Sending Messages
Has your cat been climbing over your keyboard as you try to work? Or pawing at the pages when you read a book? Your cat might be trying to communicate! Namely: “Let’s play!” Here are some ideas for activities to keep your feline friend stimulated and happy.
Perks
Why should you incorporate play in your day? Start with these advantages:
- Bond
Let your love grow by spending time playing together. - Maintain Weight
Exercise from playtime can keep your cat active and in good shape. - Release Energy
Playtime can help dispel anxious or negative energy. - Have Fun
Also, it’s just plain joyful!
Pointers
Here are some practical pieces of advice from The Spruce Pets:
- “Keep a rotating array of toys on hand. Some good cat toys you can buy are wand toys, catnip mice, and crinkly catnip things.
- Put the toys away after playtime. If a toy is always out, it can become boring and unrealistic to a kitty, like a mouse that never goes away.”
Homemade
The Spruce article made an excellent point: “Some great toys you already have at home: wads of paper, straws, and plastic rings from milk or juice containers.” You don’t need to buy expensive gadgets to keep your cat entertained. Just the novelty of a crinkly piece of wrapping paper, length of a shoelace, or the texture of bubble wrap could keep cats engaged and stimulated. Supervise your cat with these items though. Ingestion can lead to a costly foreign body emergency.
Be Patient
Your cat might not pounce on your attempts to play right away. Sometimes it may seem your cat doesn’t really want to play, but they’re actually planning for attack (in a playful way!). If you give up too easily they will too, so hang in there and play along.