Playing fun games with your cat can provide you both, the owner and cat a lot of benefits, as this serves not only allows you to get closer to cats behavior. By playing them with your cat you also get to spend more quality time with the feline in question, so it truly is win-win all around. 10 Cat Games You and Your Pet Can Enjoy Together Plus, you’ll get a boost in bonding with your cat, building trust between the two of you, enriching your cat’s life and getting some good exercise for them too!
Fast Facts about Games for Cats:
- This helps to make a better relationship between you and your cat.
- Cat Toys (buy or make your own)
- Cats have a natural advantage with hunting-related cat toys.
- Playing mentally and physically stimulating games with your cats.
Why Playing with Kittens is Crucial?
While cats may appear to be happy lying in the windowsill or lying out on your sunspot, they require mental as well as physical stimuli that are offered by good play time. Kittens in the wild learn by playing stalking, hunting and other things that they will need to survive on their own or in a feral colony. I often think that having an indoor cat means they don’t get to use their ‘natural skills’ of pouncing and chasing and playing.
Have a few games and indoor activities up your sleeve to make sure they get enough exercise — especially going solo at home, it will help them burn calories and maintain an ideal weight. Interactive play has the added benefit of building a bond between you and your cat, just as it can help to keep unwanted boredom-related behaviors at bay.
Top 10 Fun Games to Play with Your Kitten
It is important that you can participate in fun games with them so that they will be able to maintain those hunting instincts.1) The Paper Bag Game
Since cats are naturally curious, this game draws upon that aspect of their nature perfectly. Get a paper bag and put it on the floor. Supermarket paper bags, brown paper, simply anything we can use to fill that void. And your kitten will probably get in the bag, just because that’s how cats are. Give the bag a light tap from the outside with your finger or even a wooden spoon and watch as your kitten pounces and plays like crazy.2) Wind-Up Mouse Chase
They have moving toys for cats and toddlers alike. Wind one of these up and watch your cat go racing around trying to catch it. It’s so funny to see how they react when the ball is no longer moving. A few cats may whisk it and run wild with excitement, while others will just sit there and watch you as if to ask why you have stopped. You can circle the string again, and see them do what they are supposed to do — hunt. There are also feeders that can be filled with meals or treats, which incorporates the desire to hunt and have your cat pursue the “mouse” for food.3) Play area for your cat with recycled boxes
Be creative and put some makeshift doorways in or place boxes to obstruct a pathway, creating a labyrinth or maze. Put food treats in some of the boxes and watch your cat hunt. Cats are just naturally curious and, on the flip side of the coin, can be cautious about things they are not familiar with. Most cats love catnip so putting a treat in some of the boxes can encourage them to search through.
To introduce the idea to a cat and build their confidence you can start with something easy, like just leave food or catnip in the first box where it is very accessible. Only make the first course super easy until your cat becomes more confident with exploring its way through the maze to find the yummy treats.
4) Use a flirt pole to play with your cat
Have you heard of a flirt pole before? A flirt pole is essentially a stick with string attached and at the other end there is a toy/feather. Not only is this toy for cats and their owners fun, but they also let you dangle as well as manipulate the toy while watching on scurry, jump, and pounce! You can hold them in place while your cat bats at it with their paws or leaps and springs to catch what they think of as “prey”. Gradually make the activity harder as your cat gets used to it in order to keep him engaged. Also, it is important for cats to never miss the hunt as they need to sense and actually squeeze and chew the toy after they catch it in order for them to enjoy food benefits as well. You can even throw in some treats on the floor to have them go through the entire process of stalking, pouncing, catching and “eating” just to help improve their hunting experience.5) Ping Pong Ball Exercise
This amusing activity will exercise your cat’s agility. These ping pong balls move fast and have a durable bounce for continuous play while encouraging physical activity. It is with the ball thrown against the wall and you see your cat twist and turn chasing after it. When the ball finally stops moving, your cat might tentatively move toward it on his back feet, before flicking it across the floor with both paws. Next thing you know, they are searching under the couch trying to pry the toy out. Otherwise, to increase the difficulty and keep excitement on high simply throw the ball as far under a couch or pillow as possible. As a result, this will prompt your cat to prey on the food and plan how to pounce on its trophy.6) Fetch
Training your cat how to fetch can be a fun activity like training dogs. Start by tossing a soft ball or some crumpled paper in view of your cat. When your cat brings the toy back, say their name. There you can swap the toy for a treat upon return and then throw it again.
