A Little Fun for Your Furry Friends!
Cats are social animals and they love playing games every now and then! They take their games quite seriously and find this a way to engage with their pet owners. Cat games are a great way to bond, keep them active, and ensure they stay mentally stimulated. Just like humans, cats do love to break their lazy patterns and get active.
Cats have different personalities and may prefer different cat games. For example, your cat might enjoy chasing a string while your neighbour’s cat would love to hunt for treats and walk in the park. However, regardless of their breed, their size or even their age, cats in general prefer to find the game that suits their personality and to engage in a series of meaningful sessions with their pet owners.
At Petbites Australia, we have understood the importance of including cat games for your cats in their daily lives. Whether it is to introduce your cats to catnip toys or to train them for hide and seek, cat games are mandatory in a cat’s life! Therefore to support all cat owners, our experts have listed down a checklist of cat games for your cats. You can choose to engage with your cat and bond with them over these simple games that can be mentally stimulating and fun!
Read along to find out the best cat games that match your cat’s personality!
1. The Classic String Chase
Why It Works: Cats are natural hunters, and the movement of a dangling string or ribbon mimics the erratic behaviour of prey. Allowing your cats to engage in a string chase can be quite engaging and can trigger their hunting skills!
How to Play: Drag a string or ribbon along the floor, allowing your cat to chase, pounce, and grab. We suggest that you do this at home or in a safe area to keep your cat away from danger. Vary the speed and direction to keep your cat engaged. You can also attach a bell on the ribbon to stimulate their auditory senses!
2. Laser Pointer Fun
Why It Works: Lasers are fun and extremely fast! The small, fast-moving laser mimics the unpredictability of an insect, keeping your cat on its toes. Do not let your cat reach the laser. Instead, keep moving it around to see them focus harder and harder! Once you think your cats are doing well, let them catch the laser.
How to Play: Move the laser pointer in random patterns on the floor or wall. Be sure to let your cat “catch” the laser by rewarding it with a toy or treat at the end of the game to prevent frustration. This can be a type of conditioning for your cat helping them understand that catching the laser would let them earn a treat!
3. Puzzle Toys and Treat Hunts
Why It Works: Cats are intelligent creatures who enjoy problem-solving. They’re often curious and want to find answers to almost everything. Why not turn their curiosity into a puzzle? Puzzle toys stimulate their brain and reward them with a tasty treat. Make sure that the puzzles are easy for your cats and are cat safe!
How to Play: Just like in almost every cat game to play a cat puzzle you may have to train your cat to use their cat instincts. This means playing with treats to trigger their senses until they find their treats. Hide treats inside puzzle feeders or under small cups. Your cat will have to use its paws and nose to figure out how to access the reward.
4. Feather Wand Pouncing
Why It Works: This is a very common and entertaining cat game to introduce to your cat. This activity entails a feather wand that is long enough for the pet owners to wiggle around to gain the attention of their cats. The soft feathers on a wand mimic the feel of birds, triggering a cat’s natural hunting instincts. If your cat is chasing after birds in the garden, this activity would be ideal!
How to Play: Flick the wand in the air or along the floor, encouraging your cat to jump and pounce. It’s great exercise and keeps your cat’s reflexes sharp. However, if you are choosing to wave the wand in the air, we suggest that you do so in a place that is less crowded or safe for your cat.
5. Hide and Seek
Why It Works: Have you always wondered how cats are there in the weirdest place ever? They just pop out of the blue, don’t they? Cats are curious and enjoy stalking and ambushing. This game satisfies their natural urge to hide and pounce. Once your cat realises that they have been summoned, their curiosity will take over the national instant to hunt you down.
How to Play: Hide and seek works for cats only if you play it indoors. Hide behind a door or piece of furniture and call your cat’s name. When they find you, playfully pop out and reward them with pets or a toy. This can help your cat stimulate their mental fences as well as their auditory senses, making them sharper on the battlefield.
6. Catnip Toy Madness
Why It Works: Catnip stimulates many cats into playful behaviour, making toys even more enticing. Catnip is an herb that has been used as a relaxer for cats. Catnip toys are popular among cat owners to keep their cats under the influence of catnip.
How to Play: Give your cat a stuffed toy filled with catnip and watch as they wrestle, kick, and bat it around with enthusiasm. This is especially fun if your cat needs some solo playtime. However, we suggest that you be limited to a certain time period to allow your cat to feel normal again!
7. The Box Game
Why It Works: Cats love to explore small, enclosed spaces, and boxes make the perfect hideouts. Whether you choose to buy a box game that is premade and available at pet shops or whether you make it at home a box game would be ideal for your cat to curl around with their tails wagging out!
How to Play: Set up different-sized boxes in a room and hide toys or treats inside. Watch as your cat jumps from box to box, investigating and playing. You can always insert a few treats in each box to let your cat feel cosy as they lay for hours and hours in it.
Playful Meows All Day Long!
As responsible cat owners, it is your duty to keep your cat engaged and active as much as you can. Appreciate your beautiful fur balls who love running around your garden or around your living room. Playing games with your cat not only keeps them physically active but also helps strengthen your bond.
At Petbites Australia, we really love to see you engage with your beautiful furry feline friend. Therefore to support you with your creative ideas in letting your cat be active, you can always check out our range of cat toys. Whether it’s chasing a string or hunting for treats, regular playtime is essential for a happy and healthy cat. So grab a toy and enjoy some quality time with your feline friend!
