Skip to main content

How to play with a cat?

How to play with a cat?

The game is a fundamental activity for the cat And it will depend on a healthy physical constitution, as well as a positive emotional state.If you see your cat cleaning itself excessively, eating compulsively or sleeping more than 18 hours a day, you can consider that there is a problem related to stress , which you can help channel with a positive game and interaction routine.

In addition, it is often common for domestic cats to have limited hunting behavior , innate in their kind, what usually causes frustration or redirection of the behavior, which is shown as a direct attack on the hands or ankles of the owner.

In this article of Animal Expert we will show you everything you need to know about how to play with a cat , recommending toys , they explain Give in detail the feline behaviors related to the game and hunting and also giving you ideas and advice to improve your quality of life.Take note!


Why is playing with a cat so important?

The lifestyle significantly influences the behavior and well-being of the cat.While it is true that cats sleep many hours a day, between 12 and 18, it is also It is important to highlight that when they are awake, their activity level is very intense, something that is often reduced when we are faced with domestic cats that live in a home without access to the outside.

In these cases , the felines cannot carry out the hunting behavior , which in the wild would take up to six hours of daily physical activity to cover their nutritional needs.That translates into boring cats, overweight cats or cats They can only hunt small insects or toys.

In addition, this problem is compounded when the owner is not able to correctly interpret the feline language and considers that the cat may be asking for food, when in fact look for social interaction and game.ar with cats, we improve their quality of life , well-being, relationship with the owner and prevent various problems already mentioned, such as excessive weight and stress.For that reason, it is so important to play with a cat.

How to play with a cat?


What do cats play with?

Cats are curious animals that need to experience new experiences to feel stimulated and it is important to emphasize that they do not always use the pre-designed toys as an exclusive form of entertainment.A cat can play with plants , boxes, catnip or catnip and even with the appearance of any new object in the home that gives you curiosity and poses a challenge to your senses.

However, when you want to play with a cat , it may be advisable to use toys to avoid possible scratches and bites, since the game behavior is closely related to hunting .Then, what toys should we choose to know how to play with a cat and motivate him positively and correctly?

Hunting toys

Hunting toys are usually the most recommended and we can highlight the fishing rod or toy rod , already have feathers or stuffed animals at the end.It is usually the most appreciated toy for cats, although each one has its own preferences.We also find in this category stuffed mice or interactive toys that move alone, such as the butterfly toy for cats, many of them also emit noise.

Intelligence toys

We can also use intelligence toys, such as ball circuits for cats, the kong and other similar toys that act as food retailers .Usually these types of toys combine physical and mental stimulation, but do not include the owner as a participant of the game.

How to play with a cat?


How to make a cat play?-5 fun games

Play behavior is fundamental and necessary for any cat, Regardless of your age, it is advisable to dedicate our best friend quality time to your side that promotes natural game behavior, especially if combined with hunting behavior.As owners, we must strive to know the cat preferences as well as doing activities that promote feline nature .

Here are 5 games for homemade cats:

Motivate with the fishing rod : it is usually the most attractive game for a cat, since the fast movement of the fishing rod captures the attention of the felines, which are much more sensitive to movement.If you do not have this toy , you can use any other you have on hand, moving it constantly. Play hide and seek with the cat : Do you think dogs are the only ones who can play hide and seek with humans? Hide behind a door and call your cat to come find you.Once he finds you, congratulate him effusively and reward him, even with a little piece of food.You can always use the same words to associate them with this activity.For example, " Garfield, where am I ? " Proceptive exercises : you won't need much to do this activity and, in turn, you will get your cat to stimulate his balance, touch and also the sense of sight.They are especially popular in dogs, but they can also be excellent in cats.In addition, they help the cat gain self-confidence.You only need to place different textures and objects in a room, for example, bubble wrap., a square meter of fake grass or a ladder on the ground.Then you must spread prizes for the cat or rub them with catnip.The cat will experiment with new textures and shapes, while discovering. Olfactory exploration : Try to hide in a carton of toilet paper more or less closed different herbs with odors, always paying attention to avoid toxic plants for cats.Some examples can be catnip, valerian or aloe vera.You will have a great time discovering new things. Tunnels and hidden prizes : In any specific pet trade (and even for children) you can find tunnels that your cat will adore.Hide a prize or some plant that can attract him to stimulate his curiosity.If you don't know what use, discover 10 odors that attract cats.


