Do you know that whereas a cat’s pure intuition is to hunt and play, not all cats play the identical manner? To assist encourage play behaviour, it may be useful to seek out out what kind of play your cat prefers. From chasing and stalking to birding play (the place the cat’s focus is primarily within the air) and pouncing, right here’s get essentially the most out of playtime along with your cat.
How one can begin
Begin by providing your cat varied toys and transferring them round in numerous methods. This helps to determine their most well-liked play gadgets and motion model. Upon getting discovered their toy choice for that play session, you can begin to determine your cat’s play model of alternative.
Chasing and stalking
Does your cat like to hunt on the bottom? Then chasing and stalking is the proper play model for them because it stimulates pure looking behaviours. Dragging a toy on a string at completely different paces works effectively, as do toys that resemble prey that could be scurrying on the bottom, like a toy mouse. Some cats are even keen on chasing a ball down a hallway at a excessive pace, which can also be helpful for each day train.
Birding Play
For cats that desire a play model that requires them to leap within the air to catch their toy or “prey,” or are very centered on watching birds, a cat wand with a feathered toy on the tip is a superb choice. Birds on tv, a hen feeder outdoors a closed window, or just hen noises within the background can even present further enrichment on your furry good friend. Hold a watch out for frustration, nevertheless, as not having the ability to “catch” these birds might enhance arousal ranges.
Swatting play
Cats that use their paws to hit and play with their “prey” profit from swatting play. To play hands-on along with your cat, use a wand. Self-entertaining toys work effectively too, akin to interactive toys the place cats can hit a ball by way of a container on a monitor, or spring cat toys, like a toy on high of a tall spring with a base. A lot of these toys encourage steady swatting and motion.
Shock play and conceal and search
Does your cat love to cover and bounce out at you as you stroll by? Then it’s time to dig up some cardboard packing containers and paper baggage! Cats who get pleasure from such a play like hiding in gadgets like these. You can too encourage play by tossing a toy outdoors the field or paper bag entrance on your cat to leap out of hiding and catch.
Kick play or bunny kick
Cats which might be followers of wrestling play – holding a toy into their abdomen and kicking – profit from kicker toys. Kicker toys are nice for wrestling behaviour as a result of they’re sufficiently big on your cat to seize onto and kick with their again legs. You can too maintain a watch out for kicker toys which might be stuffed with catnip to encourage much more play time.
Pouncing
Whereas pouncing is a part of most play types, some cats get pleasure from it whereas enjoying greater than others. Placing a blanket on high of a toy on a string and pulling the toy beneath it encourages pouncing. Lasers may also be enjoyable for pouncing, but it surely’s a good suggestion to position toys the place the laser lands so your cat appears like they’re catching one thing and doesn’t lose or get pissed off.
One key factor to recollect with all play types is to make playtime optimistic. When you discover overstimulation or hissing, cease the play session so your cat can take a second to deescalate after which attempt to resume a much less stimulating kind of play, akin to self-play choices, as soon as they’ve settled.
Thanks for studying up on our cat play types! If this data was useful, please assist us proceed to coach about pet well being and well-being by making a donation.
