The game is a fundamental activity for the cat and depends on a healthy physical constitution as well as a positive emotional state. If you look at the cat about cleaning, overeating, or sleeping more than 18 hours a day, you may consider it having a stress-related problem and can help channel a routine of play and positive interaction.
In addition, it is common for domestic cats to have limited hunting behavior, which is innate in their kind, and usually causes frustration or change in behavior, resulting in a direct attack on the guardian’s hands or ankles.
- In this Animal Expert article we will explain how to play with cats so that you learn all about recommended toys.
- Feline behavior related to hunting and hunting and also give ideas and tips to improve the quality of life of your pet.
- Start writing it!.
Lifestyle greatly influences the behavior and well-being of the feline. Although cats can sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, it is important to note that their activity level is quite intense when awake. This is often reduced when it comes to domestic cats living in a house without access to the outside.
In these cases, felines cannot participate in hunting behavior, which in nature would require up to six hours of daily physical activity to meet the nutritional needs of the cat. This results in boring cats, overweight cats or simply hunting for small insects or toys.
In addition, this problem is compounded when the caregiver cannot correctly interpret feline language and considers that the cat is asking for food when in fact it seeks social interaction and play. Playing with cats improves quality of life, well-being and relationship with the guardian, and avoids various problems already mentioned, such as overweight and stress. That’s why playing with a cat is so important.
Cats are curious animals that need to live new experiences to feel stimulated and it is important to note that they do not always use predetermined toys as an exclusive form of entertainment. A cat can play with plants, boxes, cat grass and even with the appearance of a new item at home that will arouse curiosity and challenge your senses.
However, as far as toys are concerned, it is advisable to use toys to avoid possible scratches and bites, since the game is closely related to hunter behavior. So which toys to choose to play with a cat and motivate it in a positive way?
Cat-hunting toys are usually the most recommended and you can highlight the cat wand or toy stick, which has feathers or stuffed animals at the end. It is usually the most popular toy for cats, although each has its own preferences. In this category there are also stuffed mice or interactive toys that move alone, such as the butterfly cat toy, many of which also emit noise.
We can also use smart cat toys, such as circuits with cat balls, kongs and other similar toys that act as food dispensers. In general, these toys combine physical and mental stimulation, but do not include the caregiver as a participant in the game.
If you’re looking for a cheaper and greener option, also learn how to make cat toys and how to make cat toys with recyclable materials in these Animal Expert items.
Regardless of age, hunting behavior is fundamental and necessary for any cat, so it is advisable to dedicate quality time with your cat to promote the natural behavior of hunting, especially when combined with hunting behavior. As a tutor, you should strive to learn about the preferences and activities of the cat that promote the feline nature.
Here are 6 sets of cats
Generally, this is the most attractive game for a cat, because the rapid movement of the stick catches the attention of felines, who are much more sensitive to movement. If you don’t have this toy, you can use one nearby, constantly moving it.
You think dogs are the only ones who know how to play hide-and-seek with humans? Hide behind a door and call your cat to look for you. After meeting him, congratulate him warmly and reward him, even with some food. You can always use the same words to associate them with this activity. For example, “Garfield, where am I?”
You don’t need much for this activity and, in turn, it allows your cat to stimulate balance, touch and sense of sight. They are particularly popular in dogs, but can also be excellent in cats. They also help the cat gain confidence. Simply place different textures and objects in a room, such as bubble wrap, a square meter of artificial turf, or a ladder on the floor. Then you have to hand out prizes for the cat or rub them with cat grass. The cat will experiment with new textures and shapes, while discovering.
Try to hide different herbs in a semi-enclosed box, always careful to avoid plants toxic to cats. Some good examples of use include cat grass, valerian or aloe vera. Your cat will have a good time discovering new things.
In any specific pet store (and even for kids), you can propose tunnels that your cat will love. Hide a price or plant in the tunnel that can attract you to stimulate your curiosity. If you don’t know what to use, discover: 10 smells that cats love.
Another interesting game for your cat can be seen in the following video, just place an iPad on the floor and let your feline “chase” the fish on the screen:
Many people confuse the environmental enrichment of cats with the provision of all cat toys. That’s a big mistake. You should know that cats show a great interest in new objects, substances and smells, so after a single game session and without the stimulation you can provide them, a static object does not make them curious, so they stop playing alone, even when it is interactive toys or those that move alone.
It can be very interesting to have a box of cat toys and take out one or two a day, to show interest in them. If the goal is to play with cats, you need to invest time to surprise them with toys and socialize, but if on the contrary, the goal is to have fun in the absence of the keeper, you can rub the cat toys with cat grass. , so that your senses are awake.
Cat games must adapt to every stage of cat life, so let’s show you some curiosities to know when playing with cats:
Kittens are particularly playful and easy to motivate, unless they have had a very traumatic experience, in general, they love the game with their humans, being satisfied with any new toy. It is very important to encourage them at this stage, but never in excess, as this will promote a more positive behavior and better well-being, in addition to predisposing the animal to be playful at all stages of their life.
Not all cats play as adults. If you haven’t learned to hunt, or even the behavior of the game in your socialization phase, you may not be able to play properly. Some did not even play in their entire lives, as they were quickly separated from their mothers and brothers, and the humans they lived with did not motivate them. So, if you have adopted an adult cat and cannot play it, you may face this case.
How do I play with adult cats who don’t know me? This is undoubtedly a very complicated case and requires time, dedication and use of all possible tools. By combining cat grass, toys and moves, we can get the cat to show interest in the game. In severe cases, such as sensory deprivation syndrome, the cat may never be predisposed to play.
Have you ever wondered how old cats are? Most owners do not know that many cats play into old age, although they are clearly not as active as a kitten or an adult feline. In these cases, you have to adapt the game taking into account the limits of the cat itself, always trying to motivate it to continue exercising and stimulating its mind.
A study published by the Federation of Universities for Animal Welfare with 165 cats in shelter [1] showed a significant improvement in well-being and stress reduction in individuals who were in an environment enriched by a system based on positive reinforcement manipulation and where they prioritized that. in case of consistency, the opportunity to connect and promote the natural play behaviors of the feline in 69 to 76% of cases.
So how long should the cat play a day? It is important to note that needs vary with each individual and, while it is true that the game can improve stress and anxiety levels in cats, a study in the book Animal Behavior highlights the negative effects of overstimulation, which would significantly increase stressful situations. that would not always be an indicator of well-being, as in the case of cats that have been without stimulation for a long time.
Therefore, the game should always be promoted and progressively adapted to the individual and their specific needs in terms of play, fun and stress reduction. However, on average, you can set the daily reading time to approximately 30 minutes.
Especially when faced with an aggression problem with the cat, it can be difficult to distinguish between good cat play behaviors and those that are actually part of an aggression against you. As explained above, aggression may result from lack of play, leading the animal to redirect its hunter behavior towards us, although this may also be due to the accumulated energy that the feline was not able to channel properly.
However, if the cat is aggressive beyond the moments of play, it can be suspected that this behavior is due to another reason such as lack of socialization, trauma or bad experience, due to the cat’s own genetics and even an organic factor. , that is, because of pain or because of having a hormonal problem, among other things.
In the face of one of these problems, it is advisable to carry out a veterinary examination that excludes any pathology and, in cases of serious behavior, consider consulting a feline ethologist or educator.
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