Why doesn't my cat play alone?

Many people confuse the enrichment of the home with leaving all available toys available to the cat.This is a serious mistake .You should know that cats show a lot of interest in new objects, substances and odors, therefore, after a single session of games and without the stimulation that you can provide them, a static object does not cause them any curiosity, so they stop playing alone , even when we talk about interactive toys or those that move alone.

It can be very interesting to have a box with our cat's toys and remove one or two daily, with The goal is to show interest in them.If the goal is to play with us, we will take time to surprise you with those toys and socialize , but if instead the goal is to have fun in our absence, we can rub the toys with catnip , p To wake up your senses.

How to play with a cat?


Adapting the game to each stage

The game must always be adapted to each stage of the cat, so we will show you some curiosities that you should know when making your best friend play:

How play with a small cat?

Kittens are especially playful and easy to motivate and, unless they have had a very traumatic experience, they usually enjoy the game with their humans , complying with practically any new object at your fingertips.It is very positive to stimulate them at this stage, although never excessively, since this will favor a more positive behavior and better well-being, in addition to predisposing the animal to be playful at all stages of his life.

How to play with an adult cat?

Not all cats play in adulthood and it may happen that, if they have not learned hunting or game behaviors in their socialization stage, they do not know how to play correctly.Some have not even played in their entire lives, since they were quickly separated from his mother and siblings, in addition to the fact that the humans with whom they live together did not motivate him.That is why, if you have adopted an adult cat and are not able to make him play, you may find yourself facing such cases.

How to play with an adult cat that doesn't know? This is undoubtedly a very complicated case and it takes time, dedication and the use of all possible tools.Combining catnip, toys and movement, we can get our cat to show interest in the game, although in serious cases, as before a sensational deprivation syndrome , it may happen that the cat never comes to play.

How to play with older cats?

Have you Ever asked until how old do cats play ? Most owners do not know that many cats play even in their old age, although obviously not as actively as a puppy or adult cat.In these cases we must adapt the game according to the limitations of the same cat, but trying to motivate him to continue exercising and stimulating his mind.


How long do you have to play with a cat?

A study published by Universities Federation for Animal Welfare in 165 shelter cats [1] shows a significant improvement in well-being and stress reduction in those individuals who were in an environment enriched, with a management based on positive reinforcement and where consistency prevails, the opportunity to interact and favoring natural game behaviors in the feline in 69-76% of cases.

So, Â How long should you play with a cat a day? It is important to highlight that the needs vary according to each individual and, although it is a fact that the game can improve the levels of stress and anxiety in the feline, a study of the book Animal Behavior highlights the negative effects of a Excessive stimulation, which would significantly increase stressful situations and that would not always be an indicator of well-being in the case of cats that have been deprived of stimulation for a long time.

Therefore, the I always play progressively and adapt it to the individual and their specific needs for play, fun and stress reduction.But on average, you could place the daily play time at 30 minutes approximately.

How to play with a cat?


How to know if my cat is playing or fighting?

Especially when we face a problem of aggressiveness in the cat, it can be difficult to differentiate the game's own behaviors and those that are effectively part of an aggression towards us.As we have explained above, aggressiveness can be a consequence of the lack of play , which causes the animal to redirect the hunting behavior towards us, although it may also be due to the accumulated energy that it has not been able to channel properly.

But if our cat is aggressive beyond the game moments , we might suspect that the behavior is due to another reason, for example a lack of socialization, a trauma or a bad experience , due to the feline's own genetics and even for an organic cause, that is, due to pain or due to a hormonal problem among others.

