Page 229 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

THE IMPOR T ANCE OF PLA Y 227

TOP TIPS
■ Supervise your cat’s use of Furry Fabric
anything that could be chewed or mouse mouse
shredded and swallowed. Bits of with bell
string and fabric can cause
intestinal blockages, while objects
with sharp edges could damage
your cat’s mouth. Play balls
■ Make sure that curtain and
window-blind cords are not
TOY PARADE Feather
allowed to dangle within reach of
There is a wide range of playthings
your cat, or he will view them as
available for cats, from balls and
a great play opportunity. As agile
pretend mice to catnip-scented
as your cat may be, he could
toys. Many pet shops sell hollow
become entangled and suffocate.
balls in which a treat or small
amount of food can be hidden.
Catnip braid
Toys
Cats like toys that appeal to their chasing, stalking, and
pouncing instincts. Suitable toys include small, lightweight
balls and beanbags, felt or rope mice, pom-poms, and
feathers. Items dangled from poles are ideal for grabbing or
batting with the paws and running after. Make sure that toys
are in good condition, with no pieces that could fall off and
be swallowed. Most cats find wind-up or battery-operated
toys that move around the floor particularly exciting. PLAY STATION
This multi-activity
center provides
Cheaper options
plenty of variety
You don’t need to buy your cat expensive accessories or for your cat, with
toys. Cats can make their own amusement from simple, a cozy hiding
place, scratching
everyday items such as crumpled newspaper, spools of
posts, somewhere
thread, pencils, pine cones, corks, and feathers. Cats love to sit, and hanging
hiding, so provide yours with somewhere to play hide-and- balls to play with.
seek, such as an old cardboard box or paper bag. Never let
a cat play with a plastic bag—a cat can suffocate inside or
strangle itself if it gets trapped in the handles. New tricks
One way to make playtime with your cat more
EXPLORING AND HIDING interesting is to teach him a new trick (p.233).
Paper bags appeal to a cat’s sense of curiosity,
giving him something to investigate and hide Unlike a dog, which will learn tricks to please its
in. Monitor your cat and make sure he can get “pack leader,” a cat needs a different motivator—
out whenever he wants to. food. The best time to teach your cat is just
before a meal, when he is hungry. Select a quiet
spot with no distractions, but don’t spend more
than a few minutes on each training session. You
may need to repeat the training a few times each
day for several weeks, depending on your cat’s age and
the difficulty of the trick. Reward your cat’s progress in
getting the trick right with small treats, and make sure
you give him plenty of praise. Your cat will only be
willing to participate if he is having a good time: don’t
try to force him to do something he doesn’t want to,
and don’t get cross if it decides he isn’t interested.