Column: Cat skills are learned early by kittens at play
Siblings Samba Jr. and Tango Jr. are two of the kittens who will be available for adoption at the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Adoption Village at CatCon, happening Aug. 3-4 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Pasadena Humane will bring 200 adoptable kittens to the event, hoping to find new homes for all of them. Learn more and get tickets at www.catconworldwide.com/adopt-a-cat
The internet is chock full of videos of kittens doing the most adorable things. Chasing their own tail —check! Dive-bombing their litter mates — yep! Pouncing onto a tiny mouse toy — absolutely!
This time of year, I’m fortunate to be able to take a break from the screen and watch kittens playing just by walking across campus to our Neely Cat Center. We have gobs of kittens in our care right now!
Kittens always make me laugh. Their play is entertaining for both humans and the kittens. And, it is crucial for their healthy development.
Through play, kittens learn essential survival and communication skills. Play also helps young kittens explore the world around them, gaining confidence in their surroundings.
It may be hard to believe, but kittens typically start playing when they are just 3-4 weeks old.
Play remains essential for cats throughout their lifetime, but their most active play period comes around 7-14 weeks old. This is also the age when most of our kittens are adopted.
If you are a new kitten parent, engaging your kitty in regular play is incredibly important. It provides your kitten with enrichment and strengthens your bond with them.
Interactive play also decreases the likelihood of unwanted behaviors such as scratching, biting and knocking your coffee cup off the table!
Our in-house cat training expert Rochelle Guardado recommends multiple short play sessions of about 10-20 minutes per day right before mealtimes. This mimics a cat’s instinct to hunt before eating.
Rochelle explains that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing the best toys. Each kitten is an individual with a unique play style and toy preference.
Just be sure that all toys provided are safe and sturdy. Avoid toys with bits and bobs that may break or be bitten off during play.
Durable toys like large catnip kick sticks and small toys that can easily skitter across the floor, such as wine corks, plastic bottle caps and ping-pong balls, provide great fun for young kitties.
Wand toys are also an excellent choice, providing physical and mental exercise.
Kittens love chasing and pouncing upon “prey” on a string. Remember that these toys are not ideal for your kitten to play with alone. They should be put away after playtime as they present a strangling or choking hazard.
Adopting a pair of kittens is also a great way to ensure your feline friends have endless entertainment. But just because they play together doesn’t mean you’re off the hook, cautions Rochelle. Playing with each kitten individually helps strengthen your bond with them.
Bringing your young feline to a Kitten Kindergarten class at Pasadena Humane is another excellent way to encourage play. Your kitten will socialize with other young kitties, and you’ll learn more about encouraging healthy play.
If you are thinking about adopting a kitten or just love cats, visit us at CatCon next weekend. CatCon is the biggest cat-centric pop culture event in the world!
We’ll be bringing 200 adorable, playful kittens to Hill’s Pet Nutrition Adoption Village on August 3-4 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
CatCon attendees can meet and take home their new feline family members the same day. We are offering a special CatCon adoption fee of $40 for one kitten or $60 for a pair. All kittens adopted will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccines and flea preventatives.
Learn more and get tickets at www.catconworldwide.com/adopt-a-cat
Dia DuVernet is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.
This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on July 26, 2024.
