Playing With Your Cat on a Budget: 7 Totally Free Games

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Cats are naturally very active creatures that love to run, chase, jump and pounce. While a healthy cat usually gets plenty of exercise going about their day, a home environment with lots of opportunity for play is also essential for keeping them physically and mentally healthy. According to the Blue Cross, this is especially important for indoor cats, who don’t get the activity and mental stimulation of the outdoors. 

Don’t worry – cats don’t require toys with a hefty price tag. In fact, virtually anything can be an inexpensive toy for your furry friend. They can find joy in cardboard boxes, discarded newspapers and even ice cubes. So take a look around the house, use your imagination, and you’ll realise that there are plenty of cat exercise and play ideas that won’t cost you a penny! 

Here are seven free and fun games for cats to get you started…

1. Play “piggies in a blanket”

Cats love nothing more than to chase and pounce. Give them something to chase by sliding your hand underneath a blanket, and they'll be on the hunt in no time. If the claws are out, a thin blanket might not be enough to protect your fingers from scratches. If need be, use a stuffed animal or other object to protect your fingers from your fierce predator.

2. Toss crumpled pieces of paper

According to the PDSA, cats love batting at something that moves easily across the floor, such as a ball. Lightweight objects that can go far with just a small pat are best, so don't recycle that junk mail just yet; crumple it up and roll it in front of your cat instead. They'll likely bat it across the floor, chase it down and swat it away again. Your cat might even start "fetching" it and bringing it back to you to throw again and again and again.

3. Let your cat “read” the newspaper

Like with the blanket, you can move an object around under the paper (a spoon, pencil or chopstick) and watch it become an irresistible target for your cat! Or you can tent the paper and let your cat hide underneath while you walk by dragging a wand toy. Attack!

4. Bag it

There's something about a crinkly brown paper bag that can keep a cat entertained for days. It’s an ideal spot to hide until the perfect opportunity to pounce presents itself, and playing with small toys inside a paper bag keeps the fun going far longer. It's always a good idea to make holes on both sides of the bag and the bottom, just in case your cat tips the bag on top of themselves, so there’s no danger of them getting trapped inside.

5. Totally tubular

This cat workout takes a little DIY effort on your part, but you can do it! Here’s how to create a fun tube toy for your cat:

  • Take a small box, like a shoebox or empty tissue box with the lid cut out.
  • Add empty toilet roll tubes so they're standing vertically in the box (you'll need about a dozen to fill it).
  • The tubes will end up all over the house! So if you’re not ok with that, use a hot glue gun to glue them together.

Now it's time to play! You can cut small holes out of the opposite end of the box and stick a toy through different holes for the cat to try to catch (think whack-a-mole) or you can put treats in the tubes and let your cat work to get them out. For cats who love their food and find this too easy, you can block the tubes with small crumpled up pieces of paper or cloth to challenge their hunting skills.

6. Ice, ice baby

Play a little ice hockey with your cat by sitting on a tile or linoleum floor and batting an ice cube back and forth. First one to score wins!

7. DIY cat palace

As the PDSA explains, cats love climbing and hiding. You could, of course, just give your cat an empty box for endless fun. Rescue a cardboard box from the recycling and cut some cat-sized holes on each side, and your cat will be happy for hours! But why stop at just one box when you can make a cat house? Stack several boxes, secure them together with some pegs or packing tape and drape a blanket over the top to create the ultimate kitty fort.

Get creative for hours of free fun with your cat 

Cats make their own fun, so follow their lead and get creative! As you can see, there are opportunities for cat exercise, play and excitement all over your home. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, so go forth and play! But remember to pick up any string, ribbon or similar objects when you're done playing with your cat, and never leave them unattended with such toys as these could be dangerous if swallowed.

Frequently asked questions about cat exercise and play 

How much exercise does my cat need each day?

Your cat’s exercise needs will vary depending on their age, breed, lifestyle and health. For example, a senior cat might not need as much exercise as a younger cat. An active, outdoor cat will typically get all the exercise they need during their daily activities. But if you’re trying to help your cat get more active, a good benchmark is to aim for two bursts of high intensity activity per day lasting 5-10 minutes each.

How do I know if my cat is getting enough exercise?

If your cat is an active outdoor cat with a healthy body weight, they’re probably getting all the exercise they need. However, if your cat is an indoor cat, or your cat is gaining weight, they might not be getting enough. 

What are some fun exercises for indoor cats?

Good indoor cat exercises will replicate your cat’s natural active behaviours – think chasing, jumping, climbing and pouncing. With that in mind, try playing “chase” with wand toys, or set up play areas with boxes of different heights.

What are the best toys for cat exercise?

Anything they can chase or bat around, so long as it can’t be swallowed or cause harm! Wand toys that you wave around, a squeaky toy, or even just a crumpled ball of paper will get your cat zooming around in no time! 

Can overweight cats safely exercise?

Gentle exercise can help to reduce weight and is usually recommended for overweight or obese cats. However, keep in mind that too much exercise can put even more strain on the joints and cardiovascular system of an overweight cat. Cats Protection recommends getting your vet’s help so they can make sure your cat is exercising and losing weight in the safest possible way for them.

Is playing with a laser pointer a good exercise for cats?

Cats certainly enjoy chasing laser pointers, but keep in mind that the laser can damage your cat’s vision if shone directly into their eyes and never being able to ‘catch’ the dot can be very frustrating for them. If you must use a laser pointer to play with your cat, choose one with a very weak light,make sure to keep it well away from your cat’s eyes, and intermittently ‘end’ the hunt on a toy for your cat to bite, or a treat that they can eat.

Contributor Bio

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie who always has to sniff the exact same spot in the neighbour's yard during neighbourhood walks.

 

Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA and Dr. Aileen Pypers, BSc, BVSc, PGDip