As the temperature gradually rises, cats often show signs of fatigue. When it lies drowsily on the floor, staring blankly at the owner, its inner monologue must be “Baby is so bored, I really want to jump around~~”. Long-term boredom is not good for the cat’s health. The best way to relieve a cat’s boredom is, of course, to play games with it!

　　Life depends on movement. To keep cats physically and mentally healthy, as an owner, you have to sacrifice some precious free time. Keep some toys at home or discover your cat’s interests during daily care. Understanding what your cat likes to play with is very beneficial for bonding and relieving boredom.

　　There are many ways to play games with cats. For example, training cats to fetch, sit, stand, or shake hands can all be considered playing games with your cat. In addition, you can truly purchase some toys to play with your cat. When playing with your cat, be careful not to hurt or overstimulate it. When holding or guiding your cat, always be cautious to avoid harming the cat—that’s very important.

　　Small games you can play with your cat:

　　1. Treat-dispensing ball game

　　Put your cat’s favorite snacks or a portion of its daily food into a treat-dispensing ball for your chubby cat to play with. It’s best to play when the cat is hungry and put away other food. This helps chubby cats burn off fat before the hot summer arrives.

　　2. Stair climbing game

　　Place your cat’s favorite toy or food on different levels of a cat tower. When the cat jumps up layer by layer trying to reach it, remove the item just before it reaches it. After the cat jumps down, place it at the top again. Repeat several times and then reward your cat by letting it eat the treat. This game shares the same purpose as the previous one: helping overweight cats lose weight.

　　3. Paper mouse game

　　Find a paper bag, cut off the handles with scissors, and cut a circle at the bottom of the bag. Tie a long thin string to the tail of a toy mouse, then place the bag on the floor with the bottom facing yourself. Pull the toy mouse through the circular opening until it reaches the middle of the bag. Softly call your cat to see the toy mouse at the other end of the bag, then shake the mouse’s tail to tease the cat.

　　At this moment, you will see your cat arch its back, wag its tail, and dash into the bag to catch the mouse. Then pull the mouse out from the cut bag and greatly praise your cat’s hunting skills!

　　4. Electric mouse

　　If your cat gets tired of ordinary toys, consider trying an electric toy. A startup called Petronics launched a high-tech toy designed for cats called Mousr.

　　Compared to most battery-operated toys in pet stores, Mousr is somewhat unique. This mouse-shaped robot detects a cat’s approach from any direction and behaves like a hunted animal fleeing in panic. It also has a hidden microphone to add audio elements to the chase. The company states they are developing a full AI system for Mousr so it can learn and adapt to your cat’s play style.

　　Of course, when playing games with your cat in summer, be careful not to overdo it. Over-exercising can lead to excessive sweating and decreased appetite in cats!