Keep your cat healthy and maximize bonding.

Playing with cats is not only fun, but it provides valuable exercise for cats of all ages and just as important, it strengthens the bond with your feline friend, which benefits you both. Kittens will play with anything. Just keep dangerous items like string, plastic bags, small indigestibles, and just about everything else away from the insatiable kitten if you're not supervising him. You'll enjoy playing with him with his toys, but be aware that he should learn early on that your hands are not toys. If you ignore this advice, you may learn to regret it when he grows up and develops full sized teeth and claws. Older cats might not be so fast and active but they still appreciate and benefit from the play.

Playing with your cat lets your cat hone his hunting skills, seeking the prey, making the stealthy approach, pouncing with conviction and enjoying the kill. It also maintains his health and weight, releases aggression, helps to gain confidence, strengthens the bond, is good cat care and is great fun.

Some good cat toys you can buy, balls with bells in them, catnip mice, and wand toys. Some other great toys you already have at home, wads of paper shaped into balls, ping pong balls, marbles, string with something tempting on the end and plastic tops from bottles. The old favorite, the cardboard box, is a great source of fun, especially when you are teasing the cat by tapping your finger on the other side or waggling your finger through the hand hold hole. Put the toys away after playtime. If a toy is always out, it can become boring, just like a dead mouse. Use your imagination and don't make it easy for the cat. Make him stretch to reach into a box to reach the toy. Let him win. Don't make it too easy, let your cat enjoy the pursuit. But when he comes in for the 'kill', let him score a direct hit and savor the thrill of victory. Afterwards praise and fuss your kitten and give him a nice big cuddle.

A fifteen minute session once a day and a second one if possible should be your aim. Of course we are all busy but it should be easy to find this time somewhere, what can be better than unwinding after a day's work by playing with your cat. Cat care and its knock on effects are important for you cat and for you the owner as well. So find that time and improve your bonding by playing with your feline friend.

I hope this article has given you some ideas on the benefits of good cat care and plying with you cat or kitten. Make a start today and see the benefits.