Is your feline buddy very playful? Chances are, the answer to that question is probably a yes. One of the many reasons Fluffy is such a fun pet is because she is so mischievous. As it turns out, taking time to play with your furry pal regularly is one of the best things you can do for her! A local Grange Hill East, ON vet lists some reasons why in the article below.
Why Is It Important To Play With Your Cat?
Playing is good for Fluffy for many reasons. For one thing, it helps keep her active. It also provides mental stimulation and entertainment. Both of these are very important for your feline pal’s health and well-being. Cats can get quite distressed and unhappy if they’re bored. That can lead to behavioral issues. In some cases, it can even cause physical issues, such as overgrooming or undereating.
Another reason that playing is important is that it allows your kitty to indulge her inner lioness. Cats are hunters by nature. In the wild, they would depend on their hunting skills to survive. Fluffy has a deep-seated instinctive need to ‘purrfect’ her pouncing, scratching, and biting skills. Play lets her indulge in those murderous instincts.
It’s also great for bonding. When you make an effort to hold that wand toy or laser pointer for your kitty, she’ll understand that you’re making an effort to do something for her. That will definitely score you some purrs!
Last but certainly not least, playing can also help scared kitties feel more confident. Nailing that tricky run/jump/roll/pounce/meow/tail lash combo can be a huge boost for a timid feline. Think of this as the kitty equivalent of a shy child scoring a goal.
Does Playing With Your Cat Make Them Happier?
Very much! In addition to the things we mentioned above, playing is also just fun for Fluffy. It provides entertainment and enrichment, which are things we all need to stay happy and healthy. This will also help your feline buddy feel loved. That’s really important!
Those play sessions may benefit you as well. Interacting with Fluffy can lower your blood pressure and relieve stress and anxiety. It also makes us laugh, which is of course, wonderful for our mental and emotional health.
Why Are Cats So Hilarious?
Playing with your pet may be as fun for you as it is for her! It’s hard not to laugh at some of Fluffy’s silly antics. Kitties are always cute, but they are often absolutely hilarious when they are hard at play.
Fluffy is both predator and prey in the wild. This makes for an interesting mix of fearlessness and timidity. In other words, your feline pal may be super brave when it comes to protecting you from that moth in the living room, but may also bolt in terror when you accidentally bang a pot while cooking.
How Often Should I Play With My Cat?
We would recommend playing with Fluffy every day. This doesn’t have to be very time consuming. Even a few minutes will be beneficial. One easy way to sneak this in is to just keep a few cat toys near your favorite chair or sofa spot. Just grab them as you’re watching TV or relaxing.
What Should I Not Do When Playing With My Cat?
Playing with your feline pal isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are a few don’ts to keep in mind.
If you’re using a laser pointer, don’t point it directly into your kitty’s eyes. That could damage her vision!
Don’t play with things that aren’t safe. That includes anything small or sharp, ropy or stringy objects, plastic bags and ties, and the like. Stick for actual cat toys!
If you’re using a wand or string toy, put it away when you’re done. Your furry pal could get tangled up if she tries to use it when you’re out. That could be very dangerous for her!
Last but not least if you have more than one cat, take care not to play favorites. Kitties can get very, very jealous of one another.
When Should I Play With My Cat?
There are no hard and fast rules for this one. Any time that you are home and your feline pal is awake will do just fine! That said, if your furry buddy is super frisky, you may want to play with her before you go to bed. The hope is that Fluffy will wear herself out. We probably don’t have to tell you what happens when kitties get tired. (Hint: nap time!) If your furry pal is ready for a snooze, she’ll be more apt to snuggle up with you for the night, instead of batting her favorite toys down the hall or pouncing on your ankles as you’re trying to sleep.
Why Is My Cat Attacking Me?
One of the many curious things about cats? They sometimes like to show affection by biting or scratching us. They also aren’t shy about using us as cat toys to practice their lioning skills on. This can be cute, but it can also lead to some bad behavior.
It’s important to be able to tell the difference between playful attacks and anger. If Fluffy is just playing, she’ll probably bite lightly. She may also stop her attack to start licking you, or just generally act a bit silly. Angry cats may hiss or growl, and they won’t hold back. (Note: Fluffy does reserve the right to switch from one to the other at any given time, with little or no provocation or warning.)
If your feline buddy is attacking, immediately tell her ‘No’ or ‘Be nice.’ Then, walk away and ignore her. This should get the point across. If your kitty continues to misbehave, or shows signs of aggression, ask your Grange Hill East, ON vet for advice.
When Should I Stop Playing With My Cat?
That’s really up to you and your feline buddy. Actually, it’s probably up to your feline buddy. As soon as Fluffy decides she’s had enough, she’ll quit playing and just walk away.
That’s one of the many differences between cats and dogs. Fido will push himself to exhaustion to please his masters. As for Fluffy, well, she won’t even push herself to the point of being mildly tired.
There is one caveat here, though: if your kitty attacks you, then you do want to stop playtime. That’s bad petiquette, and can lead to some dangerous behavior down the road! Don’t yell at her: that may just make her scared of you. Tell your feisty pet to ‘Play nice’ and then walk away and ignore her for a bit.
What Kind Of Toys Do Cats Like?
That varies from kitty to kitty. Some like chasing that elusive red dot from the laser pointer. Others prefer batting at little balls. And then there are some that are purrfectly content smacking a bottle cap or ice cube around. Try different things, and see what your furry pal likes. If you have more than one kitty, offer a variety: your cute pets may have different tastes.
Do you have questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your Grange Hill East, ON animal clinic, today. We’re here to help!
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