The bond you have with your cat may develop and evolve slowly over months and years. One way for this animal connection to strengthen is through playtime with your cat. By this, I mean paying attention to your cat and engaging in teaching and playing games. Games can provide amusing activity for all involved.

I have observed that with patience and practice, cats can learn games. For example, a dear friend of mine taught my orange marmalade cat, Katarina how to fetch. She quickly mastered the chase and capture game. It went something like this.

Ken rolled up a tiny ball of paper, and when Katarina heard it rustling, she came running, because she knew that he would throw the paper ball. After he let it soar, she chased it down, batted it around the room for a while, carried it to him, and dropped it at his feet. Of course, Katarina was encouraged and praised throughout the steps of the game, and she loved the added attention.

Then the game started all over. Occasionally, she lost the paper ball under a piece of furniture. Then she looked like a contortionist, trying to retrieve her toy to take back to Ken. They kept this routine of throwing, batting, and retrieving the paper ball up until Katarina was panting like a dog. She loved this game. Sometimes, when Ken was not around, and she heard me accidentally making noises with paper, she ran over to me, expecting to play her game. I always stopped whatever I was doing and entertained her with her game of fetch.

Katarina asked to play this game throughout her lifetime of seventeen years. Although in later years, she tired more easily and did not run as fast or play as long, our special game brought us many moments of shared fun and laughter.

What games do you play with your cat?

Happy Purrs!