All the toy mice, birds, fish and balls have been bought from the surrounding pet stores, and the furry friend continues to play with a hair tie and an old cotton pad. Or it happens like this: you are sitting, not bothering anyone, and then the cat begins to violently attack your legs and jump on your head. Well, it could be a poor choice of toys. We asked a zoopsychologist how to approach pet entertainment responsibly.
Why cats need to play
What we are accustomed to consider as games and toys are actually the most important condition for the well-being of a domestic cat. This is called “habitat enrichment.”
In nature, animals practically do not play for fun; each of their actions is somehow aimed at satisfying a need. In the process of evolution, cats acquired developed intelligence and a certain set of manipulations for survival. But in a well-fed, calm home life, most of these skills have lost their importance.
Along with comfort, boredom has become a constant companion for our domestic cats. Some of them have adapted and feel fine in the “eat, sleep, walk from the room to the kitchen and back” mode. Others literally and figuratively climb the wall: they damage furniture and things, rush around the apartment at night, and experience frustration.
Games and toys are an environmentally friendly way to give your cat the exercise he needs for his species. Without it, the cat will not be able to be happy with everything.
Do you need a person in cat games?
Of course, you can choose the most modern gadgets that will captivate your pet for the whole day, or even the whole night. However, human involvement plays an important role in strengthening the emotional bond with the animal.
I always recommend participating in some of the games – to a comfortable extent.
Playing is a great way to build a harmonious relationship with your cat, learn to understand it better, and strengthen your emotional connection. After all, pets cannot be considered separately from their owners; they become part of the family. It is important for a cat to receive from a person not only food, a place to sleep, a clean tray, but also attention. You can also give it in the game.
Therefore, it is great when a cat has different games: both for independent entertainment and together with loved ones.
Don’t turn your hands and feet into cat toys
You should not play with the cat with your hand or other parts of the body. Even with a cute little kitten. This is a provocation that sooner or later ends in injury for a person and ingrained unwanted behavior for a cat.
What games does a cat need?
The cat must be able to “catch prey.” Nature has provided a reward mechanism for the hunter: when a predator overtakes its prey and sinks its teeth and claws into it, endorphins are released in its body. Therefore, animals enjoy such a game, even without the opportunity to eat the victim. But only on condition that it can be physically caught.
Games are different. Some people don’t need toys at all. For example, search ones: you can hide several bowls with small amounts of food or pieces of treats in the room. So that the cat does not see this, and invite her to look for bait. Start with just a couple or three in places where the cat often visits. And of course, such prey should only be placed where the cat can be.
It is important to remember that the game is about fun and interest. Some cats seem to have no interest in toys at all. But it often turns out that they were simply not offered many options. There is no need to force your pet to play. In this process, the cat’s initiative is also needed. But you can try to interest her in something new.
How to choose toys for a cat
Make sure the toy is safe
Seals are small predators. They can be fascinated by anything: from an ultra-tech wind-up mouse to a simple cotton swab. Therefore, it is important to protect them from potentially dangerous entertainment.
No ribbons, ribbons or foil
The idea of giving your beloved Murzik a ribbon from a bouquet or forgotten tinsel to be torn to pieces looks tempting. Minimum effort, maximum happiness. However, such toys, especially if unattended, can harm your pet.
All kinds of ropes, threads, balloon ribbons, and tinsel rain attract cats with their mobility. But an animal can easily swallow them and injure the intestines. The result is that the cat ends up on the operating table. The prognosis is not always favorable, and recovery, if you are lucky, is very difficult. The health consequences last a lifetime. This also includes balls made from candy wrappers and foil. They are dangerous for the animal.
No small details
Cats also love to chase after various little things. This is very interesting: something tiny and so bright runs away from you, changes direction every three seconds, and it’s almost impossible to grab it with your paw. I just want to catch up and try. This is the tricky thing about any small objects: they are too easy to swallow.
No low-quality and fragile materials
Toys made from fragile materials break easily, and sharp fragments end up in the pet’s stomach. And now the cat is already in the veterinary clinic. In addition, toys of poor quality can be made from toxic materials – poorly cleaned plastic or silicone with a strong odor.
No games without results
As mentioned above, cats need to catch prey. Therefore, you should give up games with a laser pointer and applications on your phone like “catch a cockroach”.
The cat must sooner or later “catch its prey.” When this does not happen, tension accumulates, and emotional release ultimately never occurs. This can lead to redirection of play aggression towards family members or inanimate objects. “Sudden” attacks and damage to things — frequent consequences of playing without a logical conclusion for the cat.
Find out what your cat likes
Yes, asking Murka what she likes better, a gray mouse or a ball, will not work. But you can still pay attention to your pet’s preferences.
