How to Play with Your Cat So It Can Enjoy It

Playing with your cat is very important for its well-being. What is the best kind of play for a cat? And what rules should you keep in mind during playtime? Here, you'll find answers to your questions.

Even though a regular cat have a unique relationship with play, it plays a very important role in their lives. In our article, an expert explains what you should pay attention to as a pet owner to get the most out of playtime.

The relationship between cats and play

Animal behavior expert Mikel Delgado, after extensive research, wrote a book about cats’ relationship with play, offering useful advice for cat owners. One of her key insights is that cats fundamentally need four types of play:

Social play, locomotive play, object play, predatory play.

The expert believes people often don’t give enough importance to play, but cats need the physical exercise and mental stimulation it provides. It’s as essential as proper nutrition and keeping their litter box clean.

Most important during kittenhood

Cats require more play when they are younger, as they have more energy and strong instincts to chase anything that moves.

“When I deal with clients who have recently adopted a kitten, nine times out of 10, they’re complaining that the cat is too wild. Climbing on the curtains, jumping on their hands and feet” said Delgado. She explained that this behavior is natural at this stage of life.

It’s really important to play with so that they don’t get in the habit of seeking out hands and feet and eyelashes as something to bat at and pounce on.

Delgado also mentioned that it’s not good for a cat to play alone with their toys, like a ball or a fake mouse, because they have to move it themselves and can’t focus on hunting (since prey in reality is alive and moves). Therefore, it’s essential to interact with your cat, mimicking the real hunting experience.

If you can’t spend enough time engaging your kitten and if circumstances allow, consider adopting another kitten to keep them company. This can be beneficial as they can play all day without getting tired.

The tendency for social play is strong in kittens.

From the moment they open their eyes, they start playing with their littermates. However, if you adopt a kitten at 8-12 weeks old and it doesn’t have company, it will miss out on this experience.

Safety is important

According to Delgado, safety is also crucial when it comes to play. Many toys come with strings, which can pose a serious risk if your pet is left alone with them. In the worst case, they can cause strangulation, as the string can wrap around the cat’s neck, or if they chew the string, they can swallow the tassel at the end. Therefore, don’t leave these toys out unless you are there with your pet. The expert often uses cut-up toilet paper rolls, ping-pong balls, and other objects of similar size without dangling parts as toys, which do not pose similar dangers.