CARE AND BEHAVIOR
226
Going on instinct
Kept indoors alone all day, a bored cat will constantly
pester you for attention when you get home. Outdoor
cats have a riskier but happier and more active lifestyle.
With plenty of fresh air, space to run and jump around,
and exposure to new experiences, they can give free rein
to their natural instincts for exploring, chasing, and
hunting. Even when indoors, a cat will need to let off
steam regularly. Often, this takes the form of a “mad
moment,” when the cat rushes around the room, leaping
onto furniture and climbing the curtains before bolting
off. This is perfectly natural behavior, but uncontrolled
sessions like this run the risk of damaging your home
and causing injury to your cat.
No matter how pampered their existence, cats need some
excitement in their lives. A cat deprived of opportunities
to hunt and stalk becomes bored and stressed. This is a real
problem with indoor cats, often locked up alone in a house
all day. Yet, with forethought and commitment on your
part, your cat can have an interesting and fun home life.
BORN FREE
A cat that cannot
follow its instincts
may become
troublesome.
CHASING AND PLAYING
To prevent manic bursts of activity, channel your kitten’s predatory
instincts into constructive play. Dangling or dragging along a piece of
ribbon will appeal to your kitten’s natural urge to hunt and stalk.
CATCHING AND BITING
Play also helps your kitten learn essential skills for survival in the
wild, such as catching and biting prey. Most cats, especially if
neutered, will still retain their sense of playfulness as they get older.
CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY | CHANNEL THE ENERGY
Playful kitten
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
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THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
Toys
Cats like toys that appeal to their chasing, stalking, and
pouncing instincts. Suitable toys include small, lightweight
balls and beanbags; felt or rope mice; pom-poms; and
feathers. Items dangled from poles are ideal for grabbing or
batting with the paws and running after. Make sure that toys
are in good condition, with no pieces that could fall off and
be swallowed. Most cats find wind-up or battery-operated
toys that move around the floor particularly exciting.
Cheaper options
You don’t need to buy your cat expensive accessories or
toys. Cats can make their own amusement from simple,
everyday items such as crumpled newspaper, spools of
thread, pencils, pine cones, corks, and feathers. Cats love
hiding, so provide yours with somewhere to play hide-and-
seek, such as an old cardboard box or paper bag. Never let
a cat play with a plastic bag—a cat can suffocate inside or
strangle itself if it gets trapped in the handles.
EXPLORING AND HIDING
Paper bags appeal to a cat’s sense of curiosity,
giving him something to investigate and hide
in. Monitor your cat and make sure he can get
out whenever he wants to.
TOY PARADE
There is a wide range of playthings
available for cats, from balls and
pretend mice to catnip-scented
toys. Many pet shops sell hollow
balls in which a treat or small
amount of food can be hidden.
■
Supervise your cat’s use of
anything that could be chewed or
shredded and swallowed. Bits of
string and fabric can cause
intestinal blockages, while objects
with sharp edges could damage
your cat’s mouth.
■
Make sure that curtain and
window-blind cords are not
allowed to dangle within reach of
your cat, or he will view them as
a great play opportunity. As agile
as your cat may be, he could
become entangled and suffocate.
TOP TIPS
PLAY STATION
This multi-activity
center provides
plenty of variety
for your cat, with
a cozy hiding
place, scratching
posts, somewhere
to sit, and hanging
balls to play with.
Furry
mouse
Fabric
mouse
with bell
Catnip braid
New tricks
One way to make playtime with your cat more
interesting is to teach him a new trick (p.233).
Unlike a dog, which will learn tricks to please its
“pack leader,” a cat needs a different motivator—
food. The best time to teach your cat is just
before a meal, when he is hungry. Select a quiet
spot with no distractions, but don’t spend more
than a few minutes on each training session. You
may need to repeat the training a few times each
day for several weeks, depending on your cat’s age and
the difficulty of the trick. Reward your cat’s progress in
getting the trick right with small treats, and make sure
you give him plenty of praise. Your cat will only be
willing to participate if he is having a good time; don’t
try to force him to do something he doesn’t want to,
and don’t get mad if he decides he isn’t interested.
Play balls
Feather
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