Take a closer look at the animal’s temperament: some people like to jump like a saiga and hang on the curtains, while for others it’s enough to roll a mouse on the floor. These two cats need different toys. Also pay attention to how sensitive your pet is: some may be put off by the smell of the toy, others by the sound, or perhaps by the unpleasant texture.
Some cats may not like the subtle chemical smell from the store-bought version, but will be delighted with a more environmentally friendly “prey” — made of wood, cardboard, paper or scraps of old fabric. Sounds can also make a big difference.
Toy options for cats
Teasers and fishing rods
Such toys imitate prey and allow the cat to realize its hunter instinct. They are also good because human hands do not become the target of hunting, while the cat receives attention from the owner in the game.
The principle is simple: a toy on a string that is a lot of fun to chase. Herself “production» can be very different, and you need to choose it very carefully.
Safe option — These are different balls, mice and birds. Such toys are often filled with something rattling, which can cause additional interest. They do not have small parts or strings, so if the cat is left alone with the toy, nothing bad will happen. However, the trajectory of movement of such toys is predictable, and not everyone may be interested in hunting them.
Another type of toy — with feathers or tails. Their movements are unpredictable, and hunting for them is much more interesting. But you shouldn’t leave such toys unattended.
Many cats like feathers and natural fur because of the smell, movement and texture.
But there is a risk of swallowing feathers or fibers. They can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, injury, and obstruction. There is no clear ban on such toys, but it is important to check before purchasing that the fur and feathers are firmly attached. And such a toy should be given to a cat only under supervision.
How to make playing with a fishing rod more interesting for your cat
Don’t wave the teaser too vigorously from side to side in front of your pet’s nose, as this can be annoying or confusing. In nature, potential prey usually moves away from the predator, but does not attack. Let the trajectory be unpredictable, the movement sometimes smoother, sometimes faster. It’s great if the target periodically disappears from view for a short time.
Intelligent toys
This includes games in which the cat needs to move his feline brains a little to find a hidden treat or get a ball. Such games are extremely useful for tailed animals.
In nature, cats solve problems. Even “just to eat” — It is not simple. First of all, the prey must be caught: tracked, get to a hard-to-reach place. After a successful hunt, you still need to deal with her — no one serves a successful predator a mouse fillet on a plate or a handful of sparrow crackers.
Puzzles force the cat to actively use his brain in the game. This is much more energy-consuming than just physical activity with the usual set of movements. Proper intellectual stress also calms the animal and reduces stress levels.
Regular intellectual exercise also helps prevent the development of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in old age. This syndrome has similar symptoms in cats to human Alzheimer’s disease. That is, with the help of puzzles you can increase the chances of a cat’s cognitive longevity.
How to make a DIY cat puzzle game
Take any cardboard box and scissors. Make several holes.
Place treats inside, small favorite toys, you can sprinkle with catnip or matatabi (if, of course, the cat is sensitive to them).
Offer a toy to your cat. Her task is to get a toy or treat through the holes.
Technological toys
This includes everything that does not need the help of its owners: wind-up mice, balls, butterflies and fish. All you have to do is press a button or turn on a key, and your pet predator is captivated by the game. A good option when you have a very important call with a client remotely, and your furry one likes to sleep on the keyboard. Moreover, there are models with remote control to entertain your pet when you are busy until the evening or even left for the weekend.
How to store cat toys
Okay, you have chosen the coolest toys for your cat, and he is delighted with them. One question remains: where to store it all now. This is a separate pain for many parents. Fish, balls and mice scattered around the house infuriate the owner and do not allow the animal to concentrate on hunting for one prey.
Box
erid: 25H8d7vbP8SRTvJ4Q27doN / YANDEX LLC
An option for those with open shelving. Favorite toys will not create visual noise, and will always be available. And the handles will come in handy if you start a rearrangement or a short trip with your pet.
Price: 689 rubles
Metal basket
erid: LatgBsQHf / JSC “Kuchenland Home Rus”
Suitable for those who have few toys and do not need to hide them. In such a stylish and durable basket, all the toys will be in plain sight.
Price: 1,990 rubles
Wicker basket
erid: 25H8d7vbP8SRTvJ4Q27doN / YANDEX LLC
Owners of active and inquisitive cats who can easily fit into open boxes should take a closer look at a basket with a lid. In it, toys will be securely hidden from the cat’s tenacious paws and from your picky gaze.
Price: 2,421 rubles
Ottoman with drawer
Such a piece of furniture can become a real cat throne. You can hide toys, treats and care products inside. And on top there will be a soft, warm place to relax after games.
Price: 4,338 rubles
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