Cats greatly benefit from interactive playtime, where the owner moves a cat's game around. It helps overcome boredom, reduces stress, and provides physical and mental exercise for Kitty, while at the same time enhancing the special bond between man and cat.
What's interactive playtime?
When you throw a simple stuffed toy at a cat to hit alone, you give him a "dead prey" to swoop on. Regardless of the cost of the game, Kitty will probably lose interest in a few minutes. After all, there's not much you can do with a dead rat that's inedible other than making sure it's really dead.
However, when you use a hunt game to play with your cat, you blow life into the game by moving it. You actually create a good simulation of actual hunting, where prey moves and hides and throws arrows around. More interesting for your cat! To make the most of this precious interaction, here are some things you need to consider.
1. Create the right setup.
Interactive playtime is essentially a form of role-playing. Your cat's role is that of the Hunter. Your role - across the game - is that of The Prey. Don't play on stage, though. Make sure there's props around you - furniture, pillows, boxes, bags all make rocks, logs, grass for prey and predators to hide behind.
2. Imitation of prey behavior.
You play your part right. Determine whether the game at the end of the string is a mouse, a bird, or perhaps a small lizard or a fish. Get in the turn and make the game move accordingly. If the mouse you play, it must run next to walls and things, hide occasionally, freeze if it sees the cat, and then run away from it (never in the direction of the cat). If you play a bird, make the game flop and fly in the air occasionally. Don't forget to be the kind that walks on the floor a lot, and maybe click on food. After all, no cat will chase a bird flying up into the sky.
3. Don't disappoint your cat.
You want the game to be fun and satisfying. Don't wave the game too high for Kitty. Let the bird land too much and don't let the rat always run away from the cat. Every now and then, especially if you try too hard, let your cat hold the game and hold it in his mouth and paws for a little while.
4. Don't bother your cat.
Exercise is definitely one of your goals, but that doesn't mean Kitty needs to get to the point where she's groping or breathing. This rarely occurs during real hunting sessions, where most of the time is spent chasing prey and planning an attack. Remember, exercise means mental exercise, not just physical activity.
5. Warm up - play - calm down.
Just like with your pilates or running exercises, keep playing with reasonable and safe time. Start with slow moves, gradually make your way until you reach the wild pursuit, and eventually end the session with slower play moves again. It's healthier for your cat's body.
6. Make a daily schedule.
Cats are creatures of habit. If they know playtime is always in the evening or in the morning, they're likely to be awake and active. The two games on the day are great. If you can only manage one, you better do it during the evening, make sure Kitty's tired and relaxed during the night. In fact, interactive playtime in the evening is a tool for behavioral therapy. Read more about it in our article on cats and Night Crazies.
7. More than a cat? Play separately.
Cats aren't pawns and don't hunt in groups. If you try to run a mouse when there's more than one cat in the room, one cat is likely to be actively involved (usually a smaller or more dominant cat), while the other cat plays a spectator. It's not good for them, where they can become excited about visual stimuli, but with nowhere to get rid of pent-up stress, they end up feeling more stressed than before.
If you have more than one cat, you have to have a separate play session for each cat, and do it in a separate room where you'll be alone.
8. Feed after play.
Good fishing must end with a meal. You don't add calories to Kitty's daily diet, but keep a few spoons of his usual diet to be served after playtime. This is also a good time to get food out for a successful hunter. It increases your cat's satisfaction and once you eat the meal, he'll probably find a nice place and sleep a little.
9. Get your fingers out of the way.
One of the advantages of using a game of fishing tap is that your fingers and hands are safe from claws and teeth. If you choose to mimic prey movements using a little toy on a thread, make sure the thread is long enough for Kitty not to end up preying on your fingers!
10. I play the whole life of a cat.
It's easy to make a little cat play, but older cats may be more stable. That doesn't mean they shouldn't enjoy interactive play sessions. On the contrary! These are cats that can benefit more from the physical and mental stimulation the game offers. Look for a game that interests your cat, apply the above principles and adhere to a timetable. If Kitty seems reluctant to play for a long time, don't push her. Start with a minute of play and work your way up to 10-15 minutes of session.
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