ARISTOCATS spend most of their lives sleeping, with studies showing that they are only awake for one-third of the day. They use this small amount of time to perform activities that they believe increase their chances of survival, such as hunting skills. Even though our furry friends are safe inside the house, they still have the same predatory instinct as their ancestors: observe, stalk, run quickly, attack, and hunt. No matter their age, we must stimulate their activities, such as playing and exercising.
Here are some games that will help stimulate your ARISTOCATS' minds:
Treasure Hunt
Keep your cat entertained with a treasure hunt. You can use treats or dry kibble for the game. The idea is to hide the 'treasure' in your pet's furniture, shelves, inside their toys, paper bags, boxes, or any other place you can think of.
Start with a basic level and then increase the difficulty as your cat learns. To begin, place a treat in front of your pet, where they can see and smell it, at this level they will have to walk to get it. Then move the position further away, increasing the complexity a bit, placing it in spots where they will have to jump, use their paws to reach the treat, etc. Try to keep it always within your cat's reach; you don't want them to get frustrated.
Games
Exercise the inner predator of your ARISTOCAT through games. Entertain them by imitating the hunting sequence: start by using a wand toy; it is very important that you never use your hands. Drag the toy over their scratching post, sofas, corners, shelves, etc. Allow them to catch the toy occasionally, encourage them to stalk the toy, run, and hunt. At the end of the session, let them catch it and reward them with a treat. It is recommended to do this activity twice a day.
Cylindrical or Ball-shaped Toys
Play with your cat by having them catch a toy that can roll around your house. It's important that the toy is small enough for them to carry in their mouth but large enough that they won't swallow it (An example by clicking here). These objects become very appealing to them when you rub treats on them. Throw the toy across the floor so they can chase and hunt it; when they catch it, reward them with a treat. If you have stairs at home, add difficulty by throwing the toy from above, always keeping in mind that your ARISTOCAT is physically fit for this type of exercise.
Be creative, invent other games that can be adapted to your pet, always keeping in mind that it should be fun for your cat and incorporate their natural behavior. In addition to enhancing mental and physical health, it will create a wonderful bond between the ARISTOCAT and their ARISTOPARENT.