Playing With Your Cat

Did you know that playing is both fun and beneficial for cats? Pouncing and jumping offer Fluffy a ‘purrfect’ kitty workout. They also provide beneficial mental stimulation, which is great for her mind. Read on as a local Jacksonville, FL vet offers some tips on playing with your feline friend.

Make It Routine

Cats are definitely creatures of habit, and they tend to thrive when they are on a set schedule. Try to play with Fluffy every day, at roughly the same time. After dinner but before bedtime is a good slot. If you like to relax by watching TV, keep some of your cute pet’s toys near your chair, so they’re always within easy reach.

Use Toys You Control

Use toys that you can manipulate from a distance, like wand toys, laser pointers, and remote-controlled toys. These mimic the movements of real prey, making playtime more fun and more challenging for kitties. Just be sure to put wand toys away after each use. You don’t want your furry pal getting tangled up!

Let Fluffy Win

Be sure to let your kitty ‘capture’ her prey sometimes. This keeps things fun for Fluffy. It’s also good for her self-esteem. Your feline pal may become discouraged if that fuzzy mouse always outsmarts her!

Don’t Play Favorites

Do you have more than one kitty? Play with them together. This is a great way to ease tensions between your pets. Just be sure to pay equal attention to both of them. Otherwise, you may find yourself with some jealous kitties on your hands!

Discourage Rough Play

Cats are predators by nature, so they do have pretty strong instinctive urges to pounce and jump. Fluffy may have fun practicing on you, especially as a kitten. However, you’ll want to nip this bad habit in the bud. It can lead to some very dangerous behavior in older cats. Those little claws and teeth are sharp!

Change Things Up

Be sure to change out your cat’s toys regularly. This will help keep things fun and fresh for your furball. Use a wand toy one night, and a laser pointer the next. Of course, your kitty will also need some toys that she can play with by herself.

Please reach out to us, your local San Jose, Jacksonville, FL vet clinic, anytime. We are dedicated to helping you keep your furry best friend happy and healthy!