Bonding Tip of The Week: Treat Toss

Hi everybody! This is Molly with Cat Behavior Solutions again, here with another Bonding Tip of the Week. Today I want to talk about a bonding tip that also happens to be really good exercise for your cat. And that tip is: play a game of cat treat toss!

It looks a little like this: take your favorite cat treat sticks, like Vitakraft’s Purrsticks—they come sectioned, so it’s really easy to break off a piece—and toss it. Your cat goes running for it! And, if you toss the treat behind something, like curtains or a couch, your cat then has to go and forage for it.

Here’s why this is so great: besides this practically being a homemade cat toy, your cat is a hunter, and treat toss mimics the chase part of the hunting sequence. In the wild, your cat would hunt for six hours a day, a sequence that looks like staring, stalking, chasing, pouncing, and delivering the kill bite, sometimes with a bit of struggling or wrestling in the process. They need to simulate this sequence as much as possible throughout the day.

Treat toss gives your cat the opportunity for the short bursts of chase and pounce that they’re naturally inclined towards, contributing to holistic cat health and improved animal welfare. It’s also great for keeping your kitty’s brain healthy and agile, since stress from frustration and boredom can build up if these natural instincts aren’t engaged. Cat games like treat toss are an outlet for that!

So play a little treat toss with your cats this week for a happier, healthier kitty. If your cat doesn’t go after the treat right away, point them in the right direction. Cats are observant and that’s how they learn, so they’re sure to catch on eventually.

Tune in again next week for another bonding tip!

Happy Tossing,

Brought to you by Vitakraft, creator of the cat treats your pet is really into. For more cat behavior tips, visit CatBehaviorSolutions.org