Did you know that playing with your feline pal is one of the best things you can do for her? Playtime is of course lots of fun for Fluffy, as she gets to indulge her inner huntress. It’s also a great way for her to stay active and keep in shape! Read on for some great tips from a Greater Cincinnati vet on playing with your furry pal.
Cats sometimes get a little too enthusiastic about kitty playtime. Don’t let your furball use you as a cat toy! We know, this is cute when kittens do it. Having an adult feline bite and scratch you? Not so much. Fortunately, it usually isn’t too hard to teach Fluffy better petiquette. If she bites or scratches you, immediately say ‘No’ or ‘Bad kitty’ or ‘Put your claws away.’ It doesn’t matter so much what words you use: the key is to be consistent. You want to sound disapproving, but don’t yell at your precocious pet. Then, just walk away and ignore your cat for a while. She’ll eventually get the hint.
Fluffy should definitely have some toys she can use by herself. However, you’ll also want to get your frisky feline some playthings that you can control, like wand toys, laser pointers, or remote-controlled mice. These will make playtime really fun for your furball, since she won’t be able to predict where her ‘prey’ is going next. If you use wand toys, put them away when you’re done. You don’t want your kitty getting tangled up in the string!
Cats are very much creatures of habit. You may notice your furball follows a set schedule for naps, meals, more naps, grooming, even more naps, and snacks. Try to play with Fluffy every day, at roughly the same time. It isn’t hard to incorporate kitty playtime into your daily routine. Just get into the habit of grabbing a wand toy or laser pointer when you’re ready to relax and watch some TV!
Our feline friends have a reputation for being smug and secure, but many of them are actually quite anxious and emotional. Let Fluffy ‘catch’ her prey sometimes! This will help your kitty build confidence.
Please contact us, your Greater Cincinnati vet clinic, anytime. We are here to help!