In the case of any of these problems, it is best to perform a veterinary exam qu and discard any pathology and, in the face of serious behavior, consider going to an ethologist or a feline educator .

If you want to read more articles similar to How to play with a cat? , we recommend you enter our Games and Entertainment section.

References

Gourkow, N.; Fraser D.: The effect of housing and handling practices on the welfare, behavior and selection of domestic cats ( Felis sylvestris catus ) by adopters in an animal shelter -Animal Welfare, Volume 15, Number 4, November 2006, pp.371-377 (7) Suzanne DEHeld.; Marek Spinka.: Animal play and animal welfare -Animal Behavior Volume 81, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 891-899
Etiquetas:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...
30 comments
Read more

Colicos in horses - Symptoms and treatment

The equine colic is the first cause of mortality in horses and many horse owners have to face it once since it is the most frequent disease of the adult horse.Colic syndrome is defined as a abdominal pain of varied origins . The horse is a hypersensitive animal and the external manifestations of the colic can be impressive.Some specificities of the horse can complicate the situation: a horse cannot vomit, so that the food that has reached the stomach is forced to follow its path in the digestive tract.In addition, certain parasites such as strongils cause a narrowing of the arteries of the digestive system, which can make the condition worse. Fortunately less than 10% of horses with colic require surgery.case colic syndrome is a of the most important equine pathologies for their severity and frequency, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will tell you everything you need to know about the colic in horses . Symptoms of colic on the horse Colic or colic syndrome is...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kodiak bear: features and photos

The Kodiak bear ( Ursus arctos middendorffi ), also known as the Alaskan giant bear, is a subspecies of brown bear native to the island of Kodiak and other coastal towns in southern Alaska.These mammals highlight their immense size and remarkable robustness, being one of the mammals The world's largest terrestrial, next to the polar bear. If you want to know more about this giant mammal, we invite you to continue reading this Animals and Pets Online sheet, in which we will tell you about the origin, the feeding and reproduction of the Kodiak bear. Origin of the kodiak bear As we have already told you, the kodiak bear is a subspecies of the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), a species of the family Ursidae that lives in Eurasia and North America and has more than 16 subspecies recognized today.Specifically, kodiak bears are native to southern Alaska and underlying regions, such as the island of Kodiak. Originally, the kodiak bear was described as a new species of be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Can I bathe my dog ​​if I just wormed him?

When is it a first time in adopting a dog, it is normal that many doubts arise about what is best for them and when it is advisable to do everything, so Animals and Pets Online solves all the questions that arise. Deworming your dog periodically is necessary to preserve their health and avoid possible diseases from the action of microorganisms, external and internal parasites, among others.If you do not know when you should bathe your dog after a deworming , keep reading this article. Why deworm the dog? You may think that deworming is not necessary, but the truth is that thanks to it you avoid your dog much discomfort, in addition to prevent diseases transmitted by parasites . Among the main parasites, both external and internal, are ticks, fleas, lice, losacaros and intestinal worms, among many others.Pruritus, hair loss, diarrhea, tick disease, and even death in the most serious cases, they are part of the consequences that cause these beings to stay in the body of your furr...
4 comments
Read more

Why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate?

If you have seen the mating of two wise cats that do a lot of noise.The truth is that the meows begin when the cats enter into heat, to attract the attention of the males .They also respond with meows and so the procession begins. But it is during the copula that the screams are more obvious and scandalous.Many people wonder why do cats make a lot of noise when they mate? In Animal Expert we will answer your question, you will be surprised. Sexual maturity and zeal Females reach sexual maturity between 5 and 9 months of age.Males, meanwhile, somewhat later, between 9 and 12 months .It is quite evident when cats are in heat.In addition to the characteristic meowing, there are many other signs that a cat is in heat, such as licking, tail lifting, etc. The heat in cats has an average of 5 to 7 days and is repeated once a month .This interval will depend on whether the cat has crossed or not with a male during the heat Other factors that may intervene are the season of the a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Differences between a Persian cat and an angora

