You enjoy playing with your cat, or you wouldn't be reading this article. Interactive playing with cats is not only fun, but it provides valuable exercise for cats of all ages; just as important, it strengthens the feline-human bond, which is all-important to genuine cat lovers.
Kittens
Kittens will play with anything. Just keep dangerous items like string, plastic bags, small ingestibles, and just about everything else away from the insatiable Mr. Kitten if you're not supervising him. Many kitten owners will tell you that the only thing known to mankind that can keep up with a kitten is…another kitten. You'll enjoy playing with him with interactive toys, but be aware that he should learn early-on
that your hands are not toys. Ignore this advice, and you may learn to regret it when he grows up and develops full-sized teeth and claws.
Why We Play
Interactive playing (you playing with your cat) lets your cat hone his hunting skills: seeking the enemy target, making the stealthy approach, pouncing with conviction, relishing the victory. Exercise from playing helps your cat maintain a healthy weight. Playing is a positive way for your cat to release negative energy or aggression. Interactive playing strengthens the bond between your cat and you.
Playing helps a shy cat gain confidence
A hearty play session is a good way to ease your cat's transition to a new home. It's fun!
The feline sense of smell is often referred to as smell tasting. It is technically called flehman. Cats use their Jacobson's Organ, a "sense organ in their gums that can be activated by chemical stimuli and store up scents." When taking in a new scent, the cat opens his mouth and slightly pulls back his uper lip. This allows the cat's sense of
smell to take a picture of each new scent.
