Cats are very active creatures and sometimes need a lot of exercise to entertain them. Because of this, it is important to play games with them for indoor use, especially if they are house cats. Listed below are several indoor games that can effectively be used to entertain your cats.

Feather & String

The Feather & String toy is perfect for cats with a lot of energy. You can purchase Feather & String wands from shops or make one yourself from natural products. The game involves waving the feather/wand over the cat’s head, which should entice it to chase the wand, making for a fun game for all involved.

Fetch

Fetch is a game usually associated with dogs, however, your cat will also love playing Fetch, as it brings out the cat’s natural instinct to catch prey. Make sure you buy a toy that isn’t too heavy and isn’t going to harm your cat’s mouth when playing. If the toy is light enough, your cat will be able to collect it and bring it back to you. This type of behaviour can also be reinforced by giving the cat treats and other rewards. You can also put calming catnip in the toy to reduce pet stress.

Treat traps and interactive puzzle games

If your cat loves treats, then why not use a treat trap to make them work for their treats? Lots of interactive puzzle games have been introduced onto the market; most of which require the cat to work out how to complete the puzzle in order to release the treat. This uses your cat’s natural hunting instinct and will also reward them with a nice treat when they get it right. Interactive puzzles are also good to keep your cat’s brain active.

Use Catnip

Catnip has long been known to have a calming effect on cats, with some people suggesting it even makes them a little high. Whatever it does to them, cats certainly seem to be fascinated by Catnip! You can easily buy Catnip and integrate it into one of the other games mentioned here, or you can just use it by itself to play with your cat. Catnip can be put inside a toy or a ball – you can also buy pre-made catnip bags for your cat to play with.

Crumpled paper or toilet roll

This is a fairly easy game to make, especially for those on a lower budget. If you’re looking to entertain your cat on the fly and can’t find any toys, crumpling up some paper will do or use the inside cardboard of a toilet roll. Cats love chasing balls, so by crumpling up some paper into a ball, you can create an easy and makeshift game for them to play indoors. Once they have finished playing, make sure the paper is kept away from the cat, as they may destroy it completely and scatter it around the house.

These are just some of the indoor games you can play with your cat, also giving them some of the exercise that they need on a daily basis.