Although both breeds are known and popular, for some lovers of cats the differences between a Persian cat and an angora are not entirely clear, perhaps because they both have a spectacular long coat, but the differences between both races are remarkable and, if we want to adopt any of these cats, it is important that we have them in order for our new cat to adapt as well as possible to our home. This is why in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will expose the differences between a Persian cat and an angora .If you intend to adopt any of these cats, this article of Persian cat vs Angora is essential! Physical differences between Persian and Angora cats We begin this review of the differences between a Persian cat and an angora for the most obvious, that is, those that refer to physical aspects.These are going to be the following: The nose: it is, perhaps, the most important and significant, in addition, at first glance it will allow us to differentiate a Persian cat a...
3 comments
Read more

Most common diseases of the Persian cat

The Persian cat is one of the oldest and most desired breeds known.to its peculiar physical constitution the Persian cat suffers from some recurring problems of which we will inform you in this article.This I have just commented does not mean that Persian cats are sickly, since if the needs that their precise morphology are properly addressed they do not usually have problems. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will inform you of the most common diseases of the Persian cat , so that you learn to prevent them. Take note of them and Do not forget to visit the veterinarian on a regular basis to ensure that your cat's health is in perfect condition. Tricobezoares Persian cats are the feline breed whose hair is longer and denser, so they are more prone to suffering tricobezoars than other cats with shorter hair. Tricobezoars are hairballs that form in the stomach and digestive tract of the cat.Cats usually regurgitate hairballs, but sometimes they accumulate in t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Giant Schnauzer dog: features

Because of his relationship with the schnauzer and his past as a shepherd dog, the giant schnauzer are large, robust and strong dogs, which serve both for surveillance and protection, as well as grazing, although in the latter aspect they are less and less used.Being so large, they need a good doses of daily exercise, so they are not recommended for people who do not have time to take long walks or play with them, but not because of their size they are independent dogs, but they are a very intelligent, active and loyal , who with a correct training and exercise, are able to develop many skills. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we show you all the necessary information if you are thinking of adopting a giant schnauzer . Origin of the giant schnauzer This breed originated in Germany, from its cousin the schnauzer .The German cattlemen were so impressed with the qualities of the schnauzer that they decided to create a new breed that had the same qualities, but that i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Argentine dog breeds

The International Cinological Federation (FCI) is the body responsible for standardizing canine breeds in 10 groups With different sections each, obviously in addition to those dogs that correspond to a specific breed, there are many more that are mestizos. Unfortunately in this article we will see how some breeds previously recognized by the FCI have become extinct but We will also know other breeds that we can still enjoy and that are native to the American continent, specifically Argentina. Discover in this article of Animals and Pets Online what are the Argentine dog breeds . Argentine polar dog This breed was the fruit of the crossing between Siberian Husky, Greenland, Alaskan Malamute and Spitz Manchuriano, unfortunately it became extinct in 1994, when it had to move from region to meet the Antarctic Treaty of Environmental Protection. The Argentine polar dog was developed by the Argentine army, which conceived it as a sled dog for its antarctic bases, was a breed ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Feeding and care of a dog with anemia

Anemia in dogs is a disease that is directly related to the low presence of red blood cells in the dog's blood.It can be caused by different causes: wounds, the presence of parasites, the parvovirus or the excessive appearance of antibodies.The veterinarian is the only professional capable of diagnosing and treating this Effectively, which can easily be confused with other common ailments in dogs because of the symptoms it presents. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will give you some advice about feeding and care that we can offer a dog that suffers from anemia and is in treatment.Although these are tips that do not put in any case the health of your dog at stake, it is convenient that you consult the professional whenever you have doubts. Keep reading and Discover the proposals of Animals and Pets Online to favor a recovery of the dog with anemia with homemade and natural treatments: Use of home remedies for anemia in dogs The treatment of anemia in dogs ...
Post a Comment
Read more