Playtime is Important for Your Cat: The Benefits of Mental Stimulation
- Sanchez Tucker
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Welcome back to Cat Care for College Students! This is Sanchez (the human) and Agnes
(the cat) back this week to discuss playtime. But first, a Benedict update! Besides a harsh smack when I picked him up smelling too much like Agnes, he has remained incredibly gentle and snuggly. We ended up with the perfect cats for each of us—Benedict is Ian's touch-starved snuggle buddy, and Agnes is my sassy roommate. They still have yet to meet; we are waiting until we get the results of his blood work and he is fixed. Send good vibes that he is negative for everything!
Whether you end up with a lazy bones who naps all day or a nutty little kitty who sprints around, all cats need playtime. Mental and physical stimulation is instrumental in keeping your cats happy and healthy. In the same way we need more than studying and classes to maintain our sanity as students, your cats need more than just food and water.
Why Cats Need Mental and Physical Stimulation
Cats need playtime to stimulate their natural hunting instincts. As we’ve discussed in previous weeks, cats' DNA is largely unchanged from domestication, so they maintain a lot of instinctual behaviors not found in other household pets. According to veterinarian Dr. Kristi Halbach, effective playtime stimulates their need to hunt and maintain their territory, which prevents obesity and depression. Regular play also prevents them from getting too bored. Ever heard the phrase "curiosity killed the cat?" Well, it should be "bored cats kill your furniture." A lack of stimulation can increase their anxiety, making them more likely to destroy everything in sight. Even if you don’t care about your old, dusty college couch, allowing them to scratch furniture now can lead to a lifetime habit. Playtime is beneficial to you as a student as well! Especially during exams, we use playtime as our study breaks. Agnes hates when I do anything on my computer, so when I am grinding out work, I spend 10 minutes with her for every hour of work I do.
Best Toys for Different Types of Cats
We have said it every week now, but it’s important to remember that every cat is unique, so the toys they need will vary
Active Cats: Active cats, like Agnes, may prefer feather wands and interactive balls. Agnes is partial to wand toys and playing fetch with her soft toys.
Lazier Cats: Lazier cats may not want toys at all, but try to urge them with soft toys and catnip-filled items. Textured toys that crinkle entice lazier cats as well. Both Agnes and Benedict love this lion from Walmart; it could be worth a try if your kitty isn’t interested in any toys!
Curious Cats: Curious cats do well with puzzles and tunnels. This stimulates their natural curiosity by making them work for treats. Puzzles are also good stimulation for their hunting instincts. I hate to say it, but Agnes isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, so she isn’t a fan of puzzles. Tunnels, on the other hand? Can’t keep her out of them, whereas Benedict peed on his and hasn’t touched it since.
A popular toy for many cat owners is the infamous laser pointer—cats love it! However, it’s not always ideal, as cats can’t physically catch it, which can cause frustration. If you notice your cat has a hard time calming down after laser playtime, refrain from using it. Any playtime should end with a treat to reward the “kill”; they must get a treat after laser play.
Creating DIY Cat Toys with Items Around the House
A big part of the college experience is being dead broke! Luckily, there are ways to keep playtime fun without breaking the bank.
Cardboard Boxes: One of the easiest DIY toys to provide your kitty is cardboard boxes. Agnes and Benedict both adore playing in boxes, and as college students, we have access to a lot of them. Anytime we bring home a case of beer, the kitties get the boxes, and we get the drinks—a major win-win for the four of us.
Paper Bags: We also find ourselves with an abundance of paper bags from on-campus food spots, earning Agnes her nickname of “Bagnes” from how often we find her hiding in them. Ensure both are clear of food residue that could be toxic.
String Toys: If you are trying to save a penny on a string toy, shoelaces or ribbons are a great alternative. DIY or store-bought, string toys should only be played with under supervision to avoid choking.
Crumpled Paper: Crumpled paper makes a good substitute for batting toys—receipt paper is the biggest hit in our houses.
DIY toy options save you money and are an easy way to recycle. We have mentioned Walmart so many times we deserve a sponsorship at this point, but truly Walmart has some of the most affordable options for cat care supplies if DIY isn’t your style. Our full setup for Bennie cost us $80 at Walmart; the same supplies would have been $215 at Target.
All work and no play isn’t healthy for you and your cat! Working playtime into both of your schedules is instrumental in a healthy relationship between you and your furry friend. Even 15 minutes a day can change the course of both of your days. We need them just as much as they need us. A 2019 study found that 90% of college students who cohabitate with a pet experience less anxiety compared to their pet-less peers. Keep them happy to keep you happy!
As always, remember to follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get your regular dose of Agnes and Benedict content. If you have any fun playtime tips, share them with us there!
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