Six tips to make your cat's life more active

Can cats get offended and when do they do it?

An animal can become bored for various reasons. For example, older cats, no less than people, can suffer from pressure changes or joint pain. During such periods, the animal is not active and tries to hide away, often in a dark corner. Almost always, when the cause of the blues is illness, other symptoms of malaise are noticeable, the range of which depends on the pathology. These could be, for example:

• digestive disorders - nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They cause weakness and cause refusal of food;
• frequent urination, with screams and howls while on the tray. You can also guess about problems with the urinary system by looking at the puddles that the cat leaves anywhere. What some owners consider to be revenge against them is, in fact, the results of a search for a place where it would not be painful to go “in a small way”;
• strange behavior of the cat. For example, if he sits for a long time with his muzzle to the wall or resting his forehead against it, this is not a reason for laughter and jokes, but a sign that the animal is suffering from a severe headache.

What ailments can affect your cat, how to recognize and treat them, you can read in the material on our website.

Another group of causes of bad mood is insufficient care:

• Poor quality feed can lead to the formation of tangles. For long-haired breeds this is a real disaster. An unkempt fur coat becomes overgrown with a huge number of mini felt boots. They cause skin itching, which intensifies and becomes permanent after the addition of a fungal infection. Sometimes tangles form if a cat, due to age-related joint problems, is unable to fully care for itself;
• Cat chewing on chicken and other bones can lead to tooth loss and inflammation of the digestive tract. In some cases, this is followed by temporary discomfort, in others there is a real threat to life.

We have already written about what you should not feed cats on our website.

• Ingrown or overgrown claws are both the result of destructive changes in the body and the lack of a normal claw post. The cat first experiences discomfort, and then pain. Due to his natural characteristics, he does not complain about his misfortune, preferring to quietly be sad on his bed. In general, it is impossible not to notice this problem - the animal acquires a clicking gait, which announces its approach long before its appearance. Some owners are sure that the animal must solve such problems itself. It's a delusion.

You can read how to trim a cat’s claws correctly and what tools are needed for this here.

The cat is offended

If the cat's sadness is not accompanied by signs of health problems, but the pet is clearly not in the mood, it may be offended by the owner who:

• was absent for a long time;
• didn’t “say hello” upon returning from work;
• brought strangers into the house;
• forgot to feed or change the water, ignoring the animal’s numerous requests;
• I didn’t wash the “fragrant” tray in the morning, but for a predator to live the whole day in the aura of its natural aromas is extreme stress and inconvenience;
• I didn’t treat you to what was lying on the table and smelled deliciously of meat;
• had the carelessness to pet another cat or (God forbid!) dog;
• drove me from my favorite chair, and even shouted.

On a note! When a furry person defiantly sits with his back to his owner and nervously beats his tail, this is definitely an insult and an expectation of compensation for moral damage.

How to cheer up a cat and what games to play

A win-win option to entertain a cat is games. They can be very diverse.

You can arrange an impromptu fight. To protect your hands from claws and teeth, be sure to wear thick gloves. Chase and hide and seek will amuse the cat.

The sunbeams on the wall will make the natural hunter jump and frolic.

Moving objects are great for normalizing a cat's senses. Both adults and kittens love all kinds of balls, strings, balls, and toys on wheels.

Whether a cat is happy or sad largely depends on the owner. Some people are overly demanding of their pets, while others forgive any pranks. It is important to find a middle ground in parenting and spend more time with your pet.

What to do if your cat is offended

First, find out what the reason is and, if possible, eliminate it. Well, then try to make the beast change its anger to mercy:

• tasty food;
• stroke and scratch;
• take it in your arms.

If the cat is an adult and does not go outside, you can please him with a new house or bed. This is a change of scenery that your pet will certainly appreciate. However, it is easier to entertain your pet with games. They may or may not be very active, but in any case they should arouse interest and excitement in the animal.

The best remedy for resentment is the attention of the owner

Package game

You will need a paper bag that you simply open and throw on the floor, giving it a light click. The cat will immediately climb inside, and then you can continue clicking on the bag to pique its interest. You can also roll a ball into the bag, which your cat will enthusiastically take out!

Not only boxes, but also bags are very attractive to cats. Moreover, it doesn’t matter to the pet whether it is made of plastic or paper. To start the game, place the bag on the floor and then attract the cat's attention. Although, most likely, she herself will notice an interesting object. The cat will definitely get into the bag.

Active games

They can be organized literally from scratch, using available tools, or without them. For example:

• play hide and seek and catch up. At the same time, it is important not to step on your pet or crush it under the door;

It's a good idea to buy a running wheel for your pet or make one yourself. You can learn more about this from the article on our website.

