Great Reasons To Play With Your Cat

Is your cat playful? It’s probable that the answer to that question is yes. Fluffy is a fun pet, in part because she is quite mischievous. Regularly playing with your furry friend is one of the best things you can do for her! A Mapleton, UT veterinarian shares some reasons in the article below.

Why Is It Important To Play With Your Cat?

Playing helps Fluffy in many ways. For one thing, it keeps her active. It also provides both mental stimulation and fun. Both of these are important for your cat’s health and happiness! Cats can get quite upset and unhappy when they are bored. This could lead to issues with behavior. At times, this can even result in physical issues, such as excessive grooming or lack of appetite.

Another reason playing is important is that it allows your cat to show her inner lioness. Kitties have a natural instinct to hunt. In the wild, they depend on their hunting skills to stay alive. Fluffy really just wants and feels driven to get better at pouncing, scratching, and biting. Playing lets her unleash her inner predator safely.

It’s great for making connections. When you spend time holding that wand toy or laser pointer for your cat, she will see that you are doing something special for her. That will definitely get you some purrs!

Playing can help shy cats gain confidence. Learning the tricky combination of run, jump, roll, pounce, meow, and tail lash can really benefit a shy cat. Picture a timid kitten finally scoring a goal: that’s a pretty purrfect confidence boost.

Will Playing Help Make My Cat Happy? 

Definitely! In addition to what we discussed before, Fluffy just enjoys playing. Fun is also essential for our happiness and well-being. Plus, it will make your cat feel loved. That is really important as well.

Those play sessions could be beneficial for you, too. Spending time with Fluffy can lower your blood pressure and help relieve stress and anxiety. It also brings us happiness, which is beneficial for our mental and emotional health.

What Makes Cats So Amusing?

Playing with your pet can be just as fun for you as it is for her! It’s hard to stop laughing at some of Fluffy’s funny actions. Kittens are super cute to watch when they are feeling frisky, and they can be quite amusing when they play energetically.

In fact, we really can’t understate the value of cats as entertainment. Fluffy is also both a hunter and a target in nature. This forms an interesting mix of confidence and reserve. Your cat may show great courage when chasing a moth in the living room, but it might also run away in fear if you accidentally bang a pot while cooking.

Should I Play With My Cat Often?

We recommend playing with Fluffy every day. This doesn’t have to take much time. Just a few minutes can be useful. One easy way to do this is to place some cat toys near your favorite chair or sofa. Just take them while you watch TV or relax.

What Should I Stay Away From When Playing With My Cat?

Playing with your cat is easy, but there are a few things to steer clear of.

·       Avoid shining a laser pointer directly into your cat’s eyes. That could damage her eyesight!

·       Do not play with unsafe items. This includes small or sharp items, rope or string-like objects, plastic bags, ties, and similar items. Use actual cat toys!

·       After you finish using a wand or string toy, be sure to put it away. Your pet could get trapped if she tries to use it while you’re not home. That could be very dangerous for her!

·       Lastly, if you have multiple cats, be mindful not to show favoritism. Cats can get very jealous of one another.

When Is The Best Time To Play With My Cat?

There aren’t any strict rules for this. Whenever you are at home and your cat is awake, you have a purrfect chance!

We do have a suggestion for those with mischievous pets, though. If your feline buddy is full of energy, you may want to play with her before bedtime. We probably don’t need to explain what happens when cats get tired. When your furry friend is done with all of that running and jumping, she is more likely to cuddle with you for the night rather than play with her toys or pounce on your ankles.

Why Is My Cat Attacking Me?

What is one interesting thing about cats? Sometimes, they show their love by biting or scratching us. They are not shy about using us as toys to practice their lion skills. This can be delightful, but it might also lead to some undesirable behavior.

It’s important to understand the difference between playful teasing and real anger. If Fluffy is just playing, she will probably bite softly. She may stop her attack to start licking you or just act silly or playful. Angry cats may hiss or growl, and they won’t hold back. (Note: Fluffy can switch from one option to another at any time, often with little or no warning.)

If your cat is acting aggressively, promptly say ‘No’ or ‘Be nice.’ Then, walk away and ignore her. This should communicate the message clearly. If your cat continues misbehaving or acting aggressively, talk to your Mapleton, UT vet for advice.

When Should I Stop Playing With My Cat?

Your cat will probably decide this one. When Fluffy feels she has had enough, she just stops playing and walks away. That is one of the several differences between cats and dogs. Fido will do his best to keep his owners happy, even if that means wearing himself out. Fluffy will quit as soon as she feels a bit tired.

If your cat begins to attack you, stop the playtime. That’s not good petiquette and can lead to some dangerous behavior later on! Don’t shout at her; that could just make her scared of you. Tell your energetic pet to ‘Play nice.’ You could also say, ‘Keep your claws to yourself’ or ‘Please don’t bite.’ What matters more is consistency than the exact words used.

If that doesn’t help, take a step back and allow her some space for a bit. Fluffy might need some time to understand, but eventually, she should catch on.

What Kinds of Toys Do Cats Like?

It varies from one kitty to another. Some people like to chase the red dot from a laser pointer. Some people enjoy hitting small balls. Some are completely content just playing with a bottle cap or an ice cube. Try different options and see what your pet likes best. If you have multiple cats, offer a range of choices: your adorable pets may have different likes. For instance, Fluffy may love laser pointers, while Gremlin may prefer batting at catnip mice. Consult your Mapleton, UT vet for tailored advice.

Schedule an Appointment at Our Mapleton, UT Animal Hospital

Do you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care? Contact us today at your Mapleton, UT animal clinic. We are here to help you!