Tease Their Natural Hunting Instincts
Cats are natural hunters, so it’s important to provide appropriate outlets for their prey drive. One of the best ways to play with your cat is to engage their hunting instincts using toys and games.
Cats love chasing, pouncing, and capturing, so try toys that mimic prey like feathers, balls, and toy mice. Drag or flutter toys across the floor to trigger your cat’s chase response. Cats prefer movement that seems random and unpredictable, just like real prey. Make toys dart back and forth or under furniture so your cat has to hunt them.
Hiding toys for your cat to find also satisfies their inner hunter. Place toys around the house in paper bags, boxes, or under blankets so your cat can discover them. Toys that release treats or food when batted around are also very rewarding for cats to “catch.”
Engaging your cat’s natural hunting behaviors through play is great mental and physical stimulation. It allows them to act out their predator role in a safe, controlled way. Make sure to rotate toys to keep your cat’s interest. Appropriate hunting play will satisfy your cat’s instincts and prevent them from directing prey drive onto inappropriate items like your ankles!
Play chase games
Cats love to chase things! Playing chase games with your cat is a great way to engage their natural hunting instincts.
One of the best chase toys is a drag toy, like a feather wand or mouse toy, that you can pull along the floor for your cat to pounce on and chase after. Drag the toy quickly to trigger your cat’s prey drive and get them running and leaping as they try to capture their “prey.” Make the chase challenging by changing directions or hiding the toy just out of reach. Reward your cat with a treat when they do finally catch the toy.
Laser pointers and flashlights make excellent chase toys too. Turn the laser on and move it along the floor and up walls, letting your cat dart after the elusive red dot. Laser chasing provides great exercise and mental stimulation. Just be sure not to point the laser in your cat’s eyes or allow them to actually catch the dot, as this can cause frustration.
You can even make your cat chase you by running away from them across a room or down a hallway. Many cats will instinctively give chase for a few steps. Just be careful not to startle them. The thrill of the chase taps right into their inner hunter.
Playing chase games like these provides an outlet for your cat’s natural stalking and hunting behaviors. Just be sure to let them catch their “prey” sometimes to satisfy their inner predator!
Engage their curiosity
Cats are naturally curious creatures who love to explore. One of the best ways to engage this instinct is by providing boxes, paper bags, tunnels, and food puzzles for them to investigate.
Cats love to check out boxes and bags, crawl through tunnels, and work to get treats out of food puzzles. Setting up these kinds of items around the house provides mental stimulation and satisfies your cat’s desire to explore new spaces.
Leave some empty cardboard boxes and paper bags lying around the floor. Your cat will excitedly jump in and out of them, hiding and peeking out from inside. Crumple up some paper and toss it in the boxes as well for added texture.
Get a few inexpensive cardboard tunnels or tubes and create a little maze on the floor for your cat to wander through. They’ll have a blast prowling from tunnel to tunnel.
Food puzzles and treat balls are great for dispensing treats or kibble as your cat bats them around. Your cat will be thoroughly entertained trying to get the food out. This taps into their natural hunting drive.
Rotating toys and activity centers keeps things fresh and interesting for your curious cat. Engaging their investigative spirit helps provide vital mental stimulation.
Physical Play
Cats love physical play and interaction. Engaging in active playtime with your cat is a great way to strengthen your bond and provide exercise. Some excellent physical play options include:
Wands
Cat wands or fishing pole toys allow you to mimic prey for your cat to hunt and chase. Drag the toy along the floor, dangle and wiggle it to trigger your cat’s natural hunting instincts. Let your cat pounce and capture the toy at the end. Wands are a fun way to get your cat running and leaping without getting scratched or bitten!
Teasers
Teaser toys are another way to engage your cat’s prey drive. These wand attachments with feathers, fake mice, bells and more provide irresistible movement for your cat to stalk. Slowly sweep the teasers along the floor, suddenly lift them, and watch your cat pounce. Varying the speed and pattern of the teasers will keep your cat enthralled.
Balls
Balls give cats an outlet for batting, rolling, carrying, and chasing. Try different textures and sizes to see what engages your cat most. Ping pong balls are lightweight for batting and rolling. Larger exercise balls can be pushed and chased. Hide-and-seek is another fun ball game – gently roll balls under furniture for your cat to discover.
