Content
- The importance of playing with your cat
- Toys for cats alone
- A cardboard box, endless possibilities
- Multi-story scraper with toys
- paper bag with surprise
- Kong, perfect for entertaining the cat
- Find the treat - a game with cardboard tubes
- games to play with my cat
- Hunt the prey!
- catch the ball
- Hide and Seek - a foolproof classic
- Play with old socks
- In which cup is the reward?
play with your cat it's just as important as keeping it well fed and making sure it has a comfortable place to sleep, as without fun the cat ends up suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. For this, we recommend that you set a daily play schedule and always follow the same routine so that he gets used to it.
If you don't know how to play with your furry companion or what games you can play with him, keep reading this PeritoAnimal article and find out 10 cat games at home, easy and a lot of fun!
The importance of playing with your cat
Cats are curious animals by nature, so ensuring they are mentally stimulated is almost mandatory for pet owners who want to have a healthy, happy animal. A good way to get this stimulus is to play with the game, as it covers the feline's need for fun and your hunting instinct at the same time. THE lack of playful moments makes the cat get angry, which can give rise to stress and other related problems like the destruction of furniture.
As you've probably noticed if you live with a cat, chasing prey to hunt is one of his favorite activities. This instinct is replaced by objects, which almost always involves the destruction of things relevant to us, such as underwear, shoes, etc. The problem arises when the prey is us or other animals and they try to attack our hands or feet or when they bring dead animals home. This is part of your instinct and is not a problem of conduct, but of wrong education on the part of the tutor. When we decide to play with a puppy, constantly moving our hands, we are not aware that we are indicating that they are a toy for him to bite, which results in attacks in adulthood. In this way, it is possible to notice how the game is essential for the cat, but how the way to play and educate correctly is also relevant.
We recommend that you offer the feline toys that ensure its safety, avoiding objects with small parts that can easily come loose and end up stuck in the pet's throat. you must too avoid toys that cause frustration in the animal, as games that cannot win or cannot "hunt" (a clear example of this is the laser). While it may seem fun to see the feline chasing a light it will never catch, this game ends up creating frustration in the cat, as well as stress and anxiety, conditions that can lead to serious health problems.
Opt for toys that allow you to entertain the cat and let her play alone, as well as some that require interaction on your part to strengthen the bond between you and improve communication. In general, cats are selective animals, so buying an expensive toy does not guarantee that they will like it. Knowing your pet and its tastes and preferences is essential to ensure it has exactly what it needs.
Toys for cats alone
Some cats are more independent than others and prefer to have fun alone than spend time playing solely with their human guardian. Therefore, the ideal is to combine the two types of games and dedicate hours of the day to entertaining the cat alone and others to playing with him. For the first option, we must be clear that cats are animals that are get tired of things easily. This means that it is likely that, in a few weeks or even days, the fact will stop playing with the new toy that you loved in the beginning. This happens because the object is no longer new and curious. Don't forget that cats are curious animals by nature and need to discover new scents, textures, etc., constantly. To help with this, we recommend that you have a box with various toys and games, offering alternately. That way, the boring toy will eventually look interesting again.
A cardboard box, endless possibilities
Something as simple as an empty cardboard box can be the best way to entertain your cat at home, as it is synonymous with endless possibilities for her. You can leave the box within his reach so he can decide when to go in and play, or introduce some stimulating elements like toys and treats inside the box. That way you'll not only get his attention to start the game, but you'll also get him to associate the box with positive stimuli.
And if you want to make the game to entertain your cat even more fun, get 3 or 4 boxes and create a maze with them so he can come and go. Don't forget to distribute treats and toys in the maze to guide the cat. If you're planning on going out for a few hours and leaving the cat alone, this game will keep you entertained for a while.
Multi-story scraper with toys
Everyone knows that cats love to sharpen their nails, as what better place to do that than a fun scratching tool? You can offer the scratching add that is just a razor to file your nails, or make one that has more than one floor and even has a small house, feathers that represent the fangs and other toys to entertain the cat. For that, don't miss this article that teaches you how to make a homemade scratcher, easy and economical: homemade scratcher for cats.
paper bag with surprise
That said, it may not seem like a very stimulating game to entertain your cat, but knowing that felines love to hide and go into any empty hole, it can be quite interesting. A paper bag can be a very fun toy for your pet if you know how to motivate your pet. So we recommend that you introduce various treats or favorite toys in the bag and he will quickly be entertained. If you leave the paper bag as a surprise inside a cardboard box... fun is guaranteed!
