If all work and no play made Jack a dull boy, all sleep and no human interaction makes your cat fat and depressed. Play is important for cats because it mimics their hunting instinct and keeps their body and mind agile.
Too often though play is used to keep the cat occupied while cat parents are gone or to busy to be involved in their cat's life. Filling a grocery cart with toys for kitty indeed shows we will invest money in kitty but it fails to involve us in their lives. It is also dangerous for cats to play alone with toys that can become a strangulation or choking risk.
Reserving at least several fifteen minute play sessions with kitty will improve the human and animal bond and also help the cat to sleep through the night.
When playing with kitty remember what is play to us may seem like ATTACK to the cat.
Never chase the cat. They will think that you are a predictor. The cat needs to trust you not be afraid of you during play.
Never wave your fingers or use toys that dangle from the fingers. Cats that swat at fingers in play soon do it all the time. This becomes a dangerous habit that is hard to break.
Play with kitty using everyday items like paper bags and waded up newspaper. Play in graceful movements like the cat moves itself.
Avoid all toys with stuffing, and small attached bells, buttons and other attached objects that cat can inhale or ingest.
And remember your attitude is important. You need the play session to relax as much as the cat needs it for excercise. The cat can sense if you feel the play session is a chore or is fun.
