Kittens start to play from the time they can walk or stumble around on wobbly legs. They learn a lot from playing as they hone their motor skills in preparation for hunting and climbing. Chasing siblings around and attacking your toes are all practice for hunting.
Play has other important benefits, and not just for kittens. As a cat ages, it will play less, and senior cats may not play at all - this is a normal part of aging. However, a cat that is unhappy, depressed or just plain bored, may benefit from regular play sessions.
There are so many toys available for both interactive and alone play, that there should be no problem in finding something suitable. In fact, you can even make toys using old bits of cloth, feathers and other bits and pieces knocking around the house. Your cat will probably respond better to some toys than others, but that’s a case of you figuring out what your cat likes. A bit of cat nip hidden somewhere on the toy is a good idea, or even making a tea with it and soaking a bit of cloth in the tea.
Offer your adult cat some play time occasionally is not only good exercise, but also great bonding time for you and your cat. If your cat is bored and gets up to mischief when you are not around, regular play sessions can help to alleviate this boredom, as well as tire your cat out so that it will be less inclined to destroy the house in your absence.
Playing is a good way of interacting with your cat if it is grieving after having lost it’s companion cat. If you have moved to a new location or have a new job/working hours, playing can help your cat settle in to the new routine. Play can also be used when introducing a new cat or other pet to the household. Even a senior cat can be encouraged to play though the session will probably only last a couple minutes.
Remember that a happy cat = a happy household.
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