Play Therapy and Cat Toys

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is the act of using interactive toys to encourage vigorous play from your cat. The idea is to get them to run, jump, chase, and generally wear themselves out.

Why is Play Therapy good for my cat?

Cats are natural predators, and the cushy indoor lives we provide for them often doesn’t give them enough of an outlet for this type of behavior. Play Therapy is a safe, fun way to encourage your cat to express this side of their nature without any negative side affects.

What types of behavioral problems can be solved by using Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is useful in solving all sorts of behavioral problems, but it is most effective when used to eliminate aggression (towards other cats AND towards humans) and in helping shy and/or stressed out cats come out of their shells. Cats who bite or attack their owners for no apparent reason are often labeled “aggressive”, when in reality they are just bored and have too much spare energy. Play Therapy, along with being fun, allows them to direct some of this energy in a non-destructive way. When dealing with shy, fearful cats, Play Therapy is helpful because chasing, leaping, and catching are all confidence-building exercises. Also, while they are playing, they become distracted and forget about whatever it was that had them afraid in the first place. However, even if your cat isn’t shy or aggressive, Play Therapy is still beneficial to your cat. Just as we humans feel better about ourselves after exercise, so do out feline friends.

What types of toys are best to use with my cat?

There are different kinds of toys your cat can play with. Active toys work just as their name implies: these toys cause your cat to run, jump, chase, exercise their hunting and prey instincts, and just overall get good exercise. Comfort toys help your cat feel safe or seem familiar to your cat, and can include actual things to play with, or are a ‘safe spot’ for your cat to just hang out and be. The final, and possibly most famous cat toy, is the herb catnip. It is a member of the mint family, and cats are most drawn to it through their sense of smell. Once your cat is acclimated to the smell (which can take just a few minutes), your cat may walk away and not want to play with it anymore. However, give your cat a few hours or even days and it will be back again to play with the catnip. This reaction to catnip is actually inherited through a gene, and some cats will not have this gene. Therefore, if your cat does not want to play with catnip, it is best to just find another toy they will be interested in.

Active Toys

• Round plastic shower curtain rings, which are fun either as a single ring to bat around, hide, or carry, or when linked together and hung in an enticing spot.
• Plastic balls, with or without bells inside.
• Ping-Pong balls and plastic practice golf balls with holes, to help cats carry them. Try putting one in a dry bathtub, as the captive ball is much more fun than one that escapes under the sofa.
• Paper bags with any handles removed. Paper bags are good for pouncing, hiding, and interactive play. Plastic bags are not a good idea, as many cats like to chew and ingest the plastic.
• Sisal-wrapped toys, which are very attractive to cats who tend to ignore soft toys.
• Empty cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels, made even more fun if you "unwind" a little cardboard to get them started.
• Wand toys, which you can use to play with your cat.Make the toy act like a mouse or a bird to peak your cat’s curiosity. It runs aways from your cat; it hides around the corner, it ducks under the rug, it freezes. Don’t overdo it; subtle moves are quite effective. Vary the speed and direction of the toy. With this toy, let your cat set the pace. You can’t force a cat into playing, but you can try different approaches to see what generates interest. Finally, do let your cat win sometimes. Although you don’t want to make it too easy; when your cat comes in for the Big Pounce, let him score a direct hit and savor the thrill of victory.

Comfort Toys

• Soft stuffed animals, which are good for several purposes. For some cats, the stuffed animal should be small enough to carry around. For cats who want to wrestle with the toy, the stuffed animal should be about the same size as the cat. Toys with legs and a tail seem to be even more enticing to cats.
• Cardboard boxes, especially those a little too small for your cat to really fit into.

Catnip

• Catnip-filled soft toys are fun to kick, carry, and rub. Catnip is not addictive and is perfectly safe for cats to roll in, rub in, or eat.
• Plain catnip can be crushed and sprinkled on the carpet or, for easier cleanup, on a towel placed on the floor. Catnip oils will often stay in the carpet, and although they're not visible to us, your cat will still be able to smell them.
• Catnip sprays rarely have enough power to be attractive to cats.
• Not all cats are affected by catnip. Some cats may become over-stimulated to the point of aggressive play and others may become relaxed.
• Kittens under six months old seem to be immune to catnip.

How can I start a Play Therapy program with my cat?

Try to schedule one or two 15 to 20-minute play sessions with your cat per day. Use an active toy to encourage them to play, and really wear them out. The best types of toys to use are the interactive cat toys, such as wand toys, that require you to get involved. If the toy is just sitting there not moving, your cat probably won’t be interested in it. It is important that you participate in the play session, moving the toy around and creating little games for your cat, as he needs active "people time" – and such play also enhances the bond between you and your pet. Cats generally engage in three types of play –"fishing, flying, and chasing" – and all types are much more engaging for cats when you are part of them. However, NEVER use your bare hand to play with a cat! This teaches cats to view hands as toys, and encourages biting and scratching behavior.

You will also want to rotate your cat's toys, and make only a few available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your cat has a favorite toy, you may want to leave that one out all the time. It is also good to provide toys that offer a variety of uses—at least one toy to carry, one to wrestle with, one to roll, and one to "baby." You don’t always have to directly give the toy to the cat for it to enjoy playing with the toy. Sometimes it is best to just leave the toy for the cat to discover – sometimes this is much more attractive to a cat.

Remember, cats who get regular exercise, both physical AND mental, are happier and healthier. Play Therapy is a quick and easy way to put some excitement back into your cat’s life.

 

 

 

 

Copyright 2005 by Tree House Animal Foundation. All rights reserved.