• start a “fight” with the animal, being prepared for scratches and bites, and not punish the cat for this, because it is a predator, and at home it shows the hunter’s instincts in games. And you shouldn’t bring your face closer to her - looking eye to eye can provoke an attack;
• tease the cat with a sunbeam, the light of a flashlight or a laser pointer, but so that the beam does not get into the eyes. And yet, it is worth keeping in mind that cats are sometimes disappointed with this activity, because the prey is perplexing: when caught, it is not felt at all;
• invite the animal to go “fishing” at home - make it catch a rope with a bow attached to an improvised “fishing rod”. You can tie a paper wrapper to a thick thread and pull it up and down. The cat will enthusiastically begin to catch “prey”. It is important to make sure that he succeeds in this sometimes, otherwise there will be no incentive to play.

Home hide and seek

On a note! You can make your pet chase a ball. In the absence of a real one, a paper one will do - the cat will gladly attack the toy, throw it up and catch it. And Maine Coons behave like dogs in such games - they catch a ball and bring it to their owner.

Video - Cat and laser pointer

Games with box

You can build a real maze by connecting boxes of different sizes together and making holes in each that your cat can fit into. The animal will be happy to make its way from one box to another, and if you also throw a tennis ball in there, there will be no limit to the pet’s pleasure! He will chase such a ball forever!

When thinking about how to entertain a cat, remember that these animals are very curious. They like to explore new things and look for prey. Many owners have noticed that their pets are partial to cardboard boxes, of all sizes. For example, you just need to put a box on the floor and the cat will immediately settle into it.

READ Hunting for ungulates rules and requirements

There she will play, chew the edges. Why is this happening? No one knows the answer to this question, except the cat herself, who won’t tell. If you are thinking about how to entertain your cat, then place boxes around the house. This way you will keep your pet occupied for a long time. To diversify your animal's leisure time, you can take several large boxes in which the pet fits freely, fasten them together, then make holes in the places where they are connected.

Boxes and bags

These things cause indescribable delight in cats. Animals are willing to spend a lot of time studying:

• how the object is structured from the inside, what it smells and tastes like;
• what it is made of and how durable it is;
• why does it rustle and is it suitable as a house or shelter.

Having discovered that an object can be bitten and scratched, cats become so carried away that they can tear the toy to pieces.

Important! Make sure that in the heat of excitement your pet does not eat cardboard and cellophane.

The box was found - life was good!

What should you be wary of when choosing things for your cat to play with?

Those who are interested in how to entertain a cat at home should learn about dangerous objects for fun. Of course, it is convenient to play with a cat with ordinary objects. But there are things that can harm an animal. During the process, make sure that the cat does not swallow the small product. This can lead to intestinal problems and even death. What items should you hide so your cat doesn't get them? This category includes: feathers, paper clips, wire, New Year's tinsel, beads and sequins, needles, pins, etc.

Games on the tablet

Modern cats are no strangers to intellectual entertainment in the form of programs on gadgets. To make sure, you can download one of the following to your Android tablet.

Cat Toy For Tablets & Phones Program

The application contains games designed exclusively for cats. If you wish, you can hunt for:

• a mouse that is very similar to a living one;
• black;
• teasing laser beam.

At the same time, you are allowed to change the background and choose the soundtrack. The fun is simple, but despite this, it can captivate the cat for a long time, and give the owner a reason to be touched by the pet’s behavior.

Screen with Cat Toy For Tablets & Phones

Cat Alone Program

Its principle is the same: the animal tries to catch objects that move on the monitor. The following can act as bait:

• insects;
• finger;
• strange scribbles.

The program developers are sure that the cat will certainly like the game, and to make sure this happens, they have released options where you can hunt for mice, fluffy feathers and dandelions.

Screen with Cat Alone

Crazy Cat program

This application differs from others in that it allows you to have fun together with the owner. You will need a phone connected to the tablet via Bluetooth. The person controls the activity of the characters whose images the cat will catch on the monitor. For each success, players receive points. At the end of the game, it will become clear which player has a better visual perception speed and reaction: the owner or the pet.

An activity to your liking

Happy Wings Program

Insects and funny birds fly on the tablet screen. The cat will definitely want to catch it. If successful, the entertainment goes to a new level, so your pet will never get bored.

Happy Wings screen

Game for Cats Paw Me program

Universal fun that is interesting to cats, as well as birds, domestic dogs and even iguana lizards. The meaning of the game is the same: you need to catch bows, fish and mice flashing on the screen. Background screensavers change, animation is included, so the process is captivating. Among other things, you can arrange fights like “cat versus cat” or “cat versus owner.” The disadvantage of such toys is that pets have not yet learned to turn on tablets on their own.

Screen saver Game for Cats Paw Me

Balls and balls

These can be any objects that can be safely rolled on the floor, thrown, caught, scratched or chewed, for example:

• walnut or tennis ball;
• a ball made of rubber or plastic, optionally with a rattle or bell inside.

