Did you know that playing with your cat regularly has many benefits? Our feline pals are very entertaining little pets. Fluffy’s adorable quirks, charming facial expressions, and, of course, playful antics are always amusing. Taking time to hold a laser toy or dangle that string toy in front of your pet is not only cute, but also good for her both mentally and physically. A Burleson, TX veterinarian offers some advice on this below.

Why Is It Important To Play With My Cat?

Play sessions serve a variety of purrposes, such as physical exercise and mental stimulation. Playing is pawesome for cats for a number of reasons! 

Here are some of the key ones:

Playing Helps Pets Feel Loved 

A laser pointer or wand toy will show your feline friend that you’re doing something for her enjoyment. Interactive play fosters a sense of trust and companionship. That will help her feel loved and safe.

It Will Help With Bonding 

It can also help kitties bond with one another. If you have recently adopted a new cat, dual play sessions can help your kitties get along.

It’s Kitty Therapy

Fluffy’s version of hitting the gym or running off a bad day is a good play session. It gives your cat a chance to blow off some steam.

Playing Satisfies Fluffy’s Natural Instincts

Our adorable feline friends are excellent hunters. The ability to hunt helps Fluffy survive in the wild. It’s fun for her to master those sharp claws and teeth, but it’s also very intuitive. Essentially, playing gives your furry friend a chance to unleash her inner lioness.

Pouncing Is A Great Kitty Workout

Fitness is another reason. Our feline friends are very active and energetic during that adorable kitten phase, but as they age, they lose their energy. Keeping Fluffy fit is just as crucial for her as it is for us. Kitty workouts like running, jumping, and pouncing will help her stay strong and healthy.

It Offers Stimulation 

Our feline friends are known for their love of leisure. They can sleep up to 20 hours a day, which may seem like a lot, but we’ll discuss that later on. However, when they are awake, it’s essential to provide them with activities that engage their minds and keep them from staring at walls. Pouncing and playing not only provides mental stimulation for your cute pet, but also helps keep her mind sharp as she ages. So go ahead and encourage your furball to use her brain while timing those jumps and pounces – it’s good for her overall well-being.

It Helps Cats Build Confidence 

Playing can help your scaredy cat feel more confident. Fluffy may be able to nail that tricky pounce with a little help.

It’s Just Cute! 

Observing a frisky kitty at play can make for delightful and amusing entertainment. It may be just as much fun for you as it is for Fluffy.

How Often Should You Play With Your Cat?

Ideally, you should play with Fluffy daily, at least for a few minutes. You don’t have to worry about overdoing it. As soon as your furball loses interest, she’ll walk away and choose her next napping spot.

A kitten or a super frisky young adult will want to play much more than an older cat, but older kitties will also benefit from playing. 

Speaking of frisky cats, if you have a furry, meowing tornado on your hands, try to play with your pet before bed. The idea is to tire your kitty out, so she’ll spend the night sleeping, rather than attacking your toes as you’re trying to sleep. 

Do Cats Enjoy Playing?

To be fair, there are likely some furballs out there who aren’t very playful. But that’s an exception rather than the rule. We have many frisky cats who really enjoy those play sessions, and most of them are pretty enthusiastic. It’s always cute seeing Fluffy getting the zoomies, or pouncing on an ice cube or catnip mouse! 

What Type Of Toys Do Cats Like?

Our feline pals are all unique. Each cat has their own purrsonal preferences. You’ll need to try a few things and see what your pet likes. 

Play doesn’t have to involve store-bought toys; simple household items such as crumpled paper and cardboard boxes can be highly entertaining for a frisky furball. Fluffy also enjoys batting at small things, like bottlecaps. These things appeal to her inner lion and satisfy her natural curiosity and need to kill things. Just be sure to only offer safe, suitable toys. Ask your Burleson, TX for information on this.

How Should I Play With My Cat?

Your cat will have a lot more fun playing if she cannot anticipate what her ‘prey’ will do next. For best results, use a remote-controlled toy, a laser pointer, or a wand toy. However, some cats enjoy playing Fetch.

Is There A Wrong Way To Play With A Cat?

There are a few things you should know before you play with Fluffy. The biggest ‘do not’ is to play rough. Your cat may enjoy ‘kick-scratching’ your arm, but anything beyond that can scare or injure your cat.

We’d also advise against inviting your pet to pounce on you. You could also inadvertently encourage bad behavior by using your fingers or toes. It can be cute to let Fluffy attack  you, but that could send mixed signals. You don’t want your pet to think it’s okay to attack you or treat you like a toy!

Is It Safe To Play With My Cat?

Yes … as long as you are careful. Be sure to use safe toys. Kitties are curious and playful, but do not know what is safe for them. Any small or sharp object, including stringed items, is a hazard. Wand toys are fine, but remember to pick them up once playtime is over. Don’t let your cat get tangled up!

It would be best if you played with your pet on a soft surface, such as a carpet. Stay away from potential hazards, such as stairs, pools, and fireplaces.

Finally, if you have more than one feline pal, make sure you don’t play favorites. Give them both equal attention during playtime. Cats can be very jealous of each other! 

How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Playing With Me Or Trying To Kill Me?

Our feline pals can be a bit purrplexing in this aspect. Unlike our other animal companions, they have the tendency to bite and scratch in play or even to show affection. It can be challenging to determine whether a kitty is being playful or actually angry. 

Observing Fluffy’s body language and behavior can provide some insight here. If your pet is feeling playful, she may lose interest in attacking and switch to licking you instead. She may also tire out quickly or turn their attention to a toy, such as a catnip mouse. 

On the other paw, an angry cat is more likely to growl, hiss, or lash their tails. Additionally, aggressive cats will bite with more force than when playing. (Note: our feline overlords can change gears quickly, but that’s just part of their charm.)

Conclusion: Playing with your feline friends can be both enjoyable and beneficial. Taking a few minutes each day to play with your cat will benefit her both mentally and physically. It’s also really cute! 

Do you have questions about your cat? Please do not hesitate to contact us! As your Burleson, TX pet hospital, we’re here to help!