Playing With Your Cat

Does your cat sometimes pounce on your toes or bat bottlecaps around the kitchen floor? Our feline pals are very playful, which is one reason that they are so much fun. One small thing you can do that can make a huge difference in your kitty’s overall quality of life is to play with her regularly. A local Brantford, ON vet offers some information about that in this article.

Benefits

Why is playing good for cats? It’s actually for a few reasons. For one thing, it’s a great way for your feline buddy to get her daily exercise. Kitties need to stay fit, just like the rest of us. Playing also provides beneficial mental stimulation, which is crucial to your kitty’s health and well-being. Fluffy will get bored and restless with nothing to do but stare at the walls all day! A fun session of Catch The Red Dot also gives your cat a chance to burn off any excess energy she has. Last but not least, we have bonding. It’s important to spend time with your cute pet every day!

Techniques

Our feline friends are all individual characters, and they all have their own purrsonal preferences. One kitty may like chasing that elusive red dot, while another may just want to pounce on catnip mice. Playing with things you can control from a distance is usually best. For one thing, it’s more fun and more challenging for your pet when she can’t anticipate the movements of her prey. This can also help teach and enforce proper petiquette, by having Fluffy focus her energy on a toy instead of pouncing on your toes. If your cat does actually attack you, blow in her face or clap your hands, then reprimand her using a stern tone of voice.

Safety Tips

Playing should be a fun, safe, and fulfilling activity for your furry companion. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Only play using toys that were specifically made for cats. If you’re using a string toy, be sure to put it away after playtime is over. Fluffy could get tangled up if she tried to play with it by herself! Don’t let your frisky pet play with anything small or sharp, such as safety pins or beads. Plastic wrappers and ties are also unsafe. Ask your vet for more information.

As your local Brantford, ON pet hospital, we are dedicated to providing great veterinary care. Please contact us anytime!