Having Fun With Your Cat

Cats are cute no matter what they’re doing, but when they’re feeling playful and frisky, they’re even more adorable. But pouncing and running aren’t just ways your cat has fun. It’s part of what keeps them healthy and fit. In this article, a local Coquitlam, British Columbia  vet shares a few tips on how you can get the most out of playing with your feline friend.

Do Cats Like To Be Played With?

Despite the fact that cats can be finicky about certain things, almost all of them enjoy playing. You can’t force them, though. If your kitty doesn’t feel like playing, she’ll probably just walk away.

Is Playing With My Cat OK?

It’s no secret that kittens are very frisky and playful when they are young, so playing with your cat is not just okay: it’s actually recommended by your Coquitlam, British Columbia vet! In fact, playing helps keep that motor going! In addition to helping her stay healthy and fit, keeping her active and entertained can also make her feel safe and loved. It’s also a great way for you to relax after a long day.

Playing With Your Cat Can Have Many Benefits

Playing with our feline pals offers many advantages. If you have a kitten, playing will help burn off those zoomies. Chasing that red dot will help tire out your furry friend, and she’ll probably be ready to take a nap afterwards. Playing throughout the day can also go a long way toward curbing those late night zoomies if Fluffy tends to wake you up at night.

The act of playing can also help you bond with your cat. When you hold that string toy or laser pointer, Fluffy will know that you’re trying to entertain her and you’re interacting with her. That will definitely earn you some extra purrs.

Playing can also help shy kitties feel more secure. Nailing a tricky pounce/jump combo can help fearful Fluffy build self-esteem. It’s like the feline equivalent of acing a test or scoring a goal.

Ample play is also beneficial for older cats as well. For one thing, they help them stay fit. It can also help keep their mental health sharp. Think of those run/jump/pounce combos kind of like solving a brain teaser. 

Lastly, spending time with your feline friend can benefit you in many was as well. Not only can interacting with your pet help you relax and destress, but studies show that doing so can also reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

When Should I Play With My Cat?

We recommend playing with Fluffy every day. Fortunately, this is doable even if you have a busy schedule. Simply keep a few kitty toys nearby where you watch television or read and incorporate it into your relaxation routine.

How Should I Play With My Cat?

When it comes to their favorite games, cats can actually differ quite a bit. Some prefer batting at wand toys, others enjoy chasing little balls, and others like more high-tech gadgets. You can figure out what your kitty prefers by experimenting with various toys and activities.

To start, give the following options a try:

• Fetch: Typically, we associate this game with dogs, but many of our feline pals also enjoy it as well. For example, Bengal, Siamese, and other Asian/exotic breeds are purrticularly fond of it. (Fun fact: researchers recently discovered that cats often teach themselves to play fetch. In fact, the majority of people who play fetch their kitties say the behavior started randomly.)
• Tricks: Cats are incredibly intelligent, and some are even open to learning to do tricks on command. Things like Gimme Five, Sit, Roll Over, or Jump can be taught and mastered using small, high-value treats. Just be sure to use the same words or phrases each time to reinforce the desired behavior.
• High-Tech Fun: In addition to traditional toys, like catnip mice, there are also a lot of gadgets available to enhance Fluffy’s play time. For instance, she might love to chase a remote-controlled mouse or a smart toy that responds to her movements. Some of the more high-tech options even allow you to play with your cat remotely using an app or a smartphone. This can be a cute way to keep an eye on your pet when you’re not at home.
• Mazes: Inquisitive cats love exploring labyrinths. You can easily make one of your own using cardboard boxes, such as those used for canned beverages. You can also use paper grocery bags cut off at the bottom. Or, you can set up some pet tunnels for Fluffy to investigate.

How Can I Tell The Difference Between Playing And Attacking?

Our feline companions can be somewhat temperamental, and Fluffy has a rather unique quirk in that she may sometimes bite or scratch to show affection.

Because cats can switch from play mode to attack mode at any given moment, and often without any warning, this can be a bit purrplexing for a pet parent.

In most cases, when a kitty is feeling playful, it unlikely that she will bite or scratch too hard. She may ‘kick scratch’ you, but she will probably lose steam pretty quickly. And while she may wag her tail or flatten her ears, she may suddenly decide to switch from biting to licking. A cat that is genuinely angry will bite hard, and may growl or hiss. For more information, talk to your Coquitlam, British Columbia vet.

What’s The Best Way To Teach My Pet To Play Nice?

If your feline friend hasn’t yet mastered the ins and outs of being a good kitty, you may need to provide some gentle guidance. Fluffy shouldn’t be punished for attacking you: that may only end up frightening her. That said, you also don’t want to let scratching or biting go unaddressed. This can result in additional behavioral issues, and can even be dangerous. Those claws and teeth, though tiny, can cause real and sometimes serious injuries.

In the event that your cat does bite or scratch, stop playing immediately. You can reprimand her verbally in a stern tone, saying something like ‘No’ or ‘Play Nice’. You can also say ‘Don’t bite’ or ‘Put your claws away.’ Then, just walk away and ignore her. Be consistent with this and eventually your furry pal will get the hint.

If your pet persists, you can take additional steps to further discourage her. First, you should never strike or yell at your cat. Instead, finding ways to annoy her is a much better tactic. For instance, you can spray her with water, blow in her face, or make a loud noise. You can also clap your hands, sound an alarm, or bang two pots together. Cats don’t like loud noises. Considering that most of their time is spent sleeping, it’s not surprising that cats prefer their kingdoms to be quiet.

It may be helpful to use toys that you can control from a distance. Just remember to put string toys away after each use, so Fluffy won’t accidentally get tangled up while she’s not being supervised.

What Happens If My Cat Wants to Play All The Time?

Despite their reputation for being fiercely independent, some of our feline overlords would prefer to be held or petted 24/7. And while many of us would love to oblige, we do have other responsibilities, such as jobs and families, that prevent us from doing so.

At times when you are unable to give Fluffy your undivided attention, a window seat with a good view might be sufficient to keep her busy. You can also provide a variety of toys for her to focus on. Things like puzzle feeders and cat wheels are great for a frisky cat.

Contact us, your trusted Coquitlam, British Columbia  animal hospital, if you want to know more about caring for or playing with your cat.