This content was produced for IAMS by the foundry @ Meredith Corp. DailyPaws editorial staff was not involved in its creation or production.
If big kitten energy isn't already an internet meme, it should be: Kitties are literally bursting with verve and are almost always ready to play. And while adult and senior cats may need a little coaxing, playtime is just as essential for them.
In fact, in lieu of hunting and roaming in the wild, play is vital for the development of motor skills and mental stimulation for all our feline friends. Here’s how to make playtime purrfect for you and your cat.
According to Dr. Angela Hughes DVM PhD, the Science Advocacy Senior Manager at Mars Petcare, “It’s important to keep your cat engaged as much as possible by giving them the ability to hunt or play games. Having a variety of activities is especially important in multi-cat households."
Plus, playtime is essential for creating a strong bond with your BFF (best feline friend), so on that note, let the games begin!
Thrill of the Chase
For a no-toy-required game of cat and mouse (yes, you're the mouse), hide-and-seek is a great exercise that allows cats to expend abundant energy, develop coordination, and utilize their natural hunting prowess. Don't forget to keep some keep some IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten food in your pocket as a healthy reward for your adept hunter.
Hunt and Gather
Puzzle toys provide the perfect opportunity for self-play and are great boredom-busters. Look for toys that require cats to manipulate them in order to extract nutrient-rich food to trigger their natural-born instincts, while increasing dexterity and providing mental stimulation.
Cat Fact: The Dominant Paw: Just like their human counterparts, cats have a dominant hand, er, paw. Through play, can you figure out if your cat is left- or right-pawed?
Going Solo
Place solo toys made to paw, bat, nudge, and nose around your home for your furry roommate to discover and interact with while alone. Items that crinkle, roll, and rattle in various textures and shapes are great, and don't forget to add some scent-enrichment in the form of catnip or silver vine to make them extra alluring.
Out of Sight: For maximum engagement, keep playtime fresh by rotating toys in and out so your kitty doesn't tire of the same old thing.
Up the Engagement
Interactive toys are a great way to stimulate your kitten's natural predatorplay behavior, build trust by ensuring she has a chance to succeed and not become frustrated; and provide stress relief. Think wands with dangling feathers or ribbons for batting and swatting and balls that bounce or chime (kittens especially love noisy toys) for pouncing and chasing.
When Hunger Strikes
Wholesome meals keep your furry friends healthy and energized, so serve up the good stuff. Kittens go wild for IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Healthy Kitten dry and wet recipes, which nourish development for a heart-warming year of feline firsts, while IAMS™ Indoor Weight & Hairball Care dry food for adult cats is made with LCarnitine to help maintain healthy metabolism and aid in maintaining an ideal weight.
Doctor’s Orders: It's no secret that cats are quite particular, but if you notice a change in temperament or activity level, something could be wrong and it’s a good time to talk to your veterinarian.
It's all fun and games when it's playtime with your cat. And come mealtime, IAMS™ has you covered with dry and wet food formulas that keep your cat energized. visit IAMS.com and the IAMS cat food selector.
