18 games to play with your cat

Do I need to spend time playing with my cat?

 

Both indoor and outdoor cats need to be provided with a stimulating and safe indoor environment. But it is particularly important for indoor cats to be entertained and to have their natural instincts satisfied. Spending a little time every day playing games with your cat will boost your relationship and is a great way to get to know and understand each other better.

Some cats just don’t like to be picked up or stroked but may be more than happy to spend a little time having fun playtime. Other benefits of play time with your cat includes:

• Exercise for your cat, keeping bones and muscles strong and healthy
• It can be a great tool for helping two cats to get along and become friends
• Build the trust between you and your cat
• Playtime for your cat is just as important as feeding and keeping them safe and warm. Playtime relieves stress, anxiety and behavioural problems.

Things to consider when playing games with your cat

• Pick a time to play when your cat is most active. They generally seem more active early evening or at dawn. Respect their resting and sleeping times.
• When it comes to playing games with your cat, little and often is best. They can get bored very easily with games and play time.
• Consistency is important too. Playing twice a day for 10-15 minutes each day will be much more beneficial to a cat so rather than a random play session every now and then.
• Adult cat play time is based on their natural instinct to hunt and catch prey. Try to mimic this in play by making the toys move in a way that mimics a mouse or a bird. Just having a toy mouse available for your cat to plat just won’t stimulate your cat, the mouse needs to move. When the toy starts moving her hunting instincts will kick in.
• Allow your cat to be successful in catching her toy prey, this will build her confidence, avoid frustration and build on trust.
• As long as your cat is purring, and her pupils are dilated she’s having fun. If at any point in the game she starts waving claws around, growling or squeaking its time to bring the play session to an end.
• When your play session is coming to an end don’t just suddenly stop. Slow the play down so then the cat’s movement will slow down too.
• Put the toys away, safely out of the reach of the cat after playing. This is for safety, but also to keep the toys new and exciting when they are bought out for play time.
• Adapt play sessions as your cat gets older. Age, stamina and health are all factors to consider. A 3-month-old kitten will have a great deal more energy than most older cats.
• You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun games with your cat, many of the ideas below are free and recycle many household objects you may already have.
• Most importantly – have fun!

SAFETY

At the end of a play session ALWAYS put away any toys that are deemed unsafe if left unsupervised. It’s a very similar criteria to that of safety with a young child. Anything with string, wool or cord could get caught around your cats neck. Cats will also chew and eat wool or string so ensure it is out of sight and out of reach of your cat.

Check toys regularly so ensure nothing has become loose or worn or have any sharp edges. If the filling is starting to come out of soft toys then it’s time to throw them away and get some new ones.

Never leave plastic bags around, they are sure to be curious with the rustling noise and start investigating.

Ensure there are no small items such as small plastic pieces, elastic bands, old balloons etc around.

If you make a home-made toy, ensure all materials used are safe and nontoxic. Avoid adding any small decorative pieces which could come off when played with, your cat may swallow them.

And now for the fun part – 18 games for you to try with your cat. Have fun!

1. Rolling fun

Anything that rolls can be fun! Small balls, a cotton reel, a cork, a Christmas bauble or some foil scrunched into a ball are all great to use as long as they are clean and safe in case your cat tries to lick it. Send it rolling across the room and let your cat chase it. After a few chases let your cat enjoy the ball in her possession.

2. Thrill of the chase

Chasing prey must be a cat’s number one favourite game. A toy mouse at the end of a wand with string are always great fun. Try to move the mouse to mimic real life movements of a prey. A wind-up toy is great too, wind them up, watch them race off on their own with kitty in hot pursuit. There are even remote-control mouse toys suitable for cats on the market too. Cats can rarely resist anything that dangles or moves so anything tied to a piece of string – a colourful feather, a cork or even a ball of paper – can create a great prey catching playtime.

3. Paper for paws

Some cats cannot resist shredding some newspaper to bits! The crinkly noise of the paper is fun and interesting. You can get involved too by rustling a pen or pencil underneath the paper or start moving the paper slowly if she is sitting on it. Just make sure it’s a newspaper or magazine you don’t need again!

4. Pompom fun

Pompoms are so easy, and fun, to make. If you have children as well as cats, making pompoms is a great activity for a rainy afternoon. The pompoms could be in for a rough time therefore ensure the centre of the pompom is tied securely. There are also plenty of readymade versions available to buy if you prefer. The bright colours and the lightness of the pompom ball is usually a big hit with little kittens. Supervise your cat at all times with pompom play and ensure pompoms are kept out of reach when finished. Do not let your cat chew the wool.

5. Mobile activity

In our household we gave our cats our baby activity mat after it was no longer needed for the children. It’s soft, safe and can entertain cats as successful as it entertained the babies! A great use of toy recycling. Your local charity shops may have such toys for sale or simply make your own! Simply attach small toys securely to lengths of ribbon or string and attach to something solid. A chair is great or hang the toys from two horizontal planks of wood. As soon as she starts exploring the items they will sway and catch her attention.

