Fun Things for Puppies & Kittens

Puppies and kittens have the most fun when they are engaged in an activity. Activities can be interactive with their owners, or ones that they do by themselves. Pet stores sell a number of toys and props that serve as entertainment for young puppies and kittens, but not every puppy or every kitten is going to like the same ones. As such, try testing out a variety with your pet to see which ones it prefers.

  1. Ropes and String

    • Toys made from rope or string entertain puppies and kittens for hours. Rope toys for puppies are stronger and thicker than kitty toys and are usually intended for chewing and playing tug-of-war. Puppies love to pull the rope and make you lose your grip at the other end. Kittens enjoy playing with string because they like to chase it as you dangle it in the air or pull it across the floor. Your kitten will attempt to hit the string with its paws or pounce on top of it when the string is on the floor.

    Balls

    • Balls make for all-day amusement. Young pets love the chase. So when you roll a ball down the living room or out in the yard, your puppy or kitten will want to run after it. Whether or not they bring the ball back to you after they catch it is another story. Your kitten may enjoy pushing the ball around with its paws and playing its own little game. Meanwhile, your puppy may grab the ball in its mouth and run around, or bring it back to you to roll again. Dogs can also have an enjoyable time pushing balls around with their paws, or tossing the balls in the air with their mouths.

    Play Structures

    • Play structures entice puppies and kittens to explore and challenge themselves on the structure. A kitten playhouse is a multi-tiered structure that allows the kitten to climb, jump and scratch the material. The kitten perches at different tiers and relaxes there. If you have a puppy, find small obstacle course structures for it to enjoy, such as plastic toys for it to crawl through, jump over and climb on. Some puppy owners choose to make these from children's toys or things that they build from scratch. Your kitten and puppy may need an initial introduction to the play structure. Show them how they can have fun using the structure.

    Socialization

    • Socialization is fun for puppies and kittens. Puppies enjoy chasing, running around and playing with other puppies, as they are pack, or social animals. Cats are more independent but socializing them as kittens is an effective way to make them more social and at ease around people and other animals and situations. Kittens also enjoy romping around with other kittens.

    Physical Activity

    • Physical activities are a must for young animals. If you run around the yard, your puppy will chase you and think that the two of you are playing a game. Walking your puppy increases health and helps it bond with you. Your kitten may need a different type of play exercise, such as allowing it to pounce on you or getting it to jump around. Wind-up toys that scurry across the floor gets all four of your feline's legs moving, engaging its natural prey drive.