Play is an essential activity for cats of all ages, young and old. Sexual play is controlled by neutering. Their lives at this stage revolve around playing, sleeping, and eating, and they engage in these behaviors cyclically. ", "I played with the kitten using my hand, never knew that was bad.". Your kitten may see this as an invitation to bite or scratch your hand. It is our responsibility as cat owners to ensure that our pets have ample opportunity and resources for play. They will generally "correct" each others behavior. I got my kitten about 4 days ago and she got spayed. This can help keep your kitten entertained while you're out of the house. For instance, you can roll a ping-pong ball across the floor for your kitten to chase, or you can tie a string to a stick and dangle it over your kitten’s head so it can jump. All images, art, and game materials are ©2015-2020 Exploding Kittens Inc. ©2015-2020 Exploding Kittens Inc. Common items that you're likely to dispose of or recycle can often be used as toys for kittens. The way a cat plays as she ages may change but the desire to play should hopefully remain throughout a cat's life. If cats are tamed, they drop coins and kittens. This article was co-authored by Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD. Although your cat is in its senior years, … Instead, use an inanimate object attached to a string or pole, animated (by jiggling) to encourage the kitten to get involved in harmless wrestling games. Puppies & Babies & Kitties OH MY! They can swallow them potentially causing serious injury and even death. She might still be a little drugged or just recovering from the operation. However, try not to encourage the kitten to attack your hands or feet, since this will make the kitten think it’s okay to bite or scratch you. However, make sure it's an old blanket if your kitten is not declawed. However, if one kitten is in obvious distress you'll have to break up the play. “As most kitty owners know, cats love rituals, so even play with them right before meals,” she said. In nature, the target is often a small varmint that their mom has brought home for practice – but in a home setting a blowing leaf often has to suffice. All types of kitten play are best dissipated with other kittens. What should I do? If you have more than one kitten, or even a youngish cat and a kitten, they will amuse themselves together for hours on end and take the heat for entertainment off you. By this latter age, even the most intense players have usually settled down but it is common for cats to play at times throughout their lives. A graph of play behaviors would show a gradual build-up in frequency and intensity of play bouts, peaking at around 6 months of age, followed by a gentle decline that never actually returns to baseline. Keep your hands or arms out of the way, though. If allowed to vent its excess energies on you, the kitten may view you as a big squeaky toy and not as its fearless leader. I don’t know why the hell this works, but it … Dogs use exaggerated postures like the play bow to tell other dogs everything after this is a game, and not a serious threat. Make sure the toys you pick are safe. Adulting 101: Learn How to Raise Your Credit Score. No, you should put the ball away when you're not around as it may hurt your kitten. Sexual play can be directed toward rolled up socks or pillows. Just like dogs, some indoor cats will enjoy stimulating walks outside. Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. Ignoring it (stopping play and walking away) also works. Maybe he's hungry or thirsty or needs to use the litter box, maybe he wants to cuddle, or maybe he doesn't need anything and is just being talkative. One fun activity involves putting your kitten and the ball into an empty bathtub. Last Updated: December 20, 2019 The first and most important rule when it comes to teaching a kitten to play gently is to not use your fingers as toys. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 92,563 times. Predatory play is the easiest to mimic. You make the faintest move – no more than a quiver really – and in a split second she leaps onto your calf. If the opportunity for play to be expressed with another cat or kitten does not exist, owners should provide a viable substitute for social and predatory play. Get some treats ready, let her sniff them, and issue a … % of people told us that this article helped them. Activate your cat's natural hunting instinct. Get cat toys you know your cat loves in different colours. Cats, like humans, play because they want to, not because they have to. Is there any way I could fix it? You can throw these toys around for your kitten like a ping pong ball. ©Copyright 1999 - 2020. Additionally, play prevents boredom, reduces anxiety, and is a great form of exercise. There are a variety of toys you can use to engage your kitten in some playtime. Exploding Kittens is a card game published by The Oatmeal in 2015. Bounce a ping pong ball against the wall and allow your kitten to chase it. All Rights Reserved. You can also set down a paper bag while playing with a ribbon or string with your cat. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998. Read on for tips from our veterinary reviewer on keeping your kitten safe! Plush toys that can be filled with treats are also a great way to keep your kitten occupied. Not only does play encourage bonding between you and your cat or little kitten, it is also fun and mentally stimulating for your feline friend. Kitten claws can seriously damage fabrics. What kind of toys do kittens like to play with? If allowed to vent its excess energies on you, the kitten may view you as a big squeaky toy and not as its fearless leader. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. In the household, social play may be directed toward an owner’s hands and sometimes takes the form of petting-induced aggression. Try to find something else for your kitten to play with, and take its mind off of your foot. Step 1. Whether you use a laser mouse or a Cat Dancer®, the object should move quickly, and dance or wiggle. 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