Does your feline pal sometimes wake you up batting her favorite squeaky toy around in the middle of the night? Can Fluffy just not resist pouncing on your shoelaces? Kitties are very playful, which is one reason they make such fun and entertaining pets. Actually, one of the best things you can do for your kitty is to play with her regularly. A local vet offers some advice on this below.
Make It Routine
Just like people, cats need daily activity to stay healthy. Make it a habit to take a few minutes a day to play with Fluffy. This will be purrticularly beneficial to your feline friend as she gets older, because the mental stimulation can help keep her mind sharp.
Discourage Rough Play
Kitties sometimes get a bit too enthusiastic about play. They also enjoy ‘practicing’ their murder skills on their humans. You should never punish Fluffy for biting or scratching you, regardless of whether it was in play or anger. That may just make her scared of you, which will make matters worse. Tell her ‘No’ or ‘Bad kitty’ in a stern tone. You can also say Don’t bite or play nice: the main thing is to always use the same phrases. It may also help to clap your hands. Then, ignore your feisty feline for a while. She’ll get the hint sooner or later.
Don’t Play Favorites
Do you have more than one cat? You’ll need to show them equal attention, and that means giving them equal playtime. Kitties can get very jealous of each other! Dual play sessions can also help two furballs become friends.
Use Suitable Toys
Cats will play with anything and everything, especially when they are young. This can be quite dangerous! Stick with things that were made just for Fluffy. You may find it helpful to use toys that you control from a distance, such as laser pointers or wand toys. Remote-controlled playthings are also cute. This will be more fun and more challenging for your furry pal, as she won’t really be able to predict where her play is going. It also helps with petiquette, as Fluffy will attack her toy, not you. Just put wand toys away after use, so your kitty can’t get tangled up.
Do you have questions about your cat’s health or care? Contact us, your Dawsonville, GA animal clinic, today!
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