Little kittens are always playful; they are ready all day long to chase something, to jump from somewhere, to climb somewhere. It seems that the owner has no part in these āpurely felineā activities, but this is far from it.
You can and should play with your kitten - the closeness and mutual understanding are best achieved during mutual play, not to mention the pleasure the owner gets, taking part in a fun and adventurous game with the kitten. If a kitten during its development and socialization period receives maximum positive impressions from communicating with people, it will grow up to be a real house cat, positively disposed to people, happily taking part in all family activities. Cats that were not handled as children and left to themselves are much less sociable, often unsociable and unkind.
But in order to participate equally in feline entertainment, one must first understand āwhat weāre playing at.ā
What does the cat play?
The scenario of any cat game is pretty much the same - hunting, attacking prey, defeating an imaginary opponent.
Cat game is an imitation of reality: lurking and running to your feet, scrambling on the sofa and falling off the chair, flying up the curtains and down the carpet, your kitten sees not your tiny apartment but a vast primeval jungle where its distant ancestors lived. And the owner in the game often serves as one of the elements of the ājungleā - the tree, which is convenient to quickly climb, the large prey, which can, albeit cautiously, to hunt, the big and warm āplaceā where it is so pleasant to wait out the storm. You can, of course, condescendingly allow the kitten to include you in his game plot, but your communication will be much more complete, if you take an active position and offer your options ādevelopments.
A classic game with a kitten: choose any rustling object, tie it on a string and tease baby, then letting it close to the āgameā, then removing it to an inaccessible distance. Do not forget to encourage the kitten, from time to time letting him ācatch his preyā. You can play āhide and seekā with the kitty - most cats are very fond of this game. Most cats love this game and quickly grasp its essence. Hiding from the baby, call him - he will run to the voice and look for the owner. When he finds you, praise him. āCatching up ā is also a wonderful childrenās game suitable for kittens. Kitten will enjoy running after the owner as well as running away from him. Of course, children do best playing with the kitten, but adults can also try their new role. In the process of playing goes kitten learning cat habits, which will need him throughout life. If a kitten has the opportunity to develop its abilities daily, it will grow up to be a healthy, intelligent animal.
Toys for the kitty
Does a kitten need toys? The answer to this question is unequivocal: yes, just like any kid, kitty needs objects that will mimic objects of reality for him and with which he can play as he pleases. Pet stores offer a fairly wide range of special toys for kittens, and you can always find something for your pet. But toys for the kitten is not difficult to make yourself. The proverbial paper bow on a string is no worse than, say, ready-made accessories made of feathers. Coils, balls, pieces of fur, empty plastic jars and cardboard boxes are great items to get your little one excited. Just as with children, very often the cheapest and most unpresentable toys turn out to be the most beloved.
You can sew an artificial mouse for kittens, adding to its filler a little catnip - the adored aroma will give the hunt for this āgameā a special poignancy. Especially useful to make toys for the kitty together with children - itās a fun and creative activity, and a way to get closer to the pet, and a great basis for games together.
CAUTIONS. Donāt let your kitten play with toys that are tied with string or string by herself, as a kitten can wrap the string around her neck, which is very dangerous.