7) An Agility Course, an Enrichment Station or a Cozy Napping Area
Not only do they play to expend energy, but cats like to rest in high places. They tend to select bookcases. Install shelves of different heights along this wall for an indoor play space. Combine wide and narrow shelves, and incorporate cat beds or squares of carpet for a scratching space. You can also play a ribbon across the shelves for your cat to jump up and down chasing it through the cater sack gaps.8) Playing with Wrapping Paper
Christmas, as well the times spent in birthday parties are most enjoyed by cats because of exploration and playing. Try crumpling wrapping paper into balls for them to shred and bat around. Small paper balls tossed across the room keep cat agility and hunting skills sharp, while we laugh watching them hunt or reenact a pounce on scrap paper. In addition, learn what kind of food cats can safely consume during the holidays.9) Watching Sports on Screen
Sit back and watch them play basketball, tennis or any other ball sport on the screen. Some of the apps are even for cats, and some of these apps are also offered on YouTube. The movement on the screen can stimulate most cats to the point where they will swat at it.10) Enjoy gluing through cuddling or grooming
Play is fun but being in the vicinity of snuggles and cuddles give you an option for a bonding moment with no distractions, too. Cats that respond well to this type of physical engagement especially benefit from social play.Do not use laser pointers or flashlights
Laser pointers are used by many people to create a light spot for cats to pounce, or you can use flashlights. Felines are great with cardio if you need to use push while running, but a source of light is not recommended. This type of game satisfies your cat’s instinctual hunting drive. In the usual game of predator and prey, predators physically engage with their quarry at some stage. Being a light source, this sort of event never happens. Therefore, they do not have the feeling of satisfaction, and then frustration will happen to many cats. This pent-up energy comes out in the form of biting or clawing on people or other animals.
Interactive play and entertaining activities can help ensure your cat is mentally stimulated and fit as well. And one of the best benefits of them all is watching how your cat plays and has some fun.
Advantages of Play for Cats
Regular active play with your cat lets them act on their natural instincts in a healthy way, which lessens the chance of boredom or frustration turning into anxiety. This makes for good exercise, for both indoor cats and outdoor ones. The benefits of play for a cat include:- Enhanced mental stimulation
- Chewing & scratching benefits for healthy life
- Increased activity levels
- Better cat-human relationship
Playing with your kitten daily helps them stay physically active, mentally stimulated, and strengthens the bond between you and your pet. It also satisfies their natural hunting instincts, preventing boredom, which can lead to unwanted behaviors such as scratching or chewing on furniture.
Kittens have bursts of energy, so short but frequent play sessions are ideal. Aim for 10-15 minutes of interactive play 2-3 times a day. This helps burn energy and keeps your kitten engaged without overwhelming them.
Safe toys include paper bags, ping pong balls, wind-up mice, and cat wands (flirt poles). Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed, sharp edges, or materials that can easily tear apart. Always supervise playtime to ensure safety.
It’s not recommended to use laser pointers or flashlights for play. Although kittens enjoy chasing the light, they may become frustrated since they cannot “catch” the light, which can lead to behavioral issues. It’s better to use toys they can physically interact with, such as a wind-up mouse or flirt pole.
You can create a fun play area using recycled boxes, wrapping paper, and household items like ping pong balls. Build tunnels, hide treats, and make obstacle courses. This DIY approach is cost-effective and provides hours of entertainment.
Yes! Many kittens can learn to play fetch with practice. Start by throwing a small toy that your kitten enjoys, and encourage them to bring it back to you. Reward them with praise or a treat when they return the toy. Be patient, as some kittens may take time to understand the game.
Set up an enrichment station with interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and safe spaces like boxes or tunnels. You can also leave toys like wind-up mice or automated ones to keep them busy. Make sure the environment is safe and free from anything they could ingest or damage.
Rotate your kitten’s toys regularly to keep things fresh and exciting. Just like children, kittens can get bored with the same toys. Introducing new objects, changing the play area, or engaging them with different games, like a flirt pole or paper bag game, can reignite their interest.
Yes, regular play sessions can help reduce aggressive behaviors. Kittens often act out when they have excess energy or feel bored. Playing interactive games helps them release energy in a healthy way, preventing them from biting or scratching out of frustration.
Interactive games like fetch, the paper bag game, or even gentle grooming after play sessions can strengthen the bond between you and your kitten. Physical interaction, combined with the mental stimulation of play, builds trust and affection over time.
Agility courses and enrichment areas help kittens develop coordination, problem-solving skills, and muscle strength. These setups also prevent boredom and encourage exploration, which is vital for their growth and overall happiness.