Pick the best toys for your cat and learn how to play along
Cats are athletic creatures with amazing strength and agility. Nature made them into perfect machines for leaping, jumping and dashing. Just because your house kitty doesn't have real prey to chase doesn't mean they can't act out their inner predator.
Why it's important for cats to play?
Even though your cat probably doesn't have to hunt for food, but they still need an outlet for that unspent energy. A great way to expend this extra energy is through play such as scratching, chasing and pouncing.
Toys and regular playtime are great for bonding and providing a stimulating environment, which makes for a happy and healthy cat.
What cats like to play with?
Cats are experts at amusing themselves. It takes very little —a crumpled ball of paper, a pen left on a desktop or a newspaper spread open on the floor— to engage your cat in what is, to them, the most fascinating of games.
Your cat's imagination can turn almost anything into a wonderful toy that she'll bat around or chase to her heart's content. Typically, cats most enjoy playing with small, light objects that are "flickable," such as a GimCat Happy Garden or GimCat Tuttifrutti, which they can swat and then chase.
How to play with your cat?
Playtime isn't just for cats—it's for their hooman, too. Your cat's speed and grace will amaze you as they dash about trying to catch "prey."
You can simply toss a crumpled ball of paper for your cat to chase. Some cats love to "fetch" that they will actually initiate the game by dropping a toy in your lap for you to throw.
Shopping for cat toys
Cats really enjoy toys such as coco animals, sisal-wrapped toys, which they can dig their claws into, or Teasers toys consisting of a long rod with a length of cord attached that has an enticing lure at the end.
Also, keep any toys that could be harmful to your cat out of reach when you can't supervise her play. Interactive games help satisfy your cat’s need for metal stimulation and enrichment.
Catnip
Catnip is a member of the mint family, contains a chemical that attracts cats. When it's dried and crushed, it gives off an odor that has a powerful effect on some (though not all) cats.
Catnip's safe, and your cat won't get addicted to it! J
Toys that aren't safe for cats
It's important to only let your cat play with toys or other objects that are safe. Cat-proof the house by hiding these things:
- String, yarn, ribbon and dental floss
- Paper clips
- Pins and needles
- Rubber bands
- Plastic bags (especially drycleaner bags that could cause suffocation)
- Anything else that your cat might chew
How to get the most out of your cat's toys?
It is normal that a cat can become bored with their toys. To keep them "fresh," rotate your cat's toys weekly, making only a few available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. Provide toys that offer a variety of uses—at least one toy to carry, one to wrestle with, one to roll and one to stoke. Many of your cat's toys should be interactive. This kind of play is important for your cat, because she needs active "people time"—and such play strengthens the bond between you and your cat! : )