Electronic games on tablets have ushered in a new era of cat toys. Learn about the contents of these games and some of the potential downsides. Cats are lively, swift, and furious when they play. Perhaps for this reason, Friskies created You vs. Cat, the first interactive human-cat game. Pioneers in the fast expanding cat gaming market, the business has created a number of iPad and Android tablet games that cats may play with or against humans. They are not the only ones, either. Other app creators are joining the fray.
Why Use Electronic Games for Cats?
It’s entertaining to compare your own reflexes to those of your cat, for starters. Cats dominate human-cat head-to-head competitions all around the world, according to the You vs. Cat global scoreboard.
The latest craze in electronic cat games lets pet parents sit back and chuckle as their cat chases after the fish, cheese, or other vibrant visuals on the screen. Every choice in Friskies’ games, the company claims, was crafted with cats in mind. For example, the colors and motion of the items on-screen were created to appeal to feline sensibilities. The objects’ sudden changes in direction and darting motion resemble the movement of a mouse or other small prey.
What About My Tablet’s Screen?
The iPad’s alkali-aluminosilicate glass screen, according to the manufacturer, can withstand cat claws and paws. No official statement has been made regarding Android tablets, although some users have expressed concern that a cat’s claws may scratch the screen protector on a tablet.
But Do Cats Enjoy Electronic Games?
Not all felines will rush to the screen in anticipation of play. Don’t force your iPad in front of your cat if they aren’t interested in playing because some will shrink from the strangeness or just be uninterested.
A Big Possible Drawback
If your cat does play, you should be conscious that you’re probably agreeing to more than you might have anticipated for the greatest results. How come? Imagine spending hours chasing something without ever getting it in your hands. Would you prefer it if your owner just turned the game off and gave you a pat on the head? Pam Johnson Bennet, a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, warns that what you might assume is excellent feline exercise—a vigorous play session in terms of movement—is insufficient. “You’re doing your cat a disservice if you only concentrate on keeping him physically busy and ignore his need for mental gratification and confidence,” the expert claims.
Human players may find satisfaction in watching “caught” fish transform into spirals of color on a screen, but cats prefer to experience the “catch” firsthand. Even while leaving your cat unsatisfied after a game might not seem like a big thing, it might lead to behavioral issues. Don’t you also want your kitty companion to feel successful after a hunt?
So How Do You Make Sure Your Cat is Satisfied at the End of the Game?
Use a cat wand or mouse toy to transition the play session from the tablet to reality once the virtual bad guys have been vanquished. Let your cat finish the chase by pouncing and grabbing something tangible. A few treats are also a fantastic follow-up.
