Fun and games with your feline friends

By Sally E. Bahner

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend more quality time with your feline, "Entertaining Your Indoor Cat: 50 Fun and Inventive Amusements for Your Cat" by Kevin Kelly can be your blueprint. After all, isn’t it better to hunker inside with a warm furry companion than deal with the snow and ice outside?
The book is divided into two age-based sections: One for kittens, described as "gentle fun," with activities that encourage development of hunting skills and teaches the rules of play, while the second is for adult kitties, who can enjoy more dynamic action.
A third section, "Projects to Assemble," offers simple do-it-yourself construction, while "Just Chillin’" describes ways to wind down with your cat after the work-out. The beauty of these projects is that they are made from readily available "found" objects: cardboard boxes, ping pong ball, paper balls, string and those ubiquitous furry mice, even ice cubes. A few games involve a trip to the pet supply store for commercially produced items, but most make use of articles your cat may already have such as fishing pole type toys.
Naturally, any game involving a cat requires a degree of cooperation. However, these games encourage her innate ability to jump, stalk, pounce, and play and hide and seek.
Ping pong balls in a bathtub is fun and easy. Ice cube hockey requires a little preparation and cooperation, but can be fun as well. You can’t beat the old feather game. Place various toys and treats on a Lazy Susan, spin it around and you have Crazy Susan. Cardboard boxes joined together with cutouts and toys stashed inside can make for a great game of search and find. And what cat can resist a laser pointer?
On the more passive side, Kelly suggests installing screensavers with butterfly, fish and bird action to amuse your indoor feline. The proverbial birdfeeder by the window will also provide entertainment and stimulation, but Kelly takes it one step further by recommending the purchase of CDs with bird songs. 
Another section offers instruction on how to introduce your cat to a harness and leash as a way to safely explore the outdoors.
The black and white illustrations by Wendy Crowell are simple, yet they capture the essence of felines at play. It’s easy to just let your cat do what she does best – lie around and snooze. However, play serves to keep her stimulated and fit. And of course it can deepen the bond between the two of you. "Entertaining Your Indoor Cat" is a great tool to help you do just that. 
Sally E. Bahner is a regular contributor to Pets Press and recently received Certificates of Excellence and a Muse Medallion for her work.