How often and how long should I play with my cat to keep her happy?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!! It is important to provide cats at all life stages with lots of environmental enrichment and interactive play. Doing so will help to decrease the potential development for destructive or inappropriate behaviors, such as inappropriate scratching, aggressiveness, inappropriate litterbox habits. This can be accomplished through play with you and various types of toys, or through self-play with a cat tower, scratching post, food puzzles, etc. There is a great informational website for cat owners provided by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine called The Indoor Pet Initiative (for Cats). I recommend that you visit this website as there as a wealth of information available.

Hello, there isn't a determined time which cats should play. As long as your cat is playing then she is likely happy and healthy. Some cats are more active than others. Therefore some, may be more playful as well. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It sounds like this is not an easy situation. Some cats will not like being kept inside while others adjust easily. You won't know until you try. There are some things you can do which can benefit any cat (a bored cat and a cat adjusting to a new life style). Here is a great article about cat's instinctual needs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-every-cat-needs-a-place-to-climb/ Use a Feliway diffuser, set aside 30 minutes a day for vigorous play (really get him moving) and switch the food to Royal Canin Calm. Try feeding him out of a food puzzle. Hide food for him to find. Provide a stand or resting place by a window so he can look outside. You may also try clicker training him for positive behavior. Here is a link about training cats: https://www.petcoach.co/article/can-i-train-my-cat/ Most cats response best to combination therapy. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Boxer is a cute name for a cat! Some kitties could play with a crumpled piece of paper for hours while others need more interaction or a more complicated toy to be entertained. You might try using the toys to interact with her by throwing them downstairs or into an area where she has to hunt for them to increase her interest in them. Catnip can also be sprinkled on her toys to give her added enrichment.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Cats have the life don't they! I would try a laser pointer, toy that is along stick with a feather on the end and when you give him treats throw them so he has to chase them. Cats do normally sleep a lot. Check out the link below on environmental enrichment for indoor cats. Good luck! https://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/what-is-environmental-enrichment-and-why-does-your-cat-need-it/ https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats

It sounds like she’s a pretty normal, happy playful young cat. You can get her some self propelled or automatic toys to keep her interested and engaged such as https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F391BX2/ref=psdcmw_2975306011_t2_B07D9J137D Orhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072WCZQ4V/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1543707973&sr=8-10-spons&keywords=cat+activated+toy&psc=1 It may also be helpful to rotate the toys in and out of use. Hide some toys away, bring in a couple new ones, then in a week or 2, bring out the old ones and put away the new ones. Getting a second cat MAY be helpful, but it also may rock the boat a little too much. If she seems overall content, I don’t think you should feel like you NEED to get a playmate, but it’s something to consider. If you DO decide to get another kitty, here’s an article about introducing them. Good luck!! https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-steps-to-introducing-your-cat-to-a-new-feline/

Some cats are happy with companionship and aren't interested in play. I’ve had luck with using a laser pointer to see if he’ll chase it. You can also try putting treats on a cat tree to get him to climb up and be active. You can also train cats to come when called, beg, sit, shake etc just like a dog. This is done with treats and praise as rewards and takes lots of time. The training should be fun for you both and is good bonding and quality time together. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your cat.