How to Play With a Cat

Cats can intimidate new pet owners with their sneaky feline ways. They actually want to play and will do this by stalking and pouncing. The first time you walk by the couch and get attacked from underneath by a swift cat paw may scare the wits out of you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Feathers, string and pole
• Marbles
• Superball
• Yarn

1. Visit the local pet store and check out the toy aisle. Select from the vast numbers of catnip-stuffed mice, birds, balls and other toys.

2. Get feathers and tie a string around them. Attach the other end of the string to a pole and drag the feathers around the house. Watch the cat chase the feathers frantically trying to play with them.

3. Find one of the kid’s marbles and find a room or hallway with linoleum or non-carpeted floors. Roll the marble to another player on the other side and watch the cat try to capture the marble as it rolls in between.

4. Use a rubber super ball and play by bouncing the ball between two people or off a wall or door. Let the ball fall low to the ground so the cat can try to grab it.

5. Ask Grandma for a ball or skein of old yarn for kitty. Cats will chase the yarn ball but really like to pounce at the loose skein as yarn is pulled out.

6. Place a small bug like an ant in front of the cat to see if he will play with it. Cats will sniff the bug, try to touch it and may follow it.

7. Go for a walk with the cat. Not just dogs like to go for walks. The cat may not walk beside you but will stay just behind. Check the leash laws in your area.

8. Flush the toilet. Some cats love to watch the water in the toilet go down the drain. It absolutely fascinates them.

9. Turn on the faucet for kitty to play in running water. The myth about a cat’s fear of water is not true as they try to catch the water with their paws.

10. Tickle a kitty’s tummy. They love to have their stomachs rubbed and will lay on their back to play with your hand. Be gentle if the cat still has claws and watch out for the final attack by the cat.

11. Hang a toy on a string from a door or open doorway just high enough that the cat can smell or see it but has to reach for it. Toys on elastic strings that allow the cat to walk away before it rebounds are great fun for the cat and the human audience.

12. Play attack-the-hidden-hand with kitty. Hide your hand under a blanket, towel or other piece of fabric. It's fun to watch a cat hunt and pounce on something grabbing at them from under the blanket.

13. Stick an arm under a couch or a chair and out the front so that the cat can barely see fingertips. Run the hand back and forth like a mouse so the cat will pounce at the moving hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Get an extra box of catnip for the refillable catnip toys and keep it in the freezer.