THE POWER OF PLAY
Clare Hemington looks at using play to help anxious cats and new cats.
The only thing a cat worries about is what’s happening right now” — Lloyd Alexander. This is so true. Cats think and act ‘in the moment’ and if what’s happening in that moment happens to be something as cataclysmic for them as joining a new household, it’s incumbent upon us to come up with ways of reducing their anxiety and making this transition as stress-free as possible.
But while going to a brand new home can make cats of all temperaments, even the confident ones, feel apprehensive, spare a thought for those cats that are anxious by nature.These are cats for whom life itself is a constant challenge, whatever is happening around them.
In this article I’ll be looking at how you can use play to help bring chronically anxious cats out of their shells, as well as examining the ways in which it can help create a foundation for a healthy and happy relationship between you and the new cat in your life.
USING PLAY TO HELP A CAT SETTLE IN
When a cat goes to a new home it can be an angst-ridden time for him.
The disruption to the routine he’s created for himself in whatever environment he’s come from, new smells, new territory, and new people all bring a huge amount of uncertainty.
And for a creature that by nature is a complete control freak, this can be overwhelming. However, the extent of his anxiety will depend on his temperament. Some cats will head for the nearest bed or sofa, squeeze themselves underneath and not come out for days, even weeks. All you see each morning is that the litter tray has been used and the food eaten. More confident cats however, while not exactly taking it all in their stride, are likely to start exploring their new surroundings much more quickly.
Whatever the temperament of your new cat, play can be used to engage him, make him feel more comfortable in his new surroundings, and give him a hit of endorphins at a time when he will almost certainly appreciate it. Importantly, it also gives him the opportunity to associate your presence with enjoyable activities which will have a positive influence over your future relationship.
Play sessions should take place in the room you’ve given over to him during his settling in period and in which he has all his resources. I would suggest giving him a day or two to take stock of his new environment before attempting to play with him. This period will also give him time to show you how confident or timid he is and this will serve as a guide for the way you play with him. If he’s a bold cat, you might be able to get away with flinging any number of different toys around the room for him to chase. However, if he has a more nervous disposition then gently does it. Sitting in the room, waggling a shoelace or fishing rod toy might just be enough to pique his curiosity.This can then be built up gradually. Only play with your new cat if he seems amenable, don’t persevere if he becomes aggressive; more than likely he’s just scared and confused, and would prefer to meet you in his own time and on his own terms. It’s also important to avoid using your hands as playthings, even if the cat in question is a teeny-weeny kitten.
Speaking of kittens, the more time you can dedicate to playing with your new furry bundle, the better. At the other end of the scale, if the cat you’ve adopted is advanced in years, don’t think that they won’t enjoy a bit of gentle play. I used to look after a cat called Polly who at the grand old age of
22 still enjoyed patting a feather around.
Play can be used to engage him.