Kong, perfect for entertaining the cat
kong is a food dispenser toy perfect for entertaining your cat when he is alone. It is a very effective method to treat separation anxiety and is therefore highly recommended. For him to start the game, you just need to put food or treats inside, pressing lightly to make extraction difficult. Then, offer the kong to the pet and he will quickly sniff the food and start the game trying to get it, which will entertain and motivate the cat.
Currently, there are many brands that bet on food dispenser toys, it is not necessary to get the kong brand in particular. However, we recommend that you evaluate the material carefully and choose a resistant one.
Find the treat - a game with cardboard tubes
Do you often throw the toilet paper rolls away? So stop now! They are perfect for making fun, easy and economical cat games. One of them can be made with rollers and with the lid of a cardboard box. To make this homemade cat toy, follow these steps:
- Take the lid of a medium-small cardboard box, about 8 inches wide.
- Cut the tubes in half, as you'll put the treats inside at the end.
- Fill the inside of the lid with tubes placed vertically and glue to the base with a strong glue.
- Let the glue dry well.
- Place treats inside some rolls and fix the game on the wall, at the cat's height, so that he can smell the food and try to remove it.
As you can see, making this toy is quick and easy and ensures your cat's mind stays active. Check out more toys like this in How to Make Cardboard Cat Toys.
games to play with my cat
It's good to let the cat play alone, but it's even better for the tutor to participate in the games. Playing with your feline will keep your pet entertained while strengthens your bond with him, increasing confidence and preventing disorders and conditions such as stress, annoyance, loneliness or anxiety. Next, we indicate the most fun, easy and economical games to make with the cat:
Hunt the prey!
As you already know, cats are natural hunters, so the owner must cover this need to prevent him from chasing prey alone. A good way to achieve this is by calling "fishing rods for cats". On the market, they can be found in different colors and shapes, with feathers, playing mice and other animals that simulate prey, capturing the attention of the feline. Choose the one that your furry companion likes the most, set a time for the game and enjoy a good time with him, moving the cane and making him chase you.
Don't forget that not winning can generate frustration for cats, that's why let him capture the prey from time to time to prevent this from happening and not make the game too difficult.
catch the ball
Fetching and bringing the ball is not just a dog game, cats enjoy these toys too. To teach this game to the cat, follow the following steps:
- Find the ball your cat likes the most and throw it for him to catch.
- At the same time, say "catch" so that he associates the act of catching the ball with the order. When he gets the ball, reward the pet with a treat.
- Once you get this, you can teach the cat to bring the toy. For this, when he has the ball in his mouth, call the cat to you, gently remove the toy and offer a treat again - this will make him understand that the act of delivering the ball will cause him to receive a prize .
- Little by little, introduce the command "release" when he delivers the ball and practice until your pet does it alone.
Tip: If you like to make homemade toys, you can make one yourself with a string ball that also allows your cat to sharpen her nails.
Hide and Seek - a foolproof classic
Do you still remember having fun playing hide and seek as a child? You can go back to playing with your cat! To start this game and entertain your cat, you just need to hide, call your mate and let him find you. At this point, run, go back into hiding and repeat the ritual. If your cat is the one hiding, ask "Where's (your cat's name)?" and he'll associate those words with the beginning of the game.
Another simple game to play with your cat that reminds us of our childhood is called "tag". It's probably not even necessary to teach your cat to play, as he does it naturally. Haven't you ever seen your cat run like crazy in front of you? At that point, run too and start the chase. When you reach it , he's likely to run away again for you to chase him.
These cat games not only entertain the pets, but also get them to exercise, which is necessary to avoid being overweight.
Play with old socks
Take a pair of old socks, tie the two together in a tight knot, and make a few cuts at each end to create a fringe of sorts. After making the toy, catch the cat's attention and start the game. To do this, move the socks energetically across the floor so that the cat chases them, letting him catch them from time to time.
In which cup is the reward?
The famous game of finding the prize can also be played with animals. It's as simple as getting 3 plastic or cardboard cups and a sweet with a strong odor. Place one of the candy cups on top of the remaining cups beside it. Move the cups and let the cat choose the cup that has the prize through the nose. This game is perfect for entertaining the cat, strengthening the bonds between feline and guardian and having a good time together.