December is National Cat Lover’s Month!
Here are some fun “cat-tivities” to do to bond with your furry baby!
1. Take Your Cat For A Walk!
Leash walking is not only for dogs. If you keep your feline friend indoors all day every day, you may consider taking them on walks every now and then. Leash walking gives you the total control of where and when your cat is going so you can supervise them properly and keep them safe. Training your cat to walk on a leash can take a while. It is better to start when they are young so they can get used to it. Do not force them to walk on a leash if they are extremely stressed out.
2. Hide-and-Seek
These games unleash the predatory nature in cats. Hide behind a couch, bed, or a desk. Cats will stalk you as if you’re their prey. A variation of this would be to attach one of your cat’s stuffed toys to a string so you can wiggle it under the blanket. Most cats can’t resist trying to catch the moving toy.
3. Food Hunting
Just like dogs, cats have a natural instinct to hunt for food. You can hide small amounts of food or treats throughout the house, and let your cat discover it with or without your guidance. Your cat will love it!
4. Watching TV
This shouldn’t be a hard one. It is surprising how much cats love TVs! You and your cat can cuddle up together on the couch and watch some TV programs about birds, rodents and fish—natural prey for felines. It is a great way to relieve boredom and stress for both of you.
5. Feather and String
This is one of my personal favorites– my cat loves this. Waving feather wand toys are great interactive toys for your cat. They mimic the movements of a bird, which give your cat opportunities to “hunt”. The stimulating play requires your cat to leap in the air and try to capture the flying object with their paws. Make sure that you select a safe, spacious area of your home so that your cat does not fly into any furniture and hurt themselves.
6. Catnip Toys
Cats are naturally drawn to catnip. So catnip toys are always a great idea. These fun plush cat toys are filled with a powerful combo of premium catnip and silvervine, which is a non-toxic, all natural catnip alternative that works for many cats who normally are not affected by catnip. Give your cat Mad Cat and watch them go mad!
7. Paper Bags or Cardboard Boxes
It is no mystery that cats love paper bags and cardboard boxes. If your cat gets bored with their old toys and you don’t have the budget to get them new toys, you can always provide them with cardboard boxes, paper shopping bags, and packing paper that encourage them to explore with their paws. They will be entertained for hours, and you will be amused watching them play. Be sure to supervise your cat while playing with toys or everyday household items.