Every year, as summer approaches, the same question arises: how will you arrange for your cat to be looked after during your vacation ?
Going away for a weekend and leaving a cat to its own devices is one thing. But going away for three weeks is quite another! Because even if you can install automatic water and food dispensers, cats are social animals that need contact.
Before going on holiday, make sure you leave your pet plenty of entertainment . Especially if you only have one cat: even in your absence, it will need to be kept busy .
There's no secret to it: you have to invest in the right cat toys ! BF Petfood gives you 6 cat game ideas to keep your faithful friend entertained while you're away.
Entertain your cat, even when you're not there!
It's true that cats are more independent animals than dogs. Some feline behaviors might even suggest that cats don't care about the presence of humans. But you can be sure of one thing: that's completely false.
Indeed, cats are very sociable animals that really need contact and stimulation , whether from another animal or a human.
Leaving your cat alone for more than a few days, without stimulation, can be extremely traumatic for them. Boredom and loneliness are afflictions that animals can also suffer from.
That is why, if you plan to leave for several weeks during the summer holidays , you absolutely must arrange a childcare system.
A trusted person who comes to live with you, who looks after your cat at their home… Or, at the very least, someone who comes every day to feed your cat, give it water, pet it and play with it.
Remember that taking in an animal is a responsibility: this is therefore the bare minimum to take care of it in your absence.
What cat games can I play to keep my cat entertained during your vacation?
In addition to arranging for someone to take care of your feline so that it doesn't get bored, take the time to choose several cat toys that you will leave at its disposal.
Indeed, even if it spends a lot of time sleeping, the cat needs to play, run, jump… So prepare for your absence in a healthy way, with good quality cat toys.
BF Petfood gives you 6 different ideas so your cat can play alone, even when you're not there!
1 – Small toys lying around at his disposal
First of all, whether you live in a house or an apartment , you can start by leaving small fabric toys lying around, a little bit everywhere.
Hide a felt mouse in the corners of the kitchen or bathroom , so that your cat can stumble upon it during one of its many explorations.
Place a snake on the ground in front of the entrance to encourage its hunting instincts . That way, if it feels like playing, it can satisfy those urges whenever it wants.
BFPetfood's tip:
Having two cats can be preferable, especially during long absences : they can then play together. So if you only have one cat, teach it to play alone from a young age!
To do this, leave toys lying around and throw small treats so he learns to " hunt " them on his own. That way, he won't feel lost while you're away.
2 – Fishing rods suspended to stimulate its hunting instincts
Another great cat toy idea for your holidays: a feather fishing rod !
Usually, these cat toys are designed for you to use yourself: you hold the fishing rod and wave the feathers under your cat's nose . The cat, seized by a frenzy, then feels the need to chase the feathers and runs after you all over the house.
But the great thing about fishing rods is that you can hang them up while you're away! Attach or tape the end of the fishing rod somewhere so the feathers dangle right under your cat's nose. Then, whenever the mood strikes, your cat can " fight " the feathers on its own.
A great method for him to learn to play independently, a game that is usually played with 2 people.
BFPetfood's tip:
Fishing rods (especially feather rods) can drive our feline friends crazy… to the point of destroying the toy.
So don't hesitate to invest in several different fishing rods , so you can place them in strategic locations around your home. When you think you've run out, there's always more!
3 – Interactive toys so he can play independently
Beyond transforming the use of your usual toys , you can also invest in cat toys designed for independent play. For example, there are increasingly more interactive toys available for felines.
These can be like activity boards or circuits placed on the floor, containing interactive elements: feathers , a ball , small objects… These elements are designed so they can't be removed from the game. However, they are made to be moved by your feline's nimble paw !
Your little one will quickly realize that when they give it a whack, the ball spins from one end of the toy to the other. Naturally, they'll want to pull the ball out so they can play with it… which is sure to keep them occupied for hours ! A great way to beat boredom during your summer holidays.
4 – Why not an electronic ball?
Speaking of balls, there are also electronic balls. These balls are equipped with a small motor , which allows them to move when stimulated.
A swipe of your cat's paw is all it takes to send the ball flying to the other end of the room… Then the motor makes it come back the way it came, or go in another direction: exactly like prey would!
This is a great idea to entertain your cat . What's more, when they're not being used, these balls go into standby mode. They're therefore energy-efficient, and their battery will last for the entire duration of your vacation.
BFPetfood's tip:
However, be aware that these electronic balls aren't suitable for all cats. If your cat tends to bite and destroy its toys , this might not be a good choice. Feel free to test this cat toy in your presence to observe your pet's behavior.
Similarly, the fact that the ball moves on its own can be very appealing to some cats… But it can be terrifying for others, who are then completely unreceptive to this type of toy. Try it out to see if your cat enjoys electronic toys, or if they're not their cup of tea. ☕️
5 – Try catnip toys for moments of fun, even when playing alone
Are you familiar with catnip, that natural substance that makes some of our feline friends euphoric ? Well, there are catnip toys available, much to their delight!
These toys are filled with dried catnip. The aroma of this plant is enough to drive them a little crazy: they run around everywhere, rub against each other, roll on the ground… It’s quite an experience for them, stimulating their instincts for about fifteen minutes.
If your cat is receptive to it (which is the case for about 70% of cats), feel free to ask the person who feeds them to give them their catnip toy for a few minutes. However, it's best not to leave it out for your cat for several days to prevent them from destroying it.
6 – The essential cat tree to combat boredom
Finally, beyond cat games, simply ensure that your feline's environment is stimulating in itself.
To achieve this, vary the spaces : whether during your holidays or daily life, your feline needs areas where it can hide , scratch , and climb . For this, nothing beats a cat tree!
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With built-in scratching posts and cozy little cocoons to curl up in, there's plenty of variety to keep your cat entertained during your summer holidays.
Even with all the cat toys, your feline needs contact.
No matter how much you invest in the best cat toys, nothing beats the contact with another living being.
In addition to buying a variety of toys, make sure someone visits and interacts with your cat while you're on vacation. Just 5 minutes of play or petting can make all the difference to your cat's mood!
Even though animals don't perceive time the same way humans do, the days can seem long to them too. Plan ahead so you can go on vacation with complete peace of mind!
