No matter the age of your cat, it’s important to engage them in 2-3 short play sessions each day. These sessions should last around 10-15 minutes, as hunting cats don’t focus on endurance but speed. They spend a lot of time quietly stalking their prey before that big leap forward or sprint across the room, and soon after they’re tired out–hopefully with a nice meal to enjoy!
Of course, cats have different needs and play styles as they age. The way you play with your kitten likely won’t extend to your senior cat.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to adapt play based on your cat’s age, and which toys are best for kittens, adults, and senior cats.
The Best Toys for Cats
The toys your cat plays with likely won’t change much throughout their lifespan. Here are some of the best toys for cats:
- Wand Toys: Every house with a cat needs a wand toy or an equivalent–something you use to actively engage your cat in play! They strengthen the bond between you and your cat, encourage movement, and are one of the most engaging cat toys when used right.
- Automatic Motion Toys: These electronic toys move on their own. They might spin a feather toy in a circle, or be shaped like a mouse that rolls across the floor. The more unpredictable the movements, the better! These toys are great for entertaining your cat while you’re nearby to supervise, but occupied with other things.
- Puzzle Toys: Your cat completes a puzzle to earn treats or kibble. These toys engage a cat’s mind and can tire them out even faster than running and pouncing!
- Stuffed Catnip Toys: These can be used to play fetch or simply kept out on the floor for your cat to engage with as they please. They can enjoy the catnip and may bat and chase the toy around. However, these toys cannot replace active play sessions.
- Chaser Toys: Similarly to catnip toys, chaser toys like springs, balls, and pom poms can be left out for your cat to bat around. They can’t replace active play sessions, but they give your cat something to play with independently when they’re feeling bored.
Look for toys that are sturdy and difficult to tear apart. Small parts and long ribbons can be hazardous if eaten, so avoid them whenever possible.
Remember that many toys are meant to be used only with direct supervision, such as wand toys, which are typically designed to be caught and released rather than chewed on for long periods of time. They may be more fragile than toys made for independent play.
How to Play with Kittens
Kittens have tons of energy! This means they require more play than older cats.
The absolute best way to keep your kitten entertained is with another kitten. Interacting with other cats at this age helps them develop socially and gives them a 24/7 play partner.
Whether your kitten has a feline companion or not, you’ll still need to spend plenty of time engaging them in active play. This means using wand toys or playing fetch.
Training sessions and puzzle toys are also great for keeping a kitten’s brain active and preventing them from becoming bored.
Puzzle toys can also encourage a kitten to play independently while you’re doing something else nearby. Another option for this is automatic motion toys, which typically require supervision but not direct interaction from you. These are great for entertaining your kitten while you’re cleaning the house or working from home.
Safety Tip
Another thing to know about kittens is that it’s easier for them to choke on toys. This is because their airways are smaller than an adult cat’s.
Kittens are also more likely to tear apart their toys. Look for toys without small parts, and preferably without traditional stuffing. For instance, catnip toys that are stuffed entirely with catnip.
How to Play with Adult Cats
As your cat enters adulthood, they’re not necessarily as easily entertained as they used to be! It’s important that you spend time actively engaging them in play, moving wand toys in unpredictable ways that keep them guessing.
Adult cats still have plenty of energy, especially in their first few years. However, they may not need quite as much interactive play as they did as kittens. This varies depending on the cat!
Remember that play is meant to simulate hunting. Think about how a prey animal might move–slithering on the ground away from your cat, or flying through the sky, bumping into objects.
Encourage your cat to run, jump, and climb. Use furniture, tunnels, or cat trees to enhance the experience and encourage a variety of movement. This helps them to get the exercise they need to thrive.
How to Play with Senior Cats
Some people don’t realize that their senior cats need play, too! Cats hunt at all stages of life, so there’s bound to be a toy or activity that keeps your cat engaged well into their teens or even twenties!
The way you play with your senior cat will depend highly on their health status. Generally, it’s a good idea to limit the high jumps, whether they’re soaring into the air after a toy or you’re encouraging them to chase it on and off the furniture. This is because most senior cats have arthritis to some degree, and you don’t want to hurt their aging joints.
For younger cats, you generally want to keep the toy moving away, since most prey won’t wander right into their paws! Seniors with health problems that cause limited mobility may prefer for the toy to come to them, or at least remain nearby, so they actually have a chance at catching it.
Get creative and adapt to your cat’s individual needs. For instance, a cat with vision impairment might prefer crinkly toys or bells so that they can rely more on their hearing to track the toy. Or, you may need to move the toy more slowly than you used to, or more predictably, as your cat slows down in their old age.
Remember to let your cat “win” from time to time as well. Games are no fun if you’re always losing!
