Pet Care Club

For those who love their pets...

Developing Bonds and Boosting Health


If you own a kitten or been with one longer than 10 minutes then you must know that a kitten is full of energy and will play with just about anything. That’s why it is important to keep objects like small toys, plastic bags, and other harmful household accessories away from your kitten so that the threat of danger is kept to a minimum.

Your kitten can play with most of the household accessories but it’s important to keep an eye on them so that they don’t stick their heads deep into trouble.

We Play Because…

Playing with your kitty cat provides a lot of benefits for your feline companion and yourself! This playing conditioning increases and strengthens the bond between you and your cat. These play sessions also help dissipate fear, aggression, and negative energies that accumulate within your cat or kitten.

Also, playing with your cat heightens their natural hunting abilities. Interactive playing teaches your cat to seek the target in a stealthy manner and attack with confidence. Furthermore, regular play times facilitate in keeping your cat healthy and in shape.

If you didn’t know this already then you should know that there are literally millions of things you can do to make an interesting play session. Here are just a couple of ideas you can utilize. Cat toys are best to enhance your cat’s cognitive side.

Some good toys to go out and purchase from a pet store are:

  • Balls with Bells
  • Catnip Mice
  • Wand Sticks
  • Mice on Strings
  • Ball of Yarn

But don't forget, there are hundreds of potential kitty toys already lying at your home such as:

  • Keys
  • Laser Pointers (don't point directly into thier eyes, can be harmful)
  • Wads of Paper
  • Tennis Balls
  • Frisbees
  • Scrafs

Basically anything that has bright colors, is relatively small, and looks like a small animal are good candidates.

Dos and Don'ts of Play Time

Kittens and cats perform actions similar to those of young children. Namely they get bored very quickly. Thus, it’s important to not to keep toys always lying around. Make playtime a rewarding activity that your furry friend has to earn. Also when you do play with your feline companion, make sure you peak their curiosity. 

Don’t just keep that little mice toy lying on the ground. Bring it to life by making it seem as an animal that’s frightened of your powerful cat. Move it, subtly at first, and then hide it around the corner. Vary the speed and direction of your toy so that your cat can develop different strategies to attack.

Let your cat or kittens win from time to time but don’t make the game too easy or else they will lose interest very quickly. When he comes in for a big pounce, let him have it so that he can savor the thrill of victory.

Be sure to keep rules in check or your feline friend will not comply, now or in the future. It is important to note that during any play time activity, you should be in control. Play time is a good conditioning process that teaches your kitten or cat the fundamentals of proper behavior. For example, don't let your kitten scratch or bite your limbs. This might seem cute when they have no nails or teeth, but you will regret it when they do. Enforce simple rules to keep the game in check. Remember, your pet doesn't know any better. It's your responsibilty to tell him what's wrong and what's right to do.

But just as keeping in control is important, so is praising and treating your pet with tasty rewards. I usually give them a treat near the beginning of the playing session to reward them for showing up. Usually after 15 – 20 minutes, or when they get tired, I stop the game and give them a treat all the while telling them what a powerful smart hunter they are.




< Back to Cat Care Articles