Scratching Posts
Scratching posts and cat trees allow climbing, scratching, perching, and playing hide-and-seek. Vertical scratching posts should be tall enough for full stretching. Make sure they’re sturdy enough for energetic play too. Add toys dangling from the top or small hidey-holes built into the posts. Engaging with scratching posts provides important physical activity for your cat.
Getting down and playing with wands, teasers, balls, and scratching posts allows beneficial physical activity and bonding. Try various toys and games to keep your cat engaged and entertained through healthy physical play.
Games for Bonding
Cats bond deeply with their human companions. You can strengthen this bond through interactive playtime. Simple hand games are a great way to connect.
Try playing fetch with your cat using a favorite toy. Toss it across the room, then encourage your cat to retrieve it and bring it back. This mimics their natural hunting behavior. Reward your cat with praise or treats for participating.
Lap games allow close contact as your cat sits with you. Use a fishing pole toy or laser pointer to get your cat pouncing around your lap and chasing lights. Pet your cat gently when they settle down to relax. This positive reinforcement builds trust.
Clicker training is very effective for bonding. Use the clicker to mark desired behaviors like coming when called or sitting on command. Follow each click with a treat. Your cat will learn to associate you with rewards and look forward to training.
Interactive play requires patience as your cat becomes comfortable. Stay positive throughout. These games build a history of fond memories together. Your devoted cat will treasure this special bonding time.
Calming Play
Cats can get overstimulated and stressed just like humans. Calming playtime can help relax your cat and strengthen your bond. Here are some calming activities to try:
Massage
Gently petting or massaging your cat can help calm them. Focus on areas like under the chin, cheeks, temple, and base of the ears. Use slow strokes and moderate pressure. Avoid areas that may be sore. Massage releases feel-good hormones and promotes relaxation. Do short sessions of 5-10 minutes. Let your cat leave if they lose interest.
Brushing
Regular brushing keeps your cat’s coat healthy and reduces shedding. It’s also a calming activity for many cats. Use a soft brush and go with the fur growth, not against it. Brush for 5-10 minutes per session. Focus on areas your cat enjoys. Go slowly and avoid brush burns. Daily brushing can help anxious or restless cats relax.
Catnip
Catnip is a mint plant that has a stimulant effect on cats. Most cats enjoy a catnip toy now and then. Rubbing and playing with catnip toys can have a calming effect after the initial frenzy. The soothing chemicals in catnip promote relaxation. Use catnip in moderation as a special treat. Watch that your cat doesn’t ingest catnip.
Calming activities promote wellbeing for nervous or stressed cats. Find activities your cat enjoys and make calm playtime a soothing ritual.
Mental Stimulation
Cats love to use their brains and solve puzzles. Providing mental stimulation for your cat is a great way to prevent boredom and behavioral issues. Some excellent tools for mental stimulation include:
Food Puzzles
Food puzzles are containers or toys that make getting to the food more challenging. The cat has to manipulate and move the puzzle in different ways to get the treats out. This satisfies their inner hunter as they have to “work” to catch their food. Popular food puzzles include Nina Ottosson puzzle games, food balls, and kibble dispensing toys. Start with easy puzzles and increase the difficulty as your cat learns how they work.
Treat Balls
Treat dispensing balls add mental exercise to snack time. Place dry treats or kibble inside the ball and the cat has to roll and bat the ball around to get a few treats out at a time. Treat balls encourage activity and make mealtime more engaging. Choose treat balls with adjustable openings so you can increase the challenge.
Foraging Toys
Foraging toys hide treats inside holes, tunnels, and compartments. The cat has to investigate and fish out the treats using their paws and problem-solving abilities. Foraging toys provide enriching play and appeal to their natural scavenging behaviors. They also promote exercise as the cat has to manipulate the toy. Some examples are food puzzle mats, treat hiding boxes, and interactive balls.
Clicker Training
Clicker training uses positive reinforcement to teach cats tricks and behaviors. Each time the cat performs the desired action, you click the clicker and give a treat. This mental stimulation helps build their confidence while strengthening the bond between you and your cat. Start with simple tricks like high-five, spin, come, sit, etc. Clicker training sessions provide rewarding mental exercise.
