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The playfulness of a kitten is often one of its most desirable and attractive character traits. Not only is its playfulness cute, but it is an important part of its development as a cat; playtime for kittens is what hunting time is for their wild feline counterparts. While many people believe a kitten will grow out of its playful tendencies, it is important to keep your cat playing throughout its adult life. There are many reasons for this:
1. Exercise keeps your cat healthy
Just as it is important for humans to exercise on a regular basis to keep themselves fit and healthy, it is important for cats to do the same.
2. Playtime helps relieve stress
Once again exercise has similar benefits to cats as it does to humans. An active cat is also a cat that is less likely to feel stressed. Playtime helps your cat relax and enjoy her environment.
3. Playtime helps cat owners bond with their pet
Since cats are naturally playful, bringing out the toys can be a good way to make your new cat feel at home. Continuing to play with her will help strengthen the bond between you – building trust and indicating to your cat that it’s fun to spend time with you!
4. Playtime keeps a cat occupied so she doesn’t get bored or tear up your house
If your cat is busy chasing a ball around or hunting catnip mice, she is less likely to be getting into or scratching at things she shouldn’t be.
5. Playtime helps relieve aggression
Toys provide an excellent way to channel your cat’s natural hunting and aggressive tendencies into harmless play.
CFHS recommends that cats be kept indoors at all times, unless an enclosed, safe outdoor environment can be provided. Though you may be tempted to let her outdoors when she spends hours staring out the windows, thinking she’ll have some good exercise outside, there are many toys you can provide for her to keep her happy indoors where she is much safer. Cats that roam loose outside have an average lifespan less than five years, compared to twelve years for indoor cats.
Cats are easily amused and will be entertained by a variety of toys, which you can rotate through to keep her from getting tired of them. If all her toys are always available, they will lose their appeal, like a mouse that just sits there and never moves.
Toys can range from cardboard boxes to balls with bells or rods with long strings attached. Pet stores have a great variety of toys that you can experiment with.
Never leave the cat with yarn or the rods with strings, as she could get tangled in it and strangle herself or eat the string and require surgery to remove it.
Paper bags can be a fun source of entertainment for your cat but never give her plastic bags as she could suffocate or choke on them.
A scratch post is not only an excellent deterrent to prevent your cat from scratching your furniture, but it can provide hours of play to keep her well exercised and healthy.
