Playing with your cat is a basic activity to keep his cat active physical and mental well-being. However, even the biggest cat lovers can make unconscious mistakes, which can negatively affect the gaming experience.
Let’s check what they are main mistakes and how to avoid them to make every play session a pleasant and safe moment.
1. Use your hands as toys
One of the most common mistakes is use your hands to make the cat play. It may seem fun at first, but over time your pet will play with your hands and will likely scratch or bite, even when you are not playing. It is important to always use special toys, such as wands with feathers, balls or plush mice, to avoid aggressive behavior.
Invest in safe interactive toys and only use your hands to pet or feed the cat, not to provoke it into chasing or biting.
2. Play very aggressively
Some owners think so wake the cat with a sudden movement or pursuits make him more active. In fact, playing too loud can make you feel depressed or stressed. A cat that feels threatened may respond with defensive behaviors such as biting or scratching.
Make the games dynamic but don’t overdo it; let the game simulate the natural instinct to huntwith moments of anticipation and sudden flare-ups, but without exaggerating its provocation.
3. Not respecting the cat’s time
Each cat has its own moments of strength and calm. Forcing him to play when he is tired or disinterested can lead to stress and frustration. Some cats also prefer to play early in the morning, others at night, and ignore the signals Exhausted or apathy can lead to failure.
Observe the behavior of your furry friend and try to understand when he likes to play. Don’t force the game if the cat seems disinterested or tired, and respect its rhythms.
4. Don’t separate the games
Cats, like all animals, can get bored if play becomes repetitive. This means that constantly using the same type of toy or play style can cause your cat to lose interest. This can lead to passive behavior and reduced physical activity.
Change games and activities regularly for keep interest high; you can switch between hunting games, chasing games and interactive puzzles. Hiding toys and making them “reappear” at different times can also be a good way to stimulate your cat’s curiosity.
5. Don’t offer to “end” the game
Another common mistake is end the game abruptly without giving the cat any kind of “conclusion”. Cats are natural predators, and like to complete the hunting sequence with captured “prey”. If the game ends suddenly, the cat may become frustrated.
The advice is to end each play session by allowing the cat to “catch” the toy, for example by slowing down the movements of the wand or ball until the cat catches it. This will give him a sense of satisfaction and help reduce frustration.
6. Inappropriate toys
Some toys, even if they seem safe, can be dangerous for cats. For example, threads, rubber or small parts that are easy to swallow can cause serious health problems. Toys with small, detachable moving parts can also be dangerous.
Choose you toys made especially for catspreferably made of resistant materials and without small moving parts that could be swallowed. Always supervise play and replace damaged toys immediately.
7. Always have toys available
A frequent mistake is leave all toys available of the cat all the time. Cats, being very curious and predatory animals in nature, appreciate changes and new stimuli. If the toys are always there, the cat may lose interest.
Rotate the toys, leaving only a few available at a time and introducing new items from time to time. This way, your cat will have the feeling of finding something new and exciting every time, keeping his attention and curiosity high.
8. Too much interference in the game
Some owners tend to interfere too much during play, for example by constantly correcting the cat’s movements or forcing it to follow a certain dynamic. This behavior can limit the cat’s freedom to explore and experiment, diminishing the joy and satisfaction derived from playing.
Let the cat lead the game as much as possible, and intervene only to stimulate or guide him, but do not try to control his every move. Cats like to express their natural instincts during play, so let him move at his own pace and will.
Playing with your cat is important for its physical and mental well-being, but it is equally important to avoid mistakes that can turn a moment of fun into frustration or, worse, into a risk to the cat’s health. Pay attention to your pet’s signals, vary the games, always use the appropriate tools and respect for his freedom they are the keys to a harmonious and happy relationship between you and your cat.