Cats are social, active and curious animals, for this reason, the game should never be missing from their daily routine. It is also a very beneficial activity for him, as it helps to foster a bond with the owner, lowers levels of anxiety and stress and can even help fighting depression
However, not everyone knows how long to play with a cat per day, which means that this very positive activity is often forgotten. Find out below on our site how long should I play with my cat, you might be surprised!
Why is it so important to play with a cat?
Cats are social animals and, although it may seem so at first, they don't enjoy playing alone. You have probably given him a toy that has kept him entertained for hours, but over time he has been forgotten somewhere. That's because they need to receive stimulation to enhance their game behaviors, which is why our presence is so important.
Play is an essential activity to favor typical feline behaviors, such as the hunting instinct, for this reason it is they are especially attracted to "fishing rod" type toys or those that emit various sounds.
It is important to point out that the behavior of a 3-month-old cat before the game will not be the same as that of an adult or elderly cat, so we must adapt the sessions to its physical and mental abilities.
But, How do cats play with humans? There are many types of games that we can play with our feline, but the cat is able to carry them out properly is a clear indicator of happiness and well-being.
How long should I play with my cat?
There is no defined and exact time to play with a cat, since each animal has its own needs, however, it would be ideal if our feline could play daily with us, at least for half an hour.
Some high-energy cats may require longer play sessions, while others may become bored or frustrated by excessively long sessions. The best way to know how much time you should play with your cat is to take your time to get to know him and analyze his specific needs.
Games to play with your cat
In the market we will find endless toys designed exclusively for our felines and it is not always easy to know which one to choose: there are toys for kittens, intelligence toys, food dispensers and we can even make toys for cats ourselves.
As we mentioned earlier, the games that tend to motivate them more easily are those that include toys that emit sounds or the classic "cane fishing", however, we can play hide-and-seek with the cat or hide prizes for him to find. There are many possibilities and knowing our cat well will be essential to know which one is the most suitable for him. If you want to know more activities, do not hesitate to visit our article on 10 games to entertain a cat.
A good gaming session should not be particularly long, it should include short breaks and it is important that it be relatively calm, so as not to favor the lack of control of the feline, which can sometimes end with a strong scratch or bite. These details are especially important to keep in mind when knowing how to play with a small kitten, which is still learning to play properly.
Until what age do cats play?
Most cats continue to engage in active or moderate play behavior into adulthood, others even into old age, but it will depend on each specific case to know until what age a cat is going to play.
It is important to point out that the appearance of a pathology can make a cat resist playing, since it can cause pain. Athritis in elderly cats is a very clear example.
If two cats play together is enough?
It is likely that the company of another cat helps our feline meet his social needs if he spends a lot of time alone, however they will continue needing our company. Do not forget! Likewise, it is important to point out that before adopting a second feline we inform ourselves about how to know if two cats get along
If our cat has never socialized with other felines and was also separated from his mother and siblings before he was three weeks old… He will probably have many difficulties relating well to other cats, since his stage of socialization will have been very poor.
It is common in these cases for owners to ask themselves "how to know if my cat is playing or fighting" and that is because a cat that has not socialized correctly does not know the play guidelines or does not control biting and scratching as it should. If your cat has not been socialized, it is best that you bet on enriching the home appropriately to provide extra entertainment when you are not there.
On the contrary, if the cat was adopted at around three months of age and has socialized with other cats throughout its life, adopting a cat may be an excellent option.
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