Cats love to play!
Playing with cats is a natural way for them to be stimulated, motivated, and rewarding. It’s an excellent way for cats to exercise and work their brains. And it’s also a lot of fun.
Evidence suggests that cats who play for 5 minutes or more, at least 2-3 times per day, have fewer behavioral problems than cats who play for just one minute.
Toy Interest and Use
Over a period of time, rotate the toys that you use. If your cat loses interest in one toy, you can hide it and get another. This will keep the toys fresh and new without having to buy them all every day. You should always supervise your cat when you give them a new toy. When not in use, wand toys should be kept from your cat’s eyes and under supervision.
You might find toys that appeal to your cat more than others. Some cats, especially older ones, may not be as interested in toys, but they will still benefit from your movements. As they move the toy around, watch their pupils grow and their whiskers move forward.
Toys Recommended
Wand Toys
Wand toys are preferred by cats over other toys. These toys are interactive. Based on my years of experience with cats in a veterinary clinic.
Toys for Batting Around
- Mouse Soft plush mouse with catnip and crinkles
- Tennis balls or ping pong (be careful not to trip over them!)
- Plastic springs
Toys for self-play
- Cat Teaser with Butterfly Replacement That “flies”
- Unpredictability is all around
- Interactive Running Mouse- Mouse runs
- Unpredictably, on a track that was bumped
- A wand toy that moves erratically underneath fabric
Tips & tricks on how to play with toys and other playthings
It is important to understand how people interact with cats. Toys can often be used to mimic hunting behavior. To make the toy behave like prey, attach a mouse or other toy to a wand and let it hide in a tunnel or around furniture or up a corner. As prey would, you should move the toy away rather than towards cats.
Cats are most active between dawn and dusk. If your cat is more energetic, you can play during those times. Cats prefer to play in shorter, more intense sessions so be aware of your cat’s energy levels. It is better to play a few times throughout the day than one long time.
Please, no lasers
Avoid laser toys. Cats are unable to see the light so they cannot complete their deeply ingrained hunting, catch and kill behavior.
A physical toy allows cats to touch, grab, and then eat the toy. This fulfills their natural prey drive. This is a common reaction to lasers and can lead to frustration and reactivity. Wand toys are a great alternative. They allow cats to still run and catch real objects. To satisfy the prey drive of your cat, ensure that the laser ends with a treat every so often.