6. Tunnel travel

Another recycled toddler toy which a hit with our cats is a fabric tunnel. Cats love to explore, and the tunnel satisfies the need for investigation and adventure especially in dark hideaways. There are plenty of cat specific ones on the market too. Some have built in toys, but you can adapt your own game by throwing a ball into the tunnel or hide some tasty treats to be discovered. Fabric tunnels are great as they can be easily folded for storage.

7. Cat in the box

This game is fun, free and takes minutes to prepare. All you need is a cardboard box that’s large enough to make various holes, so your cat can enter to explore and come out via another. You could get involved by playing peek a boo through one of the holes, just take care that your cat doesn’t get over excited and boisterous and you end up with a scratched nose. If you are feeling artistic, be creative in decorating your box. Make a castle or palace for your feline friend. Ensure any paints you use are nontoxic. Cats are very inquisitive and curious so will always seek to discover what is in the box. They also like hiding places so you may find they become quite attached to their simple cardboard box.

8. Ball box

As above, a simple cardboard box, this time a smaller one that has a lid, a shoe box is ideal. Cut a series of holes along the sides and along the top of the box, large enough for your cat to be able to get his paw inside. Place some balls inside and watch your cat probing the balls through the holes trying to work out how to get them.

9. Torch time

In a dimly lit, darkened room, light a torch and move it so the beam of light flickers across the wall. Most cats are quick to chase the light. Be careful where you shine the light, your cat will be focussed on the light and won’t check if there is something in the way! Do not shine the torch directly into your cat’s eyes and never use a laser light. There are play balls available which are activated to light up when moved – great fun and pretty to watch too.

10. Bubble chase

 

Who doesn’t love bubbles? A great simple game for you and your cat – blow some bubbles and watch as your cat starts to pounce and catch them. Not all cats will appreciate the lack of capture with the vanishing bubbles, but they will soon make it clear if this game isn’t for them.

11. Tube treats

Cats love using their paws to explore, and this game will encourage her to investigate with their paws. Collect a few kitchen roll and toilet roll tubes and secure together in a sturdy shape such as a pyramid. Place some treats, or tissue paper sprinkled with catnip into the tubes and your cat will display her paw skills and determination in seeking the hidden treasure.

12. Tasty treat games

Treat dispensing balls are great fun. Fill the ball with your cat’s favourite treats and roll it in her direction. The tempting aroma of the treats will prove irresistible and as the ball is rolling around the treats will fall out one by one. A perfect reward after play.

13 Bags of fun

Cats are curious, they need to know everything including what could possible be in the bag! A plain paper – but never plastic – bag,  and cut the paper handles off for safety. Place a small self-powered toy inside the bag. The movement in the bag by the toy will catch your cat’s attention and she will soon be pouncing on the bag, and probably won’t give up until a victorious capture is achieved.

14. Magic carpet

If you have an old mat, or even a square of carpet sample, make a hole in one corner of the mat and attach cord or string. Slight tugging of the cord will see the carpet move and your cat will probably pounce and start attacking the mat. Or it may be that your cat enjoys sitting on the mat while you pull it along for a little ride.

15. Catio toys

For more information on what is a catio and how to build one check out our article ‘What is a catio’. Simple and easy ideas for items to entertain your cat in the catio include:

• • • wind chimes,
    • pipes to climb through,
    • a branch for climbing or for scratching,
    • a terracotta post with grass growing in it is perfect for sunbathing or for a tasty nibble
    • on a windy day, a great game is to try to catch the leaves blowing around. Put a few dry crisp leaves in the catio and let the chasing commence.

16. Ball games

Most cats love ball games. Light ping pong balls are perfect. Ball games are great for using up energy and stimulate paw-eye coordination. Roll the ball and see if your cat prefers to chase it over and over or dribble it along slowly. To allow your cat to display their athletic abilities, bounce the ball and she if she stretches and jumps for it. Cats have very strong back legs and are surprisingly good at jumping.

17. Gone fishing

It’s well known that cats like fish although ironically most cats aren’t keen on water. (Turkish Van cats however, have been known to enjoy some paddling time). For this activity all you need is a gold fish bowl and some toy fish. You can buy robotic fish so there will be plenty of movement. It will be interesting, and quite possibly very amusing, for you to see what wins – the dislike of getting wet or the determination to catch the fish!

18. Computer kitty 

This activity hasn’t been tried and tested by us but seems to be a growing trend. DVD’s and iPad games specifically designed for your cat are now widely available. A DVD of bird’s flying with their sounds captured too is sure to grab your cat’s attention. DVD especially for cats are available as they have been recorded in a way that maximises the colours that cats see best.