Providing regular mental stimulation is important for a cat’s development and wellbeing. Rotate different puzzles, toys and activities to keep their mind active and engaged. A mentally stimulated cat is happier and healthier.
Solo Play
Cats are natural hunters and self-sufficient animals. While they love social playtime and interaction with their humans, they also need solo playtime to tap into their instincts. Solo play allows cats to entertain themselves, get exercise, and prevent boredom or anxiety when their humans are away.
Some of the best solo play options for cats include:
- Self-play toys – These are toys that cats can use independently without human involvement. Great examples are balls, scratchers, and catnip toys. Track balls and treat balls allow cats to mimic hunting behaviors. Scratchers satisfy their scratching instinct and stretch their bodies. Catnip toys provide mental stimulation.
- Food puzzle toys – Food puzzles like treat mazes engage a cat’s natural desire to “hunt” for food. They can batter and bat the toys to get treats out. This prevents boredom and obesity from free-feeding.
- Window perches – Placing cat trees and perches near windows allows cats to watch the outside world. Birds and squirrels can prove endlessly fascinating. Suction cup perches can attach right to the glass.
- Automatic toys – These battery-operated or electric toys turn on automatically to capture a cat’s attention. Rotating balls, light-up toys, and automated laser pointers will entertain them when you’re not home.
- Hide and seek – Hide toys around the home and rotate them out to keep things interesting. Cats will have fun hunting for new toys. Start easy, then make it more challenging.
Getting the right mix of interactive playtime and solo play ensures a happy, stimulated cat. Rotate solo toys to prevent boredom and incorporate any that appeal to your cat’s natural instincts. Solo play is an essential part of a cat’s routine.
Outdoor Play
Cats love being outdoors, soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells and feeling the warmth of the sun on their fur. However, most owners are understandably wary of letting their cats roam freely outside due to dangers like cars, predators, diseases, and getting lost. Thankfully, there are several safe ways to allow your feline to enjoy the great outdoors while keeping them protected.
One excellent option is taking your cat for walks on a harness and leash. Look for a well-fitted, comfortable cat harness made specifically for their body type, and introduce them to wearing it gradually. Start inside your home, rewarding with treats for wearing it calmly, then work up to very short walks outside. With patience and consistency, most cats can learn to enjoy walking on a leash for 15-30 minutes at a time. Pick quiet routes away from loose dogs and traffic at first. Bring treats and let them sniff and explore at their own pace.
Another possibility is creating an enclosed outdoor space just for your cat, like a catio or cat enclosure. Screen in a patio, balcony, or portion of the yard to create a safe space. Include climbing shelves, scratching posts, toys, and plants to create an enriching mini-world to explore. Your cat can bask in the sun and fresh air without escaped or getting hurt. Just be sure the enclosure is fully secured from the top too, as cats are excellent jumpers and climbers! With the right set up, an outdoor cat space can provide mental and physical stimulation.
Giving a cat access to the outdoors in a controlled, safe way allows them to tap into their natural instincts and energy. Harness walking and outdoor enclosures let your feline get the benefits of being outside while avoiding the many risks of free roaming. With some patience and the right equipment, you can both enjoy the outdoors together.
Variety is key
Cats love novelty and get bored easily doing the same play routine day after day. Rotate different types of toys to keep their interest and curiosity engaged. Balls, toy mice, feathers on sticks, laser pointers, tunnels, boxes, catnip toys, and more can all be part of your cat’s toy rotation.
It’s also important to directly interact with your cat during playtime instead of just setting out toys for them to play with alone. Interactive play strengthens your bond, provides mental stimulation, and gives them a chance to act out their natural hunting behaviors. Use wand toys or throw soft balls for them to chase after. Drag long ribbons along the floor for them to stalk and pounce on. Dangle feathers above their head to tap their prey drive.
The key is providing a variety of play experiences. Novelty keeps them engaged physically and mentally. Directly interacting adds an enriching social element. Rotate different toys, play styles, and locations to keep your cat excited for each play session.