Ball - cat's ball

For reference! To make it even more attractive, you can rub the toy with catnip, which is sold in pet stores. The only negative is that the potential prey will end up under the sofa or behind the closet early, which means that one night the owners may wake up to the ringing of a bell because the cat has decided to have a little fun.

Tracks for cats

The next way to cheer up your pet is to buy him a track. The device is a labyrinth through which you can roll balls.

Interactive game track for cats called CATIT DESIGN SENSES SUPER ROLLER CIRCUIT

It includes 8 parts. From can be connected in different orders, forming ascents and descents. There is a glowing ball inside the mini-track. It is set in motion by touching the paw. Cats are delighted with this kind of fun, because it allows them to realize their hunting instinct! The path is made of translucent material, through which the object of the hunt is visible. Observing the trajectory of the “prey”, the animal seizes the moment to catch it through the holes.

The advantages of the game track are that:

• you can change its configuration by laying out the path, for example, in snakes or circles;
• The game will interest both young and older animals.

Dynamic track

Paths with several colored balls

It allows several hunters to participate in the game at the same time. Bright balls move in a circle, and at all levels simultaneously. This is interesting for baleen predators, but in order to catch prey, you have to try.

Game for the cat group

How to make a cat happy

Even if, having “diagnosed” your pet, you realized that she is not entirely happy, you should not give up. The situation can always be corrected:

1. Feed your pet well. A cat cannot feel happy unless it gets enough vitamins and nutrients from its food. However, you shouldn’t overdo it here either. Otherwise, you may face a problem such as obesity.
2. Carefully read the composition of the feed, and also pay attention to the special marks on the packaging. Many foods are suitable specifically for kittens, while others, on the contrary, are suitable for older cats. Be careful with treats: sometimes cats love to eat so much that they are ready to do it around the clock, and their owners are always happy to share a piece of sausage.
3. Always remember that representatives of the cat world are big clean people. By nature it is in them to hunt and survive, and for this they need an excellent sense of smell. Animals will not tolerate foreign odors in the apartment.
4. The cat should not be bathed: it will perfectly keep itself clean on its own. Exceptions are possible only if the pet has directly come into contact with a chemical substance.
5. The cat's litter box should always be clean. Cats tend to bury their waste products - at first glance, the cat litter box may be perfectly clean. However, this is not at all true.
6. All cats strive to communicate. At least 2 times a day, devote time only to your furry, even if it’s just a few minutes. The animal will appreciate it if you start stroking it behind the ears, near the nose and under the chin.
7. Give your pet some space to be alone. Don't pester the animal every minute!
8. If possible, free up space on the windowsill. Cats usually love to watch what is happening on the street.
9. Leave your pet a few toys while you are at work. You can also introduce him to other animals. Cats often get along well in company.

• Author: Elena Romanenko
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Electronic gaming device for cats GiGwi Pet Droid

It deserves special attention. The toy is compact, has a sound card and several attachments that can be changed. The action is based on the fact that sensors monitor the behavior of the animal. Thanks to this, a tassel made of real feathers jumps out of the body at the right moment, which the hunter will try to grab. Sounds reminiscent of birdsong add excitement. An enthusiastic cat is immersed in the atmosphere of the hunt, forgetting about everything.

Feather game

Toy "Mint Leaf"

It is aromatic and delicious thanks to catnip, an aromatic and flavoring additive. Cats love to chew on these devices. Time spent with a mint toy is not just a game, but also the prevention of caries. The product has a structure that removes plaque—soft and hard—from the teeth of a domestic predator.

Delicious and aromatic “Mint Leaf”

Treats

Another way to appease your cat and cheer him up, but you shouldn’t overuse treats for a number of reasons:

• firstly, it can lead to refusal to eat. The cat, reasoning logically, will wait for the delicacy, ignoring less tasty but healthier food;
• secondly, for animals whose diet includes ready-made food, frequent consumption of tasty tablets can be at risk of hypervitaminosis;
• thirdly, in cats prone to obesity, such delicacies can provoke weight gain.

There will be no harm if you pamper your cat occasionally, and do not turn “candy” into an obligatory component of the diet.

Vitamin tablets for cats

Manufacturers made sure that the range of delicacies was varied. As an example, we suggest considering several such products.

Table 1. Cat treats that can be purchased at a pet store.

Important! When choosing a treat for an animal, you need to take into account not only its taste preferences, but also the characteristics of its daily diet, as well as its health status.

New toy

Animals are just like humans. Even the brightest and loudest toy can get boring, so it’s worth updating your arsenal regularly. Pay attention to your cat's interests and carefully select toys that are appropriate for the cat's age, size, and jaw strength.

Correctly selected toys can solve many problems, such as: damaged furniture, clothes, flowerpots thrown from window sills - all this will come to naught if your pet is passionate about games.