a few treats underneath creates an enriching activity for them.

4.     Use Some Catnip

If you really want to spice up your cat’s playtime, use catnip. Cats can’t resist going wild for catnip! Catnip stuffed toys are usually pretty cheap, and your cat will love them. You can make your own, too. Just use a kid’s crew sock and fill it with loose-leaf catnip. Then, tie the opening of the sock into a knot.

You will need to refill the sock often with fresh catnip, since it can become stale. If you are using a toy that is not refillable, you can still freshen them up. Try dry marinating them in a Ziploc bag with dried, loose-leaf catnip. Your cat can continue playing with the toy.

5.     Clicker Training and Playing with Your Cat

Hey, dogs are not the only ones that need “training.” Cats are smart, too! Just like dogs, we can be taught to be tricks. We also benefit from the mental stimulation of clicker training. Cats can learn to fetch and high-five. It’s important to start small and work up to more complicated tricks. You will need a lot of patience and tasty cat treats to train your cat. Cats usually have a little more attitude than dogs, but some of them perform well for praise. However, tasty snacks can be very motivating.

6.     Play with Your Cat Using Treat Puzzles

Solving food puzzles or treat puzzles, just like training, can provide important mental stimulation for a cat. There are a lot of different interactive toys available at pet stores, but you can make your own, if you’d rather. You’ll just need a shoe box and a few empty toilet paper rolls. Stand the toilet paper rolls up on their ends and drop treats inside, so your cat needs to reach in and search for them.

Why is it important to play with your cat?

When you play with your cat, it’s not just fun and games. An engaging, interactive play session offers your cat both physical and mental stimulation. If you have an indoor cat, they will need more stimulation. You should play with your cat at least once a day. Here are a few of the benefits of playing with your cat.

·         Helps manage weight. Just like humans, cats burn calories when we play. When felines become overweight, they can develop different health issues, too. Playing with your cat can help manage weight, so they stay healthy.

·         Reduces behavior problems. Cats that are chasing or catching a toy aren’t into something they shouldn’t be. After playtime, most cats are not going to be knocking things off your table, they will be doing what they do best: napping!

·         Bonding. Taking time to play with your cat can help you bond, since they seem to associate having fun with the person on the other end of the toy.

·         Boosts your cat’s mood. It can be enjoyable for cats when their prey drive kicks into gear. While playing, positive endorphins are elevated, which is great for a kitty’s mood.

·         Healthy aging. The best defense against aging in humans, dogs and cats is movement. Even older cats maintain their hunting drive.

Once you are done playing with a cat, and they are ready to relax for their afternoon catnap, it’s a great time for grooming. Whether you just spend some time petting them while they sit in your lap, or wipe them down
with Pawer Cat Wipes, you can take advantage of this quiet time between the two of you.

About the Author: Fiona

Fiona is the current President and CEO of Pawer Lab. She makes sure everything is running purrfectly and oversees the day-to-day operations. When Fiona is not working, she enjoys chasing lasers, snacking on treats, or taking long naps in the sun.