A lot of people give cats a reputation for being standoffish and disinterested in human interaction. The fact is, though, that many cats love playing and engagement with their humans. You just have to take the time to figure out how to do it the right way. Some cats will be easy. They will take the toys you’ve chosen for them and literally run with them. Others might ignore toys, not show interest in “normal” play, and make it otherwise difficult to entertain.
The latter are the ones that usually get written off as being “not playful”, but the reality is that you probably just haven’t found what they like yet. According to studies, as many as 60% of domestic house cats are obese, and it can be hard to get lazy cats back into the routine of staying active. It’s all about finding the best toys and taking the time to help your cat find their favorite ways to play.
Read on to learn more about interactive play and how to keep your kitties engaged. Animals need the opportunity to express their natural behaviors and if you don’t encourage them to do it healthily, they’re probably going to start biting and acting out in ways that you don’t enjoy. To keep your cat from boredom and entertain yourself, too, try the ideas below.
Hunting Activities
Cats are hunters by nature. They love things on strings and feathers and other dangling items because they can pounce, run, and catch the “prey” like they would in the wild. If you can find toys and games that you can engage your cat with that resemble natural hunting activities, you’re sure to get their attention and keep them active, no matter their age or what their usual habits are like.
You can use small toys, items on strings or sticks, and other toys to engage with your cat. Make the toys wiggle, move, and otherwise entice your cat, allowing them to engage their natural hunting instincts and pounce. It’s always fun for your cat and it will use up a lot of their energy, too.
Mechanical Toys and Light Toys
Laser pointers were all the rage during the dawn of the computer era and the turn of the 21st century. Today, however, as most people have traded up for better tools, there’s still one place where these gadgets are sold regularly: pet stores. Cats love lights and shiny things that get their attention. You wouldn’t believe how many cats will spend hours chasing a laser light. Sure, it seems silly to a human, but the cats enjoy it in so many ways.
Mechanical toys are the same. These toys are more interactive and engaging and help cats to exercise and engage their hunting, stalking, and pouncing skills. It also gives them somewhere to wear out their pouncing other than on your feet.
Obstacle Courses and Mazes
Cats are curious and they like investigating new situations that aren’t threatening. If you create obstacle courses and maze-like areas throughout the home, the cat will enjoy exploring them and investigating what you’ve created. You can even hide treats and food throughout the space to encourage them to hunt along the way, too. Cats are a lot more into mazes and puzzles than people realize.
Food Puzzles
Of course, there’s no better way to engage your cat while also giving them a leg up on staying in shape than to use a food puzzle. This will allow them to eat slower, work for their food, and engage valuable hunting and critical thinking skills to essentially “work for their supper”. Some people might not want to make their cats do this, but they enjoy it because it’s more like their natural routine than just being fed from a bowl.
You can find all kinds of food puzzles and related toys that can slow down your cat’s eating to help them lose weight and eat less, but also to engage them and keep them entertained. You’re killing two birds with one stone here.
Cat Apps
Welcome to the future, where even cats have apps for entertainment. There are apps that you can set up so that your cat can chase virtual lasers, catch fish, or even paint on the screen. You should turn down the screen brightness and make sure that it’s safe for your cat by checking with the vet, but there are so many unique apps to try. If your cat likes watching your screens or even watches TV with you, this could be a good way to engage them and give them something to do.
Brushing
Of course, it’s not all about play. Cats need love, too. When you want to bond with your cat and show affection, it’s not always just about petting. Cats love to be brushed, or at least a majority of them do. If you start when they are kittens, this grooming need can become a bonding experience and help the two of you spend quiet time together. After all, playing is fun, but everyone needs some downtime.
What About Other Cats?
Of course, like any pet owner, you want to make sure that your cat isn’t too lonely, either. Unlike dogs who are mostly going to enjoy playing with others, cats aren’t always designed to have companions or friends of their species. If your cat seems to like other animals, you might encourage them to play with your other pets. If, however, they act anxious or scared around other cats or dogs, stick to solo activities that your cat can enjoy.
The bottom line? It’s all about getting to know your cat. Try a few things and see what they like. Give them the chance to show you how they like to play and what most interests them. Start with several different activities and toys and then let them choose what they want. This will make it easier to ensure that they’re having a good time and you aren’t the only one that’s entertained.