The Importance of Interactive Play
11th June 2015
June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! We have some amazing cats available for adoption that are patiently waiting for a forever home. Keeping with the spirit of this month, we are focusing our weekly education pieces on our furry feline companions! Last week we focused on the litter box and why litter box problems may arise and how to fix them. This week we have decided to share the importance of interactive play! Cats are returned to shelters for many reasons, but most of which are completely workable situations. Interactive play and cat enrichment can solve many problems that cats face in the home such as stress, aggression, fear, and shyness. Just like dogs, cats need exercise and mental stimulation to lead a happy, healthy life. Additionally, cats that lack sufficient stimuli can exhibit aggressive behavior, solicit play at inappropriate hours of the night, and be destructive to furniture, plants, or other objects in the home. Working interactive play into your daily routine will not only help your cat, but also reduce your stress levels as well!
Interactive play, or play therapy, is a great tool to bond and build trust with your cat. Using interactive toys, like wands, to imitate small prey is a great way to initiate play. According to Pam Johnson-Bennett, "How you move the interactive toy is important. Don't wave it around frantically just to give your cat an aerobic workout... Move the toy like prey, alternating between fast and slow motions so it gives your cat time to plan her next move. Here's a tip: movements that go away from or across your cat's visual field will trigger her prey drive. Don't dangle the toy in her face or move it toward her. Hunting is just as much mental as it is physical. For interactive playtime to be beneficial for your cat in terms of confidence, trust-building or stress-relieving, she has to be able to plan her moves, have successful captures and not become frustrated. Keep that in mind as you move the toy around. Also, to build confidence, let her have plenty of captures throughout the game. If you were a cat, it would be pretty frustrating if you never got your paws on the toy."
Scheduling one or two 15-20 minute play session each day with your cat will aid in behavior modification. Positive reinforcement and receiving meals after play time is also another way to improve your relationship. For most cats, play time is valued as a higher reward than food! Cats can be particular in toy preference, so it's important to find the right toy for motivation. Many toy wands have detachable ends so that you can switch the toy to keep your cat entertained. Keeping the interactive toys tucked away until play time helps your cat maintain a routine, and adds additional value to your play session. For safety reasons, it is also important to keep play wands put away when you are not in the room.
Interactive play between multiple cats is also a good way to build and improve relationships. By playing and 'hunting' together they are more likely to develop a relationship. You can add value to a situation by incorporating play when multiple cats are in the same room! This allows the cat to associate value and the good things that are happening (play, attention, positive reinforcement) with the other cat. You want the cat to think, "Man, when that other cat comes around it pours love, play, and affection from the sky-so that cat means good things and I want him around more!" Gradually, the cats will learn that good things happen when they are together in the same room.
Finding the right cat toys can be a challenge, but they are out there! Some products we often suggest are Da Bird and Neko Flies! All made in America with high quality materials, these toys are built to last. Both offer multiple exchangeable attachments, and most cats will have a preference!
Are you interested in adopting a cat? We have so many cats that want nothing more than a home to call their own! Check out our website for a list of available cats, and participate in National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! http://www.summithumane.org/cats/ .
Adoptable office Cats Beonia and Cleveland playing!
