How Much Time Should You Spend Playing With Your Cat?
Cats love to make it seem like they’re completely independent, but they still need the help of their owners on a daily basis. As a fur parent, there are many tasks your cat relies on you to complete. From providing fresh water and food each day to keeping your cat’s coat tangle-free to making sure their litter box is filled with the best all-natural cat litter out there (Skoon, of course), you play a big role in supporting your cat behind-the-scenes.While all of these duties are important, your cat also needs some one-on-one time with you too. Supporting your cat’s needs isn’t just about making sure they are nourished and have good hygiene — it’s about doing everything you can to support their mental and emotional health too. That’s where playtime comes in.Playing with your cat is just as essential to their wellbeing as feeding a proper diet and keeping them well-groomed. Read on to find out everything you need to know about effective playtime, from the benefits of cats playing with toys to answers to questions like “How long should I play with my cat?” and “How to play with a cat?”.
Benefits of Playtime for Cats
Before getting to the question of, “How long should I play with my cat?”, it’s important to consider why cats playing with toys is important in the first place. Understanding the benefits of playtime can help motivate you to make time for it in your daily schedule. Here are some of the top reasons it’s important to make learning how to play with a cat a priority:
- Exercise— One reason that cats playing with toys is important is because it’s a form of exercise. When cats run, jump and pounce around during playtime, they’re getting in much-needed movement that engages both their body and mind. As a result, regular playtime can help your cat maintain a healthy weight and promote a happy mood.
- Stress-Relief— During play sessions, cats get an outlet to expend pent-up energy and enjoy themselves with engaging physical activity. Experts have found that playtime is a great stress-relief strategy for cats that can reduce feelings of anxiety and upset.
- Reduces Boredom— When cats don’t get regular play sessions in their routine, they can easily become bored. This can quickly lead to destructive behaviors and take a toll on your cat’s mental health. Providing regular play sessions and trying out new toys often is a great way to reduce boredom and keep your cat happy.
How Long Should I Play with My Cat?
It’s clear that playing with your cat can have many benefits on both their mental and physical health, but it’s not as obvious how much time you should spend on playtime to start to see these benefits. It’s only natural to wonder, “How long should I play with my cat?” when you’re trying to figure out how to make playtime as effective as possible.The answer to, “How long should I play with my cat?” varies. A general guideline to follow is that you should play with your cat between 30-60 minutes each day. You can adjust the total length of playtime based on your cat’s individual activity level, daily schedule and play preferences. Experts recommend that you break up play into shorter sessions spread throughout the day.When learning how to play with a cat, it’s key to remember that your cat doesn’t have a very long attention span. Short play periods lasting from 10-15 minutes will be most effective for cats playing with toys. This makes sure your cat is engaged and will get the most out of each session without getting bored or overexerted from sitting through one long period of playtime. 
Tips on How to Play with a Cat
Answering the question, “How long should I play with my cat?” is only one part of making sure playtime with your cat is as effective as possible.Answering the question, “How long should I play with my cat?” is only one part of making sure playtime with your cat is as effective as possible. There are plenty of other ways to prepare to make sure everything goes smoothly. Here are some tips for how to play with a cat that will help your pet see all of the amazing benefits of playtime:
- Activity Level— One tip for how to play with a cat is to schedule your short play sessions for the times of day when you know your cat is most active. For many felines, this is first thing in the morning and then again after dinner. When your cat’s activity level is high, they’re more likely to want to play. Scheduling play for these times of day increases the chance that your cat will get the most enjoyment and benefit from playtime possible.
- Experiment with Toys— At its core, playtime is about cats playing with toys. To make sure your play sessions don’t get too repetitive, try experimenting with different types of toys. From catnip-infused products to wands and feathers to balls, there are plenty of options to choose from. You’re sure to be able to keep your cat on their toes with unique and exciting toys.
- Try Games— Every once and awhile, it can be fun to elevate playtime beyond just cats playing with toys. When you have the time, consider planning games to play with your pet. For example, you could build a cardboard fort for your cat to explore and lounge in. You could also try out puzzle games or build your very own obstacle course for your cat to power through during playtime.
Enjoy Easy Kitty Clean-Up with Skoon
Finding easy, effective cat care solutions leaves you with more time to spend bonding and strengthening your connection with your cat. If you’ve been searching for a way to optimize litter box clean-up, look no further than Skoon cat litter. Skoon is odor-free, all-natural, non-clumping and non-tracking. With Skoon, you won’t have to worry about dealing with issues that come with traditional cat litters like lasting, unpleasant odors, toxic chemicals or litter that tracks around the house.Choose Skoon to spend less time dealing with kitty clean-up issues and more time answering questions like, “How long should I play with my cat?” and learning all of the best ways how to play with a cat.Sources:https://blog.ferplast.com/en/how-much-time-do-you-play-with-your-cat/https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/how-long-should-you-play-your-cats-each-dayhttps://www.diamondpet.com/blog/health/exercise/regular-playtime-is-good-for-kitty/#:~:text=Other%20cat%20health%20and%20behavior,naturally%20active%20in%20short%20burstshttps://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-exercise-play/cat-games
