Never underestimate the importance of playing with your cat. Did you know that cat play is essential for the happiness and wellbeing of your meowing mate?

That’s right, despite the fact our purring pals enjoy playing, it’s also vital for their general health. Regularly playing with your cat play encourages your kitty to get active, but it also invigorates his senses and stimulates his mental health.

Of course, it’s not uncommon for the novelty of having a cat to wear off and the play to come to a gradual stop. I get it; your cat loves to sleep and it would be mean to wake him up for some playtime, right?

Mmmn, no—not really. After all, regular interactive play with your cat is great for his or her cognitive skills, reduces boredom, helps maintain a healthy weight and may help ward off certain behaviour problems. So, with all this in mind, let’s delve a little deeper into why you should play with your whiskered friend.

6 reasons to support regular cat play

You can be forgiven for thinking your cat is aloof and totally not interested in playing with you. However, that’s no reason not to encourage your kitty to play. Still not convinced? Here are six more reasons.

1. Play sharpens your cat’s natural instincts

Hunting and jumping on prey are natural instincts for cats. By engaging your fur pal in play which incorporates pouncing for prey (even if it is a toy mouse!) you are inviting him to give in to and express his natural hunting prowess.

Great games to play include laser pointer. You can use a torch or the light on your mobile phone. You can sit back and relax as your cat jumps wildly around the room trying to catch its victim (AKA the light). Alternatively, tie a toy mouse or small ball to a piece of string and drag it around the room until your cat finally catches it.

2. It keeps your meowing mate moving

Regular cat play helps keep your purring pal’s body limber and in shape. Not only does play maintain muscle tone, but it also helps keep their weight in check.

Let’s face it; most domesticated cats are pretty lazy. They live sedentary lifestyles, which—if we’re not careful—can lead to issues with poor health.

The last thing you want is for your cat to become obese or suffer from arthritis or diabetes. Keeping your meowing mate physically active through play is the easiest way to kick unwanted kilos and help support his long-term health.

3. Bids farewell to boredom

Being bored is no fun at all. So why make your cat suffer from boredom? Play can entertain your cat. It can comfort kitties and help them to feel happier.

Just 15 minutes of cat play each day is enough to keep your cat engaged. Try to mix things up by playing different games and incorporating alternative toys and objects.

4. Creates a strong pet-owner bond

There’s nothing better than a few minutes of cat play each day to help create a strong and loving bond between you and your purring pal. Playtime will help your cat get rid of any pent-up aggression or boredom, leaving him feeling super comfortable and relaxed.

Choose games that keep your cat totally engaged and maybe offer up a few little treats for good behaviour. What’s more, encouraging your cat to play will help your kitty to see you as more than just his meal ticket!

5. Keeps your kitty’s mind sharp

The ability to think on the fly is important for our feline friends – particularly for outdoor cats. However, as cats age their cognitive function can decline. In fact, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), feline dementia (AKA feline cognitive dysfunction, or FCD) affects more than 55% of cats aged 11-15 years and more than 80% of cats aged 16-20 years.

So, what’s an awesome way to keep your cat’s mind sharp? Through play, of course! From food puzzles to hunting challenges, playing helps to mentally stimulate your cat and might help slow down or prevent feline dementia.

6. Cat play is fun

There are no better reasons (well, apart from the ones mentioned above!) to play with your cat than to have a heap of fun. And that’s exactly what cat play is — fun times!

There are many different games to play but remember, cats have different personalities and not all will enjoy the same type of cat play. Choose games that your individual kitty loves and be sure to mix it up every now and again. Also, don’t forget that as your cat ages the type of play he prefers might change.

 

Information resources: