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Cats have individual personalities, and some have much higher social needs than others. Some don’t mind spending time alone and never miss the opportunity to curl up in a quiet place for a nap. But many cats also tend to enjoy spending quality time with their human companions, including playtime.
So, how can you know when your cat is trying to play with you? Here are five typical ways that cats play with humans.
The 5 Common Ways Cats Play with Humans
1. Stalking
Cats love to stalk their prey for sport because it is fun for them. So, if your cat tries to stalk your hands or feet when you are moving around, chances are that they are just trying to play with you. This type of play can include clawing and biting, though, so it can be painful when the kitty gets carried away.
Don’t be afraid to teach your cat how to be gentle when the play gets too rough, the sooner you start setting boundaries, the better.
2. Chasing
Another way that cats like to play is to chase things, including their human family members. If your kitty is feeling frisky, they might chase you around the house or simply charge at you from across the room a few times. This type of play usually isn’t destructive or painful.
3. Batting
A cat that bats their paws at you is in the mood for serious gameplay. They are looking to get active and maybe even do a bit of play fighting. While it’s never a good idea to play fight with your cat, this would be a good time to pull out a toy for interactive play.
4. Pouncing
While it can be surprising when it happens, a pouncing cat is nothing more than a playful cat. If you’re sitting down to read a book or trying to get some sleep and your cat pounces on you, don’t be startled into thinking that they are scared or aggressive. They’re likely just trying to have fun.
5. Investigating
Another way that a cat plays is by investigating their target play toy—which could be you sometimes! You may find that your cat is suddenly sniffing your hair or clothes. They might seem to be sizing you up. They could even start batting at you during the process. It’s all just part of a game for them.
Fun Ways to Engage with Your Playful Cat
There are many fun ways that you can safely engage with your kitty when they are feeling frisky and playful. If your feline family member is not getting enough playtime, they could become destructive in the home and start ruining things.
- Activate a Motorized Toy — Get on the ground, and start batting a motorized toy around with your cat. This will keep your cat from “attacking” you and still enable you to spend quality time together.
- Teach Them a New Trick — While it’s not a usual way of spending time with your cat, it can provide them with mental stimulation and be a great way of strengthening your bond.
- Play Hide and Seek – Hide a few treats around the house where your cat can easily find them, then let them go on a scavenger hunt. This should keep them busy and active for a few minutes!
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How Not to Play with Your Playful Cat
While it’s perfectly fine to play with your cat as often as you both would like to, there are a few ways that you should not play with them for safety and behavioral reasons. For example, you shouldn’t chase your cat after they chase you, as this can scare them and make them not trust you. It can also lead to your kitty climbing up curtains or on shelves and causing destruction.
- Don’t Force Gameplay — It’s important to understand your cat’s body language and needs and not force any interactions with them. Cats do not appreciate being forced to do anything, including play. The more that you try to push them to play, the less time they are likely to want to spend with you in the future.
- Don’t Play Fight — If you engage in play fighting with your kitty, you could be encouraging them to get rough anytime they play with a human, which can be dangerous for children and people not expecting it.
- Don’t Forget About Setting Boundaries— If you don’t guide your cat’s behavior when they get too rough or play in a way that you don’t appreciate, you will encourage poor behavior that will affect the quality of your playtime together as time goes on. A quick reminder not to bite or scratch may be necessary every time you play together.
Final Thoughts
Cats can be extremely playful, so it’s important to understand when they want to play and how to properly play with them. Quality playtime together helps create an unbreakable bond that you and your feline friend can enjoy for a lifetime. It’s just a matter of establishing appropriate play guidelines.
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Featured Image By: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock
